Chapter 20: A Kingdom of Affection

The months that followed the wedding were filled with subtle shifts in the atmosphere of the palace. The once-stiff halls now hummed with the gentle warmth of affection, as King Knox and Prince Alexander showed Amaria attention in ways she hadn't expected.

In the mornings, as she sat by the grand windows of the royal dining room, sipping her tea, Prince Alexander would often run into the room, his little footsteps echoing as he dashed toward her with a bright smile. His small hands would tug at her gown, pulling her attention away from her thoughts.

"Amaria!" he would shout, his voice full of unrestrained joy. "Mama, look what I found!"

His excitement would be contagious, and Amaria couldn't help but smile at the way his bright blue eyes lit up with every discovery—whether it was a small flower he had picked from the garden or a new trinket from the royal vault. He was always eager to share his world with her, and she loved the connection they were building.

King Knox, always composed and reserved, watched the interaction from across the room with an unspoken affection. His eyes softened as he observed how naturally Amaria had settled into their family. She had become the glue that held their world together, the one who could bridge the gaps between royal duties and the simple joys of life.

One morning, as Amaria helped Prince Alexander assemble a puzzle in the royal playroom, King Knox joined them after finishing his morning work. His usual cold demeanor had softened since their wedding, though he still carried himself with an air of authority. As he entered the room, his gaze landed on Amaria, and for a brief moment, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Having fun?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

Amaria looked up at him and nodded. "We are, indeed. Prince Alexander's skill with puzzles is remarkable for his age."

The young prince beamed with pride, pointing at the nearly completed puzzle. "I did it all by myself, Mama!"

King Knox, who had never been one to show much enthusiasm for such things, found himself chuckling softly. "It seems our son has surpassed us already, Amaria. You may need to start teaching him new things."

Amaria laughed, the sound light and melodic. "I think he's teaching me more than I'm teaching him."

The king stepped forward, a rare softness in his expression. "You're doing well with him. You've made our home a place of joy, Amaria."

She met his gaze, a small blush creeping into her cheeks at the genuine warmth in his words. Before she could respond, Prince Alexander tugged at her sleeve, his small face serious.

"Amaria," he said, looking up at her with a thoughtful frown. "When will you teach me how to bake bread? Like you promised."

Amaria smiled, her heart swelling with affection for the little boy who had quickly become such a big part of her life. "I think it's time we do that soon, Alexander. But only if you promise to share with your father."

King Knox raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "I'm not sure I should trust you both with the royal kitchen."

Amaria laughed, the sound light and free, before she leaned down to kiss Prince Alexander's forehead. "We'll make sure it's perfect, Your Majesty."

Over the following months, their days became a series of small but significant moments like this—warm conversations, laughter, shared memories. King Knox, though still reserved, would often find himself joining them for meals, taking part in Prince Alexander's games, and even making time to listen to Amaria's thoughts. There was a gentle shift in their dynamic, one that had been hard to imagine at the start, but now felt natural and right.

One evening, as they sat together in the royal courtyard, the warmth of the sun casting long shadows across the stone, Prince Alexander leaned his head on Amaria's shoulder, his small hand clutching hers as he hummed softly.

King Knox, seated beside them, looked at his son with an unspoken affection, his hand resting casually on Amaria's other hand. It was a moment of peace in the midst of the kingdom's demands, a moment of family—of something he never thought he would have, yet now could not imagine living without.

"Amaria," King Knox said quietly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic gentleness, "I never thought I would find this. This peace, this bond with you and Alexander."

Amaria met his gaze, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. "It's been a journey for us all, hasn't it?"

He nodded, his eyes lingering on her before he glanced down at Prince Alexander, who was now sound asleep, his small breaths steady and content. "I'm not sure I ever fully realized how much I needed this. Needed both of you."

Amaria's heart fluttered at his words, and she squeezed his hand gently. "We all need each other, Knox. And I'm glad we have each other now."

King Knox's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "As am I."

And in that moment, surrounded by the love of his wife and son, the coldness that had once defined him seemed like a distant memory. He had found something worth protecting—something more important than the kingdom itself.