Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Princess

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Alexandra's apartment, casting a warm glow over the rumpled sheets. Alexandra stirred first, her mind briefly clouded with that surreal feeling of waking up and everything is right in the world . She blinked a few times, turning her head to see Taylor lying beside her, one arm tucked beneath her head, her golden hair spilling across the pillow.

For a moment, Alexandra let herself savor the peace of it—Taylor's steady breathing, the curve of her lips softened in sleep. Alexandra paused admiring the ethereal beauty of the blonde sleeping beside her, running her gaze over the skin on her back, a skin she became familiar with during the night. The world outside was quiet, and for the first time in a long while, Alexandra felt truly at ease.

But peace rarely lasted long in her life.

A sharp knock at the door made Alexandra jolt upright, the sudden movement causing Taylor to stir. "What the hell?" she murmured sleepily, blinking at Alexandra with an adorably confused expression.

Before Alexandra could answer, the door opened, and Marcus, her ever-dutiful bodyguard, stepped in. His face was a mixture of concern and disapproval as his eyes darted between the two women.

"Your Highness," Marcus said, his tone firm but respectful, "you need to return to the palace immediately. There's been an incident."

Alexandra's stomach dropped. "What kind of incident?" she asked, her voice sharp as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, grabbing for her robe.

"I'll explain on the way," Marcus said, then turned to Taylor, who was now sitting up, looking utterly bewildered. "Ms. Swift, your security detail is prepared to escort you home whenever you're ready."

Taylor frowned, the relaxed intimacy of the morning now a distant memory. "Wait, what's going on?"

Alexandra reached for Taylor's hand, squeezing it briefly. "I'm sorry. I'll text you as soon as I can."

Taylor nodded, her blue eyes scanning Alexandra's face for answers she couldn't yet give.

The drive to the palace was tense. Marcus remained stoically silent, only breaking his quiet to inform Alexandra that her father, King Edward, had suffered a heart attack in the early hours of the morning. By the time they arrived, Alexandra's mind was racing with guilt and fear.

She was greeted by her younger brother, Lucas, in the grand hallway. His face was pale but composed, his hair disheveled as if he hadn't slept.

"Lucas," Alexandra said, rushing to him.

"He's stable," Lucas assured her quickly, pulling her into a hug. "They're saying he'll recover, but it was close, Lexie. Too close."

Alexandra pulled back, her hands gripping Lucas's shoulders. "I should have been here," she said, her voice cracking. "I wasn't here when he needed me."

"Stop," Lucas said firmly. "Don't do that to yourself. None of us could have predicted this. Besides, you're here now, and that's what matters."

His calm understanding was like a balm to Alexandra's frayed nerves. She nodded, though the guilt still gnawed at her.

The quiet moment was interrupted by the arrival of their uncle George and his son Robert. George, as always, looked impeccably polished, his expression a mask of concern that Alexandra knew was mostly for show.

"Alexandra," George said smoothly, extending his arms as if to embrace her. She stepped back, offering only a polite nod.

"Uncle," she said coolly.

George's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "I came as soon as I heard the news. It's such a relief to know your father is in stable condition. These situations can be so... precarious for the family, wouldn't you agree?"

Alexandra stiffened at the veiled implication. "The doctors are confident he'll make a full recovery," she said evenly, meeting George's gaze head-on. "I thought you'd be happy, dear uncle. I mean, if Dad leaves, you'll be one step closer to the throne. You'd just have to kill James, Lucas and me, of course."

George laughed.

"I don't need to do anything, the drugs will do that, and if not, the syphilis will drive you mad and you'll be declared unfit to govern. Either way, it's a win-win"

"Speaking of syphilis...."

Alexandra smiled sweetly at her cousin Robert

Robert, who stood behind his father with an almost smug expression, added, "It's good to see the family pulling together during difficult times. Unity is so important for the monarchy."

Alexandra forcing a polite smile. "Of course. We all want what's best for the monarchy."

The exchange left her seething, but she held her composure until George and Robert excused themselves.

Lucas appeared at her side, shaking his head. "They're vultures, Alex."

"I know," she said quietly. "And they're waiting for the slightest sign of weakness."

Back into her aparment, Taylor's return was anything but peaceful. Tree Paine, her publicist, was waiting for her, arms crossed and a look of exasperation on her face.

"Taylor," Tree began, the moment Taylor walked through the door. "Do you have any idea how risky that was?"

Taylor sighed, dropping her bag on the couch. "Good morning to you too, Tree."

"Don't play coy with me," Tree snapped. "I know where you were last night. Your security team told me everything. Do you understand what kind of scandal this could cause if it gets out? You and the Princess, of all people!"

