Chapter 20

Text from Maeve to Ellie:I'm still trying to process your phone call.

Ellie:It's all quite the story, one I hope doesn't make it into tomorrow's headlines.

Maeve:How did the donors respond?

Ellie:Holton announced that I'd been hindered from arriving at the banquet due to the weather, which was true. And Holton relayed that the donors only sang my praises and were proud to have me as their patron. Even Mrs.Kershaw spoke highly of my work and care for the children. All of it could be ruined if that reporter took any photos worth publishing, though.

Maeve:Maybe the reporter didn't make it out of the storm alive.

Ellie:Maeve!

Maeve:Just saying what you're hoping.

Ellie:I am not! Though I wouldn't mind if his camera fell in the lake or he slipped and fell in the lake holding his camera.

Maeve:Like I said... didn't make it out alive.

Ellie:But HE made it out. Not the camera.

Maeve:Details.

Maeve:I suppose Taugen House is on alert for any unhappy headlines.

Ellie:As usual. So far there's been nothing, so perhaps the camera did fall into the lake.

Maeve:Or the photos were too blurred for recognition.

Ellie:Right. Or they're waiting for the weekend edition.

Maeve:Or the news of the storm damage and lives lost are taking up airspace, so they're waiting until they can get everyone's attention?

Ellie:That's so horrible it might actually be true.

Maeve:El, whatever happens, I'm in agreement with Lifesaver Luke. You are strong and you will get through this. And the people who really know you, KNOW you.

Maeve:As a reminder, I'm fine with hand-me-downs from princesses, especially when they wear flannel, save lives, and are excellent snugglers.

Ellie:Maeve, I have never experienced anything so absolutely wonderful in all my life (not the falling in the lake part, to be clear). But just being with him. It makes me imagine what private life could be like. I think I could handle any public disaster or media catastrophe with him to come home to.

Maeve:You need to tell your parents, El. They need to know the truth of your feelings. Maybe there is a way...

Ellie:I can't imagine one where one of us wouldn't have to give up our family and our responsibilities to be together.

Maeve:Your parents still need to know.

Maeve:How did your parents respond to everything?

Ellie:So far, they've been too busy to have a proper conversation. Or perhaps they're on edge about the possible headline too. Father intimated that he planned to phone Luke to thank him for his quick thinking and care of me.

Maeve:And what happens with Luke now?

Ellie:He's already gone to Skern to spend the last few weeks making small renovations on a cottage for Lewis Gray. Then he has his cousin's wedding. Then he returns to the U.S.

Maeve:So the cabin was goodbye. Oh, El.

Ellie:We didn't say goodbye.

***

Luke's phone buzzed to life on the table beside him as he finished up a few final emails to Mrs.Kershaw and Mr.Holton.

Unknown number? He shrugged off the curiosity and went back to the email, giving a detailed account of all the finalized pieces of the kitchen remodel.

His phone buzzed again. Same number.

He tapped on the icon and two messages appeared.

Ellie:I don't think I properly thanked you for rescuing me yesterday.

Ellie:So, thank you for being my hero.

Familiar warmth filled his chest, and he couldn't suppress his rising grin. After she'd left the cabin yesterday, he wasn't too sure he'd get another chance to connect with her. And after her last words—the fact she'd chosen him no matter the consequences—well, something in him broke and fit right back together all at once.

Shechose him.

Just as he was.

She didn't want him any other way.

His eyes stung, so he took a long drink of coffee.

Luke:I don't usually respond to unfamiliar phone numbers unless they refer to my hero skills.

Ellie:I'll make sure to remember that for future correspondence.

Ellie:In all seriousness, Luke, thank you. You can't know how much it meant to just... be with you yesterday.

His chest twinged in response. Just being with her fit too. Much like the crazy emotions slamming together inside him. But how could he fix this? How could he bridge the impossible gap between their lives? The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to rearrange everything about his life and convince a king to let a pauper take care of his daughter for the rest of their days.

A renewed sting pricked at his eyes and tingled at the bridge of his nose.

Nope.

And he took another gulp of coffee.

