It was early in the morning when Duke Alexander took a seat in his office, then attempted to focus his attention on his work. He felt confident Corina had accepted the situation.
After the princess revealed the secret, he slept next to her, held her tight, and woke by her side. They woke early so the Duke could finish his work and then return to her side. He wished he didn't have to, but Mysric needed their leader to work without fail.
The King and Queen of Crystalia were scheduled to arrive the day after the next, and a plan had entered his mind. It would be the perfect payback, but he wondered if Corina's heart would handle it. It was a plan he could only speak to Nadine about, but he was thankful she knew, as he required her help.
After hours of meetings and speaking to individuals about the wedding plans, he sent Calvin to find Nadine and bring her to his chambers.
It surprised him when Corina followed behind and entered his chambers behind the woman. He didn't mind—what he had to speak to Nadine about involved the princess, so it would be better to have her opinion on the matter. He would not go through with it without Corina's consent, as she was the key component to successfully pulling it off.
"Lock the door," he commanded Nadine as he approached Corina. He took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back. "Sit with me, love," he said, as he led her to the sofa toward the center of the room.
Corina smiled brightly. They were sitting close on the sofa, with the Duke's arm draped around her shoulder. His leg brushed up against the fabric of her long, purple dress. He internally groaned when he felt her thigh brush against his leg. Despite the fabric separating their bodies, his mind wandered to a variety of ways he wanted to touch her.
Nadine took a seat in a plush chair opposite the couple. She smiled when she saw how close their bodies were. "Thank God the two of you didn't change," she sighed with relief. "I was seriously worried Corina's heart was going to break when she told you."
Alexander stared at the woman. "What type of man do you think I am?" He asked playfully.
"A normal one," Nadine replied. "I didn't think you would be so receptive. Have you always secretly wanted men?"
Alexander was somewhat offended by the woman's words. Corina identified as a woman; thus, he saw Corina as one. Even so, he understood where she was coming from, but he did his best not to seem upset by the question.
"I'm Corinasexual," he joked.
Corina straightened her posture as she sat up straight, her eyes looking toward the Duke. He smirked, understanding that the comment had made her feel a little shy.
"Whatever," Nadine said, rolling her eyes. "I can see why, with how cute Corina is."
With both hands, Corina covered his face. She felt embarrassed by the conversation. "Stop teasing me!"
"Anyway," Nadime began. "What did you call me here for? It must have to do with Corina."
"It does," he confirmed. "As you know, Crystalia's royal family will be here for the banquet in just a couple days. After hearing what Corina told me, I have been contemplating the best way to confront them. I have formed a plan and need the assistance of you both."
Corina moved her hands down and dramatically shook her head. "Hubby, there's no need for you to get involved. I was going to speak to Mama and Papa in private."
Alexander looked toward her with a frown. "Corina. Despite being your parents, I'm deeply offended by the experiences you've endured. Please allow me to also speak to them about the matter, as your husband."
Corina nodded. He and Nadine were the only two people she felt she could trust. She didn't know which of her brothers knew about the secret, and she knew her mother and father were the ones who let her identity warp from the boy she was born as. "Okay, I trust you."
She couldn't trust her parents, but Alexander was different. He accepted her without hesitation. He meant more than anything to the princess.
Alexander smiled. "You don't know how much that means to me."
Corina furrowed her brows and pointed her finger at his face. "Don't give me a reason to stop trusting you, though! It'll break me."
Alexander took her hand in his and kissed along the top. "I would never. I'd never want to see you break. I would be devastated."
Corina smiled softly in return.
"Okay, lover boy," Nadine sighed. "What are you thinking? Why do you need my help?"
"Corina shall not greet her parents," he began, but was interrupted by the blonde's protests.
"I've got to greet them! Alexander, are you trying to keep me away from them?"
"No, let me finish, please," he said. "Corina, when they arrive, I'll welcome them. I will politely tell them about the wedding plans. After we speak, I'll lead them to this room, and that's where you shall come in."
Corina tilted her head as he spoke. Confusion was written on her features.
"You'll dress like a boy, just for this occasion," Alexander explained. "If you're uncomfortable with this idea, you can say no, but it's a great way to let them know we aware. It would be a way to begin such a difficult topic of discussion."
Nadine scratched her chin. "That's hilarious. I'd love to see the look of shock when they see that."
"Oh, you most definitely will," Alexander chuckled. "The two of us will provide Corina with support in this."
The princess didn't like the idea. "But... I'm not comfortable in male clothing."
Alexander nodded, then wrapped an arm around the princess. "Corina, it would only be for such a short time. Once we tell your parents, you can wear your dress again."
"But they will see how much smaller I am than you!" She complained. "My voice doesn't sound as masculine as yours or Papa's! What if they don't know?"
Alexander sighed. "Corina, do you think that your mother and father were unaware you were male?"
"No," Corina frowned. "That's what's making me so confused! Why would they pretend I am a girl? Why would they do this? I feel as if I can't trust anything!"
Alexander said, "That's precisely why you need to confront them and force them to tell you the truth."
The princess sat back. Alexander's words were wise. If they wanted to speak the truth to her, then they had to do it for the three of them, for him. He was her husband, and he had a right to know. "Okay," she whispered. "Let's do this. I don't have any better method."
"Corina, we do this for your sake. Im glad you agree."
Corina nodded, then rested her head against his shoulder, thinking of her mother and father and what she was going to say to them. She didn't even know how to approach such a conversation. She hoped her voice would not get caught in her throat or that she wouldn't become too emotional and break down while they spoke to one another.
The princess bit her lower lip as she closed her eyes tightly. It was hard to think about having to see them, but she wanted answers more than anything—answers she didn't have, but perhaps they would give them to her. She couldn't live the rest of her life wondering why she was tricked or how it was possible they managed to fool an entire kingdom.