"The Crown does not produce victims, dear." His voice is soft, rich, and gentle. "The Crown makes history."

Augustus is a man well-formed in an institution that he considers to be a prison within itself. When he married you, an American Senator, it had been politically driven and mutually beneficial from the start. His influence as the Prince of Wales helped you climb the political and social latter on the East Coast. Your charm, tenacity, and beauty allowed the British tabloids to upkeep his reputation as the real life Prince Charming.

It was the perfect storm. An American Senator and her beloved Prince Charming. To the masses, you are deadly in love. At home, you are distant, cold, and frugal; he is always consumed with his royal duties, since he lives in New York with you. You are consumed with campaigning for Vice Presidency. These hours are grueling, but it helps to know that there's no love lost there.

Or is it?

Right now, you are pacing the floor of Augustus's study, because you have been informed that your lobbyists smeared your name to your political adversaries, calling you a fraud and a whore, and accusing you of being behind some very unsightly murders.

"Calm yourself, dear," Augustus says in that light, rich tone of his.