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A Few Days Later

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Birthdays never meant much to me after my eighteenth. They say your twenty-first is meant to be special, but it wasn't to me. Annie, Patrick and Dad made a fuss, obviously, and I got lovely presents, but it wasn't this amazing all-week bender and blowout that social media makes you think it is. It was a homemade cake from Dad, a lot of presents from my family, and a big dinner out. It was way better than I would've imagined, but it didn't mean much in the long run. I didn't feel different, I didn't behave differently. I assume that's how birthdays are meant to feel anyway: a bit special, but no magical feeling or behaviour.

Something about today does feel special and different, though.

When I woke up, though my family left two days ago, they all video-called me to sing Happy Birthday. They'd gifted me presents while they were here, including a few charms for my bracelet, and Dad had left a homemade cake in the freezer that's now defrosting. Kai had got a chef in to make me a full English breakfast before I had to get ready for the engagement this morning. Kai told me a couple of days ago we're opening an art museum that's just had a major refurbishment in London, which coincides with them starting an exhibition from a local artist in Southampton – ironically, it's by a girl named Laura who I went to school with. I never really made friends with her, but I recognised the name and face when I looked her up.

As we approach the museum, there's a little traffic, but we can see the large crowd of media and press outside, along with a large line of the public. A few people are holding happy birthday banners with my name on them.

"How does the public know it's my birthday? We haven't announced it," I ask.

"It's funny what the press can dig up when they want to," Kai says simply. He grabs my hand. "You okay?"

I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Is it protocol to stop and talk to people?"

"No, we don't have to. If you want to, we can, but we're not obliged."

"I mean, the press, not so much, but the public has been clearly waiting for us. It's a nice thing to do, especially if they've got birthday banners."

He grins. "See? Fitting into this life like a duck to water. It's your birthday and you want to give back to the people."

I snort. "If you wanna go down that alley, I trained as a nurse, it's in my nature to give."

"Don't think I've forgotten, by the way. I plan on giving you your gift later. The chef is making you dinner as well."

I roll my eyes. "You don't have to make a fuss for me."

"It's your birthday. It's what it's all about!"

The car finally reaches a stop outside the museum. They've set it up almost like a movie premiere, without the red carpet, though. Lines of people on either side and the media have their little set-up on the right. The security comes around and opens my door while I take a breath to brace myself.

The outfit for the day feels quite relaxed compared to other ones I've had. They gave me a few choices, and I went for a mid-length tea dress in black with bright red roses on the print. The sleeves are long and sheer and cuff just by my wrists so my bracelets can be seen. It shows just a little of the bump that's finally started appearing without the bloat. The stylist paired it with black tights and knee-high black leather boots. For January, it's sunny out, but it's cold out, so they've also given me a long black coat over the top.

The moment I'm out of the car, it's almost like I'm an A-list celebrity or something; people cheer, cameras click and the whole outside just calls my name. I've never known something like this, and it sends my brain into overdrive. Kai said he hates this side of the royal life because people know everything and always want you. I guess soon enough, this can get tiring.

The security – Jamie – trails me as I stand together with Kai and give the press their long-awaited wave. Kai does the same, but his left hand is holding my back.

"You can go and meet the people if you wish to," Kai says when they've taken their photos. The press keeps yelling for an interview, but when I was being trained for this, the royal protocol I recall is to not give them anything unless it's been scheduled.

I start with the left side of the little gathering. The museum has set up barriers so they can't crowd us.

"Happy birthday, Mila!"

"Princess Mila!"

"She's not a princess yet."

"Happy birthday!"

I shake a lot of faceless hands as they reach through to the front. There's a lady with a baby on her hip and a child at her front, hanging on to the metal barrier, so I stop. In her free hand, she had a bunch of flowers, a card and a gift-wrapped present. I stop and bend at my knees to see her child.

"Hi there. What's your name?" I ask the child, noticing the little badge with six on it on her top as well as the plastic tiara on her head.

"Danielle," she answers with a hint of a tiny lisp.

"Hi, Danielle! How old are you?"

"I'm six! And it's my birthday today too, Your Highness!"

I grin. "Happy birthday! Today is the best day to have a birthday! What're you doing to celebrate?"

"I just wanted to see you and then we're going for a McDonalds!"

I laugh. "That sounds like so much fun. When I was little, my Mummy and Daddy took me for lots of burgers and cake for my birthday, too."

"A princess eating burgers?" She gasps in disbelief.

I nod and roll with the idea that she views me as a princess already. "I did! And lots of ice cream! I hope you have a fun birthday."

"Thank you, Princess Mila!"

I stand up and look at her mum holding the baby. "And who's this little one?"

The mum grins. "His name's Robin."

"Hi, Robin!" I hold his little hand as he grins. "How old are you?"

"He's six months old and chunky!"

"How gorgeous is he? He looks like he's going to grow up cheeky!"

He grabs my hair and puts it in his mouth.

"Robin! I'm so sorry, Your Highness!"

I laugh and shake my head as he lets it go. I'm fully aware of the media and other members of the public taking photos of this, but I also don't care. "He's absolutely fine! Did that taste horrible? I bet it did!"

The mum laughs and hands out the gifts in her hand. "These are for you, Your Highness."

"Oh! Why, thank you so much! You didn't need to do that!" I have no idea what the protocol for presents is, but on TV I've seen Lucy take some and hand to her security. Jamie appears beside me and takes the gifts. "Is that—"

"I will put them in the car, Your Highness."

