Chapter 38 — Closer Than Ever
The evening was quiet in the palace.
Mia and Nathan had finished dinner and were relaxing in the sitting room. A movie played softly on the television, but neither of them was paying much attention to it.
Mia was curled up at one end of the sofa while Nathan sat at the other.
After a few minutes, Mia glanced at him.
"You're not watching the movie."
"Neither are you."
"I am."
"You've been looking at me for the last five minutes."
Mia smiled.
"Maybe you're more interesting."
Nathan laughed.
"Come here."
"Why?"
"Just come here."
Mia hesitated for a moment before moving closer.
Nathan opened his arms, and she settled against him.
"This is better," he murmured.
Mia smiled against his shoulder.
"You're getting very comfortable."
"I have every right to be comfortable with my wife."
She lifted her head.
"My husband is suddenly very confident."
"I'm in love. I'm allowed."
Mia laughed.
Nathan leaned down and kissed her forehead.
She looked at him.
"That's all?"
"What were you expecting?"
"I don't know."
Nathan smiled.
Then he kissed her cheek.
Mia giggled.
"You're teasing me."
"Maybe."
She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned closer.
Nathan met her halfway, giving her a soft kiss.
When they pulled apart, Mia smiled.
"I like this version of us."
"So do I."
She shifted closer and, with a playful smile, sat sideways on his lap.
Nathan looked surprised.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable."
"You could have stayed beside me."
"I prefer this."
He smiled and wrapped an arm around her.
Mia rested her head against his chest.
For several moments, they simply stayed like that.
Nathan occasionally kissed her forehead, and Mia smiled each time.
"You know," she said quietly, "if someone had told me months ago that I'd be sitting here with you like this…"
"You would've called them crazy."
"Definitely."
Nathan looked down at her.
"And now?"
Mia lifted her head.
"Now I think I'd call them lucky."
Nathan smiled.
He gently touched her cheek.
"I love you."
Mia's expression softened.
"I love you too."
They shared another kiss, slower and more affectionate than the ones before.
When they separated, Mia rested her forehead against his.
"No more pretending."
"Never again."
She smiled.
"Good."
Nathan kissed her once more.
Mia laughed softly.
"That's becoming a habit."
"I don't see the problem."
"You're going to make me spoiled."
"Then I'll take responsibility."
She smiled and hugged him.
The movie continued playing forgotten in the background.
For the rest of the evening, they stayed together on the sofa, talking about their childhood, laughing about old memories, and occasionally stealing little kisses between conversations.
There was no grand royal ceremony.
No audience.
No expectations.
Just two people who had finally discovered that the person they had been searching for had been beside them all along.
And Mia realized something as she rested peacefully in Nathan's arms.
She no longer thought of him as the man she had been forced to marry.
He was simply Nathan.
Her best friend.
Her husband.
And now, the man she loved.