Chapter 232: Seeing Her for the First Time

VOLUME INTERLUDE: A History In Paris

Kenneth's POV:

Paris, 1983

It was supposed to be a short holiday, a quick break before beginning my political career. That's what my parents believed it to be, at least.

For me it was something else entirely.

It was a chance to escape, even if only for a moment, the person I was expected to be.

There were certain things expected of me. There was no room for negotiation.

I would become a politician. I would run as the conservative candidate in the London Mayoral elections. And perhaps more absurdly, it was equally expected that I would make Mayor.

It didn't matter that eight million people had to vote for me. No, I would become the Mayor like my father before me and his father before him.

My trip to Paris was my parents' idea. It was their way of telling me to get my act together. Go away for a couple of weeks and come back as the son they actually wanted. Their message was loud and clear, and it was hard not to resent them for it.