"GOOD MORNING, LOVE," Daniel greeted Magnolia as soon as she opened her eyes.
"Good morning." She smiled.
"Let me just confess that, even though I have not held my wife in months and there is nothing more that I wanted to do last night, I am still happy with this situation." Daniel motioned to Geoffrey who was sleeping between the two.
Magnolia laughed until her eyes teared.
"I look forward to when you do have the chance to hold your wife, Your Grace," Magnolia teased.
"Now you have me daydreaming about things a gentleman should not be daydreaming about." Daniel raised a brow, making Magnolia laugh even harder.
"Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa."
"Good morning, dear." Magnolia showered him with kisses and hugs.
The three of them got ready and headed to the dining hall. They were all excited to have breakfast together, like the old happy days. They joined Paula and enjoyed a peaceful family breakfast full of laughter.
"Magnolia." The dining room doors flew open. It was Killian who rushed to his sister, she barely had time to stand before he squeezed her into an embrace. "Thank the Gods."
"My goodness, Lian, you look exhausted." Magnolia cupped his face. He had dark circles under his eyes.
"I left the capital as soon as I heard the news, so I didn't get much sleep." Killian turned to look at Daniel. "And thanks to your husband, I don't even have time to scratch my head."
Magnolia frowned. "Why? Are you helping him with something?" she asked.
"Helping him? Did you not tell her?" Killian asked the duke.
"I haven't had the chance to tell her anything yet. How about we discuss it after breakfast, you must be famished." Daniel motioned to a servant to prepare a seat for him.
The three of them moved to the office soon after. Magnolia felt lost since she had been unconscious for a whole week. She expected that things might have changed after what happened with the king, but this was a bit strange.
'How did Killian come to work with Daniel? They dislike each other.'
"After Titus' death, the parliament came to a few decisions," Daniel started. "The old queen and her children were exiled to a faraway province in the country of Aachen. The barons were stripped of their titles and fortunes, although Saknas and Pruice are still missing." He threw Killian a mischievous look. "And your brother is going to be…king."
"What?" Magnolia's voice was way higher than she had planned it to be.
"Well, only because my dear brother-in-law refused to take the throne. He was their first choice." Magnolia looked from Daniel to Killian.
"We are the only known purebloods in the nation." Daniel shrugged. "They didn't have many choices."
"So, you are just going to be king, just like that?" Magnolia asked her brother, her voice was laced with much worry.
Killian frowned. "I have been preparing. I know I am lacking, but I will do my best."
"That is not what I meant, Lian." Magnolia regretted her question immediately. "Do you not think that it's dangerous? What if someone decides to target you?"
"I will not lead like Titus, Mag. Don't worry. Plus, as Daniel said, it was either going to be me or him."
Magnolia swallowed. 'Did he accept to spare us?'
"The coronation ceremony will be in about a month, then you will become a princess, Mag. I remember you always wanted to be one." He chuckled, making his sister shake her head.
"I don't recall ever wanting to be a princess–"
A knock interrupted before Killian could answer.
"Apologies for the interruption, Your Grace. We should head back to the capital," the assistant said. "You have an important event this evening."
Killian sighed.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I got some old portraits out of the cellar room in our old house. They should be delivered here soon."
"Of our parents?" Magnolia's eyes widened.
"Yes, and other ancestors."
"Oh my goodness, that is fantastic." She beamed.
"Your Grace." Killian's assistant urged again.
"You know, Daniel." He pushed to his feet. "If I die of exhaustion before the coronation, the parliament won't have a choice but to appoint you king."
"What do you want me to do?" Daniel asked as he strode toward him, to walk with him to the door.
"Come to the palace and help around, like you promised."
"My wife just came back from the dead. Can I at least spend a few days with her?"
Killian looked at Magnolia for a moment. "I give you three days. Sorry sister, but I really need him." He hugged her.
"Fine, I will come in a few days."
"Three," Killian insisted.
"Well, can I at least wait until Henry comes back?
"Three days."
Daniel sighed. "Magnolia, you need to find your brother a bride so he can leave me alone."
She laughed.
"What does being married have anything to do with work?" Killian shrugged. "I think that will take a long time anyway, since there aren't any candidates for the position of queen so far."
Magnolia's smile disappeared instantly.
"Oh, and." Killian leaned closer to Daniel. "I have taken care of the matter of Lasen, she has received the banishment documents and she was stripped of all her properties and money. She will never set foot in the country again."
"That is great news, thank you," the duke said.
Killian nodded before leaving. "See you soon, brother-in-law," he yelled while walking down the hall.
"This is so depressing." Magnolia sighed. "He can't even marry the person he wants, hell, can he even marry if they can't find a pureblood?"
"My love," Daniel slipped his arm around her waist. "I believe I have a solution for the future of our nation."
"What is it?"
"I believe we need to do our part and make as many pureblood babies as we can."
Magnolia blinked at him a few times, dumbfounded. "I thought you didn't want to have children."
"I have changed my mind," he said. "Also, I think Geoffrey would like to have siblings. Don't you agree?"
"Then, Your Grace." Magnolia tried to suppress a chuckle. "Shall we get to work?"
"I appreciate your tenacity, Duchess," Daniel shot back. "I believe we should start immediately."
He took a few steps back to the door and locked it. Then, walked back to his wife who could not contain her smile anymore.
Daniel embraced Magnolia and pulled her to his lap as he sat on the sofa. He gently pushed a few locks of hair behind her ear and gazed into her gray pools.
"I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you more," Magnolia uttered before they softly locked their lips together.
A silent promise that they would never part from one another again.
***THE END***