Corina didn't want to dress as a man, but Alexander letting her know she could don her dress once they had spoken to her parents made her feel more at ease with the plan.
"Nadine," she whispered. "Please help me pick out the perfect clothing to wear to make them believe it's truly me."
"Corina," Nadine began, "they will know you're their child. I have no doubts."
"What about my hair?" Corina asked, twirling a lock around her right index finger. "Mama says men don't wear it long."
"I've seen men with longer hair, love," Alexander informed the princess.
She let go of her hair. "You're right. Thank you. I don't have to be anything other than who I am with you."
Corina looked between her fiancé, feeling blessed that both of them supported her decision to confront the king and queen. It was the most difficult decision of her life, but it would help her learn the truth.
"Corina, I'll help you tomorrow," Nadine promised.
The princess smiled at the woman. "Thank you so much, Nadine! I'd appreciate it. You have such amazing fashion sense."
The two women hugged as the Duke looked on in awe. He couldn't imagine being in Corina's shoes. His family never put him through anything similar to such a deception, but he felt lucky she was so sweet, caring, understanding, forgiving, and most importantly, she had allowed herself to trust him completely. He felt truly blessed by God's grace to have such a wife to be. He had no regrets or resentment toward his wife. He couldn't wait to have their ceremony. He hoped things went well.
Alexander hadn't expected the woman he was arranged to marry would end if being beyond his wildest dreams. He couldn't have been any more fortunate.
He thought back on the words he had heard from his father about the the king of Crystalia. He seemed to have a similar personality, which would make him more than likely to speak truthfully to the couple.
"Corina, would you like to have a private dinner with me tonight?" He asked. "Nadine, please leave us alone. I need some time with my bride-to-be."
Corina thought Alexander looked particularly handsome that day. His eyes sparkled like two jewels; his face appeared more chiseled and attractive to her; and he wore a simple pair of black trousers and a green vest with gold buttons over a white shirt.
Alexander's heart filled with joy when Corina looked at him, her eyes focused on him and her alone. His lips stretched into a smile, and he felt warmth in his chest as she looked at him.
"I have never met another person quite like you," Corina smiled.
"Nor have I met any person like you," he replied. "You are a one-of-a kind gem, my dear, a diamond in the rough. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on."
Corina giggled, blushing, then leaned toward Alexander as she whispered into his ear, her lips brushing against his lobe, "Do you love me?"
He grinned as she spoke softly to him. "Of course I love you. I will love you for as long as I live, no matter what."
Corina moved closer and placed a kiss against the man's cheek. His words filled her heart with happiness. He casually confessed his love for her. Somehow, it felt like the conversation she had with him about being born a boy had rapidly brought their hearts closer together.
"I will never let you down," she whispered against his earlobe, "and I will love you no matter what."
The Duke felt a tingling sensation as Corina whispered into his ear. Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine as it touched his skin. He swallowed hard and looked at Corina with desire, his lips slightly parting.
"Corina... please stay by my side, now and forever. Promise me."
Corina stared into her beloved's eyes for a few moments before responding to him. Her hands gripped onto his arms, and her lips pressed against his own for a moment, a small peck on the mouth. She leaned forward, kissing along his cheek until she reached his ear, and then she whispered softly.
"Yes, I promise," she answered.
Her hands slid up his arm, resting on his shoulders. She could feel him tensing up beneath her touch. It felt like her body was on fire.
The Duke took hold of both her hands. She felt a spark course through her entire being as he stared at her with eyes full of love.
He gently held Corina's hands as they gazed at one another in silence. The princess leaned her head forward until their foreheads were touching, and their lips were centimeters apart. "Corina, you've made me so happy. I would be nothing without you by my side."
"No, you would be better without me by your side," the princess breathed out softly.
The Duke smiled and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of Corina's nose before he let her hands go. "I disagree. You have changed my life for the better. You are a very special woman, Corina."
She looked up into his eyes, tears welling in her own. She felt dumb for being unable to hold back her tears.
Alexander held Corina's hands, rubbing her palms with his thumbs. "Don't cry, dear."
She couldn't hold back anymore. Tears began streaming down her cheeks as she looked up at him. "Alexander... you are the most wonderful, loving man. Please don't change for anyone or anything else. Don't ever lose yourself, because you're beautiful and everything to me."
The Duke held Corina tightly as tears continued to flow freely from her eyes, falling onto his shirt and staining the white fabric. As he gently whispered soothing words to her, his fingers caressed the blonde locks.
"Everything will be okay, my princess, don't cry. I'm here."
Corina couldn't hold back anymore. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "It's a lot to think about."
"Corina, I understand," he whispered. "The whole situation must have been difficult for you to handle. I'm here. Cry for as long as you need. I won't let go of you."
"I'm a man," Corina sobbed. "Why? I just don't understand."
The princess could hear Alexander whispering into her ear, repeating his promise not to let go of her over and over. He kissed her temple and brushed the tears off her cheek with his thumbs. She felt safe in his arms as they embraced.
Alexander gently placed his fingers underneath the princess's chin and raised her head. Corina's blue eyes looked up into the brown orbs of her husband. His heart broke as he saw the pain in her eyes, the confusion. He wanted to help her. "I love you, my dear."
The Duke held Corina tighter, then placed another kiss on her forehead. She buried her face in his chest and began to cry harder, her body trembling slightly. "I love you so much. I love you," she whispered repeatedly as her hands clung onto him desperately.
The duke closed his eyes as he stroked Corina's head softly, caressing it and gently placing kisses against her neck and shoulder.
"Please, my dear, let's just try and calm down," he breathed out gently, his lips pressed against the side of her cheek, right by her ear. "We need to focus on our future now."
She sniffled softly, then pulled back to look into his eyes. Hers were swollen from crying so much. She had been strong in front of Nadine and in front of Alexander, but her mind had become overwrought with confusion and hurt as he held her. She wanted to trust him, but the thought of having to speak with her mother and father frightened her, especially after she learned she wasn't actually a girl.
Alexander placed a tender kiss upon her forehead and held her in his arms again as he continued to comfort the princess, whispering soft words of love into her ear. "We must remain calm," he repeated softly. "We can do this, I promise. We can talk through it all. We will work this out together."
Corina closed her eyes and sobbed herself asleep against the Duke. He pulled her thin body on top of his as he leaned back on the sofa, holding her tightly as she rested on top of him.
Alexander also closed his eyes. He held her for hours, thinking of ways to comfort her. He wanted to see her joyful, carefree smile again.
He would give anything in the world to ease her pain. He would do anything—it didn't matter. Even if he had to strike down Orphelia and Orpheus from the sky, he would find a way to do so.