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 I used to think freedom was about the physical; pounding bass, neon lights, dancing in a dark, sweaty club. Freedom was at its height when I was dancing against Kai's body and he was disguised as Lucas – his middle name – and feeling in control, which I never did with Brayden, my ex.

Then I thought I lost it when I found myself pregnant and forced into a fake marriage with Prince Kai, then-fifth in line to the British throne, now first. In reality, I found the best in the situation and thrived. I had freedom once again. Though royal life is bound by rules and protocols, and I have to look and be a certain way in public, I've found good causes and joy in this life. I've also found love in Kai and freedom in love that I never had with Brayden. His controlling abuse was something I felt trapped by and now I'm free.

This news threatens the freedom I had. The news threatens the freedom I found and like. But more importantly, it threatens Kai's freedom.

And yet, it also doesn't surprise me because this is the role we both knowingly took on and stayed for. We had the chance to leave, but we didn't take it. We both agreed to one day have this at our feet.

"I cannot be a king now, Peach," Kai panics. "It's too soon! I'm twenty-five. What the hell is he abdicating for?"

I stay silent and sink into the sofa in the lounge. We've changed it around in the last few months; gone are the bookshelves in one of the other rooms down the corridor. We bought a new TV, and of course, Kai being Kai, bought a bigger screen with a surround sound system. We painted the room so it's now a dark green on two walls and cream on the others. A few photos hang on one wall; two from our wedding and two of us with Emma. Kai put a desk against one wall with both our PCs set up next to each other so we can play games together – not that we get much time anymore. Emma has a play mat in here, along with a load of other toys. Her playroom and bedroom are down the hallway, though. She's currently out with the nanny, Belinda, until dinner, so we can work through this whirlwind.

Hugh did actually tell us why he's abdicating, but Kai's clearly not processed that bit yet.

"Why, Peach? We're not ready for this! We're trying to set up our family. A king and queen serve the people with their family already established—"

"Kai, calm down." I stand up and face him.

His eyes find mine immediately, hoping I'll ground him.

"Your dad told you he's going to do this for his health, and so he can retire. He said the people seem to love us and want us on the throne already, and the monarchy serves the people." I hold his hand. "Your mum and dad aren't young anymore—"

"Grandad ruled until he died at eighty-nine," he says.

"Right, but your parents don't want that life, and that's their choice. Your dad, especially, has spent his life serving the people, and he's having problems with his heart," I remind him.

"But it's not serious; they're treating it or looking into it or whatever," Kai panics.

I nod. "Yeah, but he wants to retire to focus on his health. That doesn't mean he'll stop working; you heard him when he said he'll continue supporting us, doing engagements when he can. They'll be there to help if we need it. Kai, he's made the decision and you can't change his mind. He's told us in advance, so we have time to get used to the idea and transition."

"I'm not fit to be a king. Maybe we can give it to Uncle David—"

"Kai, you know David doesn't want it. We stayed in the family knowing this would happen eventually. Look, we have time. For now, we can let this sink in, yeah?"

He knits his brows together. "How are you so calm about this, Peach? This is the very thing you didn't want when you fell pregnant."

I shrug. "I've had time for it to sink in. Being pregnant makes you overthink. A lot."

"What did I do to deserve you, by the way? So fucking calm about being a queen consort in two months." He kisses my forehead. "Meanwhile, I've been born into this and panic at the thought of ascending any rank."

"Kai, you were born to never take the throne; you were pushed down the ranks as Lucy grew up, got married and had kids. Now it's a reality since they all died and you were bumped up to next in line. It's tragic and awful, but this is our life now. I can understand the panic. Like I said, though, we need to just take a moment and react. And I need to tell my dad, Annie, and Patrick."

He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it like we're in public. "My queen."

I chuckle. "You're not allowed to call me anything but Peach, ever."

"Her Majesty, Queen Peach. Dad's ordered you to be Queen Consort if you'll accept it, so you will literally be called Queen Mila."

"You're already talking as if you accept it. Kai, you will be an amazing king," I whisper.

"I just... feel trapped. When Lucy and the kids died, it feels like that. I'm trapped in this role with no choice. I'm a cage, Peach. A year and a half ago, I was going around in disguises to clubs and sleeping with women." He gestures to me. "I was free. Now I'm being told I have to either become king or disappoint the whole family and Commonwealth."

"Your dad didn't say that, Kai. If you refuse the crown, it'll go to David or one of his kids. You are free to make that decision." I kiss him on the lips. "I'm surprised you didn't tell me you felt trapped in marrying me or having Emma with me."

He chuckles. "Peach, believe me, waiting for you to fall in love with me has always been a form of freedom."

I furrow my brow. "You did not think that up by yourself. That was smooth."

"I adapted a quote from Alexandra Vasiliu, a poet. And my smoothness is why you slept with me in the first place," he jokes before pressing his lips to mine.

Instead of arguing the point, which I would usually do, I deepen the kiss and pull him by the collar towards me. His hands wrap around my waist, pulling the hem of my dress up. It's a hint, so I take his unsaid suggestion and jump into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist. His hands instantly move to my thighs, now bare, so he can balance us as he moves us from the lounge to the bedroom. I remember once, Kai told me that the norm for royals is to sleep separately, but we both decided to throw the norm out, and I could never do it again.

"We'll definitely have pressure to have another child now, you know that?" he whispers against my mouth.

I giggle. "Way to ruin the mood, Kai."

He puts me on the bed and climbs over me. "Don't worry, I'm versed in bringing the mood back." His lips meet mine again, so I lie back and pull him closer, ever so closer until we're flushed together and there's no way we can be closer until our clothes come off.

Freedom might be what we make it, but it's very much something you can control. A gilded cage might come around you, but those bars can be manipulated and changed so that you can find your own freedom within. Who cares about being trapped if you're with the person you love? 

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