Episode 2 of Young Royals' thrilling third season kicks off with an intimate phone conversation between Wilhelm and Simon, abruptly shattered by the harsh realities of the new regulations. Wilhelm, compelled to surrender his phone, is left with a sense of unease. Meanwhile, Simon navigates the treacherous waters of social media, his heart heavy as he encounters a barrage of hurtful comments, each one a dagger to his self-esteem.
At Hillerska, Vanessa grapples with mitigating the public fallout in a press conference, while the third-year students simmer with discontent. Their cherished graduation ceremonies, along with all the rites and rituals that accompany them, now threatened, they feel robbed of a milestone they've long anticipated. Vincent, seeking a scapegoat, attempts to pin the blame on Wilhelm, but August, unexpectedly, rises to his defense. He proposes an alternative route—a petition—to demonstrate Hillerska's safety and salvage their graduation dreams.
Wilhelm, facing his own challenges, receives a visit from Farima, who drops a bombshell: the possibility of a school transfer looms. Yet, they remain passive, awaiting the escalation of events before taking action. Wilhelm challenges this stance, but his mind is preoccupied with heavier matters. The Queen's health deteriorates, leaving the royal family on tenterhooks, awaiting the outcome of her medical tests.
Outside the confines of school, Simon's struggles continue as he becomes the target of relentless online harassment. Yet, he masks his pain with a resilient smile, assuring Wilhelm that their love will weather even the storm of a potential school change. He muses that their time together has already been scarce under the new rules, suggesting that things could hardly worsen. With a touch of wisdom, he encourages Wilhelm to explore passions beyond rowing, a sport he never truly embraced in the first place.
In the end, Wilhelm's heart was swayed towards joining the choir, and Simon's joy knew no bounds. Wilhelm confessed his delight in hearing Simon's melodious voice, propelling them into a world where they could savor every moment together. Amidst the anticipation of Valborg celebrations, the choir embarked on rehearsals, hopeful that they would be granted the opportunity to celebrate.
Vanessa, still embroiled in damage control for the school's PR, extended a hand to Felice, announcing her selection for an interview with the esteemed school inspectors. She tactfully explained that Felice's uniqueness as the sole Black student embodied the school's commitment to diversity. This news struck Felice with a jolt of surprise, and she eagerly shared it with her circle of friends. Though they anticipated her words to paint a rosy picture for Hillerska's sake, Felice vowed to be true to her experiences, which diverged from theirs.
The school, eager to revive the spirit of camaraderie, granted the students' wish for an annual Spring Hike to Pine Point. The mere thought of camping under the stars ignited a spark of excitement within every pupil, while Wilhelm and Simon saw it as a golden opportunity to deepen their bond amidst nature's embrace.
Meanwhile, Sara found solace at home with her father, her fingers incessantly scrolling through Felice's social media pages, a guilty conscience weighing heavily on her. Her father, perceiving her restlessness, suggested finding employment as an alternative to Hillerska, offering to aid in her driving lessons. As they practiced together, the sessions proved surprisingly enjoyable, and Sara began to realize the comfort of having her father by her side.
On the contrary, August and Nils reminisced about their initiation ritual, recounting the ghastly ordeal it had been. Yet, they concurred that dwelling on the past was futile, as they had tirelessly striven to transform the experience for subsequent cohorts. As Nils departed, August attempted a jog, only to be abruptly halted by the looming thought of the curfew. Seeking solace, he retreated to the lounge, where an antiquated landline caught his eye. Impulsively, he dialed Sara's number, but the words eluded him, leaving him to hastily hang up.
The next dawn brought with it a shift in dynamics as August sought Simon's insight on Sara. Simon's reaction was swift and fiery, prompting Wilhelm's intervention, which swiftly escalated into a physical confrontation. Wilhelm's claim of ownership over August clashed with August's retort that Wilhelm's reign was yet to commence. Their brawl necessitated weekly mediation sessions with Boris, where the two relentlessly debated their respective understanding of Erik.
Post-school hours bore a different kind of storm for Simon, as he stumbled upon a letter, a scathing accusation of his homosexuality. Deeply affected, he channeled his emotions into a song, a defiant anthem celebrating individuality and disregard for detractors. The recording, shared across social media, garnered a mix of support and backlash. Despite the trolls' relentless harassment, Simon found solace in his art.
However, Wilhelm's call shattered the temporary tranquility. Questioning the video's release and its lyrics, he underscored the significance of their actions reflecting upon the Royal Court. Wilhelm expressed a desire for privacy in their relationship, a wish that seemed unattainable with Simon's public posts. Simon, torn, explained that he could not control others' interpretations of his art.
After the phone call concluded, Simon's mother broached the subject of Sara with him, and his response was resolute: he was through. The hurt he felt lingered deeply, stemming from Sara's actions with Auguts and her abrupt decision to reside with their father, a man she had once implored them to exclude from their lives. Meanwhile, Sara received a letter, a stern reminder that her place at school was at risk if she failed to return within the week. Her mother relayed the message to her father, but Sara remained indifferent, showing no eagerness to resume her academic pursuits.
The long-awaited Spring Hike dawned, and the atmosphere was electric with excitement. However, a minor hitch arose concerning the allocation of tents, casting a brief shadow over the festivities. In a graceful gesture, Felice volunteered to make do with Wilhelm and Simon's tent, alleviating the tension. The day unfolded beautifully, with our budding couple basking in the embrace of nature and reveling in each other's company.
But as the sun began to set, an unexpected twist emerged as Simon's friends and their entourage stumbled upon the hike, inadvertently crashing the intimate gathering. To their delight, they were warmly embraced, their arrival injecting an extra burst of energy into the festivities. However, this newfound liveliness soon teetered on the brink of excess, as Fredrika's jealousy flared up over Stella and Rosh's close bond.
As they exchanged tales of their summer aspirations, Wilhelm's announcement of embarking on an intensive royal court program left Rosh stunned. Matters took a turn for the worse when Wilhelm's vigilant guards accused a member of Rosh's group of surreptitiously snapping a photo of the Crown Prince, an accusation that sent ripples of discord through the group.
The festivities abruptly came to a halt, as Wilhelm and Simon's dispute escalated into a heated confrontation, their quarrel rooted in Wilhelm's perceived privilege. Simon's anger simmered, fueled by the fact that Wilhelm regarded attending "Prince School" as merely a duty rather than a choice. He passionately articulated that he and Rosh were compelled to toil through the summer months, their hands tied by necessity, with no other option but to earn their keep.
Just as tensions threatened to boil over, Felice intervened, diffusing the tension with her presence.
The dawn of the following day found Wilhelm stirring first, the quiet morning broken by the ring of his father's call. The news that followed was a somber blow; his mother's health had taken a turn for the worse, necessitating an extended period of rest and recovery. This weighty responsibility fell squarely on Wilhelm's shoulders, as he was tasked with holding the family's fort in her absence.
Guilt and uncertainty crept into Wilhelm's heart, wondering if he had somehow contributed to this turn of events. His father's soothing voice dispelled those doubts, assuring him that he bore no blame. Instead, he implored Wilhelm to embrace strength and resilience, preparing himself mentally and emotionally for the challenges that lay ahead.
