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A Few Months Later

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"I feel bad about this, though. People keep staring, right? And I get it, but this is Patrick's day, not ours," I whisper as yet another person stares.

"Oh, stop. We're at the back. Patrick invited you all. He knew what inviting you both would entail," Annie hisses. "Just shush and enjoy it. People will stare and take photos. Let them. You're here for Patrick, and he knows it."

I roll my eyes. "Yes, Mum."

"You might be a princess and all, and one day you'll help to rule the Commonwealth, but I am still your stepmother."

We both glance at each other and giggle.

"Are you two up to no good again?" Dad asks as he continues feeding Emma her bottle. There was a universal agreement that although I'm breastfeeding, I'd express the milk for when we're out and about so people don't see me do it. Though it wouldn't bother me, it would not be a flattering picture on the front pages for the future queen consort of England.

At Emma's christening – and after Hugh and Charlotte immediately accepted the name Emma Lucy – both of them told me they've written their express wishes that I become Queen Consort – and therefore called Queen and Her Majesty – when Kai ascends the throne whenever it may be.

"It's nearly Patrick's turn!" Gemma whispers. "I'm so excited!"

Gemma and Patrick have now officially been together for six months – they were seeing each other in secret for a while before they told us, and honestly, I couldn't have thought of a more perfect match.

The chancellor of the university finally calls Patrick's name for his medical degree, and he comes onto the stage in his suit, black cloak and mortarboard, looking so proud of himself. Part of me wants to yelp out and cheer for him, but I'm a princess now, so I can't act like that. Instead, I clap and the smile never leaves my face as my stepbrother collects his degree and flashes the entire room a grin.

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After the ceremony, the first thing that happens is I grab Patrick into a hug so tight that I end up cutting both our circulations off. Luckily, we're at Dad's house, so all formalities are off and I can scream and yell as much as I want.

"I'm so proud of you, Patrick!" I squeal. "About to become a doctor!"

He chuckles. "Thanks, Seahorse—"

"That's Princess Seahorse now. You keep forgetting the role," Kai chimes in.

I narrow my eyes in disgust. "I'll be Queen one day. You do know that, right? Be very careful where you both tread."

They both laugh.

"Ignore her, she's grouchy," Dad jokes. "Mila enjoys pulling the future queen card out now."

I arch an eyebrow, trying not to let my grin show. They all know I don't really mind the nickname Patrick gives me, I just like joking that I hate it.

"If we wanna go down that road, she's going to be a consort, not even the real thing!" Kai adds.

My mouth gapes open in feigned outrage. "Now you're using your blood to get me!"

Kai laughs, as do Dad and Patrick.

"Hey, the woman is the reason for your sudden surge in popularity, mate, all because you knocked her up. Don't forget who the real queen is here," Gemma jokes.

Kai gasps. "Oh, she went right in the nuts for that blow."

"Don't forget you forced me into this marriage before we fell in love so that your reputation wouldn't be ruined," I add. "I could divorce you and pull it back down, Prince of Wales."

We all end up laughing as my dad serves up a big chocolate cake with Happy Graduation, Doctor Smith. Patrick still uses his biological dad's last name legally, though he added Kennedy into his middle name when Annie and Dad got married.

"This cake looks amazing, Henry," Gem says.

"Be right back," Patrick mutters and rushes out of the room and down the corridor.

"Oh," I whisper to myself. He's going to do it now. Patrick only told me about this a month ago, and he never told me he was going to do it at graduation, though I don't know if he planned it this way.

He asked for my opinion on rings and then asked if it was too soon, but he loves Gem, so decided he was going to do it, regardless. He eventually found a ring but had to save for it, so I may have asked Kai about helping from my personal wages from being a royal, so he got it quicker.

Patrick walks back in with a stupid grin on his face that totally gives him away.

"Gem, I want to—I love you. After everything with my dad, Mila's mum, and Mila and Kai's romance, it's made me realise that life is short and you get one shot at it, so why not just do what makes you happy? When you know, you know, and I know that you make me happy. I fell in love with you, and I want to wake up beside you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"

I melt on the spot. Patrick's never been great with words, but that was so sweet.

Gemma grins and instantly nods. "Yes! Of course! I love you too, you smooth idiot."

He slides the ring on her finger before they both hug and kiss. Annie and my dad both hug each other and cry. Emma is sleeping off her milk in the pram to our right, but I guess she would be garbling her approval.

Kai kisses my hair behind me. "Love you, Peach."

I glance at him with a smile. "Love you too. I'd never imagined this is where I'd be a year ago, you know? I thought I'd just be working my nursing job, saving money and going out every weekend getting drunk. Now I'm someone completely different."

Kai laughs. "Very different life."

"A life I wouldn't trade for the world," I say. "Thank you for coming into my life."

He presses another kiss on my hair. "No, thank you. We make a pretty good team, huh?"

I nod in agreement. "Two total opposite worlds that you'd never put together, and now look at us. We're the best team ever, and always will be."

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THE END

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AUTHOR NOTE: There is now a sequel! Check out "Royally Second" on my profile! Link in inline comment >