Original subtitles

(♪)

- My sweet prince,

my sweet prince,

my sweet... prince.

From the day I first saw you, I began to love you.

I have tried to forget you...

but when I sleep, I dream of you.

When I walk, I sing of you.

I cannot...

delete you.

My sweet prince, my sweet prince.

(phone ringing)

(phone ringing) Hey, what's another word for delete?

Hey, what's another word for delete?

- I'm locked out. - Oh.

Cannot lock you out of my heart.

Okay.

- So, what do you want to read about?

- Mm... Who's tying the knot? (chuckling)

- Well, we lost our feature article for next month's profile edition,

but if I can submit a replacement,

this could be my big break.

- I thought your big break was moving from obits

to wedding announcements.

- No, real journalism, not death and marriage

in 500 words.

- Well, everyone I want to read about died 600 years ago.

- Ah, maybe this is my fate,

writing about other people's happy endings.

- Okay, uh...

What's going on?

- Thursday is six years with Whit.

He got us reservations at Sombrillo.

- That's no small feat-- Oh! Could this be...

- Don't you dare jinx it. - He's gonna propose!

- No! (knocking)

We have been talking about it.

- And what a bride you'll be.

Hey, have a little faith.

- Fiction is not my reality.

- Your love is written in the stars.

- Ooh, what a line! (chuckling)

- It's what I do. Sorry, not sorry.

- Wild flowers? - Oh, yeah.

Steve hand-picked those at a farm upstate.

- Why is your life so perfect?

- Actually, I was supposed to go with him,

but I had to write, you know?

- You know, you could take a day off once in a while.

- No, I can't let my fans down.

He understands and I'm almost done, so...

very close. - Hum.

With this novel.

(sigh)

- You know, you are going to write your best

and last wedding announcement for yourself soon,

but I do have to run to the bookstore,

so maybe we can brainstorm later?

- Yeah. I got to get back to work.

- Okay, good.

(♪)

- I'm going just one hour.

- Of course, Your Majesty.

- Thank you so much for sharing that, Jane.

That truly embodies the spirit of my latest novel.

Are there any other questions?

- My sage of romance, Lady Julia Castle.

I, Brenda, seek your counselling.

I haven't found my true love yet, what shall I do?

- Well, as Beatrice says, from On the Run From Fate,

love is bestowed by... patience.

Brenda, your knight in shining armour will come,

you just have to continue to believe in it.

It's gonna happen, Brenda. (chuckling)

Anyone else? Yes?

- Miss Castle, forgive my impudence,

but what do you know about love?

- Only enough to have written six best-selling novels,

three TV movie adaptations,

two Teen Choice Awards Best Kisses and apparently,

12 children named after my characters.

- What do you know about real love?

No disrespect intended.

I applaud the success you've earned,

but isn't the romance in your novels... idealized?

Dear, the material of bodice-rippers

is not how real-life romance works.

- First of all, I find the term bodice-rippers ignorant.

Medievals are far deeper than that.

Let's replace those castles with white picket fences

and court life with social media.

The reason my stories resonate is that at their core, it's...

it's all about respect.

People are looking for this, but they're not receiving it

and that is just good old-fashioned courtship

with chivalry and meaning.

So, yes, my romance isn't idealized,

it's just a higher standard that we have lost along the way,

and we don't have to be doom-swiping.

A year ago, I was actually in your position, Brenda,

and my knight in shining armour, my boyfriend Steve,

he is... charming. (chuckling)

Gracious, humble and respectful.

So, yes, I do think chivalry still exists in some men.

And well, we don't have to settle.

And you know, that actually reminds me

of Marguerite's issue with Leon in Stolen Inferno!

(laughing) Doesn't it?

Did that answer your question?

- In a roundabout sort of way.

- Hum.

May love fill your heart. (chuckling)

Thank you, Brenda! - Thank you.

- I'll see you at the next one, okay?

- Miss Castle? - Oh.

- Pleasure to meet you. Nora Adalwolf,

huge fan of your work. - Thank you.

- And I'd like to introduce my brother,

Prince Maximilian Lucien Adalwolf the third,

heir to Voldario.

- Oh. Pleasure's all mine, Prince Wolf.

(chuckling) - Adalwolf.

- Miss Castle, my brother needs your help to find love.

- Yes, you seemed very skeptical, earlier.

- I just wanted to be sure.

This is a terribly serious matter.

- No doubt, your... majesty. (chuckling)

- My brother has tried all the traditional ways

to find love to no avail,

so I thought it was time to step outside of his comfort zone.

- Are we keeping you? - Uh... I'm sorry,

I just need a moment. - We've been waiting for quite a while.

- Mom, let me call you back. - The least you could do is give us a moment of your time.

- Of course. Uh... do you want to maybe take a photo?

I can... sign something or a little social media shout-out.

- Do you know who I am? - We have a proposition for you.

- I don't do collaborations. - I am prince of Voldario!

- Okay. (clears throat)

Do you mind if we just tone down the... performance, Disneyland?

I like the whole arrogant prince character you got going, but...

- Disneyland? Arrogant prince? - I'm sorry, I just...

I haven't eaten all morning and I just need one moment to myself

and actually, my mother, she just keeps blowing me up.

So, uh... why don't we...

Why don't we take a photo? Yeah?

(chuckling)

Photo! (chuckling)

So, where's this... Volario that you speak of?

- Voldario! It's an enclave, by Switzerland.

- Oh. Why not a Swiss accent, then?

- Because I went to boarding school in London!

- Okay. Uh... (clears throat)

You know what?

I'm gonna be back here next month

and I would love to chat with you then.

(phone ringing)

Okay. (chuckling)

Hey, Mom. Sorry, I was at a... - That's a waste of time!

- I've turned off my phone.

He said what in the group chat?

Steven broke up with me over text.

- Well, it could have been worse.

- It was the family group text.

- Oh.

- We were just trying to figure out what dishes everyone

was going to bring to the 4th of July potluck.

- Yeah, that's not so good. - Yeah.

He kept saying he was wanting more and my grandmother,

my poor grandmother, thought he was talking about macaroni salad.

What went wrong? I mean, everything was just so...

perfect.

- He didn't give an explanation?

- No, just macaroni salad text.

- Uh. Well, obviously, he wasn't the one.

- Yeah, you know what? You're right.

Chivalry is about respect, about doing the right thing.

- Showing up. - Yeah.

Oh, why does this always happen to me?

- What do you mean? (sigh)

- It's like an annual tradition, okay?

Holiday, summer time and oh, there is Julia again

with another failed relationship.

Maybe I'm just...

Maybe I'm just a romance writer that knows nothing

about real love. - Are you kidding me?

- No! Franny, think about it,

who gets broken up with perennially, okay?

I write books about happy endings, not ghosting.

(sigh)

Remember Marc?

- I thought we don't talk about Marc.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. He said in that article... he said that...

that I was distant and that I was unwilling

to trust anything less than perfect.

