Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
“Good morning,” I say into the mic in front of me, squinting at the onslaught of lights from cameras.
I didn’t bring any notes, going over my brief speech last night in the mirror alone.
“Thank you all for being here today on short notice and on a Saturday. I want to address recent events in Greece that I’m sure you’re all aware of where Prince Stefanos of Greece and I were rescued from a yacht disaster I caused, with regrets.
I wish to warmly thank the coast guard and the Greek authorities for helping us so efficiently and for spearheading the cleanup efforts. ”
I draw a deep breath and smooth the cuff of my suit jacket. When I rehearsed this in my head last night, I didn’t feel any nerves, but today, I’m trying to hide that I’m practically vibrating with them.
“Like everyone, I’m grateful the environmental impacts weren’t as bad as they could be after the accident, although I appreciate far from ideal.
Coral reefs are special environments, which are under threat from boating and other factors.
I want to announce today that I will make a donation of ten thousand euros towards the Greek Islands Coral Reef Protection Society to help keep these environments safe and special.
I want to apologize formally to Prince Stefanos, the Greek Royal Family, and also to the Greek authorities for the trouble I’ve caused. Thank you.”
I answer a couple of questions amid the dazzle of lights. It kind of has an interrogation sort of energy. But I keep my poise and smile for the cameras as if I do this all the time.
“How do you know Prince Stefanos?” a reporter asks.
My lips twitch ever so slightly, thinking back to our conversation. “Stefanos is my friend.”
“And this accident wasn’t his fault?” another reporter asks.
“No, this wasn’t his fault,” I acknowledge with indisputable authority. “It’s mine.”
Another reporter at the back of the room speaks up. “Were you both drinking at the time?”
“No one was drinking any alcohol at the time of the accident,” I assure them.
Someone tries to ask me about Aidan, but I dodge the question in the media melee and pretend I didn’t hear it. Hans sweeps in to wrap up the session.
By the time I finish, I’m wiped out. I excuse myself. As soon as I can get back to my room, I change and hit the palace gym to reset in a session to work off my nerves. And I hope the press conference does a little to put things right again.
Later that night, after spending the rest of the day with Mamma, as I’m being driven across Copenhagen to meet up with friends, my phone chimes with a text from Stefanos. In response, my heart beats double time. I adjust the collar of my shirt as I read, holding my breath.
I saw you on the news today. You didn’t need to do what you did x
I wanted to. I still feel terrible about what happened. And leaving you alone with it all x
It wasn’t only your fault for the record. And the charity donation was a great idea. I should do the same
Thanks. It’s the least I can do. I actually want to do more like apologize in person to your father
Appreciate the thought but probably not a good idea right now
Another time
I fidget with my phone. If only there could be another time. What I’d give for another time to happen. Shaking my head, all the wishes in the universe aren’t changing the disaster or the fact that I’m going to be the King any day now.
Talking in person is so much easier than texting.
Even so, I can’t help the goose bumps under my clothes.
Because Stefanos. If only this yacht thing hadn’t happened.
Then again, even if it hadn’t, there’s still the whole problem that Stefanos is also a royal.
He’s definitely not an option for a fling.
And I mean, I don’t know if he feels the same way or shares in my indulgent fantasies.
I ruined the small chance with him, anyway.
Things are too far gone now, our paths too different. Yet I don’t want to accept this truth, even though it’s logical and clear to see. Being stubborn can be both my best and worst trait.
Then Stefanos sends another text.
I wish things were different too. I had fun with you till the accident happened
I swallow hard. Well. That’s not helping the situation one bit. But my heart leaps at the confession from Stefanos. Ignoring reason and any sense of self preservation, I message him back right away.
I had fun with you too x
My phone lights up a moment later in the dark.
I hope this doesn’t seem like too much, but I miss you
Well, shit.
Grimacing, I stare out the window at the traffic as we weave through Copenhagen at night.
Streetlamps glow over the snake of red taillights in front of us, and the first drops of rain fall against the passenger window.
Copenhagen’s a world very far away from those couple of days in Greece with Stefanos.
Think, Theo. Ignore this. It’s not helping.
I type and retype several times before I hit Send.
I miss you too x
Nothing more comes before I reach my destination, which is my friend Miguel’s flat in the heart of the city, where he’s having several of the old gang over to catch up over drinks.
I’m excited to see them all, but I can’t escape the bittersweet feeling that lingers.
Because, in short order, I’m going to be King, and I won’t have the time to be able to indulge in escapist fantasies like this one about Stefanos.
When I’m home again a few hours later, after visiting at Miguel’s flat, I sit in the dark and stare out the window of my bedroom from the window seat.
I’ve changed into my pajamas, but I’m not ready for sleep yet.
There’s nothing here to distract me from my thoughts.
Which is a real shame because distraction is my life’s true calling. I fidget with my phone.
As I promised Mamma, I’ve avoided any sort of scandal tonight.
We all stayed in, well away from the public and any off chance of the paparazzi.
It was great to catch up with friends from school.
Plus, it was a few hours away from my worries, but they’ve returned tonight in full force.
Why is Freja the only one allowed to live her life the way she wants, without consequence?
Which is when I unlock my phone and message Stefanos again.
Thank God for the beer earlier—otherwise, I wouldn’t have the nerve.
Also, caring too much about what someone else thinks about me is what got me in trouble with Aidan, I remind myself.
If I hadn’t cared about Aidan, his betrayal wouldn’t have hurt so much.
Rookie mistake. I’ll need to make sure I don’t make that mistake twice in a row.
Yet, I type.
I’d love to see you again. Meet in Berlin maybe?
It’s definitely after midnight in Greece, that much I know. He’s an hour ahead. And I’m not sure if he’s in Athens or Kerkyra. It doesn’t really matter. At any rate, if he’s going to respond, it’ll be tomorrow. I set my phone down on the table.
When my phone buzzes to life a moment later, I snatch it up to see Stefanos’ response.
I can change my flight next week to go through London on my way back to New York, instead of Frankfurt.
Whatever I expected to say, this is definitely not it—it’s so much better than I could have hoped. My heart thuds. I force myself to take a deep breath and act like I have some chill as I hop up to pace in bare feet. I stare at my phone for a long moment, then tap out a message.
You’d do that?
But just as quickly, I delete the message before sending.
Too desperate-sounding. With a shake of my head to clear it, I need to rally with something more levelheaded.
More suave. More come and get it. There was a time when I was totally suave, but there’s something about Stefanos that makes me lose my composure.
Yes please x
See you then x
Now I’m far, far too awake for any chance at sleep.
So much for that plan. I fling myself down onto the bed and settle against the mountain of pillows along the headboard.
I fold my arms under my head. There’s only space for thinking about what it would be like to see Stefanos again.
Something far more fantasy than reality.
And, more importantly, I imagine the warmth of Stefanos’ skin soft under my fingers and the sweet taste of his lips yielding against mine.
Remember, this doesn’t mean anything at all.