Chapter 29 END

The sun hung warm and golden in the sky, casting a gentle light over the bustling streets of the kingdom. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter, distant laughter, and the clinking of market stalls being set up for the day. It was a day like any other for the people—but for Max, it was his first day stepping outside the palace walls in over two months.

He had stopped going out in his seventh month of pregnancy when the weight of carrying Ana made it difficult for him to move around without discomfort. And then came the birth, the recovery, and weeks of rest that kept him confined to his chambers. But today, after much insistence to Alex and the royal physicians, Max was finally allowed to step out.

The streets came alive the moment people spotted him.

“It’s His Majesty!” someone shouted, and almost immediately, people began to gather. The crowd formed naturally, yet respectfully, giving him space as Max walked calmly down the main street, a small smile playing on his lips. He was flanked by a handful of guards, but their presence felt unnecessary—no one here would harm him.

Max’s heart swelled at the sight of familiar faces and places. The people he had seen so often, the markets he had walked through countless times, and the feeling of the warm sun on his skin—it was all so overwhelming, yet so comforting.

“Your Highness!” An elderly woman, wrapped in a modest shawl, shuffled forward with a basket in her arms. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen you. Please, these are for you.”

She handed him a small basket of ripe oranges, their bright color gleaming in the sunlight.

Max accepted them with both hands, bowing his head slightly in gratitude. “Thank you. These look wonderful.”

The woman’s face broke into a wide smile, and she shuffled back into the crowd, murmuring blessings under her breath.

As Max continued walking, others approached. A young tailor handed him a finely embroidered scarf, explaining with nervous excitement how he had sewn it himself in honor of the princess’s birth. A baker offered a fresh loaf of sweet bread, wrapped delicately in paper. A farmer shyly stepped forward with a small pouch of fragrant herbs, explaining how they were good for relaxation and health.

Max accepted each gift graciously, offering words of gratitude and warm smiles in return. The weight of the people’s love and excitement filled him with a warmth he hadn’t realized he had missed so dearly.

One little girl, no older than five, stepped forward hesitantly, clutching a single flower in her hand. She wore a worn dress, her hair messy, but her eyes shone with pure innocence.

“Your Highness…” she said softly, holding out the flower. “This is for you and Princess Ana.”

Max knelt down to her level, his smile soft and genuine. “Thank you, little one. This is the most beautiful flower I’ve ever received.”

The girl giggled shyly, her cheeks flushing pink before she ran back to her mother’s side.

Everywhere he went, people greeted him, blessed him, and celebrated his return to the streets. Some thanked him simply for being there, others asked about Ana, and a few brave souls even asked if they might catch a glimpse of the princess someday.

Max made mental notes as he walked—he observed how the marketplace was doing, noticed which stalls were struggling, and took note of areas that might need improvement. Despite the warmth and cheer of the day, Max’s sharp eyes caught every detail. He had always been attentive to the well-being of the people, and today was no different.

At one point, an elderly merchant bowed deeply before him. “Your Highness, it’s an honor to see you again. We’ve missed you dearly. May your daughter grow healthy and strong under the blessings of the heavens.”

“Thank you,” Max said softly, his hand resting over his chest. “Your words mean a great deal to me.”

The sun began to dip lower in the sky as the day wore on. The baskets of gifts he carried were handed over to his attendants, and still, the flow of love and kindness didn’t stop. It wasn’t just the gifts or the words that touched Max—it was the sincerity in every face he met.

As he made his way back toward the palace, Max paused briefly at the fountain in the square. The water glistened under the fading light, casting rippling reflections across the stone. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the hum of life around him—the laughter of children, the soft chatter of the merchants, the distant ringing of bells from a nearby temple.

He felt at peace.

When he finally returned to the palace gates, Alex was already there, waiting for him with Ana cradled gently in his arms. The sight of them—his husband and his daughter, standing together under the warm glow of sunset—brought tears to Max’s eyes.

“You’re back,” Alex said softly, his smile full of relief and love. “How was it?”

Max stepped forward, brushing a lock of Ana’s dark hair gently with his fingers before leaning up to kiss Alex softly on the lips.

“It was… everything I needed,” Max whispered. “They love her, Alex. They love us. And I feel so blessed to be here, to share this life with you both.”

Alex smiled, pressing a kiss to Max’s forehead. “Welcome home, Max.”

And as the palace gates closed behind them, Max felt the weight of love, hope, and endless gratitude settle in his chest. It wasn’t just a return to the world outside—it was a reminder of the bond he shared with the people, with his family, and with the life they had built together.