- He was paid to write that article, it was for a gossip magazine.

- Yeah, but that doesn't make it not true.

- Why don't we do something fun?

- Okay. Yeah! (chuckling)

Yeah, that sounds great! - Okay, great!

- Yes! Oh, you're right! - Okay.

- We can get mani-pedis or...

oh, we can go out. Do you want to do karaoke?

- Oh, no. We are going to brainstorm

on your profile article. - I don't think we have to do that right now.

- Franny, I'm fine. - I think you need to go sit on a beach.

- No, I hate being idle.

- Take a break. (sigh)

- Finishing the novel will be good for me, okay?

Writing a proper ending will be cathartic and...

You know, the book is humming along nicely and you know,

I can't let my fans down, they need me.

(♪)

Ugh... okay.

(clears throat)

(clears throat) Okay.

Okay.

(knocking on door)

(♪)

- It seems like I'm always chasing you.

- Disneyland? - Mm.

Most people call me Your Grace, but you can call me Max.

- You're not pretending to be a prince?

Do I need to curtsy? - No, no, no.

No, we're way beyond that.

Would you walk with me? - Sure.

- Please. - Yeah. Um...

- My uncle has been acting as regent

but has wanted to retire for some time,

but per Voldario law, I must wed my chosen bride

before my 40th birthday in a month, otherwise,

I will be forced to abdicate or marry a duchess

who is in love with another man.

So, I... I would like to hire you to play matchmaker

and help me find true love before then.

- Are you serious?

Okay. (clears throat)

You want me, a medieval romance novelist,

to find you, a real-life prince, a wife?

- Yes.

(chuckling) - Okay.

- Well... well, find love. I can get a wife anywhere,

I'm looking for love.

- You're right. There are apps for that.

There's actually tons of different apps for that.

- You must understand, I tried everything.

Professional matchmakers, well-meaning aunts,

family friends, Hollywood casting agents,

a supercomputer that hacked a dating website,

even a Swiss shaman who proclaimed that I was cursed.

They're supposed to be neutral.

- Are you cursed? (sigh)

- Okay. Okay. (chuckling)

- Please, understand! This-- This is all my sister's idea.

She... she's a huge fan of your novels,

she's read every single one.

She thinks you're a modern day Jane Austen, so...

So, I'm here because I'm out of options

and Nora seems to think that you know something about love

that we don't.

So, do you?

- Your Grace, thank you, I'm flattered, but...

I am not a professional matchmaker.

- But you do it with your fictional characters all the time,

why can't you try it in real life?

I'm a prince, after all.

Apparently, you have them in half of your novels.

Unless it's... Unless it's all just fantasy.

(notification)

- I'm actually late to meet someone, so I got to...

- Name your price.

But don't take too long, I'm running out of time.

- Okay.

Okay.

(deep exhale)

- Julia, hey! - Do you love her, Whit?

- What? - Do you love Francesca?

- Of course! - Do you want to spend

the rest of your life with her?

- That's the plan, yeah.

- Why didn't you pop the question, then?

- Oh, that's what this is all about?

(sigh)

Wait, Am I in trouble with Francesca?

Oh... no. Oh, no, no, no, no.

But... but I love her, okay? - Mm.

- I goofed, okay? I just goofed! - Mm.

- We talked about this, I can't-- I can't screw this up.

Is it too late? - Just demonstrate your love

and commitment, ideally soon, very soon.

- I haven't bought a ring yet.

I could use a temporary ring! - Just stop.

Okay, I know you're like a...

finance math genius, but you're so utterly clueless, sometimes.

- Well, technically, I'm hyper-focused, but I mean,

there's an article-- - Okay, just please, stop.

Okay. (clears throat)

You are entering my wheelhouse now,

and you two will have your happy ending,

even if I have to drag the both of you across the finish line.

- Thank you. - My best friend,

she's not gonna get some half-baked proposal, no, no, no, no.

No, she's... She's expecting better now.

- Better?

Like bigger? How big?

(chuckling)

- I'm gonna help you. I'm gonna help you get Francesca

the best proposal, something worth writing about.

Ah!

- Thanks... Thanks for leaving me some.

(♪)

- So, I'm confused.

- A real prince wants to hire me

to play matchmaker. - Why?

- He's a prince and I know...

Fictional princesses. - Oh.

- Okay, I need to run towards my doubts, not away from them.

I mean, think about it, he's a real prince searching for love.

A melding of my novels with real-life romance! - Um.

- I can finally prove that the love I write about

is attainable and that higher standards are worth it.

Franny, this is my chance at writing

a real happily ever after, and...

You, my dear, are sure to get that promotion

when you write a profile on a real-life prince.

- Really? - Yeah!

(chuckling)

- Wait, let's think about this for a second.

- Mm-hmm.

- If you fail at matchmaking and it gets out,

could that ruin your brand?

- Yeah, but... but if I succeed,

it'll confirm every romantic belief I built my life around,

because otherwise, I don't know what to think.

I need this, and I need you to help me. You in?

(chuckling)

- Maximilian Lucien Adalwolf the third.

- Um. I like how it just says, "Prince".

(chuckling)

(knocking on door)

I'm here to speak with the prince.

- It's okay, I don't think she's gonna kidnap me.

- Found my price.

My friend will write a profile on your search for love.

(laughing) - No.

(chuckling) - Yes.

- Whatever your friend is getting paid, I'll double it.

- It's not about money.

- Who is your friend?

- She works for The Tribeca Herald.

- I probably know her. - She does...

wedding announcements.

- Mm-hmm. I'm her golden ticket.

- Uh... well, I'm your golden ticket.

Wait... (sigh)

Come on, I have to interview you for matchmaking anyway.

- It's not going to happen. - I trust her, okay?

I give you my word she will only report the truth.

- So said every journalist.

Julia, come on.

Surely we can come to an agreement, you and I.

- You said name your price.

- But what do you want? - To help a friend.

- That's lonely, thinking only of others.

- Um... I have all I need.

- Where's the fun in that?

- Good luck with the swiping, hot shot.

(sigh) - This is romantic extortion!

- You're the one running out of time.

- I don't need you! - Then why are you following me?

- You are the last option on a very long list.

- Ah! But I am on the list.

- Fine. No interviews. - Those are my terms.

- No. You can send her your notes,

but I'm not getting cornered by some aspiring journalist

looking to make a name for themselves.

This is my life we are talking about.

- I'm taking photos. (sigh)

Relax. Okay, this isn't just some state negotiations,

it's dating and it's fun!

Fun, fun, fun, fun!

- Thank you, thank you, Richard.

Tea? - Yes, please.

So, what are your requirements?

- Well, I can marry a commoner.

So, I would like to remain anonymous

until I find someone promising.

I want to avoid Europe altogether

and stay here where no one will recognize me.

I want... final approval on all the dates.

