Page 107 of Scandal Queen

Ironic that after a lifetime of thinking that should be the case; today I couldn’t imagine anything worse.

Oliver was a good man.

The people couldn’t see that though because of the veils of secrecy that wrapped tight around the royals.

The press were having a field day, and half of me couldn’t blame them. These were the type of stories they’d always imagined lingered behind the closed palace walls, and now they’d begun to uncover them. The palace on the other hand didn’t say a word. Nothing.

My phone vibrated and I looked down at the screen. Ollie. My heart hurt.

I nearly didn’t answer but then I quickly hit the green button. “Hey.”

There was a beat of silence and down the line unspoken words of regret and hurt ebbed between us. “Hey.”

“You haven’t been hauled to the tower by an angry mob?” I tried to laugh but it sounded all wrong.

“Not yet, I believe they are sharpening their pitch forks.”

I chuckled and my heart lifted a little. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too. It’s not pretty here, I think you made the right choice.”

“How’s your mum?”

There was another pause, filled with a desperate sigh. “Devastated.”

“It will blow over, Ollie. I’m sure worse things have happened.”

“Sure. Oliver Cromwell bought down the monarchy.”

I snorted. “You are not Oliver Cromwell.”

“Didn’t you see the headlines today? Apparently, I have an inappropriate name. Mother wasn’t best pleased, considering Oliver is her dad’s name.”

“You never really talk about her side of the family much.” I stretched my toes. I’d been squashed up in the same position for too long.

“There isn’t much to say. We saw them a bit when we were younger, but I guess it’s easier for the royal family to be in control if outsiders aren’t exposed too much.”

“That’s kind of sad.”

I glanced over to Nana where Daisy was cuddled with her head on her lap. Nana had got to Greystone before Ollie had even left. It was the only way he’d agree to go back to London; he didn’t want me by myself.

Funny that talking to him now, he sounded the lonelier out of the two of us.

“I’m guessing you are no closer to making an agreement on our engagement?”

Right now, the royal engagement was old news. Rumours stated that the people would never again back a royal wedding. Not ever, not even if hell froze over. It didn’t matter that John had been in the wrong; Oliver seemed to come off worst in most situations.

“No.”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged. What else was there to say?

Right now, I didn’t know if I wanted to marry a man who lived in so much controlled secrecy. Ollie I’d marry in a heartbeat down the local registry office and we’d have sausages and mash afterwards and everything would be perfect.

But if I had to stand up in front of everyone and say that I agreed with the way things were done—I didn’t know if I could do that.

“You aren’t changing your mind, are you?” His question rang with tightness. “I mean, you thought your upbringing was fucked up.”

“Ollie, your family are lovely. I’ve said this before and I will keep saying it, but the people don’t understand you royals because everything is so secret. Right now, all they see is secrets.”