Page 123 of Throne Off Course

Sebastian sighed with theatrical despair. “It’s deeply frustrating to be mocked by someone who does it with such little effort.”

“Youdomake it easy,” Alexander replied evenly.

After a moment, Harper shook her head. “Okay, you have to make your sense of humor public knowledge.”

Alexander exhaled, shaking his head before wrapping an arm around Emilia’s waist, a small, knowing smile on his face. “So, is this what I’ve signed up for? The three of you ganging up on me for the next fifty years?”

“Absolutely,” Harper affirmed. “Consider it your first royal reform—surrounding yourself with people who’ll actually tell you the truth, no matter how much it hurts your feelings.”

“And who steal your champagne,” Alexander added mildly.

“Liberate,” Sebastian corrected. “And you’re welcome.”

As they continued their good-natured sparring, Alexander drew Emilia closer, his lips brushing against her ear.

“I meant what I said,” he murmured, his voice meant for her alone. “Tomorrow. And every tomorrow after that. With you.”

Emilia turned in his arms, her hands coming to rest against his chest where, beneath layers of formal attire, his heart beat steady and true. “I’ll hold you to that, Your Majesty.”

His smile—private, genuine, and just a little bit wicked—was all Alexander, not a trace of the king. “I’m counting on it, Miss Carter.”

And as the fireworks continued to illuminate the night sky, casting their faces in fleeting bursts of gold and crimson, Emilia knew with absolute certainty that they had built something that would endure long after the celebrations faded—a love that had changed not just their lives, but the very foundation of a kingdom.

The revolution wasn’t over. In many ways, it was just beginning.

And they would face it together, one tomorrow at a time—surrounded by friends who weren’t afraid to liberate champagne from the royal kitchens when the occasion demanded it.