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The heavy oak doors of the grand ballroom seemed to close in on Rachel all at once. The sparkling chandeliers overhead cast a sharp, unforgiving light on her pale face. / Chapter 4 / 8

Chapter 4 - The Ultimatum in the East Wing

The next morning, the front pages of every global newspaper featured the same split image: on the left, a glowing, pristine promotional photo of Rachel in her designer wedding gown; on the right, a harsh, frame-by-frame screenshot of her screaming at a U.S. Navy commander in the middle of the royal reception.

The headline in The Daily Chronicle read: ROYAL BRIDE’S CLASS-SHAMING SCANDAL EXPOSED BY THE WOMAN WHO SAVED THE PRINCE.

I was sitting with my parents in the quiet, sunlit sitting room of the east wing when the heavy double doors swung open.

It wasn't Alexander. It was King George himself, accompanied by his chief legal counsel and two private secretaries.

My parents stood up immediately, looking overwhelmed. Dad straightened his flannel shirt—he had refused to wear the rental tuxedo the palace provided, opting instead for his favorite plaid—while Mom nervously smoothed down her blouse.

"Please, sit," King George said, holding up a hand with a reassuring smile. He looked directly at my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Carter, I want to personally apologize for the abhorrent behavior exhibited under my roof yesterday."

Dad crossed his arms, his weather-beaten face stern. "Your Majesty, I appreciate that. But let’s be clear: Rachel made her own bed. Her mother and I raised her right, but somewhere along the way, she got blinded by shiny things. She was ashamed of us, and she was ashamed of Emily. That’s on her."

Mom reached over and touched Dad’s arm, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "We’re just so proud of you, Em," she whispered, looking at me in my uniform. "We always have been."

King George nodded slowly, his expression grim. "Your daughter’s actions have caused severe repercussions for the crown, Mr. Carter. Under normal circumstances, a royal marriage tainted by such public fraud and malicious deception would be subject to immediate annulment proceedings under ecclesiastical and civil law."

Mom gasped. "An annulment? But the wedding just happened yesterday!"

"However," the King continued, raising a finger, "there is a path forward that preserves the dignity of the house and addresses the core of the issue. But it requires Commander Carter’s consent."

I sat up straight. "My consent, Your Majesty? What do you mean?"

The King’s legal counsel stepped forward, opening a thick leather folder and placing several documents on the mahogany table between us.

"We have drafted an addendum to the royal marriage settlement," the lawyer explained. "Prince Alexander has agreed to sign it under one condition: Rachel must publicly step down from all royal patronages, relinquish her title of HRH until a mandatory five-year probationary period of community service and character rehabilitation is completed, and..."

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The lawyer paused, looking directly at me.

"...and issue a nationally broadcast, unscripted public apology to Commander Emily Carter, acknowledging her service, her family, and the truth of their background."

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