Maybe we should do a test date.

Organize them in 30-minute increments--

- Not if you want to make a real connection.

This isn't central casting. No, no.

We're gonna do this my way.

I'm gonna set you up with one-on-one dates with women who I select.

- For the dates, I prefer exclusive restaurants

and preferably-- - The dates are gonna be down-to-earth, okay?

Genuine good old-fashioned courtship.

The person across the table is your focus, not the food.

- Have you ever been to a Michelin star restaurant before?

- Actually, I have. Is this why you're single?

(chuckling)

- I'm single because I choose to be.

- Why?

- Standards.

- Which are? - I'm looking for the one.

- Well, you're gonna have to do more than looking,

you're gonna actually have to work to find love.

I can't just deliver it to you on a silver platter.

That's not how romance works, at least, not in my novels.

- She's right.

I'm the one married, here.

- Nora, I hope you don't mind me asking,

but why have all the other previous more

typical matchmaking efforts failed?

- Everyone was too deferential to him because of who he is,

but I see you won't have that problem.

Will you excuse me? Royal business to attend to.

- So, let's talk of my requirements.

I'm going to need dedicated interview and observation time,

not only for my friend's article,

but so that I can get to know you better.

As a writer, I need to know my characters inside and out,

and only then can I try and pair you

as if you were a character in one of my novels.

- So, I'm a character now, am I? Like a prince charming?

- Eh... more like the beast.

Hey, he did turn around at the end, didn't he?

(sigh)

- Well, this has been delightful.

(clears throat)

I doubt you'll succeed, though.

- Are you trying to fail? - Oh, I'm just saying.

Perhaps love isn't in the cards for me.

But maybe you, with your ideals, can see something that I don't.

- My... ideals, they have cemented empires,

they have written epics, chivalrous romance

has built the Western World.

Maybe you should hop on board.

- Catchy. Maybe you should write that down.

- You know... (clears throat)

Love is... kind of like real estate and well,

you've been on the market for a very long time.

So, what's your problem?

- You're the writer, you tell me.

- You the rigid knight stuck in his ways?

Or the tortured soul? Or the... scoundrel prince character?

(chuckling)

Good day.

- Clichés... I'll show you a cliché.

- A profile? Are you mad?

Did you get approval from the Royal Council?

- They already think we're here on some diplomatic mission.

- But what if something comes out

that reflects poorly on you? Even if untrue?

- What could possibly come out that the tabloids

haven't already picked apart, true or not?

- This could undermine the monarchy!

- Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

I was doing what you wanted. - What I wanted?

You are the one that needs to marry for the monarchy

and marry someone you love

so you can be a role model for our people.

- You sound exactly like the Council!

- I'm thinking of you!

- Then why don't you do my duty instead?

- Because I was born a bloody incredible woman, not a man.

- I'm sorry. I just...

I never get a say.

- That's the price of all of this, you know that.

- I never got a choice.

- Don't think anyone feels sorry for us.

Be careful what you say.

- I won't disappoint you.

- It's your happiness on the line.

That is something you do have a say in.

- We are doing a reverse Cinderella.

So, from now on, you are a secret prince.

That means no entourage, no red carpet,

no special treatments.

- So, all I need to do is throw on a sweater and storm a castle.

(chuckling)

- To be worthy of a woman's heart,

you must demonstrate honour, courage, sacrifice,

graciousness. - Class and manners?

All of which I have in abundance.

- Um. Humility.

- Oh. Don't forget chemistry.

- A great smile doesn't get it all.

You're looking for till death do us part.

Manners and charm, they are a start.

(chuckling) Assuming you have them.

- Take me to the rudest place you know

and I will shine like one of your knights.

- Okay.

First,

you must shed your flirtatious ways.

- Oh... What do you mean?

- A lasting connection can only be built

by meaningful attraction of character, not just lust.

- Agreed.

- Your purpose is to protect women's honour.

Bend the knee.

Down! Bend a knee, you hedge-born churl!

Yeah. (sigh)

- You just struck a head of state! Again!

- Do you, Maximilian Lucien Adalwolf the third,

vow to protect women's honour?

- Of course.

- Ah!

(laughing)

(♪)

Okay, we really got to loosen you up a little bit.

Okay. So, this is your earpiece.

- Ah, very good. - This is my earpiece.

You'll be able to hear me, okay? And I'll be able to talk to you.

- Nice, discreet. Can you say something?

- Uh, Betty Batter bought some butter

but the butter Betty Batter bought was bitter

so Betty Batter bought some better butter.

- Very good.

Okay. - Ready?

- One second. Now, I'm ready.

- Do your thing, prince charming. You got this.

Thank you.

Okay.

- Whisky, please. Thank you.

Good evening. How are you?

Ah, thank you very much.

Oh, cheers...

oh.

(clears throat) Okay, then.

Well, cheers, ladies, one of... um.

- Sorry, I don't think she's interested. You tell him.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

- Do you want to join me? - Yes, I'd love to.

Cheers. - Cheers.

- My Italian was a bit rusty,

so I had no idea what award I had just been given.

The entire theatre was standing, clapping,

and the spotlight's on me, so naturally,

I have to go up and make an acceptance speech.

The prime minister shakes my hand and...

- Wow! What was the award?

- Uh... it was just a fundraising thing.

(chuckling) Yeah.

Anyway. So, apart from being stunning,

what do you do for a living?

- I'm a beauty influencer, beautuber.

- Walk away, not interested. Bye.

Walk away. - Walk away!

- No, anti-hauls are when you don't walk away

with anything but talk about what you're not going to buy.

- Sorry, I wasn't talking to you. Some guy,

but he's gone now, carry on.

- Oh! (chuckling)

What, so you mean you don't just wake up in the morning looking like this?

- Okay, connection, not just flirting.

- I am connecting!

Uh... with the idea of taking you on a real date.

I'm seeking something special.

- Max? Honey? Where's your ring...

Not another beautuber. (sigh)

(crying) - No, I...

(sigh) - You're welcome.

- For what? - Saving you from yourself.

Do you want to settle down? Are you ready?

- Not with her. I could tell she wasn't the one.

- How? - All I know is that she wasn't it.

- Okay. Well, you got manners down,

but you lack modesty and honourable restraint.

However, at the moment you looked at--

- Sorry, what-what is this, exactly?

- Dating debrief, chivalry feedback.

We have a lot of work to do, my friend.

- Yes. Yes, we do.

- Hi, can I get a table for two? Thank you.

I just found some tabloid gossip about him being a playboy.

- Is he?

- Mostly just picking apart every detail each time he dates.

There's an entire article critiquing

his choice of restaurants.

- Yeah, life under a microscope.

- Well, is he at least charming? - He is arrogant.

- Oh. I think they call that regal.

- You know, if he was a character in one of my novels,

I would put him somewhere outside of his comfort zone

with someone who he hates at first,

but actually shares the same values and dreams.

