Page 24 of Learning to Rule

Dalton reaches out to take my hand. “What are you saying, Elodie?”

I let out a loud sigh, pain radiating through my heart.

“I think I need to return to America. We’ve not known each other long, and this is all so intense. I need to figure out in my own mind whether I have the strength for this life. I don’t want to end up hating you or you hating me, because of the pressure placed on us. I think it’s the only way we can find a way to move forward.”

Dalton lowers his head before leaning over and picking up the phone beside the bed.

“Hinchbootie, can you arrange for the private jet to take Miss Nash back to Florida tonight, please?” Dalton orders, and my heart breaks. “No, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but it’s what needs to happen at the moment. We need some time apart to know if this is the way we both want to proceed.”

I don’t hear Mr. Hinchbottom’s answer, just watch as Dalton puts the phone back down.

“It’ll be ready within the hour,” Dalton replies. He’s totally despondent as he pulls me to him. “I know why you’re doing this. I understand. I don’t like it one bit, but I know it’s something you must do. I’m always here, Elodie. I wish I could walk away from this to be with you, but in my heart, I know I can’t abandon the people of my country. They deserve more than my father. I have to give that to them. No matter what happens, I’ll always love you.”

Our lips meet as tears start to stream down my face.

“And I’ll always love you, Dalton.”

Twelve

Dalton

The next few days pass in a blur of nothingness. People come and go—they talk to me and ask me questions. I must answer them because they disappear, and I’m left alone once again with my thoughts. The scent of Elodie surrounds me in my bed at night, but her warmth and love is now back in America.

We’ve exchanged a few texts, but I’ve wanted to give her the space she needs to figure out whether she can cope with the life she’d have to live, to be with me. This cursed and unhappy life all because of one man, my fucking father.

I’ve not spoken to him since Elodie left, and I think he realizes he needs to leave me alone. I wouldn’t have a kind or respectful word to say to him. At the moment I can think of nothing better than him rotting in hell. I truly wish he was dead, and I could be left to run this country by myself, but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I have to be patient and pray that Elodie recognizes she really does possess the strength to be the princess I need at my side.

This morning, I find myself standing next to my dapple-gray stallion, Grayson, ready to ride him. I didn’t even get a chance to show him to Elodie. He was given to me as a foal and has been the horse I’ve used for all official engagements and pleasure rides in the Janastrian countryside ever since. He’s already saddled in my family’s livery and ready to ride.

It’s my father’s official birthday today, and we’ll parade through the streets, my father and mother in a horse-drawn carriage and me ahead of them on my horse with some of the other members of the royal family. Eventually, we’ll meet at a parade ground where the military will perform a display for my father.

It’s a lot of pomp and ceremony, but it’s one annual event I actually enjoy because a lot of the people taking part have fought for our country and deserve to be shown off to the king. Well, if it was a king who gave a fuck about them. I’ll be the person who honors them this year, though. I’ll salute every one of the brave people who’ve fought for peace in Janastria.

I mount Grayson and settle myself into the saddle. I’m wearing full military uniform with a sword at my side and helmet. The helmet isn’t as large as the ones the household cavalry wear in Great Britain, but it’s still a sizable weight on my head.

I pat Grayson to thank him for looking after me today, then alongside my escort, two guards on horse and several on foot, I make my way out through the gate of the stables.

By the time I reach the start of the parade, my father’s already sitting in his coach with my mother at his side. Her cheeks are flushed—no doubt, from the effects of several alcoholic drinks she’s already consumed. It’ll be a miracle if she’s able to stay awake during the presentation. Somehow, she usually seems to manage it. I shake my head, thinking of Elodie sitting in my mother’s place on that carriage. The woman I love would be a hundred times more dignified than the queen.

I pull on Grayson’s reins to get him to go a little faster past the carriage. I want nothing to do with either of the people sitting inside.

I despise them with a passion.

The parade begins, and I follow the military bands past the crowds of people lining the streets, many screaming and shouting praise for us as family, but I notice a few more with banners talking of a revolution and Janastria becoming a republic. It makes me sad. The history between the royal family and the people of this country has always been one of solidarity. We’ve not had the troubles of other countries where the monarchy has been abolished or has come close to being removed. We’ve always been highly regarded, but I see that respect dwindling every day.

I take my right hand off the reins while still holding on tightly to them with my left. Looking around at the crowd, I smile and start to wave, making sure to focus my attention on the young children. They are the generation I want to inspire to have a better future.

“Where is Miss Nash?” a couple of people call out, and I bite my tongue from telling them to ask the bastard in the coach behind me.

As we round the final corner before heading into the parade area, I feel the corners of my cheeks growing tired from the constant smiling.

I can’t help but wonder if Elodie is watching this? Would they even broadcast it in America? Then I realize the time and how early it would be there in Florida. She’s probably in a yoga class or still in bed.

I don’t want to allow my mind to wander in the direction of Elodie in bed, naked, not while riding a horse with only one hand on the reins. When Grayson begins to stray a little wildly off course like my thoughts, I grab tightly to the reins with both hands to steady him.

I don’t have time to fully correct his movement before what sounds like a loud firecracker comes from behind me. Another one follows, and Grayson rears up in fear. I manage to get him to put all four hooves on the ground again as I see the guards running toward me.

The blasts must have been an explosion or gunshots.

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