Page 90 of Prince Material

“Someone has to keep you in line.” But I was smiling, warmth spreading through my chest at his casual affection. “Though I have to admit, you’ve gotten better about the laundry.”

“See? I can be taught.” He pressed another kiss to my palm. “So, small ceremony?”

I nodded. “Small ceremony. Though we should probably include some traditional elements, right? For protocol?”

“Some, yes. But we can make them our own.” His expressionturned thoughtful. “Like, instead of a massive reception, we could do something more intimate. Maybe in the garden pavilion at Het Oude Loo? It’s beautiful in September, and it has special meaning for us.”

Het Oude Loo was where I had met his parents for the first time, his friends, and where we’d spent countless weekends getting to know each other away from the press. It was also where he’d proposed, on a crisp, autumn morning surrounded by falling leaves.

“I would love that.”

“Have I told you how grateful I am that you agreed to move to the Netherlands for me?” he said softly.

“You have. Multiple times. It’s not a sacrifice.”

“But it is. You won’t get to see your mom and Tia as often. And for your job?—”

“I love my job.”

I had finished my master’s in civil engineering, but encouraged by Floris, I had found the courage to follow my true passion and had chosen to get another master’s in historic building preservation engineering with a minor in architectural history. I had loved every second of it, and now I worked as a part-time consultant for UNESCO and advised them on restoration projects of historic buildings. It was a dream come true, and the best part was that I knew deep down, my father would be so proud of me. I was thriving, not merely surviving. All because of Floris.

Floris himself had continued with water management, becoming a specialized engineer who traveled around the world to talk about the importance of flood prevention. I accompanied him whenever I could and had seen places I could’ve only dreamed of before. I felt incredibly privileged and lucky to have this life with the man I loved.

And somewhere in the south of the Netherlands, in a tiny little town on the river Maas, we had officially opened a newkering, a barrier system that would prevent more flooding from happening there… and it was called the Henry Ritchey kering.

Dad would be so proud of me.