- Um. Good luck sticking to that plot.

Manhattan's finest singles,

the who's who. - Ah!

- You're lucky I know so many people through work.

I added a couple of questions in there for you to ask him.

- Mm.

- Maybe he's just afraid to take the next step? Like Whit.

- Maybe Max is just hyper-focused on being a royal?

Clueless?

You know, you got to give him more time to figure it out,

at least a few weeks before making any rash conclusions.

- Yeah, maybe. Yeah.

Excuse me, could we get two waters, please? Thanks.

- I want to thank the historical society

and the members of the Voldario community for their efforts

at recognizing this important spot...

Where the story of a group of Voldario immigrants

and America became one.

So, when I see this garden, I'm reminded that it's our turn,

our right to build our own dreams,

to be inspired by the fortitude of those who came before,

those whose stories have made us who we are today.

If those Voldarian immigrants

were able to venture across an ocean,

build a community out of wilderness

and become part of your great American story,

than my gosh,

the places we can go together.

Thank you.

(applause)

- Have you written speeches for others?

- The Royal Council won't allow it.

- Mm. - Just a hobby, really.

I do rather enjoy it, though.

Thank you. - You're welcome.

- It's important for the monarchy to engage the public.

Older generations still write letters,

it means a lot for them to receive something back.

- I do the same.

Fan mail. - Of course.

- So, what's your elevator pitch for yourself?

- I'm a prince.

- No, who are you?

What's your idea of happiness? Who inspires you?

What do you want out of life? Your biggest fear?

- Happiness is family, my parents inspired me,

God rest their souls.

I always wanted to be a decent man

and my biggest fear is prying journalists.

- I need to be able to pitch you to women

without revealing that you are a prince.

How am I supposed to do that if I don't know what you're looking for?

- You know what the Royal Council is looking for.

- No, what you, Max, are looking for in a partner.

- I'm looking for a queen.

- Why are you shutting me out?

- The moment this romance crusade started becoming documented,

I had no choice but to protect myself.

- What about your heart?

- That's a good line, write that one down for your friend.

- Okay.

Tell me one real thing about yourself, off the record.

(sigh) You can trust me.

It doesn't have anything too juicy,

nothing that the Royal Council will be upset about.

Okay, I'll go first.

I love popcorn glistening with butter so shiny

that it is a disco ball for the dance in my mouth.

Now, your turn, Your Grace.

Okay. Let me know when you're ready to talk.

- Hey, where are you going?

- I'm gonna go run an errand.

- Can I come with you?

So, how did you get into romance novels?

- I bought one at an airport bookstore before a flight home

from college and then, I was hooked.

Yeah, I had all of these...

Feelings stirring in me as a lovesick 21-year-old,

so I just... I started to write them out in my head for fun

and then, I got serious about it.

- And why medievals?

- Knights were the opposite of the boys in my life at that time.

- Mm. - Pumped out six novels in my first five years.

Never looked back. - Well,

you've done very well for yourself. It's impressive.

You're an intriguing character.

- I understand your hesitation.

I've been burnt in the tabloids before.

Oh, yeah. I had an ex who was paid to write an article

on me for a gossip website.

He said I was in love with my work and that I pushed him away.

The romance novelist is anything but romantic, right?

- Well, that man sounds like a scoundrel.

- Yeah. It was hard being judged by all these strangers

and having to keep up my public image in spite of it all.

- Welcome to my life.

- Truthfully,

I've had a string of failed relationships and helping you,

a real-life prince, find love my way...

Well, it would mean a lot for both of us.

- Thank you for telling me that.

(clears throat) So, where are we going?

- I have to go to the jewelry store to help my friend

pick out an engagement ring. - Ah.

Well, I think we might be able to do better than that.

- I... okay! - Come with me.

(chuckling)

This is the friend I was telling you about,

we've known each other for years.

- Hi, there. - Please, come in.

- Hey, get up.

- What did you say that you do?

- Royalty consultant, for her books.

- Yeah.

- Okay. Well, I went into a deep dive into gem analytics

last night and I can tell you-- - Worry about what feels right.

What speaks to you?

- Well, Franny would like something with a previous life,

I think, something real vintage.

This one. - Um...

- Should I go bigger?

- No. - Yes.

Well, you'd need a telescope to see it sparkle.

- Um... do you mind if I just speak to you for a moment?

He can't afford the Hope Diamond.

- Trust me.

Is your girlfriend flashy?

- No. - No.

We'll skip Edwardian, no Retro Era.

Maybe art deco. Does she like colour?

- Um... not on a ring.

- Okay, diamonds only, then, old European cut.

Platinum and white gold are period accurate,

and Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Camilla both have art deco,

did you know that?

Halo would give you a bigger look for less.

I'm guessing...

Francesca doesn't want a garish ring

but it should still shine brilliantly like a star?

- Who are you again?

- The geometric look is both vintage and modern in a way.

Something like this? What do you think?

- I think Franny would love any of these.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Can you tell him the history of these rings?

- Yeah, I leave you to it.

So, tell me, how do you know so much?

- I grew up around this stuff.

I had to listen to tortuously dull lectures

on the family pieces loaned to the National Museum.

- Of course, you have.

- To answer your questions,

I'm afraid of spending my entire life

feeling like it was never my own.

My parents did inspire me,

but my idea of happiness is...

being free.

- Well, thank you for sharing that with me.

Do you think we could lose the bodyguards from now on?

It doesn't exactly scream incognito.

- I'll talk to them.

So, what do you have in store for me next, poet of the heart?

- Just be free. Have fun. - Okay.

- Are you trusting me?

- Definitely not. (chuckling)

- Let the dating begin.

(chuckling)

Looks good.

(♪)

- Good day. Oh... oh, my!

Um... thank you. Thank you. Yes.

- I did not expect you to be such a nerd.

(laughing)

- You mean that not everyone knows about medieval weaponry?

- Okay, why do you know so much?

- Well, my family has... heirlooms.

I think the restaurant is right up here.

Ah! - Oh.

- This is the Suez Canal. (chuckling)

- Oh, little help? Carry me over it?

- These are A. Testoni's.

The shoes... my shoes.

- Why didn't you just carry her over the puddle?

- There are only six pairs of those shoes in the world

and the Victoria and Albert museum in London

has two of them.

- Okay, then donate them to the Louvre and just go on a real date.

Can you think like a normal person, please?

- So, I need to be prepared to ford a river every time I go out?

I wasn't into her anyway, she was really into astrology.

- Okay, what was wrong with Jenny?

- Her table manners. Like a pirate.

- And Rica?

- Have you experienced her laugh?

(chuckling) - It might grow on you.

- I don't think so, no. She was... she was too polite.

- You know, I think you're just coming up with reasons

to reject them. Why?

- They didn't have the wow factor.

- Which is?

- A glance that stops your heart,

some feminine swagger,

slinging witty savagery all cloaked in etiquette.

