see their families grow. I smiled through my pain. Theo stayed by my side, as always. We faced our agony together, and day by day, it grew smaller. It never disappeared, but it became bearable.
Then, like a beacon of hope, I felt new life growing inside me. It wasn’t like the first time—chaotic and tumultuous and surprising. This time, we dared to plan it. For the first time in two years, we let ourselves hope. Really, truly hope that we could have a child.
The doctors warned us that since I’d already had an ectopic pregnancy, there was a small chance it could happen again. For the first few weeks, I held my breath—but still, I dared to hope.
At six weeks, when we got the news that my pregnancy was healthy, the smile on Theo’s face could have made even the coldest hearts melt. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me fiercely, not letting me go until I had to come up for air.
As my pregnancy progressed, Theo became more and more anxious. I could tell by the way he fussed around me, hovering wherever I went, even ignoring some of the royal duties that had once been a top priority for him. He would fluff my pillows and watch my diet. He wouldn’t let me carry anything heavier than a piece of paper, and helped me whenever I had to move.
If I’m honest, his overanxious attention annoyed me—but I loved him for it.
When our baby girl was born, I immediately knew I’d have a hard time keeping her humble. She was destined to be spoiled as soon as she entered this world. Theo held her for hours, only relinquishing her to me so I could feed her. Princess Ariella was doted on by her grandfathers, her uncles, and aunts. She had love showered on her by the entire Kingdom.
Even my mother softened. She got what she wanted when I married Theo, but it was Ariella’s birth that made her truly happy. When my mother held Ariella for the first time, tears filled her eyes, and I knew I’d been too hard on her.
She was a mother—just like me. I could understand, now, that she was only doing what she thought was best.
I appreciated it all, truly. I did. We got presents and well-wishes from all over the Kingdom. Luca himself beamed, bringing his own toddlers over to meet the new baby.
But what I loved most were the moments when Theo, me, and Ariella were alone. Sometimes, when the nannies had left and the staff were asleep, our baby girl would stare at us with big, bright eyes from her bassinet. She’d smile, grabbing her toes with her tiny, perfect fingers, rolling back and forth on her back as she giggled.
In those moments, Theo would wrap his arms around my shoulders and lay a gentle kiss on my temple. Everything was quiet, but the whole room would thrum with love. I could taste it on my tongue and feel it in the air. It made everything worthwhile—the turmoil that had surrounded our early relationship, the hardships, and even all the grief that we’d been through. Together, we were stronger. Everything that we’d been through made us better.
Every year, on our first child’s due date, we lit a candle to honor our first baby. We never got to meet that baby, but it was the catalyst that brought us together. That child was the reason that Theo and I were able to get over our insecurities and actually confess our feelings to each other. It was the reason we grew closer, that we formed an unbreakable bond.
Argyle has always been my home. It’s hard to fathom wanting to leave now, years later, when I’ve been blessed with a husband and a child that I love with all my heart. I’ve been able to travel with Theo on royal tours and trips all over the world—possibly even more than I would have been able to do alone.
And singing? Well, singing has become a daily habit for me. I’ve kept in touch with Prudence Halloway, who often comes to the palace to give private concerts. Princess Ariella has shown an affinity for music, even as a toddler.
I don’t have a career as a singer. I’m the Queen, now, so it wouldn’t be appropriate. But somehow, it’s better. I sing for Theo, for my child, and for myself. I sing because I love it and because it brings me joy, not because I