Maia sat cuddled up next to Mateo on a cushioned couch on the balcony of their room overlooking the moonlit gardens with a cup of coffee as they read over the files and photos his father gave him.

"I'm so sorry," Maia said, sitting the photos of Jorien and Saskia on the coffee table and sliding her hand to Mateo's cheek. "I know you didn't want to believe the rumors, but this has to hurt having it confirmed that your brother planted Saskia in your life."

Mateo sighed, sliding his hand over hers. "Yeah, it does, but it's still not like him to do something like this." He shook his head. "I don't know what he's gotten himself into and I don't know how I never saw it happening."

Maia raised an eyebrow. "Why do I get the feeling that you think your brother getting involved with this Arnaud Haro character is your fault? Wasn't your father the one grooming him to be king? Shouldn't he have warned him about that guy?"

"Yes," Mateo said, looking away from her. "But I've always felt responsible for my siblings and I should've been looking out for him."

"No. You're not responsible for your brother getting into this. How could you be?" Maia said, curling her fingers under his chin and turning his face to her. "You didn't know anything about Arnaud and his shady conglomerate. This isn't your fault and don't get me wrong, I like your father. He's a lovely man, but at the end of the day, if he didn't want Jorien to get caught up in this, he should've made damn sure it couldn't happen instead of putting this on you to fix."

"I know and he admitted that he's not going to force me to be king because of this, but it doesn't change the fact that something needs to be done before my brother sells out this country and the people."

"I understand that, but does it all have to fall on you? Can Adrie and Eline help?"

"I'd prefer to keep Eline out of this and Adrie lives for a quiet life," he said, dragging a hand through his hair. "She's never been one to ruffle any feathers. She's just happy to do what she's told."

"Yeah, I kind of felt that from her," Maia murmured. "So, if you don't want to involve them, what do you want to do?"

"I want to figure out what Arnaud has over Jorien. I think there's more to this than my brother wanting to make a name for himself and usher in a new era for Oost den Burg. He was always meticulous about doing everything like our father. None of what he's doing is like him."

"Alright, so we need to figure out a timeline of when these changes started," she said, reaching for the folder on the table. "That way we–"

"Wait," Mateo said, wrapping his hand around hers. "Before we do that, I need to know what you want to do."

"What do you mean?" Maia frowned. "I already told you. I want to be here with you and I know it scares you," she said, wrapping her hands around his. "But I want to help you too. Whether you become king or not." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "This is all content for our book, remember?"

Mateo chuckled softly and nodded. "Yes, I remember, but this could get dangerous. I don't know how deep Jorien's ties are with Arnaud or his conglomerate and if we start digging into this, I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is Jorien doesn't want me here."

"Yes and Sven doesn't want me here with you either." She smirked. "I saw the look on Gesina's face at dinner. They're definitely planning something stupid."

"I saw that too and I just..." Mateo said, sliding his hands to her cheeks. "I won't be able to forgive myself if something happens to you."

"I understand that," she said, sliding her legs over his. "But isn't that why I have a team of guards to keep me safe and watch my every move?"

"It is," he said, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. "But even they can make mistakes, liefje."

"Then I'll just have to be vigilant," she said, sliding her hands over his chest. "I want to be here, Mateo. What you've told me doesn't change anything."

Mateo's eyes softened as he pressed his forehead against hers. "I really don't deserve you."

"Yes, you do," she whispered. "After everything you've been through with your ex, you deserve someone who wants to stand by your side no matter what."

"And so do you, mijn prinses," he said, kissing her softly. "Let's do this, then."

"And no more asking me if this is what I want," she said, kissing him again. "Because it is. I want to be right here with you, lekker ding."

"Okay, but I'm still going to check in and make sure you're happy."

Maia laughed softly. "Of course you will."

"I have to," he said, curling his fingers under her chin and caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. "Because I love you."

Maia's heart simmered at the tenderness and truth swirling in his warm brown eyes. "I love you too."

Maia moaned waking up to Mateo's soft sweet kisses against her neck and his hand caressing the inside of her thigh inching closer to her tingling center.

"What did I do to deserve waking up like this?" she murmured, snuggling closer to him.

"Nothing," he said, sliding her panties down her legs. "You don't have to do anything to deserve this, but you do make me realise how lucky I am to wake up to such beauty every morning."

Maia laughed softly. "And nothing to do with our talk last night?"

"Mm, that too, liefje," he said, kissing the side of her mouth. "You deserve the world for wanting to stay by my side."

"You're spoiling me too much, mijn prins," she said, sliding her hand beneath the hem of his boxers to caress his rising cock. "I'll want this every morning now."

"Good," he said, slipping his fingers between her wet folds. "I want you like this before I have to share my time with you."

"We have a few days before that happens," she said, sighing as she stroked his cock, rubbing her ass over his tip.

"Is that where you want it?" he whispered, licking the skin behind her ear.

"Mm-hm," she said, moaning softly as he slowly pressed himself against her tight hole. He groaned curling his fingers around her while he rubbed her clit and gently thrust his dick inside of her.

There was something so utterly freeing about being with a man she loved who also shared her insatiable libido.

Someone who didn't mind spending too much time indulging in their passions before getting out of bed to face their day.

Maia sat at the island in the kitchen, sipping on a cup of coffee, drafting a few ideas for scenes in her notebook while Mateo cooked them breakfast like he promised he'd continue to do. She sat her pen down and gazed out the kitchen windows at the early morning sun making the dew glitter on the tips of the green grass.

