Chapter 44 — Before He Leaves
Mia had been at her father's villa since the previous evening.
Although she was surrounded by familiar walls, she couldn't relax.
The palace was no longer safe.
Nathan had insisted that she stay with her family until they understood exactly who was behind the threats.
Mia knew he was right.
She just hated being away from him.
That morning, she was sitting in her bedroom when she heard movement outside.
She didn't think much of it until her bedroom door suddenly opened.
Mia looked up.
"Nathan?"
He smiled.
"I told you I'd come and see you."
She immediately stood.
"You came alone?"
"I came with guards. They're outside."
Mia walked quickly toward him.
"I thought you were going straight to talk to Dad."
"I am."
Nathan closed the door behind him.
"But I wanted to see you first."
Mia's expression softened.
She wrapped her arms around him.
Nathan held her tightly.
For a moment, neither said anything.
They simply stood there, holding each other.
"I missed you," Mia whispered.
"I was gone for less than a day."
"I still missed you."
Nathan smiled.
"I missed you too."
Mia looked into his eyes.
"When are you leaving?"
"Soon."
Her smile disappeared.
"I don't want you to go."
Nathan gently touched her cheek.
"I'll come back."
"You don't know when."
"I'll make time."
Mia shook her head.
"You have the council, the kingdom, Valeria…"
"And you."
She looked at him.
"You're important too."
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
"I just don't know when I'll see you again."
Nathan pulled her closer.
"You'll see me sooner than you think."
Mia kissed him.
Nathan kissed her back.
The kiss lasted longer than either of them intended.
When they separated, Mia barely had time to breathe before she kissed him again.
Nathan held her close, unwilling to end the moment.
Neither wanted to be the first to pull away.
Outside the room, footsteps approached.
Mia's father had just been informed that Nathan had arrived.
He walked toward Mia's room with the intention of greeting him immediately.
But when he reached the doorway, he stopped.
He saw Mia and Nathan together.
He quietly stepped back.
"I'll give them a moment," he muttered.
He waited.
A few seconds passed.
Then another few seconds.
He glanced at his watch.
"They're still going?"
He waited a little longer.
Finally, he cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem."
Mia and Nathan immediately pulled apart.
Mia's face turned bright red.
"Dad!"
Her father stood at the doorway with an amused expression.
"I was beginning to wonder if I had come at the wrong time."
"Dad!"
Nathan tried not to laugh.
"Good morning, sir."
Mia's father shook his head.
"Good morning, Nathan."
He glanced between the two of them.
"I'll be waiting downstairs."
He turned around and walked away.
Mia covered her face.
"I can't believe he saw us."
Nathan laughed softly.
"He could have walked in at a worse moment."
"Nathan!"
He smiled and took her hand.
"I have to go."
Mia immediately held his hand tighter.
"Already?"
"I need to speak with your father."
She looked down at their hands.
"Please be careful."
"I will."
"And come back."
"I promise."
Nathan kissed her forehead.
Then he slowly released her hand.
Mia watched him walk toward the door.
Before he left, he turned around.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
He gave her one last smile before leaving.
---
The Security Meeting
Nathan found Mia's father waiting in the study.
His expression was serious now.
"Tell me everything."
Nathan explained the threats from Valeria, the declaration of war, the attack on their palace, and the evidence suggesting that someone had been helping the enemy.
Mia's father's expression hardened.
"They targeted my daughter."
"Yes."
"Then they have made a serious mistake."
Nathan looked at him.
"What are you going to do?"
"First, I'm increasing security around this entire estate."
He immediately called his security chief.
"Double the guards around the villa. Every entrance is to be monitored. Nobody enters without proper identification."
"Yes, sir."
"And increase patrols around the surrounding roads."
"Yes, sir."
Mia's father continued.
"I also want every member of the household staff checked."
Nathan nodded.
"That will help."
Mia's father then leaned back.
"And I'm bringing the family here."
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
"The whole family?"
"Yes."
"My daughter shouldn't spend her days sitting alone worrying about you."
Nathan smiled slightly.
"I agree."
"Her brothers, sisters, and their spouses will come and stay for a while. They'll keep her occupied."
Nathan nodded.
"She'll probably complain."
Mia's father laughed.
"She always does."
For the first time that morning, the tension in the room eased slightly.
But neither man forgot what was happening beyond the walls.
Valeria had declared war.
Someone had already tried to reach Mia.
And now, with Mia safely surrounded by her family and heavily protected, Nathan could return to the palace and begin preparing for what came next.
Neither of them knew how long their temporary separation would last.
But both knew one thing.
This was only the beginning.