Page 119 of Royally Rivalled

She was a first-year, but she was thoroughly indoctrinated into academic life. Astrid spoke as if she’d done this forever.

“I hope they say I passed.”

I paced. Astrid let me go, trying to make nice with my mother. I had to give it to her for trying. Mum let out all hell on us both when I told her I was moving with Astrid to Scotland. She thought my decision was flippant, but I could imagine no other way to keep myself happy. I wanted Astrid and this academic life right now. I needed that before I went back, settled, and had children. I owed it to myself—and Astrid. We were still new and figuring life out. There would be time for everything else eventually.

Briggs popped his head out. “We’re ready for you, Dr Westfall.”

At first, I didn’t understand why that was notable until Astrid shrieked excitedly.

“Congratulations and welcome,” Briggs extended his hand. “You passed.”

Amazed, I shook his hand back. “Thank you, sir. Thank you?—”

“You are very deserving,” Briggs said.

Inside the room, we signed the obligatory forms. My degree would be officially conferred in July, but I was effectively done. Astrid gave me a massive kiss, which probably surprised all the other academics who knew us. Again, it was unlike us to make a fuss. I didn’t care.

“I’m so damn proud of you,” Astrid said. “So fucking happy for you!”

“I know,” I said.

“Now what?” Briggs asked. “When do you move?”

“This summer—after Astrid finishes her last class,” I answered. “Once we’re assured life is good. We’ll move up and settle in.”

“You’re moving together?” Briggs smiled, surprised.

“It’s been a journey,” Astrid blushed.

“And at first, I thought you hated one another.” Briggs shook his head. “I assumed something was happening around the end of term last year when Parker was all too kind to you. Was your disdain just an act? You could have been honest.”

“Not at first,” I chuckled nervously. “We didn’t get on. We soon realised—as you said—we had a lot in common.”

Astrid smiled. “It was… a surprise to us most of all.”

“We’re about to hop a flight north to look at houses,” I said.

“Well, best of luck to you. I am glad you won’t be too far,” Briggs said. “I think I need to catch up with you all.”

“We will have you over for dinner,” Astrid said. “Once we get the house in order.”

We had champagne on the way north, enjoying a bit of quiet. I was glad to leave my mother and her criticisms. Our estate agent picked us up and was keen to show us a few properties in Edinburgh and St Andrews. I expected Astrid would prefer a lovely stone cottage with a pretty garden near a train station. It would make her life easier, after all.

Instead, she surprised me. We drove down a lane towards a beautiful Georgian stone house with a tree-lined private drive. We passed a barn, paddocks, and a horse school. Astrid’s face lit up as the car stopped.

“It’s a horse property?”

“Yes. Six hectares,” the agent said. “Lovely countryside. Private.”

“But where is the nearest station?” I asked. “And how far are we from Edinburgh?”

Someone had to be practical. Astrid’s mind was on horses, the garden, and a grand house, but we’d have to live with our commutes. I didn’t want her to have second thoughts the minute I bought the place. I worried she’d be disappointed.

“It’s about five kilometres to the village. Train to Edinburgh takes roughly fifty minutes. It’s about an hour’s drive to St Andrews.”

I didn’t mind that drive. I only taught a few days a week. I suspected Astrid would be in town more often. Unfazed, Astrid continued the tour. The place needed updating but had loads of charm. Or, at least, it charmed Astrid. I was harder to impress.

We stood, looking over the fields behind the house from the primary bedroom. The agent gave us space to chat. I sensed Astrid wanted this house, and I could do little to argue with her.

---