Luke:Besides the near-death experience, the simple cabin seemed to suit a certain princess well enough.

He could almost envision the subtle tip of those lovely lips of hers.

Ellie:The princess would call it an almost perfect fit.

Luke:Breakfast wasn't fancy enough for Your Highness?

Ellie:Breakfast was lovely, especially the classy scones.

A chuckle shot out of him as another message popped onto his screen.

Ellie:Though scones paired fairly excellently with eggs and bacon.

Luke:Some things can fit together surprisingly well. Class and common?

Ellie:Perhaps the best kind of combination. And the surroundings were nearly perfect too.

Luke:Did I need to add a few more animal heads on the walls, or were the frou-frou coffee fixings not to your liking?

Ellie:Well, you could always increase the coffee fixings, but I think the cabin would be simply perfect if it were a little bigger to fit a dog or two.

Luke:True. The perfect cabin needs a dog or two.

Ellie:And a couple extra bedrooms in case the class and common needed to add a few wee bairns.

Bairns? Children? His breath lodged in his throat, both of them tiptoeing around a dream. His throat tightened.

Luke:Seems reasonable to me.

Ellie:And maybe the children wouldn't mind occasional travel back and forth across the ocean.

God, how could this work? If Luke could turn the world upside down to be with her, even swallow a life as a royal, at this moment, he'd choose it all to be with her.

And the very idea of making that choice hit him like bricks in the chest. Could he ever convince her dad to take him on as more than an advisor for forestry and building, but a man who would take care of his daughter's heart? The possibility seemed... truly impossible.

Her family wanted a native Skymarian.

And an aristocrat.

And Luke was neither.

But with each additional text or conversation or kiss, the grip on his former life and desires loosened. He felt like his chest was being ripped wide open.

Luke:Well, I reckon if it started getting unwieldy for them, their parents could figure out a different plan.

Ellie:Perhaps the princess could take a sabbatical to cozy up next to a cabin dweller.

Would she even contemplate such a sacrifice? Didn't seem fair to ask.

Luke:Or the country boy could take up residence in a castle for a while.

A pause followed, almost as if Ellie felt the same impossible desire too. Luke's body bent, deflated from the pull and push of wanting something he couldn't have. He closed his eyes, a prayer pooling through him for guidance... wisdom... miracles... anything.

Ellie:I want you to know that I am so grateful we met. You can't know how much your kindness and authenticity have meant to me. You are wonderful just as you are, and I hope you know that. And I'm grateful to call you my friend.

Pain sliced through him. He knew what was happening. This was the end. Her way of saying goodbye. He'd convinced himself he'd accept it, but now, now when he had to...

Luke:I'm honored to be your friend.

Luke:Ellie, you are amazing. Remember that. It takes a strong person to come back from what you have to try again. Over and over. So don't let your past dictate your future. Don't settle, if you can help it. You are braver than you think and your heart is full of compassion. And you're funny. It's an underrated life skill, so just think how much more prepared you are because you have a sense of humor.

A pause. He'd already typed so much, but... to his own surprise, he needed to say more. If this was the last time she heard from him, he needed her to hear the truth.

Luke:I don't know all the protocols and rules you have to live by, but I do know you have so much to give to the people around you and the ones you serve. I'm proud to know you, and will watch from afar as you show Skymar who you really are.

He paused. Trying to sort out what to say next.

Ellie:I don't want to type goodbye.

Luke:Then don't. Good night, Ellie.

Ellie:Good night, Luke.

Luke:Keep checking things off your list, all right?

Ellie:I will.

***

Text from Penelope to Izzy and Luke:I know you explained things on your video call, but I still wasn't prepared for today's headlines, Luke. Have you seen the photo?

Luke:You're up either really early or really late.

Penelope:Late. I'm working on some last-minute prep stuff for our first performance at the Ashby since reopening. Matt is picking me up in a few minutes, so I'm waiting by the theater door with my umbrella. Maybe he'll sing in the rain to me.

Luke:Gross.

Penelope:He's done it before. It's swoony. Maybe not as swoony as saving someone from drowning in icy water, but still noteworthy.

