Episode 4 of Young Royals Season 3 kicks off with a poignant scene, as Simon's mother engages in a hushed conversation over the phone, her voice laced with contemplation. She utters the words that send a chill down Simon's spine: the suggestion of relocation. His heart heavy with concern, Simon trudges to school, where Wilhelm's anxious gaze awaits him like a beacon of hope. Wilhelm vows to petition the Royal Court for assistance, frustrated by the police's lackluster efforts. Simon, resolute in his desire to stay put, is open to exploring any viable alternative.
As the third-year students embark on their national exams, Vincent's mind wanders, musing over the irony of arduous efforts without the sweet reward of a proper graduation ceremony. His thoughts coalesce into a plan, fueled by a determination to give their graduation the send-off it deserves.
Lunchtime brings an unexpected confrontation, as Vincent turns his ire towards Simon, lambasting him for attending the demonstration amidst his relationship with Wilhelm. His words, laced with contempt, paint Simon as a communist and mock his activism. Wilhelm and Simon stand united against this attack, but Wilhelm's mind is plagued by doubts – doubts about Simon's stance on the monarchy. Simon, candid as always, shares his complex feelings, confessing his love for Wilhelm while simultaneously voicing his opposition to the institution. He probes Wilhelm's heart, asking what draws him to the royal life amidst its entanglements. Wilhelm, reflective, responds with a sense of privilege, though his words ring hollow in the face of Simon's insight.
In the classroom, a poignant exercise unfolds. First-year students pen letters to their future selves, while third-year students unwrap the treasures of their past selves' thoughts. Wilhelm's face betrays his inner turmoil, the aftermath of his profound conversation with Simon still echoing in his mind. Meanwhile, August's focus remains fixed on Sara, his determination to rekindle their connection unwavering despite her persistent rejections. Her heart, however, is preoccupied with her father's broken promises, casting a shadow over her world.
Later that day, Wilhelm reaches out to Farima, his voice tinged with urgency, imploring her to devise a plan that would safeguard Simon's well-being. She listens attentively, her response a blend of assent and stipulations. Chiefly, Farima presses Wilhelm to revisit their discussion about his charitable foundation, emphasizing that due to the Queen's grave illness, he must solo-pilot the event's inaugural proceedings. August's attendance is non-negotiable, and Wilhelm adds, with a hint of hope, that he would dearly like Simon to be present as well.
Farima and Jan Olof embark on a visit to Simon's abode, the air thick with the weight of their mission—to secure a sanctuary for the family amidst uncertainty. The police's foggy understanding of the attackers' motives casts a pall over their efforts, and Simon's stubborn reluctance to relocate only compounds the challenge. Jan Olof acknowledges the intricacies posed by their residence's layout but offers a compromise: personal transportation to and from school, along with a direct line to security services at their fingertips. In exchange, Simon must relinquish his social media presence and adopt a discreet lifestyle. After some contemplation, Simon nods in agreement, methodically dismantling his online profiles.
Their arrangement settled, Simon later finds himself seated across from Wilhelm, the two delving into the intricacies of planning Wilhelm's birthday celebration. Simon's eyes light up with enthusiasm at the prospect of accompanying him and eagerly pitches in, eager to steer Wilhelm's charitable endeavors towards a cause that resonates deeply. Wilhelm, however, seems disengaged, his mind adrift in a sea of indifference. Simon, undeterred, gently steers the conversation towards mental health awareness or advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, his passion for these issues shining through.
However, Wilhelm adamantly declares that he cannot be perceived as making a political statement, querying whether his love for Simon automatically qualifies him as a champion for all within the LGBTQ+ community. "Goodness gracious!" he exclaims, insisting that his affection for Simon should suffice to convey his stance. Simon lets the matter drop, and Wilhelm redirects the conversation towards Sports and Health.
