Chapter 23: Shifting Bonds

The days that followed Amaria's return to the palace were marked by a quiet sense of warmth and routine. Amaria continued to shower Prince Alexander with the care and affection he had craved during her absence. She would wake him in the mornings with a gentle kiss on the forehead and a soft greeting, her presence a comforting constant in his world.

Each day, she would play with him, listen to his stories, and comfort him whenever he felt sad or uncertain. Whether it was reading him his favorite books or helping him with his small lessons, Amaria devoted herself to making him feel safe and loved. Prince Alexander's laughter was often heard echoing throughout the palace, his bright, infectious joy spreading to everyone who crossed his path.

It became clear to King Knox that Amaria's presence was exactly what his son needed. Alexander's temperament had shifted since Amaria's return. He was more playful, more relaxed, and less prone to the sulks and tantrums he had sometimes displayed. The bond between them was undeniable. It was as if Amaria had unlocked something in Alexander—a sense of security and peace that had eluded him for so long.

However, as the days went on, something unexpected began to happen. Alexander, who had once clung only to Amaria, began to seek out his father as well. At first, King Knox thought it was just a fleeting whim, but it soon became clear that the little prince was eager to spend more time with him, too.

One afternoon, King Knox was working in his study when he heard a soft knock at the door. He looked up to find Alexander standing there, his small hand resting on the doorframe, a look of determination on his face.

"Papa," Alexander said, his voice small but insistent. "Can I spend time with you?"

King Knox, slightly surprised by the request, set his papers aside and motioned for the boy to come in. "Of course, Alexander. What would you like to do?"

The young prince hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing as he thought. "I want to hear a story," he said quietly, his eyes bright with a mix of curiosity and eagerness. "A story about... about knights and dragons. You know... the ones you used to tell me when I was younger."

King Knox's heart softened at the request. He hadn't told Alexander a story like that in a long time. When the boy was younger, he would often tell him tales of brave knights and fantastical creatures, spinning grand adventures that would send Alexander off to sleep with a smile on his face. He hadn't realized how much the boy had missed those stories.

"Alright, a story about knights and dragons it is," King Knox replied with a rare smile, gesturing for Alexander to sit beside him. The boy eagerly climbed onto the chair next to him, his eyes wide with excitement.

As the King began to weave the tale, Alexander listened intently, hanging on to every word. For a brief moment, the rigid royal atmosphere of the palace seemed to melt away, leaving behind only a father and his son, caught in a world of imagination and wonder.

Meanwhile, Amaria, who had been in the next room organizing some of the royal matters, overheard the conversation. A soft smile spread across her face as she listened to the gentle exchange between the King and his son. It warmed her heart to see how far Alexander had come in such a short time, and how his relationship with his father was slowly growing stronger.

Later that evening, when it was time for bed, Alexander, for the first time in weeks, hesitated before he ran into Amaria's arms. He had grown so used to her presence that the idea of spending a night away from her felt strange.

But that night, he stood in the doorway of his father's chambers, his small hand gripping the doorframe once again. "Papa," he said softly, his voice a mixture of uncertainty and hope. "Can I sleep in your room tonight?"

King Knox looked up, his expression unreadable. It wasn't unusual for Alexander to seek comfort from him in the night, but the request was a sign of the shift that had been taking place between them. Without hesitation, he nodded.

"Of course, Alexander. Come here."

As the boy climbed into bed next to him, King Knox wrapped his arm around him, holding him close. The warmth of his son's small body against his own brought a strange comfort to him. He realized, in that moment, how much he had missed these simple moments. And as he lay there, with Alexander peacefully asleep beside him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not having been there more often.

Over the next few days, the dynamic within the royal household continued to evolve. Amaria remained as devoted as ever to her role as the boy's caregiver, but she began to notice something new. Prince Alexander, once so reliant on her for comfort, was now seeking his father's attention more and more. He would join King Knox for walks in the palace gardens, ask him questions about the kingdom, and occasionally even request to share his meals with him.

King Knox, in turn, began to open up to his son in ways he hadn't before. The once-distant ruler was starting to soften, to show a side of himself that very few had seen. It was as if the presence of Amaria had not only healed Alexander's heart but had also begun to heal the King's as well.

As Amaria observed the growing bond between father and son, she felt a quiet pride. She had always believed in the power of love and connection, and now, seeing the change in both of them, she couldn't help but feel that she had played a part in it. The royal family, though still imperfect, was slowly becoming a true family—a family bound not just by duty, but by love. And as Amaria continued to nurture that love, she knew that they were all beginning to grow stronger together.

