All language subtitles for A Math for the Prince 203 1080p WEB-DL HEVC x265 BONE

(♪)

- 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