"What's on your mind, liefje?" Mateo said, sitting an omelet and freshly sliced avocados and toast in front of her as he slid on the stool beside her.

She shrugged. "I was just thinking I could get used to living here."

"Really?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "But I haven't shown you around yet. You might not like Koningstad."

"I know, but I meant here," she said, laughing softly. "Vijverwoud has a relaxing vibe about it. Kind of like my cottage in Colorado."

"I'm glad you feel that way." A smile tugged at Mateo's lips as he kissed her forehead. "I hope you always do."

"I think it'll be hard not to," she said as her phone buzzed on the table beside her. She sighed at the notification. "It's Sven."

"What's he saying?"

"You don't have to let him ruin you just to spite me. I'm here for you, dropje. I always will be. Come home with me," she said, rolling her eyes. "And he sent a gossip article from the Sun about us." She laughed. "Damaged Royals author to marry Scandalous Prince."

"I'm sorry." Mateo sighed. "I know that article has nothing good to say about us."

"Actually, it's click bait." Maia grinned. "The column is written by one of Faye's friends. She does this all the time to hype up her soap operas. It gives a brief history of your affairs to keep people interested in the drama, but there's always a good spin on it at the end," Maia said, smiling as she scrolled through the article. "Like this part: 'Some may think Prince Hendrik and Maia Jefferies make an unlikely couple, but Jefferies' fans are over the moon about their union and I, for one, am likely to agree. It's a romance ripped straight from her novels and I can't be the only one rooting for their happily ever after.'"

"Your sister is a clever woman," Mateo said, taking a drink of his coffee. "And clearly Sven didn't read the article."

"He never does," Maia murmured. "And I think it's time I block his number. He doesn't need access to me like this anymore."

"No he doesn't, but you need to let him feel like he does," Willem said, shuffling into the kitchen and sitting a black box on the table. "I've had your phone mirrored and you have a new number. Your sister is aware. I spoke to her about it last night."

"Oh, you spoke to Faye?" Maia cringed. "How mad is she that I haven't called her since we got here?"

Willem chuckled. "She's not mad at all. She understands, but she said to tell you she wouldn't mind a call before your interview on Friday," he said, turning his gaze to Mateo. "She also wanted me to tell you that she's been staying at your house. She prefers your kitchen and overall layout to Maia's."

Maia's eyes grew wide. "What? You gave her your keys?"

"Yeah, I told her she could stay at my place if she wanted," he said, grinning. "I do have a better kitchen, liefje."

"My kitchen is fine." Maia laughed, pushing at his shoulder. "Well at least she's making herself at home in that big 'ol ranch. You might not get it back if she decides to stay for good."

"Mm, I didn't think about that," Mateo said, and shrugged. "I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I've got plenty of land to build a new house if we want."

"Or you know, we could just stay at my cottage," Maia scoffed. "My place is just fine."

"Yes it is," Mateo said, kissing her head. "It just needs some upgrades."

"Oh whatever," she said, laughing. "Anyway, Willem, thank you for my new phone. Do you want to keep my old one to monitor Sven's messages?"

"Yes I would," Willem said, opening the black box on the table and providing Maia with her new phone. "It's been charged up and everything should work as normal. There's also a new watch for you as well."

Maia laughed. "Kind of feeling like Tati right now."

"Well, you're basically a princess now in need of protection," Mateo said, fastening the watch around her wrist. "But I hope you won't be falling in love with Willem."

"Nah." Maia grinned looking up at Willem. "I'll leave that to Faye."

Willem's cheeks turned a light shade of red as he choked out a laugh. "No, no. That would be inappropriate, Miss Jefferies."

"Mm-hm, I'm sure it would," Maia said, patting his arm. "But just in case you want to cross that line, I'm not against it."

"Anyway," Willem said, clearing his throat. "The king is riding over on horseback and said he'd meet you by the stables."

"Oh right," Mateo said, glancing at his watch. "I should be back in about an hour and then I'll take you on a tour of the city, if that's alright with you, Maia?"

"That's fine. Dem will be here soon to do my hair and make-up anyway," Maia said, kissing his cheek. "Have a good ride."

"I will," Mateo said, kissing her hand.

"Princess Eline said she'd be here within the hour to get settled in as well."

"Oh good. I'll draft up a few writing exercises for her," Maia said, flipping to a fresh page in her notebook. "There's some eggs and toast leftover if you're hungry, Willem."

"Thank you, Miss Jefferies," Willem said, helping himself to a plate and serving himself some of the eggs and avocado. "I hope you don't mind me saying this given the potential danger, but I'm glad you decided to come here with Prince Hendrik. It's nice to see him with someone who cares about him."

"I don't mind you saying that," Maia said, taking a drink of coffee. "Honestly, it's nice to be with someone who cares about me too. Potential dangers aside, I would've always come here with Mateo if he asked."

"That's good to know." Willem smiled, sliding onto the stool across from her. "He truly needs someone like you by his side."

And she needed someone like him too.

A/N: A lil bit of fluff in this chapter, but I love that Mateo always checks in with Maia when things change, but I'm glad she reassured him that she wants to be there and she's not going anywhere. Love the click bait article and that Faye has these little tricks up her sleeve....and it seems like Mr. Willem has a crush on her too 🥰  In regards to Maia being protected and/or in danger, for once, I'm glad one of my cinnamon buns isn't naïve to think their security guards can't and won't make mistakes...