In the bustling cafeteria, Sara attempts to evade Felice's company, only to accidentally spill her letter of hope for the future. Felice, with a gentle touch, retrieves it and later returns it to Sara, feeling a twinge of sadness that Sara merely seeks to alleviate her loneliness. Sara, overcome with remorse, apologizes for her past missteps and expresses gratitude to Felice for being her first genuine friend.
Meanwhile, Vincent conjures up a bold plan—a silent demonstration, aiming to sway the school's stance and grant third-year students the privilege of hosting their own graduation ceremony. He orchestrates a gathering of all students in the expansive hall, passionately rallying them to join his peaceful protest. Simon, finding the irony palpable, declines to participate, while Wilhelm agrees, reasoning that it's a costless endeavor that might just lead to the revocation of oppressive rules.
As Simon makes his way to class, he encounters Sara, who remains oblivious to the brewing protest. Noticing Simon's melancholy, she inquires about his distress, and he unburdens himself, sharing the recent developments and his anguish over her residing with their father. The teachers' surprise is palpable as they find only two students present in the classroom. The headmistress, unyielding, cancels dinner and dormitory access, yet this fails to deter the determined students. They steadfastly demand that their grievances be addressed and the rules slightly relaxed.
Nestled within the vast expanse of the grand hall, Vincent and Nils engage in a lighthearted exchange, swapping futuristic missives and weaving witty banter amidst the stillness. Nils' curiosity piques as he inquires to peruse August's letter, prompting the latter to become guarded, his demeanor tightening under Nils' relentless persistence. Vincent, observing this, teases August gently for his recent penchant for solemnity, lamenting the loss of their shared jests. Furthermore, a haunting revelation emerges: August's preoccupation with weight and excessive workouts might veil a struggle with an insidious eating disorder, a secret that sheds light on his recent behavioral shifts.
Elsewhere, Simon, haunted by his confrontation with Wilhelm, finds solace in the protest's call. Reaching an amicable truce, they recognize the value in their disparities, realizing that they complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, fostering a mutual learning experience. As they share meager snacks, the two eventually succumb to exhaustion, their slumber intertwining in the hallway's embrace.
Meanwhile, the remaining students turn the night into a lively affair, hosting an impromptu auction for their scarce snacks, transforming the hall into a buzzing hive of camaraderie. However, the festivities threaten to spiral out of control, the energy escalating to a feverish pitch. Felice, in a moment of candor, inadvertently divulges her discussions about initiation rituals and the intricacies of school life, her words echoing through the air with unintended consequences. Her companions, initially feeling a pang of betrayal, soon realize that her inadvertence had not led to any harm, choosing to forgive and move forward, their bond unbroken.
The following dawn, Vanessa concedes defeat and reluctantly bows to the students' grievances, conceding to grant the seniors their longed-for graduation ceremony. After the school bell tolls, the students are granted a fleeting respite, their fingertips once again grazing the screens of their smartphones, yet the exhilarating quest for high scores hangs suspended in limbo. Amidst the general jubilation, August and Felice's expressions betray a subtle turmoil, their smiles masking a deeper discord.
Beyond the confines of academia, Simon confides in Ayub and Rosh, seeking counsel on a befitting gift for Wilhelm's natal day. They mischievously suggest penning a melody dedicated to him, but Simon hesitates, mindful of the potential ripples it might stir within the Royal Court's serene waters. His companions, their voices tinged with concern, confess their fear that Simon's metamorphosis to accommodate his burgeoning romance is transforming him beyond recognition. They reveal the silent ache they bore when he purged his digital realm, erasing not just apps but also the cherished memories they shared, captured in pixels.
At Hillerska, Wilhelm and August's conversation weaves a tapestry of Erik's legacy, each thread revealing a facet of their acquaintance. Suddenly, August unleashes a revelation akin to a thunderclap, disclosing Erik's shadowy presence at the notorious initiation rite. Wilhelm's eyes widen in disbelief, his brother's memory, a beacon of virtue, now obscured by this unsavory shadow.
