"I can't believe you're alive," Harald cried, crushing Mateo with a hug. "I thought I lost you."

Mateo hugged him tight. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"It's not your fault," his father said, pulling away from him with his eyes watery with tears. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I brought you back here when I should've left you and Maia alone." He wiped a tear rolling down his cheek. "I never thought you'd be targeted so soon like this."

"Neither did we," Willem said, crossing the room to tug the sack off Bas' head. "But our informant has told us this was being planned the moment you announced Prince Hendrik's return."

"And now I've given Jorien free reign to do as he pleases as king because I thought you were gone," Harald said, cringing as he slid a hand over his face. "What a fool I've become."

"That's not true," Mateo said, grasping his father's shoulder. "You didn't know I was alive."

"No," Harald scoffed. "But I shouldn't have listened to Anna who urged me to let Jorien take care of things while I grieved."

"She was just doing what she thought was best at the time," Maia said, standing beside Mateo. "I'm sure she didn't anticipate Eline starting a protest."

"Probably not," Bas smirked. "But your queen knew about Mr. Haro and what he wanted from Prince Jorien."

"What are you talking about?" Mateo said, turning to Bas. "You never mentioned anything about the queen."

"I didn't think it was necessary until now." Bas shrugged. "But she's not so innocent in this. I'm surprised you don't know the history of Queen Anna's dealings with Mr. Haro before she married you."

A snarl curled over Harald's lips. "And what do you know about it?"

"We don't have enough time for me to explain her family's history with the Haros, but the life you made with Queen Anna was always part of a bigger plan to take over Oost den Burg and Queen Viona's death was part of it too."

Something snapped in Mateo and rage burned through him at Bas' confession. The notion that he lost his mother and nearly lost Maia for some sinister take over of his country ignited a fury inside of him. He lashed out, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the stone wall. "You had better be fucking lying," Mateo seethed.

"You wanted the truth," Bas choked out. "And I have no reason to lie."

"Bring me the queen," Mateo said, looking over at Willem and Lars. "I want to hear it from her."

"Yes, Your Highness." Lars nodded.

"Mateo, release him." Maia said, nearing him with concern swirling in her eyes as she slid a hand to his arm. "Bas isn't the one who killed your mother."

"You don't know that," Mateo said through gritted teeth.

"I don't, but if you choke him to death, he won't be able to tell you," Maia said, squeezing his arm. "And your father needs you right now."

Mateo looked over Maia's head to his father slumped on the couch with a blank look on his paling face and tears rolling down his cheeks.

"What have I done?" his father whispered.

Mateo's heart clenched as he released Bas. "It's not your fault," he said, crossing the room to sit beside his father. "And we don't know if what he said is true."

"It is. The doctors never figured out what caused your mother's death and I was still blinded by grief and wanting someone to fill the hole your mother left that I didn't care about Anna's conditions of our marriage," his father said, wiping the tears rolling down his cheeks. "After all this time trying to keep Haro out of this country, I'm the one who let him in."

Mateo grasped his father's hand "And I'm the one who will get him out."

Harald's eyes grew wide. "What?" he said, squeezing his hand. "You...you want to become king? What about Maia? What about your life together?"

"We talked about that, Your Highness," Maia said, sliding her hand to Mateo's shoulder. "I understand the risks and I know it's not going to be easy, but I love your son and we're going to make a life here."

Mateo took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm before he looked back at his father. "All I need is for you to officially abdicate the throne and name me as your successor."

"I would love nothing more than for you to take my place," his father said as a sad smile tugged at his lips. "But you know I can't do that without a witness from the royal family."

"I'll do it."

Mateo looked over to the door at his step mother standing beside Lars with bloodshot eyes and tears rolling down her cheeks. "Just promise me you'll stop Jorien before Eline gets hurt in this madness."

Standing from the couch, Mateo opened his mouth to speak, but his father grasped his arm as he stood next to him. "I'll allow you to witness, but you will tell me the truth of your dealings with Arnaud Haro and our son will answer for his attempt on Prince Hendrik and Miss Jefferies' lives."

Anna nodded as she burst into tears. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this. You weren't supposed to find out."

"But I did," Harald said, clenching his fists at his side. "And now we're going to make it right." He turned to Mateo. "Are you ready to be king?"

Mateo looked down at Maia as he threaded his fingers through hers. He gazed into her determined brown depths and a sense of calm and vigor washed over him as he brought her hand to his lips. "I'm ready."

"Your Highness, we're ready for you," Saskia said, bowing as she entered his study. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Yes, the protestors have been given ample time to clear the promenade and while my father is incapacitated, I have to be the one to stop this madness. It can't go on."

"Absolutely." Saskia grinned. "But you know, Princess Eline is still out there."

"Yes, I'm aware," he grumbled, standing from his chair and smoothing a hand over his sash. "She made her decision and now I'm making mine."

"Yes and one could argue that she's committing treason against the crown," Saskia said, brushing off his shoulders. "Wouldn't you agree, Gesina?"

"I suppose," she said, rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Jori, I don't want to go out there with you. I'm scared."

"I know, Gesi," he said, slipping his arm around her waist and kissing her head. "But like Arnaud and Saskia said, this is just a small inconvenience. Everything will be fine."

"But your mother is upset and...and Adrie won't speak to you," Gesina said as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "This doesn't feel right anymore."

"Adrie will learn to accept this," he said, wiping the lone tear that rolled down her cheek. "And my mother's only upset because Eline won't come home."

"She'll never forgive you if something happens to her."

Saskia heaved a deep sigh. "No harm will come to Princess Eline not while her guards are around her," she said, checking her phone. "Besides, my father has plans for her. He likes her spirit."

Jorien frowned. "What plans?"

"Contingency plans, but nothing you need to concern yourself with now," she said, slipping her phone into her back pocket. "You need to make your debut speech as the imminent King of Oost den Burg."

Any concern for his sister floated from Jorien's mind at the thought if his riveting and moving speech Bram wrote for him. The people may be upset with him now, but after he addressed them, there would be no doubt in their minds that he, Jorien Harald de Koning, could lead them through this dark time and bestow greatness upon the country.

A/N: 👁️👄👁️ Lots to unpack in this lil chapter! First of all...my heart hurts for King Harald and Mateo. He lost his love and he lost his mother for this shit! And Queen Anna knew?! Also Jorien has some massive feelings of grandeur and how dare Saskia call Eline a traitor! I'm SO ready for the big reveal! But also....what contingency plans????