Chapter 40 — A New Beginning
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of their bedroom.
Mia slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Then she turned her head.
Nathan was beside her, still asleep.
She smiled.
So much had changed between them.
Not long ago, she had been convinced that marrying her childhood best friend was the worst decision she could possibly make.
Now she couldn't imagine waking up beside anyone else.
Nathan stirred.
"You're staring at me."
Mia immediately looked away.
"I wasn't."
His eyes opened fully, and he smiled.
"You were."
"Go back to sleep."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because my wife is staring at me."
Mia laughed.
"Maybe I just wanted to make sure you were still there."
Nathan reached for her hand.
"I'm not going anywhere."
She smiled.
For a few quiet moments, they simply held hands.
Then Mia sighed.
"What?"
"I was just thinking about how strange our lives are."
Nathan nodded.
"From best friends to husband and wife."
"Exactly."
He squeezed her hand.
"And now we're here."
Mia rested her head against his shoulder.
"I like here."
"So do I."
---
Later that morning, they went downstairs for breakfast together.
Mia noticed something immediately.
Nathan seemed happier.
Not the polite smile he used during royal events.
A genuine smile.
She nudged him.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Because I'm happy."
"That's suspicious."
"Can't I be happy?"
"You can."
She smiled.
"I just like knowing why."
Nathan reached across the table and took her hand.
"Because you're here."
Mia's cheeks warmed.
She looked down at her breakfast.
"You've become very sweet."
"Maybe you brought it out of me."
She smiled.
Before either could say anything else, one of the palace staff entered.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, there is something you need to see."
Nathan's expression became serious.
"What happened?"
"The council has requested an emergency meeting."
Mia exchanged a glance with Nathan.
"Why?" she asked.
"We weren't given many details. Only that it concerns the kingdom."
Nathan stood.
"Then we'll find out."
Mia stood beside him.
As they walked toward the council chamber, Nathan reached for her hand.
Mia intertwined her fingers with his.
Whatever waited for them beyond those doors, they would face it together.
They were no longer simply two childhood friends who had accidentally fallen into marriage.
They were partners now.
And for the first time, Mia realized that she wasn't afraid of what came next.
Because Nathan would be beside her.