Izzy:Oh my goodness! I just saw the headlines when I read Penelope's text. What exactly is happening in that photo? She's lying on top of you in the snow!

Luke:That picture is actually of us right after I pulled her out of the water. But the jerk reporters put their own spin on it, didn't they?

Penelope:Of course—she's wet! You can easily tell from her hair if you know what to look for.

Luke:Well, whatever the papers say, it's not true.

Penelope:Of course it's not true. Izzy and I have actually watched the movies I sent you to prepare you for this very moment.

Luke:I don't watch those kinds of movies.

Penelope:Not even Princess Diaries 2?

Luke:I refuse to watch that one on principle.

Penelope:What? But it has Julie Andrews in it!

Luke:It also has Chris Pine in it, and after suffering through listening to you girls talk about him ALL THE TIME when we were younger, I refuse to watch him.

Luke:Except in Star Trek. But also on principle.

Izzy:You may act like it's not a big deal, but you can't really be as nonchalant about the whole media thing as you're pretending to be.

Luke:Nope. I'm not. But after chopping a load of wood at daybreak, I'm feeling a little less like threatening people's lives.

Izzy:And Brodie's mom will be so grateful for your hard work to stock her wood supply while curbing your inner Braveheart.

Penelope:Speaking of movie references, I would try to predict your future again, but Hallmark movies don't usually include lifesaving moments followed by nasty paparazzi. Thus the reason I sent Princess Diaries 2. I know what I WANT to happen next for your life, but my confidence level in my accuracy has dropped.

Luke:I know what I'd prefer to happen too, Penny-girl, but it would be selfish and not what Ellie wants or what Skymar needs.

Penelope:For her to give up the crown and move to the States?

Luke:But then I think of what she loves and how great she's going to be at making a difference in Skymar and it doesn't hurt as bad. I'm so proud to know her.

Luke's phone buzzed to life in his hand and Penelope's name flashed on the screen. He pinched his eyes closed and raised the phone to his ear.

"You know you're totally worthy of a princess, right? This is nothing at all like Clara."

Her voice shook, likely from trying to keep her tears in check. "I know she's not Clara, Penny-girl."

"But you have to know, Luke, that she can't do better than you. Ever. I'm being serious right now. Not only are you the best guy I know, only equal to Matt—"

The highest praise.

"—but you're a perfect match for a princess. You've shown that my whole life. You don't mind urging other people out in the spotlight to see them shine. You actually love it. It's a gift of yours too." She sniffled. "I can't tell you how many times your presence behind the scenes in my life made me brave because I knew you were there. Cheering me on in your gruff, sometimes needlessly sarcastic way." She sniffled again. "Everyone needs a safe set of arms to find strength and comfort and courage. You may not even know it, but you are that person. You always have been for me."

He lowered his head and released a long breath to steady himself. His baby sister tended toward the dramatic, but her words hit home in her attempt to cheer his heart and ground him.

"Thanks, sis."

"Don't lose heart, Luke. I don't know what's going to happen with Ellie, but I just can't believe the story is over yet. She's too smart to let someone like you out of her life."

"I appreciate your unending optimism, but sometimes stories don't have a perfect ending and we learn to live with that anyway. I'll be okay, sis."

Though his heart didn't seem to agree. At all.

They talked for a little longer, with Penelope finally sobbing into the phone how much she loved him and then saying her goodbyes.

He leaned his head back against the couch and tried to quell the ache in his chest.

Text from Matt to Luke:Thanks for having Penelope in tears when I came to collect her from the theater.

Luke:I'm sure it wasn't the first time.

Matt:True. But she's less consolable than usual.

Luke:I had to tell her a hard truth about not getting what I want but hoping that a certain princess gets exactly what she needs.

Matt:Definitely not the ending Penelope prefers, but you're a good man, Luke. I feel certain, even if you never know it, you've made a good difference in Princess Elliana's life.

Luke:Thanks, Matt. I'm sure that will make me feel better in the long run.

Matt:Yeah, right now everything just sucks.

Luke:Pretty much.

