“I’m full of helpful ideas,” she replies serenely. “The conference is in Geneva, isn’t it? Lovely city. Excellent accommodations.”
“Subtle, sister,” Charlotte murmurs into her wine glass.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Kit responds, the picture of royal dignity betrayed only by the mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m merely ensuring efficient diplomatic coordination.”
“Of course you are,” Jonathan says affectionately, patting her hand. “Just as I’m sure you accidentally scheduled them in adjoining suites.”
“Did I? How careless of me.” Kit’s innocent expression wouldn’t fool a child. “Well, I’m sure it will be convenient for their... meetings.”
Elder Kiri’s shoulders shake with silent laughter as Leo drops his head into his hands, his embarrassment evident despite his amusement.
And me?
I’m grinning. I can’t help it.
The laughter ripples around the table, and I let it sink into my bones—the warmth of it, the ease. This room, this family, this table full of royals and rebels and the fiercest women I’ve ever met… they’re letting me in.
Not just as Leo’s lover. But as someone whobelongshere.
I look at him, at Leo, cheeks flushed and lips pressed tight to hold back a smile, and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
And joy. I’m not just here as an observer. I’m here as a partner who can contribute and belong.
“You know,” Leo says, looking up at his sister, “for someone who’s supposedly the epitome of royal dignity, you take an alarming amount of interest in my personal life.”
“Family prerogative,” Kit responds promptly. “Besides, I’m sleep deprived and managing a newborn. I have to get my entertainment somewhere.”
The evening continues with easy conversation and gentle teasing, the kind of familial warmth I’d never expected to experience within the formal confines of the palace. By the time we rise to depart, the night has grown late, the palace settling into its quiet nocturnal rhythms.
“Walk me out?” I ask Leo as the gathering begins to disperse.
He nods, falling into step beside me as we leave the Crimson Dining Room. The corridors are quiet at this hour, most of the staff having retired for the evening. Only the occasional guardstands at attention, carefully not reacting to the sight of their prince walking close beside the tribal captain.
“Your family is...” I search for the right word as we stroll through the moonlit gallery connecting the formal wing to the family quarters.
“Meddlesome? Exhausting? Completely lacking in subtlety?” Leo suggests.
I laugh, the sound echoing slightly in the empty corridor. “I was going to say ‘wonderful,’ but those work too.”
He softens, his shoulder brushing mine as we walk. “They are, aren’t they? Even when they’re driving me insane.” He glances at me. “They like you. Not just Kit and Charlotte, but Jonathan and Roy too. Even my mother, though she’s more reserved about showing it.”
“I’m glad.” The simple words carry the weight of genuine emotion. “Their acceptance means a lot to me.”
“Did you doubt it?”
I consider the question seriously. “Not their personal acceptance, no. But I did wonder if there might be... institutional concerns. About the suitability of someone like me in their royal circle.”
Leo stops walking, turning to face me fully. “What do you mean someone like you?”
I shrug, naming the potential obstacles we both know exist, even if his family chooses to ignore them. “A commoner.”
His expression grows serious. “There is nothing common about you, Rangi. The institution has survived for centuries byadapting to changing times. And if it can’t adapt to this—to us—then it doesn’t deserve to continue.”
The quiet conviction in his voice strikes me deeply. This isn’t the diplomatic prince speaking, but simply Leo—the man who has chosen to stand beside me despite the complications.
“Besides,” he continues, a smile tugging at his lips, “if they survived Charlotte marrying her bodyguard and Kit choosing a former politician, I think they can handle the spare finding happiness with a distinguished tribal representative.”
My throat tightens—not at the joke, but at the word he so casually threads in.
