Page 153 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘I wasn’t planning to date this man,’ she said.

Anja, beside her, shifted. ‘Perhaps we should take this inside,’ she suggested, reminding Astrid that they were visible to the crowds on the street, albeit at a distance.

‘Of course,’ the prime minister agreed with a nod. They stepped into the palace, Astrid’s temper only rising as they walked in silence. Once ensconced in the privacy of her office, she felt the emotions of the last few days take hold, threatening the equilibrium she prided herself on.

‘I am not intending—and never intended—to marry Javier Diamandi. And, yes, I am very aware that I must marry soon. He’s leaving after the New Year’s Eve ball, at which point I shall turn my attention to finding someone suitable to share my life with. Not that I require it, but I presume this meets with your approval?’

The surprise on his features was evident. As the head of her Regency Council, Astrid had treated Henrik with respect and deference, rather than the other way around. For the first time in her life, she was comfortable putting the shoe on the other foot, and holding him to account. Of reminding him that she was his queen and, as such, deserved respect.

‘Of course,’ he said, echoing that sentiment with a small bow. ‘Might I ask why Javier is so unacceptable to you? I’ve expressed my thoughts on the match already.’

There it was again. The thought of him as her husband, her other half, a part of her life, her heart, her soul. Panic almost felled her at the knees. ‘No, you may not ask,’ she continued in the same vein, relishing her authority now. ‘Our relationship is ours and ours alone, regardless of this press intrusion. I do not owe anyone an explanation.’

‘And yet, I’m informed a statement is being prepared?’

‘A short statement, asking for privacy,’ she said, softening her tone slightly, though the breath in her lungs was burning with indignation and something else—panic and fear at the very thought of marrying Javier. Of the future she didn’t dare hope for, because she knew it couldn’t be trusted. ‘And after that, no further comment.’

He stared at her for a long moment and then said, softly, ‘You know, you’re so like your father.’

It was the very last thing she expected the prime minister to say.

‘We knew each other well. We were friends, most of the time. Sometimes we argued and he would put me in my place, as you just have.’

She felt a hint of flush creep into her cheeks.

‘He was a very good man and you are an exceptional queen. They would be so proud of you, Your Majesty. Just as I am.’

She was glad he left swiftly after saying those words, because she couldn’t stem the tears that filmed her eyes as she collapsed into the chair behind her desk on a swell of emotion.

* * *

‘You should not have come here,’ she hissed at Javier, closing the door to her apartment quickly. She had about twenty minutes before her next scheduled event, which was, blessedly, the last of the day. ‘There are members of the press all over the palace.’

But she was so glad to see him, so glad to be close to him, even if they were still a few feet apart.

‘Then it’s no different to my home, which is currently surrounded by paparazzi.’ His expression was unreadable, his features so familiar she could see them even with her eyes closed.

‘Oh, God,’ she groaned, dropping her head into her hands. ‘I’m so sorry, Javier. I truly didn’t expect this.’

‘It’s not your fault.’ His tone was raw, but somehow, soothing. It didn’t work, though.

‘This is the last thing I wanted,’ she groaned, a plea in those words for him to understand.

‘I know,’ he said, coming close to her then. ‘I’m sorry for you, Astrid. I wish I could have protected you from this.’

‘This is my life. It’s not your job to protect me.’

She saw the way his features shifted, something dark stirring them.

But if he knew her at all, he’d understand that this was a line in the sand. She had to reconnect with who she was, at her heart, in her life, without him in it. She had to start letting him go. On her terms, her timeline. That was the only way to protect herself. She couldn’t risk this getting any more full-on, knowing it could all disappear without a moment’s notice. The same panic she’d felt when talking to the prime minister whipped through her anew.

‘What if I want to?’ he asked, eyes boring into hers.

Protect her? Impossible. How could anyone protect her from the cruelties of life? Better not to need anyone, even Javier.

‘I don’t need that,’ she insisted. Realising it sounded cold and snappy, she softened it with what she hoped would pass as a smile. ‘There’ll be a high level of interest in us both, for a time, but the media will move on. Particularly if we avoid being seen together again,’ she said pointedly.

‘No one is here.’ He spread his arm to gesture around the room.