Chapter 36 — The Words We Couldn't Hide
The royal charity gala was already crowded when Mia and Nathan arrived.
Mia looked elegant in her gown, her hand resting naturally in Nathan's as they entered the ballroom.
They greeted several guests before Mia heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Princess Mia?"
She turned.
A young nobleman stood there with a smile.
"Adrian?"
"It's been years."
Mia smiled politely.
"It has."
Adrian began talking about their childhood and the last time they had seen each other.
Nathan remained beside Mia, listening quietly.
At first, he didn't think anything of it.
But then Adrian made Mia laugh.
Nathan's expression changed.
He didn't like how easily Adrian made her smile.
He didn't like how close he stood.
And when Adrian asked Mia for a dance, Nathan's jaw tightened.
Mia looked at Nathan.
"Is that okay?"
Nathan forced a smile.
"Of course."
She accepted.
Nathan watched them walk onto the dance floor.
He told himself it didn't matter.
But it did.
Much more than he wanted to admit.
---
When the dance ended, Mia returned to him.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I said I'm fine."
Mia frowned.
"Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
"I'm not acting like anything."
"You barely spoke to me after Adrian arrived."
Nathan sighed.
"Can we talk about this later?"
"No."
Mia folded her arms.
"Tell me what's wrong."
Nathan looked at her.
"I didn't like it."
"Didn't like what?"
"Watching him dance with you."
Mia stared at him.
"That's what this is about?"
"Yes."
"You said it was okay!"
"I didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone."
"So instead you were going to sulk?"
Nathan's patience snapped.
"I was jealous, Mia!"
The words came out louder than he intended.
Mia went silent.
Nathan immediately regretted raising his voice.
But the truth was already out.
"You were jealous?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Nathan stared at her.
"Because I love you."
Mia froze.
The noise of the ballroom seemed to disappear.
Nathan took a breath.
"I love you, Mia. I have tried not to say it because I didn't know when everything changed. I kept telling myself we were just becoming closer, that it was friendship, that we had simply gotten comfortable with each other."
His voice softened.
"But it isn't just that anymore."
Mia's eyes filled with emotion.
Nathan stepped closer.
"I love you."
Mia stared at him, unable to find the words.
Then she whispered,
"You really mean that?"
"Every word."
She looked down for a moment.
Then back at him.
"I love you too."
Nathan's eyes widened slightly.
Mia smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.
"I think I've loved you for longer than I realized. I was just too afraid to understand it."
Nathan reached for her hand.
Mia held it tightly.
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Then Nathan gently pulled her closer.
Mia wrapped her arms around him.
Their lips met.
This kiss wasn't accidental.
It wasn't uncertain.
It was the kiss of two people who had finally stopped fighting what they felt.
They kissed slowly and deeply, holding each other as though the rest of the room no longer existed.
When they finally separated, Mia rested her forehead against his.
"I can't believe we spent so long denying this."
Nathan smiled.
"We're both stubborn."
Mia laughed softly.
"Very."
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Are you still angry with me?"
"A little."
"Fair."
"But…"
She smiled.
"I think I can forgive you."
Nathan smiled.
"Good."
Mia squeezed his hand.
"Let's go home."
"Already?"
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"I have a husband to celebrate."
Nathan laughed.
"Your husband?"
"My husband."
They left the ballroom together, their hands intertwined.
For the first time since their wedding, Mia didn't feel like she had simply married her childhood best friend.
She felt like she had found the person she wanted beside her for the rest of her life.
And Nathan felt the same.