Has William spoken to Theodore? He naturally must suspect the truth after that night in the forest, but we usually have an understanding that as long as I’m not engaging in any life-threatening behaviors, he doesn’t report back to the palace on my daily life. And he’s seen me high more than once, so it’s not as though the theory is untested.

“Rose?” William presses. “I know your parents prefer a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach, but this is one time I have to disagree with them. The more I know, the better I can work to protect you and prevent rumors from spreading.”

What he says makes sense; however, it’s not that simple. For a start, Danni is only out to one person, a friend of hers from America named Rachel. She told me as much a week ago. Even if I were to decide William should know about us, I would need her permission first. And truthfully, I’m far from eager to loop William in on this particular fact. He’s a great help in many areas, but as soon as anyone within the palace knows about Danni and me, it’s out of my hands. The palace is skilled at making problems go away, but they haven’t historically been much concerned about the price, there. I don’t want their eyes on Danni. Not when they would choose me over her in a heartbeat at even the whiff of a scandal.

“Danni’s a friend of mine,” I say evenly, “but that’s all.”

“I see,” William says, equally measured. It’s impossible to tell if he believes me. “Well, just so you are aware, there has been some online discussion regarding you and your friend. I’m sending through a number of screenshots we collected today.”

Well, there’s my answer to whether he believes me. I frown to myself as he falls quiet, composing an email to me. What does he mean, online discussion? How on earth do people online have any opinion on Danni and me? And if true, how was I not aware of it? I pull out my laptop and hurry to check my emails, where I find an encrypted message from William.

The first few screenshots attached appear to be from the comment section beneath Molly’s piano post. A few are simply people noting that they recognize my voice, and expressing it’s sweet to see Danni and I are still friends. One person takes it further than that, and writes:

What’s up with the lover’s tone at the end there?

And someone else—a friend of theirs, perhaps—replies:

First the rugby game, now this.

The final screenshot is of a post within a forum devoted to European royal families, uncreatively titled Princess Rosemary and Danni Blythe???