Page 105 of Throne Off Course

The internet responded instantly.

“She just broke up with him before they were even engaged. Incredible.”

“The Queen must be furious right now.”

“Genevieve removed herself from this PR disaster with the skill of a seasoned politician.”

“Imagine being forced to marry your boss just to keep your job. That’s what Alexander was dealing with. No wonder he’s done playing along.”

Public sentiment, once divided, shifted almost entirely in Alexander’s favor. It was no longer just about his engagement, it was about his autonomy. It was about whether a modernmonarchy had any right to dictate its ruler’s marriage. And most importantly it was about what Alexander was going to do next.

48

The Queen Gets Checked

The palace was silent.

Not the dignified silence of royal protocol. Not the composed quiet of a well-run monarchy.

No, this was something different. Heavier. Unsettling.

The Queen was losing control for the first time in her reign.

The engagement had been her strongest weapon—a carefully constructed inevitability, a safeguard against uncertainty. But now, Genevieve had walked away. Parliament, sensing the shift, was backing Alexander. The press had turned against the palace narrative. Social media had made him a cause, not just a prince. And through it all, Alexander himself had done something she had never truly believed he would.

He had defied her.

The Queen sat in her office, spine ramrod-straight, fingers laced together in calculated stillness. Across from her, two senior advisors waited, exchanging careful glances, their faces lined with barely concealed tension.

“The situation is untenable, Your Majesty,” one of them finally said, his voice measured but urgent.

She said nothing.

“Parliament is formally discussing the marriage law. They may move to abolish it entirely. If you continue to push—”

“I am aware of the risks,” the Queen cut in smoothly, her voice sharp enough to silence the room.

She didn’t need to be told how fragile the situation had become. She had ruled for years now, navigating crises, outmaneuvering opponents, always staying one step ahead.

But this? This was different.

The public was against her. The government was against her. And worst of all—Alexander was against her.

She had underestimated his resolve, had assumed that when it mattered, he would fall in line. But instead, he had let the world see him as a man who wanted more than duty. And in doing so, he had won them over.

Her reign would not survive a battle fought in public opinion. And so, she had a choice.

She could fight. She could push harder, try to force Alexander’s hand, rally what influence she had left. But doing so meant risking everything. If Parliament turned against her, if the monarchy looked too outdated—her own power would be questioned.

Or—

She could step aside. Not in name, not in title, but in influence. She could let Alexander win this battle and walk away before her legacy was truly shattered. The answer was clear. She took a moment, steadied herself and then met her advisors’ expectant gazes.

“Prepare a statement,” she said at last. “The matter of the prince’s engagement will no longer be pursued by the Crown.”

One of them hesitated. “And the marriage law?”

She exhaled, closing her eyes for the briefest of moments. “Let Parliament do what it will.”