Part of me wants to ask why they're all calling me that when I'm not actually married into the royal family yet, but this doesn't seem like the time to do that. I'll ask Kai later.

"Danielle wanted to as you share the same birthday," the mum mentions.

"That's so kind of you, thank you." I hug Robin and then give the mum one as well. "Thank you for coming out here on her birthday."

"Watching someone like us – someone normal – go through this is amazing. You're doing so well, and I think you'll do amazing for the royals."

I smile at her. "Thank you."

Jamie gestures me on, so I take the hint and move along to sign some autographs on magazines and paper. I didn't even have to think about this kind of thing until recently – the palace showed me some of the royal signatures, so I made one up. Right now it's just a squiggle of my first name, but after the wedding, it should be a combination of Mila Abbott when I change my name.

I glance behind me to see Kai signing some and talking to the people as well. They seem to love him, and the women keep grabbing for him.

"You're a great addition to the royal family, dear!" a woman calls.

"Love you, Princess Mila!"

"You're gorgeous!"

I keep saying thank you and passing flowers and gifts to Jamie.

Kai appears behind me, hands around my waist.

"Prince Kai!"

"Can we have a photo with you both?"

"Peach, when we've had this photo, go and see the other side; there are gifts for you over there too," Kai whispers in my ear.

"Okay."

We pose for a few selfies with the public; they all form an orderly queue so everyone can get a shot of themselves with us. When we're done, I move across to the other side where I take more selfies, sign some more autographs and chat with more people who have come out to see us. It's the most surreal experience. 

Merely months ago, I was a nobody, just another human being growing up, going to work and doing what any other person would do, and now I have queues of people wanting to see me, and people who know nothing about me buying me gifts for my birthday like they know me. It's so strange, and I wonder what they would think if they knew the truth about how I got to this position.

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To open the museum, the people who own it had a little celebration speech with cake and orange juice. It was quite sweet, actually. Some local artists contributed to the new pieces around. The owner gave a small speech before Kai and I literally cut a ribbon for them as well as Kai gave a speech himself – apparently some of the charities he and I patronage helped fund the refurbishment. They gave us a private tour of the place as well.

"You okay, Peach?" Kai asks when we're alone. Technically, we're finished, but there are fifteen minutes before they open to the public, which means we have to leave then. There's a small exhibit upstairs I wanted to look at, so we've come up.

"Yeah, why?" I lie. For the past fifteen minutes, I've been feeling nauseous and exhausted, but I've been trying to stay upbeat. Royal protocol is unless you're dying, you have to look happy and upbeat.

"Just checking. You seem a bit off is all," Kai says. "We better start making our way out."

I nod, finish my orange juice and put the glass back on the side where they told us to leave it.

My phone vibrates in my clutch bag.

"Is it rude to check my phone?" I ask.

"We're alone, save Jamie, so no, it's fine," Kai says.

I nod and check it. A message from Brayden. 'Mia, you're going to have to talk to me at some point. Stop ignoring me and respond. Don't make me come over there.' Followed by another one: 'Happy birthday, Mia. We need to talk, sweetheart. You better start responding. There's no way you're going to become a princess like the news says. You're mine, remember?'

It suddenly feels like all my blood exits my body.

"Peach?"

I shake my head slowly. "It's fine."

"No, it's not. What's going on?" Kai asks.

"Nothing. Not now. Later. I don't want to ruin this or my birthday," I whisper.

He takes a second, but eventually nods and starts leading us down the corridor to the stairs of the museum.

"It'll take us around an hour to get back, but we'll be done for the day when we get back unless there's something you want to do on the way back?" Kai asks.

I shake my head. "No, I'm just tired, if I'm honest. A cup of tea by the fire, plus my dad's coconut cake he left would be epic."

There is a small part of me that also wants to admit to him there is someone I'd like for my birthday, but I cannot keep trying to follow temptation. Kai is like the devil: I've had him a few times, but we agreed no more. But once you make a deal with the devil, he will keep trying to come back for your soul. The difference is, though, Kai has my soul, and he doesn't know it. That's my fault, though, and my problem to solve. This thing is purely business, and we can't mix business and pleasure because that rarely ever works; the devil never deals in pleasure. He's only ever out for business.

He mocks a bow. "Your wish is my command, my lady."

I chuckle before we start down the stairs. Kai leads, with Jamie behind me. These shoes are not the best, but after doing so many nightclubs in ridiculous heels, I got this.

"Hey, Kai—"

I'm interrupted when my body starts feeling airy. My brain tingles and the blood drains from me again. There's a pit in my stomach as if I'm about to throw up, but nothing comes out.

"Peach?"

"Mila?"

I want to open my mouth to answer them, but the world becomes topsy-turvy and my legs give way. My hands reach out to try and steady myself, but everything is happening at break-neck speed. I can't tell if it worked or not.

Suddenly, I'm at the bottom of the stairs in a heap and my eyes are fighting my brain to close.

"Mila?"

"Phone an ambulance!"

My mouth opens to say something, but I can't for some reason. My eyes want to close so badly, but all I can think to do is put my hand across my belly. I don't even know if my hand moves.

"Don't close your eyes—" Kai stops.

I don't know why he's so worried, I just slipped on the stairs. I've done worse in front of the cameras, but this hurts and I feel sick. And tired, so tired.

My eyes feel heavy and I can't fight it anymore. Just a quick nap, and then I'll be fine and at home in bed.

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