Page 45 of Learning to Rule

“That I’d be a queen? No, I thought I’d always be a yoga teacher.” She laughs.

“You know I never thought I’d be happily married with fabulous children in a country I love. I saw myself being tied to someone my father chose for me and having children I’d never get to know. I’m so glad I found you. You changed everything for me.”

I pull Elodie closer to me and kiss the top of her head.

“You did a lot of it yourself because of who you are. Elizabeth wasn’t wrong when she said you were the best daddy—you are. But not just that, you’re the best husband and the best king. I wouldn’t change my life for anything. I love you, Dalton.”

“I love you as well, my queen.” I look around me, the children are now indoors with their grandad and a thought pops into my head. “How do you fancy trying out the summerhouse. We never did get a chance to christen it.”

Elodie squeezes my hand.

“Show me the way.”

THE END