chapter 11

Maximilian stood in front of the mirror, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted the cuffs of his regal attire. His reflection stared back at him, a mix of anxiety and determination swirling in his eyes. Today was the day he would make his first appearance as part of the royal family of  Vireli —a daunting task, even for someone as composed and accustomed  as him.

The weight of the moment pressed on his chest as he meticulously prepared. His ceremonial jacket, adorned with intricate embroidery, was a reminder of the expectations tied to his title. Every detail had to be perfect; every thread spoke of the role he now carried.

The sound of the bathroom door opening drew his attention, though he didn’t immediately turn around. Instead, through the mirror, he caught a glimpse of Alex stepping out, his hair damp, droplets of water glistening on his skin. A towel hung loosely around his waist, leaving little to the imagination.

Max’s breath hitched. He immediately averted his gaze, forcing himself to focus on the buttons of his jacket. No. No, no, no. Don’t look. Don’t even think about looking.

“Darling ” Alex’s voice was warm and teasing, carrying an undercurrent of affection that sent a shiver down Max’s spine.

“I—don’t call me that,” Max stammered, keeping his eyes fixed on the mirror, refusing to meet Alex’s gaze. “You know what happens when you—when you do that. It’s distracting.”

Alex chuckled softly, stepping closer, his bare feet silent against the polished floor. “Why? It’s just a name, and I’m your husband, aren’t I?”

“Because…” Max hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Because if I look at you, I’ll want to kiss you. And if I kiss you, we’ll both get carried away, and then…” He trailed off, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson. “And then I’ll say no again, and it’ll hurt you.”

Alex was silent for a moment, and Max braced himself for a reply. But instead of speaking, Alex moved closer, wrapping his arms around Max from behind. He placed a soft, lingering kiss on Max’s temple before turning him gently by the shoulders to face him.

“Max,” Alex said softly, his voice steady but full of emotion. “I’m a human being, and I’m in control. Even if I want you, that doesn’t mean I have to act on it. You need to stop worrying so much about hurting me. I’m here for you, all of you, at your pace. Understand?”

Max blinked, his throat tightening as he struggled to find words. The tenderness in Alex’s gaze left him momentarily speechless. Finally, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Okay. Thank you.”

Alex leaned in and kissed him, this time with passion that felt both grounding and reassuring. When they pulled apart, Alex grinned, his teasing nature slipping back in. “Now, I really need to put some clothes on, unless you want me to cause a scandal at breakfast.”

Max laughed despite himself, the tension in his chest easing. “Please do. I don’t think I could handle that.”

As Alex dressed, Max returned his focus to his reflection, but this time, he felt a little steadier. Together, they left the room and descended the grand staircase, where the family awaited them in the dining hall.

The table was abuzz with chatter, a mix of polite smiles and curious glances directed at Max. He couldn’t help but feel like all eyes were on him, studying his every move. He took a seat beside Alex, who immediately reached out under the table to give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” a voice piped up, breaking the silence. “How was your first night?”

Max froze, his heart skipping a beat. The question was innocent enough, but it carried implications he wasn’t ready to address. His mind raced, searching for the right words to say without revealing too much—or too little.

Before he could stammer a response, Alex smoothly stepped in, his tone light and casual. “It was… eventful,” he said with a knowing smile, his voice carrying just the right hint of mischief to satisfy their curiosity. “Exactly what you’d expect on a first night.”

The others laughed or nodded, clearly buying into Alex’s charm. Max shot him a grateful look, and Alex returned it with a wink.

Breakfast continued without further incident, and though Max still felt nervous about the day ahead, he couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. With Alex by his side, perhaps this new chapter wouldn’t be so overwhelming after all.

The ceremonial courtyard.

The grand courtyard of Verily Palace was alive with the hum of activity. Rows of elegantly dressed officials and attendants lined the marble steps, their arms laden with gifts to be distributed to the people. The gates stood open, revealing a bustling crowd of townsfolk eager to catch a glimpse of their new prince and his spouse.

Maximilian adjusted the sash draped across his chest for what felt like the hundredth time. The fabric felt stifling, but he kept his expression composed, mindful of the dozens of eyes watching him. Alex stood beside him, exuding his usual effortless charm, though Max could feel the gentle press of Alex’s hand against his lower back—an unspoken assurance.

“This is going to be fine,” Alex whispered, leaning close. “We’re just handing out gifts and smiling. You’ve got this.”

Max gave a small nod, taking a deep breath. “I just want to make sure they’re happy. They missed out on so much because of the wedding being in Ashbourne.”

“They’ll love you,” Alex replied with a grin. “And if they don’t, well… I’ll just charm them into it.”

The first wave of citizens approached, their faces alight with excitement and curiosity. Max and Alex began handing out the gifts—small tokens of gratitude from the palace. Each box contained items ranging from fine fabrics to small pouches of gold coins, a gesture meant to spread goodwill.

An elderly couple was the first to offer their blessings. The woman, stooped but still sharp-eyed, grasped Max’s hand firmly. “May your union bring prosperity to the land,” she said, her voice quivering with age but filled with conviction.

“Thank you,” Max replied warmly, bowing slightly. “Your blessings mean a great deal to us.”

As they moved through the crowd, the well-wishes grew more varied and colorful. Many congratulated them on their marriage, while others offered hopes for peace and prosperity.

Then came an older woman, her hair silver and her face lined with years of wisdom. She took both Max’s hands in her own and smiled knowingly. “May the gods bless you with a child, Your Highness. A strong heir will bring joy to the people of Vireli.”

Max’s cheeks flushed at the unexpected comment, and he glanced at Alex, who was valiantly suppressing a smirk. “Thank you for your kind words,” Max said, keeping his tone steady.

As the woman shuffled away, another figure stepped forward—a wiry, middle-aged man with a mischievous glint in his eye. He bowed low before addressing Alex directly. “Prince Alex, please, try harder. A child before the coronation would be a great boon to the kingdom!”

The crowd erupted into chuckles and murmurs, and Alex, never one to shy away from humor, threw his head back in laughter. “I’ll see what I can do,” he replied with a playful wink, earning more laughter from the gathered crowd.

Max, however, was not as composed. His face turned a deep shade of crimson, and he looked everywhere but at Alex. “You don’t have to encourage them,” he muttered under his breath.

Alex leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. “Oh, come on, Max. It’s harmless fun. Besides, you’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“I’m not flustered,” Max replied defensively, though the red creeping up his neck betrayed him.

The event continued with more gifts distributed and more blessings exchanged. Some were sweet and heartfelt; others were downright embarrassing. By the end of it, Max felt emotionally drained but strangely fulfilled.

As they retreated back into the palace, Alex slung an arm around Max’s shoulders, pulling him close. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Max sighed, his lips curving into a reluctant smile. “It wasn’t terrible. But next time, maybe we could tone down the child talk?”

“No promises,” Alex said with a grin. “After all, they just want us to be happy—and maybe a little busy.”

Max rolled his eyes, but there was no denying the warmth blooming in his chest. For all his nerves, the day had gone better than he could have imagined—and with Alex by his side, he felt like he could handle whatever came next.