Matt:I'm here if you need to talk.

Luke:Thanks. I appreciate it.

Luke sat by the small table in the cottage, sipping his coffee and staring down at the screen of his phone. The headline inspired a bout of nausea.

Prodigal Princess at it again.

He skimmed the first paragraph, detailing how Ellie skipped out on the Donors' Banquet in order to spend time with her secret boyfriend behind the Duke of Styles's back.

Just enough truth in there to make it feel real.

They even spun it to imply that she'd been shirking her other duties to spend time with him in secret. But who would believe they actually had a kissing match on the ground in a snowstorm?

He looked back at the photos. One was of her lying on top of him, her face turned toward the cameraman, which only helped with identification. The second was a photo of them removing their jackets. Nothing explicit, but enough to spur all sorts of innuendos.

He ran a hand over his face.

How was Ellie? Should he text her? Would she want that or would it just make things worse for her?

He closed the site and growled, taking another sip of his coffee.

Oh, how he wanted to fix this, but what could he do? Nothing. No wonder the press infuriated people so much. They had the power to spout off whatever and people just had to deal with it.

Or ignore it.

Which was what Luke preferred.

With a moan, he shook his head and tapped on the photo icon, skimming through a few photos of his recent reno to send to Lewis Gray, when a photo within the collection caught his attention.

Ellie with a fishing rod?

He opened it.

But it wasn't a photo at all. It was a video. His pulse skittered into a faster pace. The video he'd been taking when Ellie fell in the lake. He tapped the Play button and grinned as she cast the line, then looked back at him with a proud grin. Yep, he was keeping this video as long as he could. Just to see her looking back at him every now and then.

Then she looked back again, but this time she looked worried. Was that when she'd seen the reporter?

The line tightened and she called out that she had something. He heard his own voice encouraging her to reel it in. Then the event played out before him. Her pulling on the line, her attention looking out across the lake, the stumble, and then the fall through the ice.

He paused the video and rewound it a little, then zoomed in to the area where Ellie had looked. A figure became visible, almost hidden in the trees. Then in the next frame, he came out from his position, camera in hand.

Luke allowed the video to continue playing, but it didn't stop after Ellie fell through the ice. No, the screen went somewhat black, but he could still hear the voices. His and Ellie's.

He must have pushed the phone into his pocket without turning off the recording.

Their conversation, his intentions, her response came through loud and clear. But was it important for any reason?

Text from Luke to Penelope and Izzy:I have an idea. It may take some of your magic to work, but right now, I'm banking on some. I'll even take a bit of pixie dust too, if you have some to spare.

Penelope:Channel Julie Andrews. That's even more reliable.

Izzy:And praying would probably be a good choice (you two heathens).

Luke:Well, I started with that.

Izzy:Nice. I'm glad to hear your priorities are in order. Not sure about Penelope's sometimes.

Penelope:Hey now. Matt and I prayed for Luke and Ellie as soon as I stopped crying.

Luke:Well, keep 'em coming. I'm not sure how this will help and I get nauseous at the very idea of what I might have to do, but I think I know someone who can give me some direction.

***

"I don't know how we can repair this, Elliana." Her mother pressed her fingers into her forehead as she sat in a chair across from her in their parents' sitting room. "And after you'd made such progress with your public reputation." The weariness in her mother's voice pricked at Ellie's spine, but she attempted to maintain her composure.

She was not sorry for being with Luke.

She only hated another reason for her parents to have to fight for her public credibility.

"Oh, Elliana. I never wanted this for you, darling." Her mother's tender response drew Ellie's attention. "Why did you go?"

Ellie paused. Myriad answers swarmed through her, all right and good, but how could she fully explain so her mother would hear her? She caught her father's look and the idea emerged. "Because I love him and I wanted to spend one more day with him."

"Love him?" Mother glanced over at Father as if he'd provide some help. "You barely know him."

"I know him well enough to realize that I feel at home when I'm with him. That he makes me a better version of myself because I don't have to pretend to be anyone else. And I love—" Air burst out in a voiceless laugh. "I love loving him. So yes, I wanted to capture whatever memories I could for whatever time I had, at whatever cost. And I'm sorry to have placed you and Father in this situation, but I am not sorry for choosing to be with him."