Taylor bristled at the scolding. "It's not like we were doing anything illegal," she shot back. "And for the record, my personal life is my business."

Tree exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Your personal life stopped being just yours the moment you became Taylor Swift. The press would have a field day with this, especially since no one even knows you're bi. And Alexandra? She's a walking headline."

Taylor didn't respond immediately, her mind drifting back to the night before. She thought of Alexandra's warmth, her wit, the way she made Taylor feel like something more than just an icon.

"Tree," Taylor said finally, her voice soft but firm, "I'm not going to apologize for spending time having fun. I needed this after Joe"

Taylor had just ended her 6-year relationship with the British actor, she had come to London under the pretext of recording, but it was to avoid watch Joe take his things out of the apartment they both shared in New York.

Tree's expression softened slightly, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade. "I just want you to be careful," she said. "This could blow up in ways you can't control. You're planning a tour, this could ruin everything you've been working for"

Taylor nodded, though her thoughts were already elsewhere. She needed to check on Alexandra.

The news of King Edward's heart attack had spread quickly, and Taylor didn't hesitate to reach out.

Taylor: Hey, I just saw the news. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Are you okay?

Alexandra replied almost immediately.

Alexandra: Thanks, Taylor. He's stable now, but it's been a rough morning. How are you?

Taylor: I'm fine, but I've been thinking about you all day. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

Alexandra hesitated for a moment before typing her next message.

Alexandra: Actually, there is. How do you like your tea?

Taylor stared at the message.

Taylor: I prefer coffee or an iced chai latte with soy milk.

Alexandra smiled at her phone, a small moment of relief amid the chaos of her day.

Alexandra: I know they are words, but I have no idea what that means. But it's a date, I'll send you the details later, Miss Americana.

The quiet hum of the hospital machines was a stark reminder of the fragility of the moment. Alexandra stood just outside her father's room, her hand resting on the cold metal of the door handle. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and stepped inside.

King Edward looked smaller than she'd ever seen him. The imposing figure who had once filled grand halls with his presence now lay propped against hospital pillows, his face pale but his eyes alert. The room was sterile, too bright, and utterly devoid of the warmth Alexandra associated with him.

"Lexie," he greeted her with a soft smile, his voice raspier than usual.

The sound of the nickname tugged at something deep within her. It had been years since he'd used it. "Hi, Dad," she said, her voice quieter than she intended as she approached the side of the bed.

He reached out a hand, and she clasped it tightly, her thumb brushing against the roughness of his skin. "You look better than I expected," she said, attempting a smile.

Edward chuckled lightly, a sound that quickly turned into a cough. "You don't have to sugarcoat it. I know I look dreadful."

Alexandra let out a breathy laugh, sitting down in the chair beside him. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

"You scared us, you know," Alexandra finally said, her voice breaking slightly.

"I scared myself," Edward admitted, his eyes softening as he studied her face. "There's nothing like nearly dying to make you see things a bit clearer."

She frowned, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. "What do you mean?"

Edward sighed, his expression growing more introspective. "I've spent so much of my life focused on being a king—on the duty, the image, the legacy. But in those moments, lying on the floor thinking it was the end, all I could think about was you, Lucas, and your brother."

Alexandra's throat tightened. "Were you disappointed in us? In me?"

Edward's brow furrowed, and he squeezed her hand. "Lexie, no. Never. If anything, I've been proud to a fault. You have this strength, this fire in you that I could only dream of. All my best qualities, I see in you every day. And all the flaws I hate in myself? You've somehow avoided them entirely."

She let out a shaky breath, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I don't feel strong, Dad. I feel... sad, and lost, and sometimes I don't even know who I'm supposed to be."

"That's the thing about strength," Edward said, his voice softer now. "It doesn't mean you never feel weak or uncertain. It means you keep going anyway. And Lexie, you've kept going through so much more than I ever had to at your age."

Alexandra blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. "I just... I want to make you proud. I don't want to let you down."

Edward's face softened even further. "You've never let me down, not once. And Lexie, if this experience has taught me anything, it's that I need to tell you and your siblings how much I love you, how proud I am of you, every chance I get."

Alexandra couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his hand. "I love you too, Dad."

Edward gently stroked her hair, his own eyes glistening. "I'll be fine, my dear. But I need you to promise me something."

She looked up at him, her cheeks wet but her gaze steady. "Anything."

"Don't let this life trap you," he said firmly. "Be the woman you want to be, not the one you think the world expects you to be. Promise me that."

Alexandra hesitated, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. "I promise."

For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of hope.