- And I thought I was the romance writer.

(chuckling)

(chuckling) - So, what are we doing, here?

- So, what are we doing, here?

- Well, I need answers and we're running out of time.

Okay. Have you ever boxed before?

- Well, I've fenced.

- Um, pretty good at putting up walls, uh? - Ah.

- Okay, this is how it's gonna go.

I'm gonna ask you questions and then,

the hits are going to prevent you from carefully thinking out an answer, okay?

- Okay. - Ready?

- Ready.

- Tell me about your type. Oh! Don't think of a safe answer.

- Kind and... passionate about something.

- You a playboy, Max? - No. - Well, that's not what I read.

- But that's not true! - Have you been in love?

- No. - Don't believe that.

You ever been in love? You ever been in love?

- Josie!

She broke my heart.

She loved me for my title, not for who I am.

It's easier not to get close.

- Do you like being a prince?

- I-I think I've had enough of this game.

- It's fine.

I just, I don't think you're gonna find anything real

if you can't just shed being a prince and just be present.

- Okay.

- Thank you for telling me that. - Yeah. Sure.

(chuckling)

- Do you need help, there? - Yes, please.

Very strange exercise that was.

- You did... you did pretty good.

- Ah. (chuckling)

- The Council has begun preparations for the royal wedding.

They're under the assumption you will go

with the arranged marriage option... to that woman.

If you want to marry someone else,

you'll need to announce it within the next few weeks.

(chuckling)

- All of these women are potential options. Um.

- There has to be a reason all his previous dates have failed.

- Mm-hmm. - So, what are you going to do?

- Well...

if this was one of my books, I would put him in danger.

You know, like a bandit ambush. - A what?

- Not real danger. - Oh.

- Just somewhere out of his comfort zone where he can shine.

- Mm. - A little humility, perhaps.

Oh. (chuckling)

- So, you've never accidentally bowled down the wrong alley?

- No. (chuckling)

- Okay. Well, you haven't lived. - Oh, yeah?

(chuckling) - Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to our wine and open mic poetry night!

(applause)

How y'all feeling in this weather?

Flip flopping like my boyfriend. All right.

(chuckling)

(chuckling) Uh... we have a clipboard here,

Uh... we have a clipboard here,

so if you want to write your name down and share something, please do.

First up is... Max!

- Uh... no, I'm fine. Thanks. - Oh, you got this.

- No. - Yes.

- Is there a Max, here? - He's here!

Right here! - What are you doing?

- Just make it up, have fun! - Ugh.

- Oh, y'all, we got a shy one. Welcome to the stage!

(applause)

(sigh) - Thank you.

(clears throat)

I'm not a poet. - Neither am I.

(chuckling)

Woo! (clapping)

- I'll... I'll make something up. Um...

Scandal,

state, crisis.

Forgot the password to my phone.

Just want cat pictures.

That's it. - Woo!

(applause) Yes!

Woo!

- Uh... yeah. He told us he wasn't a poet. Okay.

(chuckling) But good job anyway.

(sigh) - It was great.

- Next up, Victoria.

- Check?

- You speak to crowds all the time.

- Not looking like a fool!

- Well, if you just had a little bit of humility,

that would have been the first date to tell your grandkids about.

- Look, I am running out of time!

- Modesty opens up your heart.

Why can't you just be vulnerable?

- Because the world, the entire Voldario tabloids are watching!

- Okay, where was the paparazzi last night?

- We are not doing things your way anymore.

- Oh, really? - I command it.

- I am not one of your subjects.

- And I am not your experiment!

- Well, I can't help you unless I follow

the romantic standards in my novels.

- It's called rewriting! (chuckling)

- Well, I'm not gonna abandon my beliefs.

- Well, then, you're fired!

You are the worst matchmaker of them all!

- You are the worst knight of all.

- I'm not one of your characters!

- No. No, no, no. You...

You are the personification of lowered expectations.

Do you know how undignified you are?

You have no patience, no higher morals,

definitely aren't a hard worker.

And you don't actually respect yourself enough

to believe in anything, so guess what,

you are actually never going to find somebody

who respects you back.

You, you are the worst prince I have ever met.

- And how many real princes have you ever even met?

- Good luck.

- Too far.

- Hi. - Hi.

- You should title your profile, "Royally stubborn",

(sigh) I tried, okay?

I really tried, Franny. - What now?

- I don't know, I'm just not in the headspace to go back to the novel.

Maybe I'll actually start that rooftop garden.

- Or you could sit on a tropical beach.

- I got to take care of a couple things first.

Here are my notes so far. - Thank you.

- Yeah. I hope it's enough.

(sigh)

- I fired Julia.

- Why?

- She's obsessed with embarrassing me.

- Maybe you needed that.

You need to get out of your own way!

I don't know what's become of you, these last several years.

It's tearing me up, seeing you like this. - Nora, I...

- But whatever happened between the two of you,

it is your fault for not following through.

You realize you will be stuck in a loveless marriage

and may never be happy?

- Okay, I'm gonna veto the kiss cam at a basketball game.

She also... is not a fan of basketball.

- Ugh, man. Um...

Plane banners are surprisingly affordable these days.

- Right. Um... or, or...

Why don't you propose to her yourself?

You met at Dan's wedding, right?

- Yeah, it was at the beach.

- And... maybe that would be a great spot.

- Oh, yeah.

(knocking on door)

- Oh, uh... I'll be right back. - Yeah. The beach?

Um.

- I want to rehire you. I'm...

I'm sorry.

Okay? I'm really sorry for what I said to you.

- Do you think the plane would land on the beach, Julia?

- Is that Whit?

Whit! - Max!

- Hey! Which ring did you choose?

- Oh, let me show you.

Went with the most sparkle.

- Stunning. - Ah!

Uh... we're planning the proposal now, you want to hear some ideas?

- I'd love to! - Yes!

Okay, so I analyzed the stats and a surprising number

of proposals on social media involve flash mobs

with lip-syncing and...

- You're not 18. - Don't do that.

- So, don't go bigger? - Meaningful is better

than any pomp and circumstance.

I should know, trust me. - Why is that?

- It's because... well, he is a royalty consultant after all.

- Look, she's marrying you, not the celebration,

not the title, remember that, keep it intimate.

- Intimate, okay. Then, I need to figure out what to say

because you know, the plane banner has only a four-word limit anyways.

- Well... I could help.

I mean, speech writing is my specialty.

And with Julia's input, we could make it really romantic.

- Should I propose at the zoo? - Uh...

That was nice of you. Thank you, but you don't have to help, I can...

- And give up my first speech writing gig?

- It's unpaid.

- Well, as someone once told me,

I could use a little more humility,

so I'd be happy to take the internship.

- What's really going on with you?

- I've been feeling trapped, I guess.

The Royal Council runs my life and I've always fallen in line.