"Life is hard for two people of such different backgrounds, Elliana. The sacrifices... the choices... the ridicule."

"Would you have become the strong, confident woman you are right now if the road had been easy, Mother?"

Her mother's expression softened and something close to a smile gentled her concern. "No, likely I would not, but I also would not wish such hardship on you—on any of my children, especially with all you've already borne."

And then Ellie understood the stubbornness, saw it for what it really was. A mother's protection. An act of love. Ellie moved forward and lowered to her knees, taking her mother's hands in hers. "One of the best women I know was refined by love and hardship, and I hope to be half the woman she is."

Ellie could count on one hand the times she'd seen her mother cry, but the regal woman's eyes filled and overflowed down her cheeks. "Perhaps there are some things I can learn from you?" She sniffled through her light laugh.

"I think every royal house needs a thorough commoner thrown into it now and again." Ellie stood and took the seat next to her mother. "Look at the excellent perspective you brought to Father's life and this country. Your view on education reform has been the bedrock of so many healthy educational changes here, and it stems from your history. A history"—Ellie looked over at Father with a smile—"of which you should be extremely proud."

Ellie reached for her bag and brought out the journal. "I found this journal at Cambric. It's the beautiful story of simple people experiencing hardship, falling in love, and then becoming people who brought positive change to those around them. People from your town in Crieff." She pressed the journal into her mother's hands. "The regular people of Skymar want their royals to marry those who will support Skymar and bring good change to our country, no matter where that person is from. Because when we're loved well, it is no matter whether that person be a king"—she gestured toward her father—"or a commoner. That type of love makes us stronger, better versions of ourselves so we can serve others out of the overflow."

Mother's palm pressed against her chest. "That's... lovely."

"It is." Ellie smiled, tapping the journal. "And I think you'd like this story because it will remind you of the good of who you were, even as a commoner." She gestured toward Father. "But also of the greatness of what being in love has done, even despite, and sometimes because of, the hardships."

Mother looked over at Father, her pale eyes watery and tender. He smiled in a way that communicated his love for her.

"And this is how you feel for Mr.Edgewood?" Mother wiped at a tear beneath her eye.

"I do."

"He's worthy of a princess then?" Father chimed in, a smile in his voice.

Ellie looked from her mother to her father, her smile growing at the idea of Luke trying to fit into her world. "Worthy? Oh yes, but... while he may not be the sort of man you would choose for your princess, he is certainly the sort of man you should choose for your daughter. I would choose him, because he would make me a better person."

"You could choose to go with him, you know." Mother held her gaze. "This royal life doesn't have to be yours."

"The past three years, I've realized how much I love this country and the ability to serve our people. Before, I resented my station and my responsibilities, but now I see the honor and privilege of being an agent of change for good in a way few other people have the power or influence to do. I choose this family first, this calling as a royal."

Her mother's eyes filled with tears again. "And... and he won't stay for you?"

The question stabbed her heart, but she raised her chin to face the reality head-on. "Should his love for his life and his people prove any less influential or important than mine?" The memory of how he'd wrapped his arms around her on the cabin couch and just let her rest against him came to mind, and she almost smiled. "If... if he thought I needed him to stay, I believe he would, because that's who he is, but that isn't fair to him." She sat taller. "Or to me."

"What do you mean?" Her father came and sat across from her.

"He should stay first and foremost because he chooses this life, not because he thinks I need him to stay." She blinked back the tears, refusing them exit. "We both have made a choice to move forward with our lives separately because he knows I love this place, these people, and I will not betray your trust in me again, but he cannot spend all of his life in a royal world." A sad sort of chuckle emerged at the thought of him in a world of constant balls and royal responsibilities. "He would try. I know he would, but having to live in this life all the time... well, I think a part of him would fade and I... I love him much more than to ask him to give up his world entirely for mine." She drew in a breath, attempting to brace her heart against the ache. "And since there is not a world in between, then we've made this choice. Together."