The palace gardens glowed under the soft light, and the faint hum of evening insects added a serene melody to the moment. Max, Alex, and Ana sat on a plush blanket spread out over the soft grass. It was one of those rare evenings where there were no meetings, no urgent responsibilities, and no interruptions—just the three of them, sharing a quiet moment together.

Ana, now a few months old, was nestled comfortably in Alex’s arms. Her tiny hands grasped at the fabric of his shirt, her bright eyes reflecting the soft glow of the setting sun. Max sat close to them, his legs folded beneath him, one hand resting gently on Ana’s tiny feet as he smiled at her.

“It feels strange,” Max said softly, his voice carrying a gentle weight. “To sit here like this. Peaceful. Calm. A moment where I don’t feel like I have to be anything other than… just me.”

Alex glanced over at him, his blue eyes warm with affection. “You’ve always been enough, Max. More than enough. You just had to see it for yourself.”

Max looked down at Ana and chuckled softly as she let out a tiny coo. “You know, before all of this… before you… I thought my life was set in stone. A prince in a golden cage, following rules I didn’t make, living up to expectations I didn’t set. I thought that was all there would ever be.”

He paused, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke. “But then you came along, Alex. With your stubbornness and your quiet strength. You tore down every wall I built around myself. And now, here we are. Sitting in a garden with our daughter, watching the sunset. I never thought I could be this happy.”

Alex reached out, taking Max’s hand in his. His thumb brushed gently over Max’s knuckles as he spoke.

“I used to dream about having a family,” Alex said, his voice soft yet steady. “But it was always a vague idea—a distant hope I never dared to believe in. I never thought I’d deserve it. And even when I let myself dream, it was nothing like this. Not this beautiful, not this… complete.”

He looked down at Ana, who stared back up at him with wide, curious eyes. “But now, every time I look at you and Ana, I feel like I’m holding my entire world in my hands. And I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”

Max leaned closer, resting his head on Alex’s shoulder as they both gazed at their daughter. The garden around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the three of them in their little bubble of love and warmth.

“Do you think she’ll grow up happy?” Max asked softly.

Alex nodded, pressing a kiss to Max’s hair. “She will. Because she’ll have us. And we’ll make sure she knows just how loved she is, every single day.”

For a while, they sat there in silence, the sky above them slowly darkening as stars began to twinkle faintly in the distance. Ana’s tiny yawns signaled that she was beginning to get sleepy, her little hands loosening their grip on Alex’s shirt.

Max reached out and traced her delicate cheek with his fingertip. “She’s perfect, isn’t she?”

“She is,” Alex whispered. “Just like her father.”

Max smiled softly, his heart so full it felt as though it might burst.

As the night fully embraced the world, Alex carefully lifted Ana into his arms, and Max followed him as they walked back toward the palace. The warm glow of the lanterns lit their path, casting their shadows long across the stone walkway.

At the edge of the garden, Max paused and looked back at the sky one last time, his hand slipping into Alex’s.

“Our story started with uncertainty, Alex,” he said quietly. “But it brought us here. To this moment. And I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

Alex squeezed Max’s hand, his lips curving into a soft smile. “Neither would I.”

Together, they stepped back into the palace, the faint sounds of Ana’s breathing filling the quiet space between them. Their journey had been long, filled with struggles and triumphs, but in this moment, everything felt right.

And as the palace doors closed gently behind them, the night sky glittered above—silent witnesses to a love story that had found its perfect ending.

The End.

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Author's Note:

Hey everyone! So… here we are, at the end of the story. Don’t ask me why I ended it like this—you already know why I gave you the last two chapters together. Honestly, I felt it would be more impactful if both sides of the story played out side by side, and I hope you enjoyed it that way!

Now, onto the important stuff—I’m genuinely so happy with the response this story has received. While this book is almost complete (yes, I know you hate that word by now 😂), I still have a few epilogue chapters planned. Think of them as a mini season two! These chapters will focus on Ana growing up and how Alex and Max handle it. They’ll be warm, feel-good moments rather than plot-heavy ones.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll be posting Only His regularly (yes, for real this time! 😆). I know many of you are excited about that story, and honestly, I am too.

Oh, and after Only His, I’ll also update my one-shot collection (it’s been gathering dust, I know 🫣).

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this journey. This story might not have hit the numbers I hoped for, but your support has meant everything to me.

Alright, that’s enough rambling. See you tomorrow with the next chapter of Only His! Until then, take care, have fun, and happy reading! 🥰✨