And it wasn’t until this exact moment that she understood the hard line of resistance she’d felt from the moment her mother had expected her to meet with the wedding planner. If she wanted their respect, then she needed to respect herself enough to live her truth. No guilt, no doubts. And that’s why Brodie’s so good for me. He encouraged her to brainstorm solutions that married her parents’ objectives with her own dreams.

“Hey.” Brodie came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “What’s going on in that sexy mind of yours?”

“I’m not going to marry Marcel.”

He stepped in front of her, concern lining his forehead. “Is this news?”

“It is. All this time, no matter how sure I’ve sounded, I’ve had this fear that I’d go home and ultimately wind up doing what’s in the best interests of my family and my country. But I think I finally get it—deep down—that it’s not in anyone’s best interests. Not only don’t I want to get married and have a baby—I’m not ready for that—but it’s not the way to lead my country forward. You know that expression, Be the change you want to see in the world?”

He nodded. Hope looked almost painful in his eyes.

“The thing is, I’ve been waiting for my parents to allow me to add another product to our business. And, when Marcel argued against my bath and body line, they went along with him, because he’s expected to take over the business when our fathers retire. Well, guess what? I’m an intelligent, educated woman who grew up in the royal house, privy to all the decisions and inner workings. I don’t need Marcel—or any man—to approve my business decisions.”

He cracked a smile.

“I’ve been so worried about upsetting my father, about me being the reason we lose our seats in parliament, and I haven’t been able to reconcile who I am with what they need me to be.”

“Until now?”

“Until this very moment. As painful as it might be for my parents, I’m going to have to stay true to myself. Hold my ground. And that means I can’t marry and get pregnant just so we can hang onto the monarchy, because I don’t believe that’s what’s best for our people in the twenty-first century. And, I guess, if it doesn’t work for them, then my sister can step into my shoes. Because the kind of life they expect me to live…it’s just not possible.”

“Hey, Rosie?” Callie called. “We’re out of jars. Do you have any more?”

She glanced at the wall where she’d stacked the boxes. “No. I guess that’s it. Wow, you guys are fast.”

“Do you need us to load the truck?” Gray asked.