Leo shrugged. “True. And I do think some more time in the stables will do Davin good before we reveal him as the crown prince.”
Felix tilted his head. “How will that work? Won’t Davin have to be trained up before you unleash him as your heir?”
Mattias hummed thoughtfully. “Davin’s been raised as nobility, so he already knows a lot of the protocols. It’s just a matter of educating him in the running of the kingdom, and I’m not sure there’s any way to do that other than have him move into the castle and see how it all works. But that won’t be for a while. His mother insists he learn how to break a sweat with an honest day’s labour first.”
“We could be waiting a while in that case,” Felix said. “I’ve never seen someone so eager to avoid work. Although he was improving, so maybe there’s hope.”
“And he did save your life, love,” Leo reminded him, moving to stand behind Felix’s chair and kissing the top of his head, “so I think he’s already proved himself invaluable.”
Felix leaned back and smiled at Leo, who was gazing down at him with such unabashed fondness that it made Felix’s heart clench. He still couldn’t believe that they might be able to have this.
Felix forced his attention back to his surroundings when there was a knock at the door. Whoever it was must be important if they hadn’t been sent packing by the guard outside. Leo had obviously come to the same conclusion because he called, “Enter!” without checking who it was.
Sophia swept into the room, looking resplendent in a turquoise gown, and breezed over to the table and took a seat. “Hello,” she said, addressing Leo. “I hear you have a son, and I’m here to offer my help preparing him to take the throne.”
Felix blinked. “How?”
She turned to him, smiling sweetly. “Well, when a prince and woman dally in ways they shouldn’t and don’t take the necessary precautions, sometimes the woman has a baby. Shall I draw you a picture?”
“I think Felix meant how did you hear about it, ma’am,” Mattias said, his lips twitching.
“I’ve told you, don’t call me ma’am. And I happened to see young Davin heading towards the stables, and he was practically skipping, so of course I stopped him and asked him what had him so happy.”
“So much for secrecy,” Leo muttered.
“In fairness to Davin, he didn’t dare not answer, and he did tell me it was a secret.” Sophia’s smile turned darkly satisfied. “He finds me intimidating, which will work well if I’m going to be teaching him the ins and outs of political intrigue. It means he’ll pay attention.”
Leo sat back down next to Felix. “I appreciate the offer, but aren’t you returning to Evergreen once the treaty negotiations are over?”
“That’s the thing,” Sophia said. “I thought I’d stay here. I have”—her unflappable exterior wavered just for a moment before she rallied and looked Leo in the eye—“unfinished business.”
Leo’s eyebrows rose and a smirk appeared. “Am I right in thinking you’re planning to pursue your romantic interest?”
Mattias made a choked noise. “What romantic interest?”
Sophia jutted her chin out. “There’s a particular knight who I’ve developed a deep affection for, and I’m hoping that he’ll agree to a betrothal.”
Mattias’s face fell, his expression the very definition of hangdog. “I see,” he said quietly. “Well, whoever this knight is, I hope he’s worthy of you, ma’am.”
Sophia’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’m certain he is, although he does seem to suffer from the inability to take a hint.”
“Ma’am?”
“It’s you, Mattias.”
“Me?”Felix could see the moment when what Sophia had said sunk in, because Mattias’s eyes widened and his face split into a wide smile that had the corners of his eyes creasing attractively. Seeing him like that, Felix couldn’t fault the princess for her excellent taste.
“Yes, you. I thought we might wed and then stay here for a year or two while I whip Davin into shape and you teach Felix to manage the king’s nonsense.”
“I don’t have nonsense,” Leo said.
“No, you do,” Felix said, “and anyway this isn’t about you. Matty’s getting married!” He paused. “Aren’t you?”
Mattias hesitated then stood and took three quick steps until he was standing directly in front of Sophia. He said, “I just need to check one thing first.” And with that he put his hands on her waist, pulled her to her feet, and bent down and kissed her. Sophia returned the kiss with enthusiasm, standing on the tips of her toes with her hands tangled in Mattias’s hair, and when they parted, they were both wide-eyed and beaming.
“Yes, Sophia,” Mattias said, breathless. “I think I should very much like to marry you.”
Epilogue
