“It’s over when we get our results,” Eleanor reminds her, but Molly waves a hand.

“We’ll be fine. No matter what, we’ll be fine.”

Danni, still shining, sighs with contentment as she cracks her knuckles. I can relate. I was in her position a week ago after my math exam. The exam period was even worse for Danni, mind. While the rest of us sat our final exams at Bramppath during the school term, the music students had to undertake the practical session of their exams in the Holstenwall Conservatory of Music a full week after the rest of us were all done.

I’ve been on edge all day, all throughout the service at Saint Mariana’s Cathedral, and the procession, and the gun salute this afternoon, wondering how her recital was going. Now that I know she’s okay, I can finally relax and enjoy the festivities. Not to mention, we can finally focus on our upcoming ski holiday. After living in a cloud of exam stress for weeks now, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our newfound freedom than an intimate week together in a Swiss chalet. Just me, Danni, and my suite of royal guards.

Danni falls into step beside me as we enter the palace ballroom. We still have to minimize hand-holding while at royal events—a rule that’s applied just as sternly to straight royal couples as to us—but I am permitted to place a hand on the small of her back while we walk, which I do immediately. “There was a panel of five judges,” she says, “and I was expecting three. I would’ve thought that would throw me, but I guess after all the Bramppath performances I’m getting kind of used to the pressure? I just pretended we were all at school and eventually I forgot they were there.”

“I’m so proud of you.”

She tips her head back in relief, so far she almost overbalances, and I steady her, giggling. Around the room, people have noticed Danni’s arrival, and she starts waving and nodding to guests as we pass them. I doubt she knows half of their names, but she manages to make warm eye contact with each of them individually as though she does. For someone who was so hesitant to be in the spotlight when I met her, she’s not doing too badly in it.

She only averts her eyes when we past the Paget-Harringtons. Though Alfie isn’t here, she still harbors a very understandable resentment toward the entire family for their role in her near-expulsion. Luckily, they make no effort to speak to us, and we pass them by as though they don’t exist at all.