"I've been able to overcome it in the past, so I have no doubt that I can do it again. The discomfort may only last a few days, but I'll be OK," he said, sending Ella's heart into a tumultuous pirouette.

She knew it was excessive for the King, who was usually so tough and merciless, to have broken down in such a way.

Tears threatened to well up in her eyes, but she was not yet ready to let them fall. She wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't think of a thing to say. "I need to be alone, Ella," he muttered at last, putting an end...