"Tyler, could I speak to you for a moment please?"
He glances at me and nod "Of course, Your Grace."
I walk into his bedchamber and takes a seat next to him on the bed before clearing my throat "I may be the Queen but people do not actually accept me as their Queen. They feel that because I am a woman I cannot rule a kingdom on my own"
He frowns "But they bowed down to you"
"They did, but not because they accepted me because they just didn't want Prince Lincoln to be King."
"But surely they accept you now because you married and gave them a King?"
I nod "Hayden is King consort and yes they accept them. But they will never accept that Raya will take the throne when she comes of age." I glance at him "When she is eighteen, she is to wed the Prince of the west and that would make her their Queen"
He nods "I understand"
"Right, initially she was supposed to take over but she cannot so the throne needs an heir" he's staring at me intently "Hayden and I agreed that you would have the throne"
His eyes widen "No way. Why me?"
"Because it doesn't matter that Romero had you out of wedlock , it does not change the fact that you are his first born son and you should have the throne."
He blinks about a thousand times "I-I accept, My Queen"
I smile "Good then. We shall have a naming ceremony where we give your title as Prince"
"I would love that"
"I'm sure you would" I pat his arm "Don't be late for dinner" I make my way to the door before pausing and glancing at him "You'll make a fine king one day, Tyler"
He smiles and stands up before bowing and I smile in return before leaving his room. What I told Tyler was true, but it may also be because I feel guilty for killing his mom when he thinks Lincoln killed her.
I find Raya in Romero Junior's room lying on the floor as she stares up at the ceiling and without saying a word I lay down next to her. We stay like that for a while before I ask her "Why won't you tell me which one of you stabbed Lincoln?"
She sighs "Just drop it, mother"
"Okay, okay" I turn to look at her "But if you ever want to talk about it, I am here for you"
She glances at me "I know"
I nod before saying "I know these past few days as been a lot for you. With Tyler moving in and Hayden and I being married now. Why don't we have a picnic under the willow tree? Just the two of us."
She smiles "I would love that very much."
An hour later we're sitting on a blanket under the willow tree, sipping tea and eating biscuits
"…..and that's why this is his favourite tree"
She laughs as I tell her about Romero and why this tree is his favourite "I never knew that. He told Junior and I that he just loved how big it was"
I laugh and roll my eyes "Your father was never a sentimental person"
"Correct" she agrees and she stares at me with a smile "You're happy."
The words were a statement not a question, but I answer nonetheless "I am"
She nods "Happiness looks good on you, mother"
I smile "Why thank you, daughter"
After our little picnic, I change into the horse riding outfit Hayden got me and walk into the stables to find Hayden tending to his horse "Hey, handsome"
He glances to me with a smirk "Hey, gorgeous. You good?"
"I am, you?"
"Never better" he cleans his hands before walking over to me "Are you ready?"
"I think so."
"You'll be good" he pats my ass and leads me over to his horse "Mars is actually a sweetheart." He grabs my hand and puts it on Mars and I gently pet him. I beam up at Hayden proudly when the horse lets a happy sigh and his eyes soften before pressing a kiss to my forehead "Let me help you up."
He helps me onto Mars before he hops on too behind me and he grabs the ropes as Mars makes his way out of the stables. And for the next few hours Hayden teaches me how to ride a horse while also reminding me exactly why I fall in love with him, because he's gentle but also attentive. When he just started working for me I mentioned wanting to learn horse riding. It may be ten years late but I love it just the same. Just as I love him knowing that he played the long game.
My knight.
THE END.
(Princess Raya and Prince Ronan's book coming soon!)