"You and I should catch up sometime too, Hendrik," Jorien said, getting up from the table. "If you're planning on staying for a while, we can talk about what your duties as Prince will be like now."

"That's a lovely idea," Gesina said, rubbing her baby bump. "Jan and Emiel would love to see their uncle and meet your fiancée too."

"Yes, I'm sure we can arrange something," Mateo said, raising an eyebrow at his little brother. "I wasn't aware you were in charge of setting everyone's royal duties now."

"Ah yes." Jorien grinned. "As I'll be crowned as king soon, father gave me the responsibility of setting our family's agenda, isn't that right?" he said, patting a hand on their father's shoulder.

"Yes, I did. So it'd be good for you two to talk about how you can work together," their father said, gesturing to the door. "Come on, Hendrik. I don't want you to keep Maia waiting for too long."

"Right, you two enjoy your chat," Jorien said, smiling as he grasped Mateo's arm. "And truly, I'm glad you're home and you've found someone who treats you better than Saskia. You deserve that."

Mateo nodded, patting a hand over his brother's. "Thank you. That means a lot Jorien," he said, feigning a smile just as fake as his brother's sentiment. "I'll be sure to stop by and see my nephews with Maia soon.'

"We look forward to it," Gesina said, slipping her arm through Jorien's. "Have a good night."

Mateo and his father bid gold night to Adrie and Levi again as they passed them in the hallway speaking to his mother on their way to his father's work chambers at the far end of the palace.

"Prince Hendrik! I was hoping I'd see you before you left this evening," Lars said, popping his head out from the security office outside of his father's chambers. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to travel with Willem and the others to collect you and your fiancée."

"It's not a problem," Mateo said, smiling as he gave the tall balding, green-eyed man a firm handshake. "It's good to see you, Lars."

"You as well, Your Highness," Lars said, squeezing his hand. "I'm sure you and King Harald have a lot to discuss."

"We do. We'll be in my inner chambers if anyone needs us."

"Of course," Lars said, bowing.

Mateo frowned as he followed his father through his office to a key coded door at the far end of it. "Why are we going to your inner chambers? Surely, it's safe enough to speak here with Lars outside the door."

His father shook his head as the sleek black door slid back and he stepped inside a smaller meeting space lit up with iron scones on the thick stone walls. Mateo had only ever been in his father's inner chamber once when he was a child.

"I'm far more paranoid these days," his father said as he turned to him and wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so glad you're home, son."

"I am too," Mateo said, hugging him back. "But what's got you like this?" He pulled away from him to search his father's worried brown eyes. "Willem told me the deals that Jorien's making, but having to use your inner chamber to speak to me." Mateo shook his head. "This isn't like you."

His father heaved a deep sigh. "I know," he said, dragging a hand through his hair as he took a seat in a plush leather chair at the table and gestured for Mateo to join him. "I don't know where I went wrong or how this happened, but after you left, Jorien was almost too eager to take over your duties of business and property management."

Harald shook his head. "I thought he was just trying to be helpful, but I soon learned Jorien had other plans," he said, getting up and opening a small filing cabinet in the corner of the room. "I know Willem told you about the deals Jorien's been making, but it's worse than I thought."

"What do you mean?" Mateo said, taking the folder from his father. "How can it be worse than Jorien making deals with weapon manufacturers?"

"It's not just the weapons or his idea to create a tax haven for the rich, it's the people behind these deals that concerns me," his father said, tapping a name over a page in the report. "Arnaud Haro is the head of these conglomerates and he's been trying to stake claim in Oost den Burg for decades, but I've always kept him and his family's seedy ambitions away from our country and our people. It's why I made it a point to give you the responsibility of managing the country's assets. I knew you wouldn't fall prey to any of Arnaud's advances."

"I've never even heard of him until now." Mateo frowned. "How did Jorien end up making deals with him?"

"Through his daughter, Saskia Everdene."

