Chapter 33 — Just Mia and Nathan
Mia was surprised when Nathan told her to be ready by seven.
"Where are we going?" she asked as she stood in front of her wardrobe.
"You'll see."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Nathan smiled.
"Just trust me."
Mia narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't like surprises."
"I know."
"That makes me trust this even less."
Nathan laughed.
"Just get ready."
An hour later, Mia walked downstairs wearing a simple but elegant dress. She expected to see servants waiting to escort them somewhere, but instead, Nathan was standing alone at the entrance.
He looked at her for a moment.
"You look beautiful."
Mia smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
He held out his hand.
"Ready?"
She placed her hand in his.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we've never been together."
He led her through the gardens until they reached a small terrace overlooking the palace lake.
Mia stopped.
A beautifully decorated table stood beneath a canopy of warm lights. Candles flickered around them, and soft music played quietly in the background.
Mia stared.
"Nathan…"
"I thought we needed a night without meetings, schedules, servants asking questions, or people reminding us that we're royalty."
He pulled out her chair.
"Tonight, you're not Princess Mia."
Mia sat down.
"And you're not Prince Nathan?"
He took the seat opposite her.
"Exactly."
She smiled.
"Then what are we?"
Nathan looked at her.
"Just Mia and Nathan."
Something about those words made her heart feel strangely warm.
Dinner passed easily.
They talked about everything except royal responsibilities.
They remembered childhood adventures.
Mia told him about the time she had secretly taken his favorite book and hidden it because he had annoyed her.
Nathan laughed.
"You actually did that?"
"You deserved it."
"You made me search for that book for three days!"
"You found it eventually."
"I found it under your pillow."
Mia laughed.
"You weren't supposed to look there."
They both laughed until they could barely continue eating.
Later, Nathan leaned back in his chair.
"I think this is the first time we've had dinner together without arguing."
Mia raised an eyebrow.
"Don't ruin it."
He laughed.
"I wasn't."
The conversation became quieter.
Mia looked across the table at him.
"What?"
Nathan shook his head.
"Nothing."
"You're staring again."
"I know."
She smiled.
"And why are you staring?"
Nathan hesitated before answering.
"Because lately, I've started looking forward to seeing you."
Mia's smile slowly disappeared.
Not because she was uncomfortable.
Because the words affected her more than she expected.
"I look forward to seeing you too," she admitted softly.
Nathan smiled.
After dinner, he stood and held out his hand.
"Dance with me?"
Mia looked at his hand.
"We don't have music for dancing."
Nathan nodded toward the speakers.
A soft melody began playing.
Mia laughed.
"You planned everything."
"Maybe."
She placed her hand in his.
Nathan pulled her gently closer.
They began dancing beneath the lights.
There was no audience.
No royal ceremony.
No family watching them.
Just the two of them.
Mia rested one hand on his shoulder.
Nathan's hand remained gently at her waist.
They moved slowly to the music.
"You know," Mia whispered, "if someone had told me when we were children that I'd end up married to you…"
"You would have laughed."
"I would have refused."
Nathan smiled.
"I probably would have done the same."
Mia looked into his eyes.
"But I'm glad it happened."
Nathan's expression softened.
"So am I."
The music eventually came to an end.
Neither of them moved away.
Mia looked at him.
Nathan looked at her.
This time there was no surprise.
No accident.
No excuse.
Mia slowly leaned closer.
Nathan met her halfway.
Their lips touched.
The kiss was gentle at first, then lingered as neither of them felt the need to pull away.
When they finally separated, Mia smiled.
Nathan smiled back.
"So," he whispered, "still glad it happened?"
Mia laughed softly.
"Very."
They remained standing beneath the lights, holding each other for another moment.
For the first time, neither of them was wondering whether this was an accident.
They both knew exactly what it was.
And neither wanted it to stop.