Not settling down after Josie was a way of avoiding the inevitable.

Now that I'm here, I just down know what I want.

- You don't like being a royal?

(sigh) - Just...

I'm just so frustrated with the monarchy's resistance to change.

Just the fact that Nora can't be heir simply because she's not male,

all in the name of tradition, it's just so...

It's so completely out of touch.

I mean, she's the brains, she should be running things, not me.

- What about abdicating?

Well... Was there ever a time you felt free?

- In undergrad, before Oxford,

I attended an American university in Washington.

(chuckling)

I managed to remain anonymous for the first year,

I was just a normal college kid.

Going to parties, choosing my classes,

getting a late night snack on the corner of the street.

- I know what you need. Come with me.

Hi. Two, please.

- Well, this is delightfully American.

- Mm-hmm.

Thank you. Oh, no, no, no.

This is my treat. - Oh, no, I insist.

- Thank you. - You're very welcome.

What are you gonna have? - Um...

I'm gonna keep it simple today. - Thank you.

So, what next for the love quest?

Should I rescue a maiden from an office tower?

- I could tie you to a tree?

Hey, it works in my novels!

A maiden of true heart would rescue you.

- What kind of books do you write?

(chuckling) - Here.

We got to get you away from your title,

from expectations, from your staff, everything.

We go on the run.

- You mean like rob banks? (chuckling)

- No. It's a plot device so that characters can be free

of their class or situation so that they can be themselves.

Maybe you'll discover what you want if you just slow down.

- Mm. So, where, then? - It was a barn, in my novel.

- Okay, and who's the cow in this scenario?

(chuckling)

- It's got to be a domestic space.

- A yacht? - Um... not quite.

- All right. Well, you tell me, sage of romance.

- I don't know.

I have a guest bedroom.

- So, we're going on the run in your swanky Manhattan apartment?

- Okay, it sounds ridiculous, I know,

but it will get you out of that stuffy consular residence.

- It is less ridiculous than me hiring a medievalist to find love,

so I suppose we're making progress.

- We are. - Cheers!

- Cheers. (laughing)

I did not think you were going to say yes.

- This actually... is rather delicious.

- It's good.

(knocking on door)

- Well, I'm glad you don't live in a barn.

- Well, actually, I put out some hay for you.

- Great!

(chuckling) - You're down the hall.

- Okay.

- Oh, and we're going to the beach today,

so maybe leave your A. Testoni's.

(chuckling)

Here could work too.

- Hey, where do they go after the proposal?

- Um... maybe we could check that place out on the way back.

- Oh, yeah. That looks lovely.

So, are you working on a new novel?

- Yeah, uh... it's a tale about forbidden class love.

- Mm. - I've been stuck, though.

- Hence me. - Hence you.

(chuckling)

- I've probably given you a lot of material.

- Oh, yeah.

- You know, if you ever need a second opinion,

I'd be happy to read it.

(chuckling)

Why not?

- Well...

- I am royalty expert, after all.

- Have you ever even read a romance novel?

- My dear Leon,

what does thou know about my caged heart?

- You did not read my novel.

- No, I read three.

- Um... What did you think of-- No.

No, actually, I don't want to know.

(laughing)

- Why do you shy away from messy love?

- Messy?

- Yeah, when things aren't perfect, but...

You know, complicated.

Flawed people in love.

- Wow, everyone's a critic. (chuckling)

- Oh, no, I'm serious! A real, relatable romance.

- Readers, they don't want mediocre, they want an escape.

The hope that their perfect knight is out there.

- I'm not saying lose that, I just...

I think, I think you can have both.

People don't want a perfect knight, that's boring,

they just want the knight that's perfect for them.

You know, more scoundrels.

- I'm a best-selling author because I follow my standards.

- I just think your stories can be better

by being a bit messier, that's all.

Trust that your fans are sophisticated.

Don't give them the novel they expect,

give them the novel they deserve.

Woops.

- Thanks.

- Have a thing against castles, do you?

- What?

- I grew up in one of those. (chuckling)

- Wow, you should be locked up in a tower for that joke.

(laughing)

- I'm back!

- You bought half the store.

- Yes, I think I made a lot of impulse purchases.

Do you know when the last time I went grocery shopping alone was?

They asked if I wanted paper or plastic and I said, "Both".

Oh, dear.

(knocking on door)

Oh! - Do you mind? - Sure.

- Is he here?

Oh! - Welcome to the barn.

- Hi. I'm Francesca, I've been helping Julia.

- Ah, you're the prying journalist.

(chuckling) - Hey. Got a great parking spot.

You're him? - You?

- Oh... you two know each other?

- Uh no, I just thought he would be taller.

- Yes. Yes, I do get that a lot. (chuckling)

Well, I won't hold the prying journalist thing against you.

- Thanks. Um... Max, this is my boyfriend Whit.

- Pleasure, Whit.

- Surprising, Max. (chuckling)

- So, Julia tells me you're a natural at speech writing.

- Is this going in the profile?

- Even better. I asked around on her behalf

and I got you a speech writing gig.

Anonymously, of course.

- And what's the catch? - There is no catch.

It's yours if you want it.

- That would be wonderful, thank you.

- I'll send Julia the details.

- How fantastic, we have so much to celebrate!

(chuckling)

Uh, me getting this speech writing gig and everything!

(laughing)

Yes, we'll have to celebrate that a lot.

- Can't wait. - All about him?

I see what you mean.

- I hope you're thirsty. - I am.

(chuckling)

- This is my famous lemonade. - Mm.

- It's actually just regular lemonade.

(chuckling)

- Lovely flat. - Oh, thank you.

Yeah, I don't get to spend enough time here.

- Thank you.

- So, just a few more questions, bear with me.

- Sure.

- So, uh... tell me more about Max's childhood.

- Your journalist friend...

- She would never write anything that wasn't true,

I give you my word.

- Um...

It was tough for him to be under the scrutiny of the public.

Expectations can be cruel, but he was always a perfect child...

more or less. (chuckling)

- What happened with Josie?

- Max and Josie were on the path to marriage.

I think Max made a mistake.

I'll see myself out.

- Thank you so much for coming, Nora.

- Are you off? - Yes.

- Well, lovely to see you. Thank you for coming.

- Thank you very much, Brother.

- I'll show you out. - Wonderful.

(♪)

- Oh my, is this a second chance story?

(♪)

Where did things go wrong, Josie?

- I was encouraging Max to push back against the Royal Council

to see the changes he wanted,

but instead, he floated the idea of renouncing his title

and just leaving it all behind.

Run away and get married...

(sigh)

But I told him that wasn't an option for me.

- Why?

- It was important to me that he'd have a relationship with Nora

and the people he grew up with.

Royals who abdicate never go home again.

Again, I guess I was a little selfish.

I didn't mean to become the villain...

Or at least, that's what they'd call me in the papers.

(sigh)

- I mean, didn't you try to explain?

