“He sent you money to buy out your contract?” Viv looks shocked by this revelation.

“I’m not sure if he wanted you to know…”

“I won’t say anything,” Viv promises.

“I had already made my decision. But it was nice to know he supported it,” I share with her. She smiles before resting her head against my shoulder.

I huff out a laugh, then sweep her up into my arms. She snuggles against me as I cradle her against my chest, making me think this was actually her intention all along. Viv is no help with navigating, so I take several wrong turns before I spot the marble hallway that leads to the wing where Viv’s room is located. We reach the door and I push it open, flicking on the light. It looks exactly the same as it did the last time I was in here. I carry Viv over to the massive bed and lift her on top of the comforter. She groans as her face smushes against the soft material.

I’m heading back toward the door when I hear her call my name. I glance back to see Viv’s raised her head from the bed.

“Where are you going?” she asks sleepily.

“To figure out where my stuff got sent,” I reply.

“Just come to bed,” Viv mumbles.

I chuckle as she starts trying to pull her sweater off with her eyes still closed. She finally manages to as I reach the edge of the bed. Any amusement dies in my throat at the amount of skin suddenly on display.

Bleary blue eyes appraise me as she peels off her jeans and flings them on the floor. She climbs underneath the comforter, holding the blanket up. “Come on,” she implores impatiently.

I shuck my shirt and pants, turn off the light, and slide under the sheets next to her. She immediately snuggles against me.

“Thank you,” she murmurs.

I kiss her forehead.

I’m startled by how quickly I settle into life in Marcedenia. In many ways, it simply feels like a continuation of my last visit here. I’m given the same suite I stayed in before, but end up spending every night in Viv’s room. Something I thought we were being stealthy about until my laundry started being delivered to her room.

Most mornings we go running together before Vivienne leaves for her classes at Edgewood, while I remain at the palace for my daily lessons. They take place in one of the conference rooms by the room Viv and I had our ill-fated interview preparation in. This time my sessions are solo. I’m inundated with information about Marcedenia and the royal family in preparation of becoming a Marcedenian citizen.

I travel back to South Carolina three weeks after Viv and I returned to Marcedenia together to film the final advertisement Jeremy booked for me. This is the first time I’m leaving the palace without Vivienne, which means I have my own team of agents traveling with me. Now that we’re engaged, I’m entitled to royal protection. It’s completely bizarre.