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‘Haven’t we all? I certainly have But I’ve seen you over the past feeeks I’ve seen how you reach out to the kids on the pitch, how you’re willing to be on their level You haven’t stood on being a princess’

‘Sometimes I don’t want to be a princess’

‘And when I think how you worked in the office, without telling anyone about your dyslexia—’

‘Don’t,’ she said, her voice catching ‘Don’t pity me’

Ben shook his head in vigorous denial ‘I ad, but I had no idea I still don’t You’re a’

The heartfelt sincerity in his tone hu yourself,’ she finally ed, her voice a bit choked, and he slid her a sideways smile

‘I’m not done yet’

‘No?’

‘No’ He took a deep breath ‘What I really want to say is I love you I love the woman you’ve been and the worace, and how you never letI love you, Natalia’

She was going to cry And she earinga little, Natalia dashed at her wet cheeks ‘I love you too,’ she said quietly, and with coeration Ben cupped his ear

‘Sorry, as that?’

She laughed and said it loudly Shouted it ‘I love you!’

They were both silent, accepting and even reveling in the ht to the light And it was good

‘I’h,’ Ben finally said quietly ‘I was so blind, in so many ways’

‘And I was afraid’

‘And now?’

She let out a shaky laugh ‘I’ to happen when I return to the palazzo What my parents will say Do’

‘You won’t be alone,’ Ben told her ‘I’ll be by your side every second’

She released a shuddering breath ‘I’lad for that’

Natalia saw lights twinkling below them, and as Ben started to descend she wondered what their destination was What would happen now