As the days passed, King Knox found himself increasingly distant from Amaria, though he didn't fully understand why. He couldn't ignore the growing warmth between her and Prince Alexander, but there was a sense of something deeper stirring inside him—a quiet frustration, almost. It wasn't that he resented their bond; he had come to appreciate how much it meant to Alexander, how much it had transformed him. But there was something that gnawed at him, something that had been festering for weeks.

Amaria, ever so devoted to the young prince, had been an unwavering source of affection for him. She would fuss over him with a tenderness that King Knox admired from afar. However, in the midst of all her care for Alexander, there was one thing she had never once mentioned—whether or not she missed him.

She had returned from visiting her family, and while she showered Alexander with her attention, making him feel loved and cherished, there were no words, no gestures for King Knox. No longing looks when their gazes met across a crowded room. No quiet moments where she would ask him how he was doing, or offer him any comfort in the same way she did with Alexander.

It was as if she had settled into a routine with him, one that wasn't unfamiliar, but one that lacked the warmth he had hoped would come after their marriage. He had expected, perhaps naively, that there would be some shift between them—something more than the polite distance they maintained during the day, the formalities that governed their interactions.

At night, he would lie in his bed, waiting for her to join him, but the space between them felt colder. While Prince Alexander often sought his comfort, clinging to him at times, Amaria's attention had remained steadfastly focused on their son. And while he had seen how much she loved Alexander, he couldn't help but wonder if there was any room left for him in her heart.

King Knox tried to dismiss the feeling, attributing it to his natural detachment, but it persisted. Why hadn't Amaria ever expressed that she missed him during their time apart? Was she simply content with the family they had become—a family that centered around their son? Was he being selfish, expecting more than she was willing to give?

He was no fool. He had seen the way she looked at him, the way she carefully chose her words when they spoke. She was polite, respectful, even affectionate in her own way—but there was no spark between them. He was beginning to wonder if she had truly grown to love him, or if she was merely fulfilling her duties as his wife.

One evening, as the palace settled into the quiet of the night, King Knox stood by the balcony, staring out at the moonlit gardens. His mind was a swirl of conflicting emotions. His jealousy, though unspoken, had begun to eat away at him. He couldn't deny it—he was envious of the bond she shared with Alexander, even though he knew that bond was precious, necessary for the prince's well-being. It wasn't fair to begrudge them that closeness, yet he couldn't help but feel excluded.

As Amaria entered the room, her soft footsteps breaking his thoughts, he didn't turn to face her immediately. He continued to stare out into the night, trying to collect his thoughts.

"Is something bothering you, Your Majesty?" Amaria's voice was soft, but there was an underlying concern in her tone. She had noticed his silence, the distance between them that had only grown over the past few weeks.

King Knox took a deep breath, but still, he did not turn to her. His chest tightened as he struggled to find the right words. "No, nothing's wrong," he finally replied, his voice colder than he intended.

Amaria stepped closer, her concern evident. "You've been distant," she observed, her eyes studying his face, trying to read him. "I know the duties of the kingdom weigh heavily on you, but I can't help but feel that something else is bothering you."

King Knox finally turned, his eyes meeting hers, and for the briefest moment, he saw the tenderness she held for him in her gaze. But there was also something else—a distance he couldn't place.

"I'm not the one who's been distant," he replied, his tone a touch sharper than he meant. "I've watched you... you've been preoccupied with Alexander. As you should be," he added quickly, as if trying to justify his words. "He needs you, and you've been more than generous with your love for him. But I can't help but wonder if you've forgotten about me."

Amaria blinked in surprise, her heart sinking slightly as she realized what he was implying. "I haven't forgotten you," she whispered, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I've just... I've been adjusting to everything. And Alexander—he needs me right now. But I promise, I haven't forgotten about you."

King Knox closed his eyes for a moment, frustrated by his own emotions. "But why haven't you told me if you missed me while you were away?" His voice was barely above a whisper, the words spilling out before he could stop them. "I thought that after all this time, you and I would have... something more. But I haven't heard you say it, Amaria. Not once. Did you miss me?"

The silence between them felt suffocating as Amaria's face softened, her heart aching at the raw vulnerability in his voice. She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to gently touch his arm.

"I did miss you," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "But I didn't want to seem like I was overstepping. I've always tried to be there for Alexander, but I didn't mean to make you feel... invisible. I'm sorry."

King Knox met her gaze, searching her face for any hint of falsehood, but all he saw was sincerity. Her words, though simple, stirred something deep inside him—a feeling he hadn't fully realized until now. He was more than just a king to her. She cared for him, even if she hadn't expressed it as openly as he had hoped.

He exhaled slowly, his anger dissipating like mist. "I don't want to be a stranger in my own marriage," he said softly, his voice strained but gentle. "I want us to have something more than duty and obligation. I want us to... care for each other. To be there for each other."

Amaria's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in an embrace. "We will, Knox. We will. I promise."