Mateo's heart was full as he gave Maia a tour of the grounds around his home. He'd never been with anyone who was genuinely curious about the many sitting areas by the brook that flowed through the meadows or wanting to sit in the vine covered gazebo by the gently rippling pond nestled in the forest, but he shouldn't be surprised.

Maia was an author and the look on her face as they strolled back to the house told him that her mind was full of ideas and fantastical adventures she was itching to stay up late to write.

And he loved that look of inspiration brimming in her smile and twinkling in her eyes. He chuckled, bringing her hand to his lips. "You look like you're about to get in the zone."

"You know me too well." Maia laughed. "I've got a few scenes rolling around in my head. Vijverwoud is beautiful," she said, looking up at him. "Is this the tour you give everyone to lure them into your bed?"

Mateo let out a bark of laughter and shook his head. "No. This is my sanctuary," he said, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. "I have an apartment in the city I used for my affairs."

"Oh, right," she said as he opened the door that led into the conservatory full of hanging plants and potted flowers. "Did you bring Saskia here, then?"

"Yes, once." He sighed. "She didn't care for this place. She preferred my place in the city," he said, chuckling softly. "That should've been another red flag because how could I want to share my home with someone who didn't want to be here?"

Maia nodded as they walked inside and up spiral staircase. "Is that what you're looking for? Someone who wants to be here with you?"

"For a long time I didn't think I wanted that," he said, pushing open a set of french doors leading to a sunlit hallway. "Or that I deserved it."

"And why's that?" Maia said, stopping to look up at him. "What makes you think you don't deserve someone to share this with you?"

"Maybe deserve isn't the right word." Mateo pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers. "I just never thought someone could ever love me for more than being a wealthy prince," he said, kissing her forehead. "Then Eline gave me one of your books to read and it changed my mind."

What?" Maia laughed, pulling away from him. "You're kidding, right?"

"No." He chuckled. "I'm not kidding," he said, taking her hand and leading her across the hall into his office. "Your books made me rethink love and what I deserved."

"Mateo." Maia gasped as she let go of his hand and slowly walked to the bookshelf beside his desk and grazed her fingers over the books. "These...these are all mine," she said, turning back to him. "You said you've only read a few."

A blush burned over his cheeks. "I lied," he said, dragging a hand through his hair. "I've read all your books and before my sister blurts that out at dinner tonight, I wanted to tell you the truth."

"That you're secretly my biggest fan," she said, plucking a heavily worn book from the shelf. "And you've read Prince Kane and Neema's book within an inch of its life?"

Mateo laughed, nodding. "Yes," he said, taking the book from her hand and placing a kiss on her palm. "And I fell in love with you and your words a long time ago. I just didn't know you were who I was looking for until I met you in Colorado."

"And were you lying about throwing a dagger at a map too?" she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Did your guards find me for you?"

"No, I didn't lie about that. I didn't know where you lived," he said, looking away from her to the map displayed on the wall on the other side of his desk. "The dagger is still there."

Maia choked out a laugh. "So it is," she said, slipping away from him to graze her fingers over the gold hilted dagger. "And I think you've just given me the title of our story."

"Have I?" he said, placing the book on his desk before standing beside her. "And what will it be?"

Maia grinned looking up at him. "A Dagger of Serendipity."

Mateo slid his hand to her cheek. "I like that," he said, leaning down to kiss her but she stepped away from him and the frown that knitted her brow made his heart clench. "What's wrong?"

"I still don't understand something." Maia shook her head. "There are plenty of authors who write about royals and princes falling in love, what was it about my books that made you feel like you deserve love too?"

"It's probably going to sound stupid because what you write isn't real," he said, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "And I never thought I'd be telling you this."

"You can tell me." Maia took his hand, caressing his skin with her thumb. "I won't think it's stupid."

Mateo gazed into her serene brown eyes and let out a breath. "Of course you won't," he said with a small smile tugging at his lips as he slid his arm around her waist. "The princes you write about are flawed like me, especially Prince Kane." He chuckled softly. "He isn't as promiscuous as I was and he wasn't perfect, but he tried his best to be what Neema needed and Neema didn't care about his status, his money or his title. She just loved him as a person despite his flaws and their story made me realise that's all I ever wanted."

Maia smiled, placing her hand on his cheek. "And if Prince Kane could find true love like that, then so could you, right?"

"Yeah." Mateo nodded. "I thought Saskia was the one, but I was just seeing what I wanted in her," he said, sliding his hand over Maia's. "Instead of realising who I wanted was the woman who made me believe I could find love like that in the first place."

"I thought Sven was the one too and I was seeing what I wanted in him, but who I wanted was someone who doesn't need me for status or money, but wants me and loves me just for being who I am. The way Prince Kane feels about Neema," she said, leaning up on her tiptoes and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Someone like you," she whispered. "I'm glad you found me."

"I am too," he whispered against her lips. "And if it's alright with you, I don't plan on letting you go."

"I don't want you to," she murmured, kissing the side of his mouth. "But what if your duty demands it?"

"It won't," he said, leaning her back against his desk as he trailed a line of kisses down her neck. "Because I won't let it."

Maia slid her hands to his cheeks, tilting his face to hers and doubt swirled in her brown eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Because I love you, liefje." He slid his hands to her hips and nestled himself between her thighs. "Being worthy of your love will always mean more to me than my duties as prince or king," he said, catching her lips with his and frowning in the tenderness of her embrace.

And he meant it.

He would do all he could for his people, but never at the expense of losing Maia. She was what mattered the most to him and he would do anything to keep her safe and happy in his life.

Mateo and Maia waved to Demetri, Tilda and Gunther as they drove away from his home on their way to the palace for dinner. Maia heaved a deep sigh as she twisted the engagement ring around her finger.

Mateo placed his hand over hers and brought it to his lips. "Are you alright?"

"No. I'm nervous," she said, squeezing his hand. "How are you so calm? Aren't you worried about what your family or your brother is going to say about us?"

"My sisters and my parents are going to love you, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm not worried about Jorien." He sighed. "My little brother can be an asshole when it comes to me and I'd prefer it if you didn't have to be subject to his remarks."

"I'm sure he's been talking to Sven about us," Maia said, shaking her head. "I bet he's going to poke holes in our engagement."

"He can do that all he wants as long as he keeps his comments aimed at me," Mateo said, curling his fingers under her chin. "I won't have him bad mouthing you in front of anyone."

"Thank you, but I don't want to be the reason for any tension at the dinner table."

"Oh there's going to be tension, liefje," Mateo said, sighing. "But it'll be more because I'm home and Jorien will have it in his head that I've come to take the crown."

"But that is why you've come home."

"Yes, but knowing what I know now, it's best if Jorien thinks I'm here to celebrate our engagement. So, let's just do that," he said, kissing her head. "Because truthfully, I'd like my family to know that I'm happy being with you."

"Okay." Maia smiled, leaning into him and kissing his cheek. "We can do that."

The sprawling palace came into view and while Mateo was nervous about the potential biting things his brother might utter at the dinner table, he was excited for Maia to meet his family. He wanted her to see this side of him because he was proud to bring her home and honored she wanted to be by his side.

And he wanted his family to see and know it too.

A/N: 🥰 Love that Mateo told her about his fanboy status and that she was the one who made him want to find love. What do we think of the title of Maia and Mateo's book? A Dagger of Serendipity? 🤔

I'm still hoping for some drama and shenanigans at dinner!! You can read ahead to chapter 41 on Patreon if you're dying to know what happens at dinner 😈😉