King Gerald cleared his throat before he began speaking to the couple. "I'm terribly sorry for the scene I've caused this morning," he apologized, his eyes set on Alexander. "It's rude of me to argue with my wife in your presence."
Alexander shrugged his shoulders and then politely smiled at the man. "No need to apologize," he replied. "I'm grateful to meet Corina's beloved father and the king of Crystalia."
The king nodded and looked to his daughter. "Corina. Are you absolutely sure you're a boy?" As he spoke to his child, the king asked, his tone gentle. "It isn't a mistake?"
"No father," Corina said, then sighed. "I have the traits of a boy. I'm sorry."
"It's your mother's fault," he began. "I'm shocked she hid this from me. I had no idea she would be the kind of woman to pull off such a stunt. I should be the one to apologize. I feel as if I have failed you as a father."
"I wanted to know why she did it to me," Corina said with a frown. "It's not right that she lied to everyone. Even you, Papa."
"That's the part I don't understand. I need to speak with her later," he told the princess, as he didn't realize the Queen had left the palace entirely.
"What's going to happen to Mama?" Corina asked. "I don't want you to punish her."
"Why not?" Gerald asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
"I'm a girl," Corina attempted to explain. "I know you might be confused, but I've thought of myself as one my entire life. I feel the same. I like the same things. I can't change as a person just because I learned the truth. I want to remain as I am, regardless of the circumstances. I'm not upset at Mama for who I am. I'm upset because she lied."
"I understand, I think," he replied. "No matter how you see yourself, I'll always love and support you. But Alexander, how do you feel about the situation? When I proposed the arrangement, I had no clue."
"I care about Corina," the Duke told him. "It doesn't matter who Corina is on the outside. I care for the person within. I'd do anything to stay with her."
"You're parents would oppose," Gerald said.
"I know." Alexander groaned. "We decided to keep it a secret. Aside from those in this room right now, nobody needs to know about this."
"That's a wise plan. Is that acceptable, Corina?"
The blonde nodded. "Yes. I don't mind."
"Remember, Luminairea has prosecuted individuals for partaking in same-sex relationships," Gerald warned. "The royal court is less accepting than mine in Crystalia."
Alexander nodded. He was fully aware of the consequences if they were discovered. "I have faith there won't be any issues."
"What about children?" Gerald asked. "I'm confident your parents will expect them."
Alexander fiddled nervously with his shirt's hem. His parents had made it clear before he and Corina officially met that she would be expected to bear children, which she obviously couldn't do. It was the one aspect that rattled his nerves, but he knew they could come up with a way to appease them.
"I'll discuss it with her later on."
Corina frowned at the words her fiance spoke. She didn't want to talk about such things yet, even if the issue were unavoidable. The blonde wondered how they'd come to a resolution that would make their parents happy, but the Duke didn't seem as though he were able to come up with a solution as the time was near.
Alexander's gaze turned to Corina, his eyes locking with her blue orbs. He could sense the unease and sadness radiating from the woman sitting on the sofa next to him. It pained him to think she was troubled with their future.
The King smiled softly as he watched the couple together. He saw the affection between them. "The two of you are meant for one another," he commented as he approached the two.
The duke blushed slightly at the king's words, which made Corina blush in response to the duke's reaction.
"Corina is truly a lucky girl." Gerald reached for his daughter, pulling her from her seat. His arms wrapped tightly around her, enveloping her in a loving hug.
"I love you, papa," Corina muttered into the man's shoulder as he held her tight against him. "I'll always love you, no matter what I look like on the outside. I'm sorry for being difficult to understand. I can't be the person you thought you had."
"I'm happy, because you are," Gerald whispered as he stroked the top of the princess's blonde hair. "You are my darling daughter, and nothing will change my love for you, Corina."
She felt his hands squeeze around her back as he held her tightly against his chest, and the familiar warmth of his arms reminded her of the love he always had shown. Corina knew then and there that even though he'd have questions for the queen, he'd always accept her, and because of that, she would always feel lucky to be his child.
"I'm going to find Amelia and speak to her before the banquet," King Gerald sighed as he pulled away from his daughter. "I'll see the two of you in a little bit, yes?"
"Of course," Alexander replied with a smile.
The king turned toward the door as it closed shut behind him. He sighed, then pressed his hand against the wooden barrier. He wasn't looking forward to the discussion that would ensue when he finally tracked down the queen of Crystalia, but it had to be done. He would learn the reason she had raised a child who had been born male as a female.
Alexander and Corina stood up from the couch as the king left. They turned toward Nadine, who stood behind the couple as they had spoken to the King.
Nadine grinned, then placed a hand on either of their shoulders. "I'm glad it worked out. It seems Queen Anise has a lot of explaining to do to her King."
"She does," Alexander sighed. "I still can't understand why she did it. I don't know what made her do that, but I'll never forgive her. It isn't something you should do to a child."
"Anyway, Corina, when you're ready, take those clothes off and put on your dress. Then come back to your chambers in an hour."
With those words, Nadine left, leaving Corina and Alexander alone.
Alexander looked at his fiance, a smirk playing on his lips as he turned to the woman standing beside him. "So," he began. "Are you satisfied with the issue's resolution? Will you feel comfortable enough to attend the banquet?"
Corina blushed, then smiled brightly at the man. "I will."
Alexander moved closer, wrapping his fingers around Corina's hand. His thumb caressed the top of her soft skin, a gesture that caused a blush to form on the princess's face. He gazed down at the clothes she wore. "You would make a cute prince."
She tilted her head to one side in confusion.
"I mean, even if your mother hadn't tricked you, you would still be a gorgeous person, be it man or woman."
"Ah, well, I don't like these clothes, " she pouted. "I like my dress."
"Well, that's fine, too. It doesn't really matter to me."
She smirked at the duke, giggled, and let go of his hand to stand in front of him. "Now that you said all of that, it's only fair to tell you I find you to be an incredibly attractive man," she grinned at him as he stood in front of her. "If I were a prince, I would court you and ask to take your hand in marriage. It doesn't matter what the rest of the kingdom would think, or how much your parents would try to keep me away. I would court you," she stated boldly with confidence, which surprised Alexander.
Alexander felt his body stiffen as the words came from the princess's mouth. He looked into her blue eyes, feeling as if he were drowning in their deep color, which had begun to hypnotize him and draw him deeper. He leaned closer, pressing a gentle kiss against her lips.
"So, basically, how we are, but you'd be openly queer?" He joked. "It wouldn't be much different."
Corina frowned slightly, then smiled at the duke, "Yeah. Maybe," she teased.
"Corina, you're a silly girl," he chuckled. "I mean it in the best way possible. It's a wonderful quality."
Alexander smirked and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leaned in for a kiss, but was interrupted when the princess put a finger over his mouth.
With a smirk, the duke gazed into her eyes and flicked out his tongue. He licked the tip of her finger, then softly nipped at it.
The princess blushed at his actions, then slowly pulled away from him. "Don't eat me!"
Alexander laughed softly, and kissed the top of her hand. "I'll devour you, wifey."
"Oh!" Corina stood and ran to the bedroom. "I have to get ready!"
Alexander sighed. He nearly forgot about the banquet.