- Of course, but...

He was hurt and the Council kept us apart.

There was another scandal going on at the time

and the monarchy went into lockdown,

so I went home to New York.

Max became convinced that I only loved him for his privilege.

That became his truth.

- I'm sorry. - Mm.

- Do you still have feelings for him?

- Well...

- Ah! - Where have you been?

Don't worry about the mess, it's all under control.

Francesca and Whit are coming over

and I thought I'd get start on dinner.

- Oh, I... found the perfect match for you.

- Oh. Great! Wonderful.

I always knew you'd come through.

- Um, it's not how I remember it.

(chuckling)

Uh. yeah, I'll set up the date for you.

- Great. Well, just make sure it doesn't conflict with Whit's proposal,

I really want to be there for that.

- Yeah. - Okay.

- Do you want to try something? - Yes.

(laughing)

- I did some cooking classes a few years back.

Felt inspired, what do you think?

- Don't let me stop you. - Okay.

- That is delicious. - Good, good!

- Uh, but you're gonna clean up, right?

I just-- I really don't like a messy kitchen.

Like at all, it really-- - I'll call someone.

(♪)

The big mistake that everyone makes is that they come from up here.

You need to be low, at the level of the water. - Okay.

- And sort of come off, bat your finger, okay?

- Okay.

- I might hit you. - Try it. Go, go.

(cheers)

(♪)

(chuckling)

- Ready? One, two, three.

Very good! - I got three!

(laughing)

- That was amazing!

- A little bit more, please.

- Oh, thank you. - Thank you.

- Um, you'll be happy to know that uh,

I finally got the herb garden going.

- Oh, it only took you what, five years?

- Slowing down has been nice.

- So, there is more to life than writing books for your fans?

- Yeah, yeah.

(chuckling)

- So, how are things going with Max?

- He has a date with his ex. I'll send you the notes after.

What? - You know what?

- What what?

- How are things going with you and Max?

- We are working fine now.

(chuckling) There's no point,

it's too complicated.

He needs to find himself. - Mm.

- And ugh. You know, I want something more than just a royal love affair.

I'm not about to just leave my life here

and jet off and get married in some foreign country

like picture bride, even if that was a remote possibility,

which it isn't and you know, I can feel your stare.

- All I did was ask how things were going,

but this therapy session is free.

Plus your logic totally makes sense.

It doesn't.

- Hi, I'm here to see Max.

Thanks.

Hey.

- Josie!

Julia didn't say it would be you.

- Hi. - Hello.

(chuckling)

Wow, um...

- Yeah. - Have a seat.

- How are you? - I'm...

I... I don't know where to start.

(chuckling)

- So, how did it go?

(chuckling)

- It was good. Um...

It was good.

It was a surprise to see her after so many years.

And things are still...

A little bit unsure between us.

Perhaps we just need some more time.

- But you don't have time. - Yeah.

- Write a letter.

Trust me.

- To Josie? - Write a letter.

(chuckling) - I don't know where to start.

- What did you feel when you saw her?

How would you feel if it was the last time you saw her?

If you let her walk away, if it was...

Your only shot at true love, what would you do?

Would you regret not saying something?

I'll leave you to it.

- Woops. Oh! (laughing)

Should I-- Should I show you a few moves?

- Uh, okay. - Okay.

Fencing is three basic moves.

- Okay - Okay.

Your right hand goes, the first one, you step forward

with your right foot and it goes lunge.

- In case I get attacked in the kitchen?

- Yeah, exactly. - Lunge!

- Lunge. Okay. The next, parry. - Parry.

- Yeah, and then, step back, riposte. - Riposte.

- Great. - Ah!

- Very good. - Okay. - Now, try it yourself.

- Okay, uh... - So?

- Lunge. - Lunge, yeah.

- Parry. - Parry.

- Riposte! - Very, very good!

- Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry. - That's okay.

(chuckling)

(notifications)

Um... - Oh.

They loved your speech.

- What? - They loved your speech!

- They want to hire Max back for future speeches?

- Yeah! - Oh, my goodness!

(laughing)

I'm a paid speech writer! - Yeah!

I'm proud of you.

- Oh, my gosh, I...

I haven't felt like this in...

In forever.

And it's all because of you.

- Oh, I don't know about that.

- Julia.

Listen...

- I have to go work on my novel.

Yeah, uh, can't let the fans down, you know.

I have to come up with the perfect ending

and I just got to type, type away.

I'm on a roll.

Okay.

(soft music)

- Wow. You look stunning.

- Well, you look like a secret prince.

(chuckling)

- Ready? - Yeah.

Ready? - Mm-hmm.

- Why am I so nervous? - It's the big day.

Okay, we set everything up, it looks perfect.

- Deep breaths. - Just relax.

- Okay. - This is your moment.

- Oh... she's coming!

- Oh, she's coming, she's coming, she's coming.

- I hope she didn't see us. - No, I don't think they did.

Oh, no. This wasn't here before.

- Ugh, there's another trail, I think--

- No, no, no, they're gonna see us.

Um... okay, come on. Let's do this.

- What about your shoes?

- Oh, the Victoria and Albert already has a pair.

Come on, okay? - Okay.

- Okay, ready? - Okay.

- Okay. (groans of effort)

(together): We did it!

(laughing)

- Just up here! - Nice! I love this beach!

- We met on this beach. (chuckling)

That's why I chose it. - What is this?

- A little something... - What is this?

- For my Franny. A little something special.

- No. Oh, my gosh. (chuckling)

It's so beautiful! - I just need you to stand

right over there for one second. - Stop!

I just have something to ask you.

(deep exhale) - Oh, my God!

- My love for you... - I do! I do! I do! I do!

(camera click) - Wow, wow, wow, wow,

what happened to my speech? (chuckling)

I worked for hours! - I know. Thank you, really.

- Put it on.

- Oh! It's so beautiful! (soft music playing)

- It's a song that they danced to at the wedding where they met.

(laughing)

- A little help.

- Congratulations! (laughing)

- Are you okay? - Yeah.

(overlapping chatter)

(♪) Oh, I'm happy for you.

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, Whit! Congratulations. - Thank you for your help.

- Champagne! - You did well, you did well!

- Do you want to dance, my darling?

- Yes, of course.

(♪)

(sigh of relief) - We pulled it off.

Max?

You okay?

How did you get that?

- It was published 30 minutes ago.

(sigh) - No, no, no, no, that...

It's not what was supposed to happen.

They were gonna review it first and then, Franny was gonna get her feedback and...

- Well, they've obviously jumped the gun.

(sigh)

"Max has not found love because he has not found the courage

to listen to his own heart."

- Well... it's the truth.

- It's gossip journalism!

After everything I did for her.

I thought you said you wouldn't allow this?

- I-- - Especially after what happened to you!

- I mean, it's who you are.

- You're ruthless.

- No, listen, I respect you way more than you know.

