My parents are waiting for me in the sitting room attached to the balcony, alongside several palace staff members, including Penelope, my publicist. Mum shakes her head when she spots us, though she only seems half mad. “I sent for you ages ago, Rose,” she chides.

“I got caught up. I’m here, sorry.”

Father, wearing ceremonial garb of black and gold, draped in sashes, looks far too elated to be annoyed with me. Instead, he claps me on the shoulder, then turns to Danni, his eyes softening warmly the way they often do lately when Danni’s around. I’m not entirely sure whether he’s so very fond of Danni because of who she is as a person, or because he associates her with all the things that have gone so very right since the public learned of her significance to us. More likely than not, it’s a combination of both.

“How was your examination, Daniela?” he asks.

“Great, really great,” Danni says. “Congratulations on your jubilee. Has it been a good day?”

“It’s been an excellent day,” Father says. Then he gives a short laugh, as though he’s marveling at the thought.

I suppose, when Father pictured his future jubilee celebrations this time last year, he hadn’t imagined quite so large a crowd, and certainly not the overwhelming level of positivity and revelry we’ve seen from the people in attendance today. But a lot can change in a year.

Trumpets blast outside, announcing his cue to head onto the balcony. Because it’s his jubilee, he goes out alone at first, to have his moment. The crowd breaks into enthusiastic cheering and whooping, and Danni spins me around to check me over, ready for my own appearance. “You’re perfect,” she whispers, letting her fingers rest below the emerald tiara that’s been sewn into my chignon. It’s only my first time wearing it since I was finally allowed to debut it on my eighteenth birthday, as per the custom. Danni leaves her hand in place much longer than she needs to, letting her thumb brush my temple. Even after all this time, her touch still makes me shiver.

Mum walks out now, and the cheering rises again.

“I love you,” I say to Danni.

“Love you, too.”

“Shall we?” I ask, pressing my lips against hers quickly, while we have a moment of semi-privacy. Then, I straighten my back, and together we walk onto the balcony last.