When Mila finds out she's pregnant from a one-night stand with a reluctant prince, she is thrust into a fake romance with him; are her feelings that grow for him genuine or for his way of life that ensures her baby stability?|| Down-on-her-luck Mila...
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A Week Later
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It's the end of the mourning period tomorrow, which means we'll be going out and about again. The whole week has been spent in the castle grounds, only going out if needed – the king and queen have gone out a few times for meetings and have dressed in black – no engagements have happened, and Kai's new role has been sorted out.
The Queen and palace officials have been wedding planning, however, as there is so much to do and plan. I don't know why they haven't changed it, but I suppose it gives everyone something somewhat happy during this time.
My parents have both stayed in the cottage so they can support us with the wedding planning and life while this mourning period happens. Patrick had to go back to medical school, but he's planning on coming up next weekend.
Kai sits down on the sofa beside me with a cup of tea in hand and sighs.
"Hey," I whisper, putting my hand in his free one. "What's up?"
"We have an engagement tomorrow and I just don't know how to plaster a smile on and pretend to be okay," he admits.
"What is it?"
"It's just a meeting with an LGBTQ charity; nothing event-wise, but it's just—I'm not okay," he says.
I sit up and turn so we're face-on. "Kai, I don't think anyone expects you to just magically be okay. Grief doesn't work like that. Hell, I don't think anyone in public really expects you out this early. You can just refuse—"
"You know we can't do that. Life around us goes on, and we have to go back at some point."
"It's been a week, Kai. People have six months off for grief in the real world. Be kind to yourself." I lean over and kiss his cheek. "I can do all the talking and note-taking and whatever needs doing, okay? If you want, I'll represent both of us and you can stay here."
"No offence, Peach, but until we're married, the palace won't like that. If we were married now, then yeah, that could be a thing. They wouldn't like it, but they'd accept it. It's so frustrating. I hate this." He sighs. "I hate this life. This institution, this way of doing things. I want out."
I still for a second. Is he seriously suggesting what I think he's suggesting?
He looks me in the eyes. "I hate the way Mum and Dad have handled this. I know they're the monarchs and whatever, but life doesn't have to go on and I don't have to be pushed and primed for taking over a week after my sister, her husband and their two children get killed. Someone smashed into them, and one of the first things they announce on TV is that I'm the Prince of fucking Wales."