Mateo's heart clenched as he looked up at his father. "What?"

His father's eyes softened as he nodded. "I'm sorry to tell you this, Hendrik, but the rumors are true about your brother. Saskia was a ploy to get you out of the way so Jorien could take over your duties to make these deals with Arnaud."

"I didn't want to believe Jorien would do something like this," Mateo said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "When did you find out and why didn't you tell me when I called?"

"I had Lars look into it after the rumors started a few months ago," Harald said, gesturing to the file. "There are pictures of Jorien meeting and signing documents with Saskia and Arnaud."

Mateo flipped through the file and his heart sank at the incriminating photos of Jorien laughing and drinking with Saskia and her father. "Do you know what these documents are or do you have any audio of their conversations?"

His father shook his head. "We don't have any audio, but Jorien presented a few contracts to sell off the port in Alkzee and a thousand hectares of land in De Boerderij to Haro's conglomerate."

"And the council agrees to this?"

"Unfortunately, yes. More than half of the council are Jorien's loyalists and they pushed in through last month," his father said, clasping his hands together. "I didn't have enough power to stop it."

Mateo closed the folder as anger slithered down his spine. "And what makes you think bringing me here to challenge Jorien for the crown will stop this? I've never had any sway or any power in the council."

"No, but you have the power of the people."

"Yeah." Mateo scoffed. "Who wanted me gone the minute they found out about my private life," he said, shaking his head. "I don't know what you expect me to do, father. You groomed Jorien for this. You wanted him to be your successor and now that he's taking the country in a fucked up direction, you expect me to fix it."

"I know," his father said, looking down at his hands. "I never envisioned Jorien turning out this way or selling out the country like this, but you're the only one who can stop it. I'm not going to be around forever and unless you challenge him for the crown, the Oost den Burg I hope you still love, will never be the same. It won't be your home anymore."

"I still love my country, but even if I do agree to challenge Jorien, there's no guarantee that I'll gain enough favor in the council to do anything meaningful," Mateo said, pushing the folder away from him. "Jorien's always wanted to make a name for himself and he's not going to give up his claim to the crown so easily."

"No, but the council can't ignore the will of the people, especially if you expose him."

Mateo choked out a laugh. "Expose him? No." He shook his head. "I'm not going to do that. I promised Maia I wouldn't do anything to ruin her reputation. If I start trying to expose Jorien for what he's doing, that puts Maia at risk."

"Then talk to Maia about this. Tell her everything I've told you. Show her that file and decide what you want to do together. That's how your mother and I always did things."

Mateo raised an eyebrow. "So Anna is aware you're talking to me about challenging Jorien? Is she also aware that he's making these deals?"

"No, no. I meant your birth mother. I can't tell Anna about this. She's very loyal to Jorien and he can do no wrong in her eyes so it wouldn't matter," he said, sighing. "Things have always been different with Anna and I. I love her and she's a good queen, but our relationship is more about duty than anything else. She doesn't have my heart like your mother."

His father dragged a hand through his graying blonde hair. "Hendrik, I'm not going to force you to be king, but I forced your hand to come home so you could see what's happening here and make your own decision. If you still love this country and want the best for our people, I know you'll make the right choice."

"And what if I don't?"

"Then I'll respect your wishes whatever you choose to do, but please just think about this," his father said, pushing the file back to him. "And stay long enough for you and Maia to decide what's best for you both."

Mateo nodded, picking up the folder. "I can do that."

"Thank you," Harald said, placing his hand over Mateo's. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're home. I missed you, son."

A small smile tugged at Mateo's lips. "I missed you too, dad," he said, squeezing his hand. "But I still don't understand why you announced my engagement? I was coming home for Adrie's wedding and the coronation anyway."

"I know I didn't and I'm sorry for dropping that on you both," his father said, laughing softly. "But I was kind of forcing your hand after I saw that photo of you two and read through Maia's dossier. She's a wonderful woman and personally, I think she's a great match for you."

