Chapter 43 — Somewhere Safe
The words on the piece of paper remained on Nathan's desk.
You can't protect her forever.
Mia stood silently across from him, her heart heavy.
Their palace no longer felt like home.
It felt like a target.
Nathan looked at the guards surrounding the room before finally turning toward Mia.
"I've made a decision."
Mia immediately frowned.
"What decision?"
"You're leaving the palace."
Her eyes widened.
"Leaving?"
"For a while."
Nathan walked toward her and gently took her hands.
"You're going to your father's house."
Mia stared at him.
"My father's house?"
"Yes. It's heavily guarded, and your family already has security around the villa. No one outside our most trusted people will know you're staying there."
Mia shook her head.
"No, Nathan. I'm not leaving you here alone."
"You're not leaving me."
"It certainly feels like it."
Nathan sighed.
"Mia, listen to me. Our palace has been compromised twice. Someone knows our routines, our security arrangements, and even the location of a secret entrance."
His voice softened.
"I can't risk keeping you here."
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
"Then come with me."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because I have to stay here and deal with the council, the army, and Valeria. If I disappear with you, they'll know exactly where you are."
Mia looked away.
"So you're sending me away."
"I'm keeping you alive."
The words silenced her.
Nathan stepped closer.
"I need to know that you're somewhere they can't easily reach."
Mia wiped a tear from her cheek.
"And what about you?"
"I'll be fine."
"You don't know that."
"I'll have guards around me."
"That doesn't mean you're safe."
Nathan gave her a small smile.
"You worry too much."
"And you make me worry."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Nathan gently brushed the tear from her cheek.
"I'll come and see you."
Mia looked at him.
"When?"
"Whenever I can. Once or twice if my schedule allows it."
"That's not enough."
"I know."
His voice became quieter.
"But I'll call you every night. And if anything happens, you'll hear from me immediately."
Mia tried to hold herself together, but another tear escaped.
"I don't want to go without you."
Nathan pulled her into his arms.
"I don't want you to go either."
She rested her head against his chest.
"But I need you somewhere safe."
Mia closed her eyes.
For once, she didn't argue.
She didn't fight.
She didn't insist that she could handle everything herself.
She simply held onto him.
After a long silence, she whispered,
"Okay."
Nathan looked down at her.
"Okay?"
Mia nodded.
"I hate it."
"I know."
"I don't want to leave."
"I know."
"But I know this isn't the time for me to be stubborn."
Nathan smiled faintly.
"That might be the first time you've ever admitted that."
Mia gave him a weak glare through her tears.
"Don't ruin the moment."
He laughed softly.
"I wouldn't dare."
Later that evening, Mia packed a small suitcase.
She kept looking around their bedroom.
The photographs.
The books.
The little things they had collected together.
Everything suddenly felt precious.
Nathan stood by the doorway watching her.
"You don't have to take everything."
"I know."
She picked up a small photograph of the two of them.
"But I want this."
Nathan smiled.
"Take it."
Before leaving, Mia walked through every room of the palace one last time.
When she reached the front entrance, Nathan was waiting.
A convoy of heavily guarded vehicles stood outside.
Mia stopped.
"This is more security than my father has ever had."
Nathan's expression became serious.
"That's the point."
He walked toward her and took her hands.
"Your father doesn't know the full situation yet. I'll speak with him personally."
Mia nodded.
"And Nathan…"
"Yes?"
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Don't take unnecessary risks."
He smiled.
"I promise."
"And call me."
"I will."
"And visit me when you can."
"I'll try."
Mia hugged him tightly.
Nathan held her as though he didn't want to let go.
Neither of them said anything for several seconds.
Finally, Mia pulled away.
"I love you."
Nathan kissed her forehead.
"I love you too."
She entered the vehicle.
As it began moving away, Mia looked through the window.
Nathan remained standing at the palace entrance, watching until the convoy disappeared beyond the gates.
But what Mia didn't know was that Nathan had given his guards another order before she left.
No one was to know exactly where she was staying—not even most members of the royal court.
Because if there really was a traitor inside the palace…
Nathan wasn't going to give them a second change.