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“So, you’re not going to end things?”

“What? No! I just found her,” Palmer replied, turning to look at Victoria.

“Good answer.” Victoria glared.

“Did you actually think I’d just leave her after everything?”

“No, I didn’t. I assume you value your life, and you’d know that I’d kill you if you ever hurt her.”

Palmer laughed a little and said, “I hope I never do, but I’m sure I’ll do something stupid one day.”

“Don’t,” Victoria replied, winking at her. “So, how’s it going to work between the two of you?”

“Long-distance for a while.”

“You’re all right with that?”

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

“Yes, you do.” Victoria shrugged a shoulder. “You could end things, go home, move on, and meet someone else one day, who isn’t tied to a country like my sister.”

“No, I can’t,” Palmer replied.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s the one,” Palmer said easily. “I don’t want anyone else. She’s it for me.”

“You are full of good answers tonight.” Victoria laughed.

“I’m serious, Victoria. I’ve never felt this way about another woman before. And I don’t think I ever will. I want to marry her one day.”

“And she’s okay with this plan?”

“We’ve talked about her coming out, and yeah, I know that I’d have to move here and become whatever it is I’d have to become, but I’d do it for her. Hell, I’d do it forme.”

“What do you mean?”

“I love it here, and only part of that is because of her. This place was supposed to be somewhere I intended to spend a week, go home, and look at the pictures later to remember my relaxing vacation. But it had turned into so much more. I spent weeks diving into its history, learning about the people, and roaming around the city in the cold. I don’t exactly know what the future holds. I know I can’t just leave my family in Pennsylvania without a plan to see them as often as I could, but… I don’t know; even working for the paper doesn’t feel as good as it used to.”

“I thought reporters were supposed to annoy you with their perseverance.” Victoria lifted an eyebrow at Palmer. “But you never have.”

“Maybe I’m more of a writer than an investigative reporter. Maybe there’s something else out there for me.”

“Something, right? Not someone?” Elizabeth’s voice came from behind her.

“Rest easy, my sister. Palmer, here, was just singing your praises, telling me how much she loves youandSt.Rais.”

“She was?” Elizabeth asked, smiling.

“I was,” Palmer confirmed. “And I’d kiss you right now if we weren’t surrounded by a bunch of people who–”

Elizabeth leaned in and interrupted her words with a quick kiss on the lips. When she pulled back, Palmer must have looked shocked, because she started laughing.

“Everyone, may I have your attention for just one more moment?” Elizabeth asked the room. When everyone got quiet, she continued, “Most of you have already met Miss Honeycutt. She came to St. Rais several months ago on vacation, and after what happened with the King and the rest of our family, Palmer stayed to write a story. As a reporter for her paper, it was her job to get all the dirt she could and to report on it in a way that would sell papers.” Elizabeth smiled at Palmer. “Fortunately for meandfor St.Rais, Palmer has integrity. She didn’t make a mockery out of me, my family, or St. Rais. She also made sure that some of the more personal things I revealed to her stayed between us. I don’t know many reporters who would have done the same.” She paused for a moment. “And I am so grateful.” Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes as she took Palmer’s hand. “I am so grateful for Palmer. Her strength and her support have gotten me through the toughest days I will likely ever encounter in my life. Her humor and her intelligence brightened those days when I could find nothing else to be happy about. On top of that, she’s given me the courage to not only ask my people if a monarchy was what they wanted but also to be myself more completely.” Elizabeth squeezed Palmer’s hand. “I will tell the rest of the nation in time, but given the recent events, I’d prefer to keep this just between us for now.” She looked around the room of about thirty people. “You are all part of my family, so I believe that I can trust each of you.” She met Palmer’s eyes again. “I am absolutely in love with Palmer Honeycutt. Our relationship is new, but it is real, and it is lasting. I would request that you all treat Palmer as if she were part of this family because she is; or, I hope she will be one day, at least.” Elizabeth looked around the room again. “If you have a problem with my relationship with Palmer, you are more than welcome to turn in your resignation at any time; I won’t be upset with you. It’s time, though, for St. Rais to move forward from the pain of what happened. For me to help us do that, I have to be myself, and Palmer is part of me in a way no one else has ever or will ever be.” She pressed her forehead to Palmer’s. “I love you.”

Palmer felt the tears well up in her own eyes as she said, “I love you, too.”

“Well, it has been quite a day, hasn’t it?” Victoria asked loudly. “More drinks all around!”