“Ah, Jace, wonderful. Take a seat.” He gestures to one of the chairs across from him. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good, sir,” I reply, sitting in the chair.

“Glad to hear it. I’ll get right to the point. You’ve been requested for an interview,” John states. “Given the sensitivity of the matter, I wanted to speak to you about it myself.”

“Respectfully, sir, I’m not interested in doing any interviews before the season starts.” I reply.

“I understand, Jace,” John says. “I’m asking you as part of a personal favor, however.” Noticing my confused look, he continues. “Lionel Vanderbilt is a good friend of mine. I’ve known him and his family for years, including his son, Charles.” I experience a sinking realization at the sound of the name. “He’s engaged to the Princess of Marcedenia.”

“I know who he is,” I reply stiffly.

John nods. “Then you may also know their wedding is supposed to take place this spring.”

I nod.

“The press is being less than kind toward that announcement in light of the continuing speculation regarding your own alleged relationship with the princess. They’d like you to do an interview that puts that speculation to rest.”

“I’ll repeat, I’m not interested in doing any interviews. Especially not as a favor for the Vanderbilts,” I reply. “No offense,” I tack on.

John smiles. “Sorry, I wasn’t clear. While the Vanderbilts obviously have a vested interest in this interview, the request for it isn’t coming from them. The Marcedenia Royal Press Office called our publicity team personally.”

“The Royal Press Office?”

John nods.

“Did they say who the request had come from there?”

“No.”

“I need to know that before I make a decision.” I stand, expecting that to be the end of the conversation.

“Just a name?” John asks.

“No. I want to talk to them directly.”

“All right,” John replies. “I’ll let you know when I hear back.”

I nod again and leave the room.

VIVIENNE

I’m sitting by the side of the pool reading when I look up to see my mother and Anne whispering together on the terrace. Anne glances over and sees me watching them. She walks over to the pool. My mother follows.

“We heard back on the interview request,” Anne tells me, stopping next to the edge of the water.

“And?” I ask, my heart pounding.

“He wants to talk to the person making the request. Something tells me you should be on the call if we want this to actually happen.”

“Now?” I ask, my voice anxious.

“Yes. Time is still of the essence here.”

I rise from the stone patio that surrounds the pool. “Okay.”

I follow after Anne, my anxiety rising with each additional step. Jace and I parted on far from good terms. He has no reason to do this, and I’m not eager to relive the tone of our last conversation.

We enter the same small conference room off Anne’s office where we met two days ago. A couple members of the press staff are already in the room, bustling around. I take a seat at the round table, with my mother on my left and Anne on her other side. The staffers settle down into chairs after they all curtsy.