- "Prince Maximilian needs to be the knight his country deserves

by pushing for reform

and what he thinks is best for the nation, not the crown."

Is that you too? - You said it yourself, the truth.

- Do you want to know the truth?

You're a romance writer afraid of real love!

You hide behind all these high ideals

but the moment it gets a little bit complicated, you run.

You write. It's anyone else's story but your own. - You don't know me!

- Nobody could live up to your ideals, to your standards.

You lock yourself in a tower, gazing down on all of us--

- Okay, thank you, thank you!

I have learned all that I need to know from you.

- Oh, really? - Yeah, you know...

This whole time, I thought you were the hero, but no.

No, no, no, you are the guy the woman leaves for the better man.

- Better man? Who is this better man that--

This man in your book? The prince?

He doesn't exist.

No, the better man is somebody like Whit.

But you wouldn't...

You wouldn't write a story like that, it's too messy.

- You, Max, are a revelation at your best, but...

A wasted life at your worst.

- I trusted you.

But you don't trust anything except peddling your cheap romance.

- We're done.

You have a date with Josie on Tuesday,

so you can take it from here.

(sigh)

- I'm sorry!

- Why couldn't you come to me?

About how you really felt?

Feeling trapped in the monarchy? - You love the monarchy.

- I'm your sister.

I've been thinking and a lot of what she wrote rings true.

To be the leader Voldario needs, you mustn't fall in line.

You need to follow your heart wherever that takes you.

Do what you think is right!

Hearing the truth is the biggest compliment you can receive.

That someone is willing to sacrifice their relationship with you, for you?

You just might not realize it until it's too late.

- A wedding will reaffirm the stability of the monarchy.

(knocking on door)

- Hey. - Hi.

- I'm so sorry. - Mm.

- I had no idea! The profile was under consideration and then,

they got wind that a tabloid was on to the story

and they tried to contact me but my phone was off,

so they panicked and just published it early.

- Well, I'm just happy your phone was off so you could enjoy your special day.

Mm!

Did you at least get promoted?

Oh, Franny! I'm so happy for you.

- I don't know if I can accept it.

- Yes, you can! Yes, you can.

- How did he take it?

- Truth hurts.

- And what about you?

- You know, I found what I was looking for.

I'm not gonna go back to my writing,

at least, not the way it used to be.

No, I need to learn how to speak from my heart better.

A little uh, messier, perhaps.

- You know, I was convinced that Whit was never going to propose.

I got irrationally lost in my own head and I spiraled,

but lucky for me, my friend always believed.

I just had to have faith that love would do the right thing!

That love would win out.

That and a little elbow grease from the same friend

who never turns her back on her ideals, not ever.

As someone once said, have a little faith.

- I have my life, he has his,

and that is a real life ending.

- How did it go with Josie?

- We're getting married.

Aren't you happy for me? - Of course.

Is this what you want?

(clears throat)

- Um... yes.

Yes. - Don't do it out of some sort of duty.

- No, this is... This is what I want.

- I just want you to be happy.

- I am happy.

(♪)

Leave us.

The throne room is the traditional background

for the wedding portrait. - I don't want to be seated.

- The King always stands beside the throne!

- Well, can we both stand? - Well...

it'll have to be in front of the steps, then.

It'll look odd with the throne behind us.

- They can paint it out, Max.

(sighs)

- What's going on?

- Ugh... nerves, I guess.

(sigh)

I dreamt of us getting back together for so long,

but-- - But now...

Now, you don't know if the feelings are still there anymore.

- I was hoping with time, maybe it would all come back, maybe...

But I don't know if it will, now.

This is so rushed. I care for you, I do, I...

- It feels off?

- Would you be willing to go through with it anyway?

For the monarchy?

I know this is important to your people.

- I want more.

I want more than that. For both of us.

- Me too.

Oh, me too.

So, what do we do?

- Think on it.

We have to listen to our hearts.

- Have you been following the fallout?

- You know, I've been in hermit mode, rewriting.

Yeah, I'm just about done. I'll send you a copy.

- Oh.

- You know, I think I'm gonna have to take a break

after the book tour.

You know, go sit on that tropical beach.

- Have you heard from Max?

- He's just gonna do what he's done his entire life,

fall in line.

(piano music)

- Mm, thank you.

Copy of Julia's new book.

It's a medieval fable of forbidden class love.

A prince and a fast-talking maiden.

They go on the run.

The romance is a lot messier than her previous novels,

drama's better.

The prince is this sad Casanova

and she's always holding out for the perfect knight

who never seems to come.

They're kind of disasters in a relatable way.

Still has a few clichés.

He shows her how to fence with a spoon

and she ties him to a tree, but I love those scenes.

Of course, one knows what's going to happen, but that's the point.

- Sometimes, you don't.

It's a tragedy. - Did you just ruin the ending?

- No, it can't end like this!

I must be her perfect knight.

- Pardon?

- She does set the bar awfully high.

(chuckling)

- Go. - Thank you.

- It's wonderful, but it's very Romeo and Juliet, not you.

- Well, maybe this is me now, and love?

Love is messy. I'm sorry to break it to you,

but your knight in shining armour may never come.

Probably won't because well, men?

(chuckling) They disappoint you.

Oh, yeah, and that's real love.

And the higher the standards, the deeper you fall

when they inevitably let you down.

- Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

- Because that's life and that's real love.

Did I say real love? That's-that is.

Ladies, rescue yourselves, okay?

You climb down from that castle tower and you take that

beach vacation solo.

And I'm sorry that I was just such a saddle goose, you know,

trying to sell you this whole true love thing as being real

because it's not, uh-uh.

No. You can't just write your own happy ending and just,

you know, expect a prince to just march in!

- Julia. (gasping)

I would rather be here with you

than walking down the aisle with tradition.

Your ideals and courage to speak the truth

has inspired my own

and I realized that we need to finish our quest together.

- Max, I--

- I threatened to abdicate without an heir.

To walk away. The Royal Council has accepted my terms.

- I don't care that you're not a prince.

- They have agreed to rewrite the constitution

and allow Nora to become the first Queen Head of State of Voldario.

I'm still a prince,

but I'm able to live my own life now, wherever that may take me.

You shouldn't lower your standards for anyone,

and you deserve to be swept off your feet.

- Max, you...

You pushed me to get back in touch with my heart

and trust when life gets messy

instead of avoiding anything less than perfect.

I'm no longer afraid of messy love because that's life.

You may not be a perfect prince,

but you're just the knight I needed.

And...

You came back to me.

- Well, I--

I didn't like the ending in your new book,

so I decided to give it an in the moment rewrite.

This is for you.

Let people surprise you.

Believe in that and love will always be your ending.

- Oh.

How did you get so romantic, Your Grace?

- Because I'm the scoundrel.

- Oh! (applause)

- Shall we?

(gasping)

(applause)

(♪)

Subtitling: difuze