Chapter 65

FELIX

As soon as Mila said yes, the dark clouds that had been shadowing my heart immediately dissipated.

I would have made love to her right there in the middle of the clearing, but the last thing I wanted was to put any sort of pressure on our relationship. We had started our companionship with sex, and Mila deserved a true gentleman moving forward.

We would have plenty of time for the deed on our honeymoon, after all.

I don’t know how long we stayed out there in the forest, laughing, talking, and kissing. Mila was thrilled about our on-again engagement, and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief that I would not be faced with losing her again. Things felt different this time around–like we were making the best decision for both of us, not just me.

The fact that Ignatius, a dragon with an excellent judge of character, had instantly warmed to Mila made me feel even better about my choice of bride. And her kindness towards the dragon was only further proof of her good and noble heart.

It killed me to drop Mila back off at her family home, but she insisted on giving them a proper goodbye and taking the time to pack up her things. Joseph would fetch her and bring her to the hotel where we were staying so that I could attend the opening panel of the diplomatic conference.

I also had a very important phone call of my own to make. As soon as I got back to my hotel room, I dialed my father’s personal number.

It was nearly midnight in Fresonia when I called, but my father picked up after two rings anyway.

“Hello? Felix? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Father,” I said, my voice shaky with emotion. “But you should get Mother. She will want to hear this news as well.”

There was a shuffling on the other end, and then my mother’s voice was ringing through the speaker.

“Felix? Darling, what is it?”

“Mila and I are engaged,” I said. “We’re back together and the wedding is on.”

Even without the phone, I was confident that my mother’s joyful squeal was audible across the Atlantic Ocean.

“Felix! That is wonderful news!” she exclaimed. “Oh, you have no idea how relieved I feel!”

I felt a rush of guilt as I thought about the hell my poor parents had been through the last two weeks as well. I was glad that I was able to phone them with good news.

“Oh, you must come home immediately. Skip the silly conference and focus your attention on wedding planning,” my mother continued. “You and Mila must come back to Fresonia as soon as possible.”

I hesitated. “Mila and I haven’t discussed our timeline for moving back yet.”

“Just tell her you’re leaving tomorrow,” my mother prattled on. “She will understand. Now that she knows about the curse, she understands what’s at stake.”

“You’re going to be the King, son,” my father said. “She will learn to listen to you in time.”

I rubbed my temples.

“That’s exactly the kind of thinking that I want to leave behind in the past,” I said wearily. “Mila is my partner, my equal. I consider her opinion in all things. I want to do things right this time, not force her to adhere to someone else’s timeline. I refuse to put any pressure on her, even if it comes at the cost of my own life.”

MILA

Thankfully, my family was all sitting in the living room when I got back from my date. I wanted them all in one place, to only be forced to have this conversation once.

“Where have you been all afternoon?” Nadine demanded as I walked in the door. “I had dry cleaning that needed to be dropped off and you were nowhere to be found!”

“The dry cleaners is a five minute drive away, Nadine,” I said smoothly. I was done being her lackey. “That’s something you can do yourself. It’s something you will have to do for yourself, now that I’m moving out.”

“Moving out?!” My mother looked horrified.

I nodded. “Felix and I are engaged to be married.”

There was dead silence as my family absorbed the news. Then, to my complete and utter shock, my father stood up and embraced me.

“Congratulations, Mila,” he said, his eyes full of pride. “I am so happy for you.”

My jaw dropped. My mother stood to join the embrace.

“He seems like a great man, sweetheart,” she said. “I’m sure the two of you will be very happy together.”

I could not remember the last time my parents called me sweetheart, let alone hugged me. I must have been a toddler the last time they initiated physical contact with me.

I looked over to the couch where Nadine was sitting. She was the only one who was not in the twilight zone. She glared at me, loathing, seething hatred practically steaming from her eyes.

“Nadine!” My father said sharply. “Congratulate your sister.”

Nadine raised a singular eyebrow.

“For what? She clearly just screwed the prince and bewitched him into proposing,” Nadine said snarkily.

“Nadine!” My mother’s voice was full of horror. “How dare you say such things to a future princess!”

Ah, there it was. The explanation behind their weird behavior.

Nadine muttered a congratulations and sulked her way out of the room.

My mother and father both insisted on helping me pack. I only allowed them to help because I was hoping to get out of the house as fast as possible. I felt uncomfortable over their fawning enthusiasm, but hoped that it would fade quickly.

It was so odd. I had spent years of my life praying for a happy family that loved me, but now that they were actually treating me well, it felt disingenuous. I was almost grateful for Nadine’s continued venom. It was the only thing that actually felt normal.

Besides, I knew they were only treating me well because I was going to be a princess.

My mother insisted on baking cookies for me and Felix for an engagement present. The woman did not and could not cook, so I accepted the cookies with a smile and secretly planned to feed them to Ignatius later, since the dragon would eat anything.

There were more hugs and kisses and heartfelt goodbyes at the door, and I scrambled down the front steps.

Joseph was waiting outside with the car when I emerged with my bags and a plateful of homemade cookies from my mother. He smiled warmly when he saw me.

“It’s good to see you again, Mila,” he said. “Happy to have you back.”

“I’m happy to be back,” I responded gratefully.

I heard Felix on the phone as I entered the hotel room. I paused for a moment be the door, not wanting to interrupt. It was then I heard my name, and I leaned in closer.

“Mila is my partner, my equal. I consider her opinion in all things. I want to do things right this time, not force her to adhere to someone else’s timeline. I refuse to put any pressure on her, even if it comes at the cost of my own life.”

Felix was standing up for me? He wanted to do things right? I smiled to myself. Things really were different this time.