You are being provided with a book chapter by chapter. I will request you to read the book for me after each chapter. After reading the chapter, 1. shorten the chapter to no less than 300 words and no more than 400 words. 2. Do not change the name, address, or any important nouns in the chapter. 3. Do not translate the original language. 4. Keep the same style as the original chapter, keep it consistent throughout the chapter. Your reply must comply with all four requirements, or it’s invalid.
I will provide the chapter now.

34
BRIDGET
“IS EVERYTHING OKAY?” SABRINA ASKED AFTER I EXITED THE BATHROOM.
She’d knocked to check on me, and I realized I’d been gone for al-
most half an hour.
“Yes. I just had to deal with some last-minute prep for an event
next week,” I said, ashamed of how easily the lie rolled off my
tongue. “Apologies.”
“No need to apologize.” Sabrina gestured to her sister and best
friend, who’d passed out on the couch while The Devil Wears Prada
played on-screen. “At least you’re awake.”
I let out a small laugh. “We should go to sleep soon. You have a
big day tomorrow.”
“You’re probably right. I can’t believe it’s almost here.” Sabrina
fiddled with her engagement ring, looking overwhelmed and a little
lost. “It feels surreal. I wanted a small wedding, but…”
“You got a three-ring circus?” I sank onto the couch next to her.
“Welcome to the royal life. Even if Nik abdicated, he’s still a royal by
blood, and everything he does is a reflection of the crown.”
“I know. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself.” Sabrina gave me a
nervous smile before her expression grew serious. “Bridget, I know
we don’t know each other that well, but I wanted to thank you for
agreeing to be part of my bridal party. Truly. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course. You’re going to be my sister-in-law.”
When Nikolai first told me about his abdication, I resented her. It
wasn’t something I was proud of, but it was true. If he hadn’t met
Sabrina, he’d still be Crown Prince, and I’d be living my life in New
York.
But as I stared at her now, I realized I wouldn’t go back to my life
in the U.S. even if I could. It had been an illusion of freedom, nothing
else. I’d been trapped in the same day in, day out monotony of fake
smiles and mind-numbing events. Being crown princess came with
more rules and a smaller cage, but it also came with more purpose,
and that was the one thing that’d always been missing in my life.
Somehow, somewhere along the way, I’d grown into my new
role. It would take a while before I was fully comfortable with it, but
I was getting there.
“Yes. Good ones, I hope.” Sabrina squeezed my hand. “I love
Nikolai, and I’d be lying if I said I’m not happy he abdicated. But I
also know what a huge burden it placed on you, and for that, I’m
sorry.”
“No apologies needed. You did nothing wrong except fall in
love.”
I knew that. I’d always known that. But it wasn’t until I said it at
that moment that any lingering resentment I had toward Nikolai and
Sabrina faded away.
It wasn’t their fault. There were no wrong choices. If Nikolai had
chosen the throne over Sabrina, it would’ve been devastating for
him, but it would’ve been understandable. If he’d chosen Sabrina, as
he had, that was understandable too. Love or country. An impossible
choice when the future of a nation rests on your shoulders.
The only thing at fault was the system that forced him to choose.
“My brother adores you,” I added. Nikolai and I weren’t super
close, but I knew him well enough to spot the difference. He
changed into a different person when he was around Sabrina, a hap-
pier one, and I would never begrudge him that.
Sabrina’s face lit up, erasing some of the earlier stress. “It still
feels like a dream sometimes,” she admitted. “To meet someone who
sees me for who I am, faults and all, and loves me regardless.” She
squeezed my hand again, her eyes wise beyond her twenty-five
years. “I hope you find that kind of love one day, too. Whether it’s
with Steffan or someone else.”
Trust me, princess. I would rather end my own life than ask you to do
anything that might hurt you.
I forced a smile. “One day.”
But later that night, as I stared at the ceiling and thought about
Rhys, Steffan, and my less-than-certain efforts to repeal the Royal