"She is and that announcement pushed our relationship along, but I don't think she wants to get married any time soon or at all."

"Mm, that's understandable. You've only been together for about a month, right?"

"Yes, which is why I don't want to do anything to ruin what we've started." Mateo sighed. "But I know I have a duty to the people too."

"I know, but if Maia agreed to come this far with you, I'm sure she understands your duties as a prince," his father said, patting his hand. "Like I said, I'm not going to force you to be king, but I want you to seriously consider it after you've spent some time here."

"I promise I will and I'll talk to Maia about it again."

"Good and I've kept you long enough," his father said, standing from the table. "You shouldn't keep Maia waiting."

"No, I shouldn't," Mateo said, chuckling as he stood and slipped the folder under his arm. "Eline's had enough time with her for now."

"Yes, about that," Harald said as he opened the door. "Eline's requested to assist Maia getting acclimated to the royal life along with your step mother and I think that's a good idea."

Mateo frowned as they walked back through his father's office. "Alright, but doesn't she need to go back to school?"

"Not at the moment." His father sighed. "She's taken a sabbatical from her studies and she doesn't want to go back, but maybe you can talk to her about it. She listens to you."

"Yeah, I can do that," Mateo said, shaking his head. "Is there anything else you'd like me to fix while I'm home?"

Harald laughed. "No, but I wouldn't mind if you joined me on the horseback rides around Vijverwoud like we used to."

"Of course I will," Mateo said, patting a hand to his father's shoulder. "Should we start again tomorrow morning?"

"I'd like that," His father said, grinning. "I'll see you in the morning, son."

Mateo's mind was clouded by what his father told him about Jorien, his deals with Arnaud Haro and that he'd been working with Saskia the whole time to get rid of him.

Clenching the folder in his hand, Mateo grit his teeth. He never would've thought his brother could be so malicious or desperate to hire Saskia to get him out of his way.

None of what Jorien was doing made any sense to him. The deals, the sabotage, there had to be something more to it than Jorien trying to make a name for himself. It was too drastic and so unlike his brother to go against the teachings and guidance of their father. Something was wrong and as much as he didn't want to get Maia wrapped up in this or bw the one to fix his family's problems, it seemed like he didn't have much choice.

Maybe if he could understand what exactly Jorien has gotten himself into, he could help him get out of it. Maybe then he wouldn't have to be king.

Mateo sighed as walked out to one of the terraces at the far end of the palace and a smile tugged at his lips at Maia and Eline sitting in the lounge chairs talking softly and enjoying the view of the sun setting over the lush gardens. Mateo chuckled at the warlock figurine sitting beside Maia's glass of wine as he neared them.

Maybe if he solved Jorien's problems he and Maia could live happily ever after away from his royal duties and he could just enjoy being her muse and her lover for as long as she wanted him.

"I see you've found my D and D collection," Mateo said, leaning down to kiss Maia's cheek.

"I did!" Maia laughed. "That was a nice surprise and I hope you don't mind that I took one of your figurines," she said, holding up the black warlock with a golden staff. "I like this one."

"I don't mind, liefje. You can keep him."

"Thank you" she said, beaming as she sat the figurine back on the table. "Did you have a nice talk with your dad?"

"I did." He sighed, sitting next to her. "And we have a lot to talk about and I need to talk to you about this sabbatical you've taken from your studies, Eline."

His sister rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I knew he was going to tell you about that."

"Not to step on your big brother toes, but Eline and I talked about it too."

Mateo turned his gaze from Eline and raised an eyebrow at Maia. "Oh, you did?"

"Yes," she said, taking a drink from her glass. "Eline and I have made a little agreement with each other. Since she's going to be my royal guide while I'm here, I offered to be her writing mentor."

Mateo's eyes grew wide. "What?" he said, looking back at Eline. "Since when have you been a writer? What happened to you wanting to be a child psychologist?"

