Chapter 13: The Night of New Beginnings

The royal chambers were quiet, a hush hanging over the room as King Knox and Queen Amaria stood near the large window overlooking the glittering lights of the kingdom below. The wedding ceremony had concluded with all the grandiosity expected of the royal family, and the evening had carried on with its customary formalities. Yet now, in the solitude of their chamber, there was a quiet tension in the air.

King Knox had remained stoic throughout the evening, his cold demeanor never wavering. He was a ruler, first and foremost, and in public, there was no place for softness or warmth. But as he looked at Amaria now, standing before him in her wedding gown, there was an unmistakable flicker of something in his eyes—a subtle recognition of the woman who had stepped into his life and the role she would play, not only as his queen but also as a mother to his son, Prince Alexander.

Amaria, on the other hand, was struggling to find her place in this new reality. Her heart fluttered with the uncertainty of the evening. The weight of her new title settled on her shoulders, and while the royal gown still felt unfamiliar against her skin, it was the new role she was to play in Prince Alexander's life that loomed in her thoughts.

Yet, even with the solemnity of the evening pressing in on her, there was something else that tugged at her heart. It was the feeling of being needed.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. The moment the door creaked open, Amaria's heart sank. There, standing in the doorway with a small blanket in hand, was Prince Alexander. His face was pale, his eyes wide with concern, and his lower lip trembling.

"I... I don't want to sleep alone," the boy said, his voice soft and full of uncertainty. "I want to sleep with Mama Amaria."

Amaria's heart melted. She had expected some emotional moments after their wedding, but she hadn't anticipated this. She knelt down, her eyes meeting his, and gently held out her arms.

"Sweetheart, you are my little prince, and you'll always be safe," she said, her voice tender as she embraced him. "But you know, we have to let your father rest tonight, okay?"

Prince Alexander sniffled but shook his head adamantly. "No... Mama Amaria, please... I don't want to sleep without you."

The sight of the boy in distress pulled at Amaria's heartstrings. She exchanged a glance with King Knox, who stood there, silently watching, his expression unreadable. There was something in his eyes—something fleeting that passed through his gaze before he turned away, retreating to the far side of the room.

Amaria stood up and smiled softly at Prince Alexander, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Alright, darling," she said gently, her voice steady but warm. "Come with me."

As she reached out to guide him into the king's chamber, she felt a strange sensation in her chest. She wasn't just taking on the role of a queen—she was becoming a mother, and even though this moment wasn't ideal, it was hers to cherish.

King Knox, who had retreated to a chair near the window, let out a quiet sigh but said nothing as Amaria led Alexander to the bed. Prince Alexander climbed in next to her, curling into her side with a small yawn. He snuggled up against her, the blanket tucked around both of them as he rested his head on her shoulder.

Amaria couldn't help but stroke his hair, the boy's presence soothing her nerves. She found comfort in his innocence, in the way he trusted her so completely, even when everything around him had been upended. She looked over at King Knox, who had retreated to his side of the room, his back to them, facing the night outside. His silhouette was cast in shadow, but Amaria could feel the tension still radiating from him.

She could sense how much he struggled with the changing dynamics in the palace—how much he wanted to keep his distance even though his son was clearly forming a bond with her.

A moment passed, and Amaria noticed that Alexander had drifted off to sleep in her arms. His breathing was soft and steady. She let out a quiet sigh of relief and looked up at King Knox, whose back remained turned.

She quietly got out of the bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy, and made her way toward the window, where Knox stood, his gaze still fixed on the kingdom beyond.

"Your Majesty," she said softly, her voice breaking the silence. "Prince Alexander... He just needs some comfort tonight. I will make sure he's settled in his own bed soon."

King Knox didn't immediately respond, his back still to her. But after a long pause, he spoke, his tone as cold as ever.

"Do what you must for him. He is my son, and he needs guidance. I understand that."

Amaria's heart tightened. She couldn't ignore the subtle pain that lingered in his voice.

"He will adjust," she said gently, her gaze now fixed on his back. "But tonight, he needs me. I will do everything in my power to make him feel safe, as I do for you, my King."

King Knox turned his head slightly, his gaze briefly meeting hers. For a moment, his eyes softened, but he quickly masked the emotion behind his usual steely composure.

"Thank you, Amaria," he said in a low voice. "I will be in my study if you need me."

With that, he turned away and disappeared down the hall, leaving Amaria alone with her thoughts. She stood there for a long time, gazing at the night sky outside the window, her hand resting gently on Prince Alexander's back.

The road ahead would be difficult. There would be challenges, no doubt, and King Knox's coldness would be hard to penetrate. But she had already taken the first step—and that first step had been enough to show her that she could carve out a place for herself in this royal world. For Prince Alexander, for King Knox, and for herself.

And that, for now, was enough.