Chapter 37 Summary: Samantha's Story, Explained

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with Samantha asking Liam to accompany her to Jeff's wedding. She's nervous about her first formal appearance since losing her titles and wants a friendly face nearby. Liam misreads the invitation as romantic and kisses her. Sam reflexively returns the kiss but immediately pulls away, realizing that her heart still belongs to Marshall. She clarifies that she wants Liam there as a friend, and though disappointed, he agrees, even offering to help her escape the event if things go badly.

Sam then reveals she's moving out of Liam's apartment to stay at the palace, since Jeff invited her back after their reconciliation. She thanks Liam for taking her in when she needed a friend. Liam admits he would have liked to date her but values their friendship. The narration reflects on how Liam taught Sam to be a person, not just a princess—practical things like calculating sales tax, cooking, and navigating the metro.

Later that morning, Sam gets ready for the wedding with Beatrice and Queen Adelaide. Beatrice is unusually quiet, and Sam presses her about it. Beatrice mentions that Louise gave her a lot to think about, and the conversation turns to Madison, the disgraced Duke of Virginia who was arrested. Queen Adelaide wants to strip him of his position as Queen's Champion and suggests Teddy's father as a replacement. Sam notices that Beatrice's turmoil seems more connected to Teddy than to Madison.

Daphne requests a private meeting with Sam in the Brides' Room. Once alone, Daphne confronts Sam about threatening emails she received, which demanded she break up with Jeff or expose a past hookup with Ethan. Sam denies sending them, explaining she hasn't used her laptop in months. Daphne says she tracked the emails to Sam's laptop. Sam then recalls lending the laptop to Nina before the League of Kings conference, realizing the implication as the words slip out.

Key Events

Sam asks Liam to be her date to Jeff's wedding; Liam kisses her, and she pulls away, realizing she still loves Marshall
Sam clarifies she wants Liam as a friend; he agrees and offers to help her escape the wedding if needed
Sam announces she's moving back to the palace, thanking Liam for his support
Sam gets ready with Beatrice and Queen Adelaide; Beatrice seems troubled about Teddy
Daphne confronts Sam about threatening emails referencing her past hookup with Ethan
Sam denies sending the emails and recalls lending her laptop to Nina

Character Development

Samantha — This chapter marks a turning point in Sam's emotional journey. The kiss with Liam forces her to confront her feelings for Marshall directly. She realizes that losing Marshall would be worse than losing her titles or her place in the royal family. Her decision to attend Jeff's wedding despite her fears shows growth—she's willing to face public scrutiny rather than hide. Her gratitude toward Liam reveals how much she's changed since the beginning of the book; she's no longer the entitled princess who stormed into Beatrice's hospital room.

Liam — Liam handles rejection with grace. He admits his feelings but accepts Sam's choice, prioritizing their friendship over his romantic hopes. His offer to help her escape the wedding shows his continued loyalty and care.

Beatrice — Beatrice is quietly troubled throughout the chapter. Her conversation with Louise has clearly unsettled her, and Sam notices that her concern involves Teddy more than the disgraced Duke of Virginia. This hints at deeper complications in Beatrice's personal life.

Daphne — Daphne's confrontation reveals her vulnerability. She's genuinely hurt, believing Sam hates her, and her fear of exposure shows how precarious her position is. Her accusation also introduces a new mystery: who is actually behind the emails?

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Realizing love through near-loss — Sam's kiss with Liam is the catalyst for her realization about Marshall. The chapter explicitly frames this: sometimes you have to be on the brink of losing something to understand its value.

Friendship versus romance — The chapter explores the boundary between these two. Liam and Sam navigate the awkward aftermath of the kiss and choose friendship, while the narration emphasizes how Liam taught Sam to be a person, not just a princess.

Identity beyond royalty — Sam's reflection on what Liam taught her—practical life skills like cooking and navigating the metro—contrasts with her lifelong training as a princess. Her identity is expanding beyond her royal role.

Suspicion and betrayal — The email mystery introduces a new layer of suspicion. Sam's laptop being used to harass Daphne points toward Nina, raising questions about trust and hidden motives.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter resolves Sam's romantic confusion while introducing a new mystery that will likely drive the plot forward. The kiss with Liam clarifies her feelings for Marshall and sets up her next move. The email revelation about Nina creates a new source of tension and raises questions about who can be trusted. Additionally, Beatrice's quiet distress about Teddy hints at complications in her storyline that will likely unfold in coming chapters.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Sam pull away from Liam's kiss, and what does this reveal about her character?

Sam pulls away because she realizes she still loves Marshall. The kiss feels good physically, but it isn't Marshall, and that's what matters to her. This reveals that Sam's feelings for Marshall are genuine and deep—not just a rebound or a convenience. It also shows her emotional maturity: she's willing to hurt Liam's feelings rather than lead him on.

2. What does the conversation between Sam, Beatrice, and Queen Adelaide reveal about the state of the royal family?

The conversation reveals ongoing tension around Madison's disgrace and the need to replace him as Queen's Champion. More importantly, it shows that Beatrice is hiding something about Teddy. Sam's observation that Beatrice's turmoil involves Teddy more than Madison suggests that Beatrice's personal life is becoming complicated, and the family is still dealing with the fallout of recent scandals.

3. What is the significance of Sam recalling that she lent her laptop to Nina?

Sam's recollection is significant because it suggests that Nina may have used Sam's laptop to send the threatening emails to Daphne. This implicates Nina in a scheme to blackmail Daphne, which would mean that someone close to Sam is working against the royal family. It also raises questions about Nina's motives and whether she acted alone or as part of a larger plot.