Eline sighed, shaking her head. "That was mom's dream for me to feed into all of her charity work, but I've been writing for a few years now," she said, rubbing a hand over her arm. "I never told you or anyone because I thought you would think it was silly."

"Eline," Mateo said, leaning over to take her hand. "I'd never think that was silly. You know I'll always support you if this is what you want to do."

A bright smile curled over Eline's lips as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you and it's what I want," she said, pulling away from him. "And Maia, I'm really honored that you'll be my mentor."

"Of course, but like we agreed, you're going to tell your parents this is what you want to do and why."

"I know," Eline said, nodding. "And I promise I will."

Mateo leaned back in his chair and thread his fingers through Maia's. "Thank you for doing this," he said, bringing her hand to his lips. "But this mentorship won't get in the way of your writing, will it?"

"No, it'll be fine," Maia said, shaking her head. "And I think it's only fair since Eline is going to be holding my hand while I learn how to be a royal."

"Yes," Eline said, clapping her hands. "And mother gave me Maia's schedule for the next few weeks, so I'll be starting her training tomorrow."

"So soon? I was hoping to show Maia around our first few days here."

"Mm," Eline said, picking her phone up from the table and scrolling through her screen. "Well, your first engagement with the press is on Friday and Maia's first meeting with the Women of Endowment is on Saturday, so I suppose you can have a few days to yourselves, but I'm going to move into Vijverwoud tomorrow, if that's alright?"

Mateo laughed. "Honestly, I'm surprised you weren't already living there when you knew I was coming home."

Eline's cheeks turned bright red as she pursed her lips. "I wanted to ask this time since you were bringing Maia home with you. I didn't want to impose."

"Well, it's fine with me as long as you're okay with it, Maia?"

"Of course, I am," Maia said, leaning into him and yawning. "I don't mind at all."

"Oh good," Eline said, finishing the wine in her glass. "Then I'll see you both in the morning."

"Yeah," Mateo said, pressing a kiss to Maia's head. "Should we get going before you fall asleep out here?"

Maia chuckled softly. "Mm-hm, it's been a long day," she said, tucking the warlock figurine into her clutch.

"Yes it has," he said, standing and helping Maia up from her chair and wrapping his arm around her waist. "See you tomorrow, Eline."

"Have a good night, you two," Eline said, waving.

"Thank you for agreeing to mentor Eline," Mateo said as they walked down the small vine-covered path into the palace. "You really didn't have to do that."

"I know I didn't and stop thanking me," Maia said, smiling up at him. "I want to do it and Eline didn't have to volunteer to be my guide either."

"No, she didn't, but I'm glad she did. I feel better knowing Eline will be the one introducing you to the nobility rather than one of my step-mother's ladies in waiting," Mateo said as he held the door open for her. "They can be quite rigid and close-minded."

"I see." Maia nodded. "Then I'm glad Eline's my guide too and I'm assuming you and I are going to have a talk about that folder you're keeping close?"

"Yes," he said, gripping it tight. "When we get home, if you're not too tired."

"No, I'll be fine," Maia said, yawning again. "I just need a cup of coffee and maybe a little toke of something."

"I'm sure I can handle that request," he said, leaning down to her ear. "Thank you for being here with me," he whispered, kissing her ear.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," she said, turning her head to kiss his cheek. "I like being with you, lekker ding."

Mateo's heart simmered and soared at the tender look in her eyes as he slid his hand to the back of her neck. "I like being with you too, liefje," he said, kissing her softly.

And he supposed no matter what happened while they were here, as long as they got to be together, that was all that truly mattered. 

A/N: A lot to unpack here and we get a little more detail about what Jorien has been up to and why Mateo's father is so concerned about what he's doing. I'm glad Harald isn't forcing Mateo to be king, at least that's cleared up but honestly, I'm not sure that changes things and I don't think it's going to change how Maia feels either...but we'll see. I love that Maia's going to mentor Eline and I see a lovely friendship developing there 🥰