Destrian darted his eyes back to his chambers where Marlena was asleep. "Let them believe that. If it will keep her alive, I don't care what they think."
Delaney stared at her son in disbelief, making the young man frown. "What now, Mother?"
"Nothing," the queen said instantly, her voice lowering. "Things have changed. I never thought I would live long enough to experience you falling in love so wholly. It's unbelievable. Just two decades ago, you were so tiny…"
Destrian nudged her away by pushing against her back. "There has to be queenly duties you can do that don't involve you making fun of your son."
Delaney laughed as she let him lead her away. "But it is my duty as queen to secure the kingdom's future. If that involves a beautiful princess with curly hair who has my son's heart in the palm of her hands, I should get to know her better and give her gifts."
