Page 140 of Reign

Jeff stood and came to kneel before her throne, bowing his head like an Arthurian knight. As the most senior peer in the realm, he was the first to pay her homage. Once upon a time that had been Beatrice’s job—at her father’s coronation, when she was eleven, she had been the first to approach the throne and lead the obeisance. She still remembered the girlish satin bow on her dress, which had been in the way when she knelt down. Beatrice had tugged at it futilely, then met her father’s gaze, and he’d winked at her—just once, but the wink was unmistakable.

Somehow, that single gesture had calmed her enough to lower her head and recite the Oath of Vassal Homage, as Jeff was about to do.

“Your Majesty. I, Jefferson, Prince of America, solemnly swear that I am your liege man. I will honor and serve you in faith and in loyalty, from this day forward, and for all the days of my life. So help me God.”

When Jeff looked up, Beatrice met his eyes, and understanding passed between them—as monarch and heir, yes, but also as brother and sister.

A part of Beatrice still wished that Sam were the onekneeling before her. She adored her brother, but she and Sam had been in this together from the beginning.

She couldn’t blame Sam for chasing her own dreams, instead of coming back to work for the Crown again. The royal establishment would call it selfish, but Beatrice didn’t see it that way. Staying out in the world, without the cover of a title to protect you from the elements? It might be a little foolhardy, but it was also brave.

Jeff returned to his seat, and suddenly Teddy was walking up the steps, his face alight with unmistakable pride. Technically he shouldn’t have been in the proceedings at all, given that he wasn’t a duke—or even a future duke—anymore, but Beatrice had insisted upon it.

As he knelt before her and swore the same oath, she realized—Teddy had said these words to her before. That long-ago day when she’d proposed to him, he had knelt before her and sworn the same vow. To honor and serve her in faith and loyalty for all the days of her life.

Looking at him now, Beatrice felt her heart burst with love. How foolish she had been to think that getting married before her coronation would weaken her. Love could only ever strengthen you; it lifted you up and made you a better version of yourself.

As Teddy stood, and the opening notes of the national anthem reverberated through the throne room, Beatrice realized what it meant.

The reign of America’s first queen had officially begun, at last.