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By mid-afternoon the following day, delegations departed one lot after another. Darragh and Finn stood together in the courtyard, offering formal and not-so formal farewells to each party. Queen Cressida embraced Finn fondly, thanking him again for the accommodation considerations. Emperor Hadrian clasped Darragh’s hand, expressing hope for future cooperation. Even Queen Valdis departed with gracious compliments. Apparently, her chef had been particularly impressed by the quality of Safe Harbor’s seafood.
Gordon appeared as the last carriage disappeared down the castle road. Their personal assistant looked as exhausted as Darragh felt, but his expression was triumphant.
“Every single delegation has sent positive feedback, Your Majesty. Several have already requested information about hosting future diplomatic gatherings here.”
Finn laughed, the sound slightly hysterical. “Absolutely not. Not for at least five years.”
“Seconded,” Darragh said firmly. “We’re done with summits for the foreseeable future. Next year, we can plan to attend some other country’s disaster of a summit, and let our hosts worry about all the details.”
Helena approached with three individuals, Darragh recognized as World Council representatives. They’d been observing throughout the summit, evaluating Safe Harbor’s performance as host nation, and ensuring that no one country would threaten to go to war with another. The World Council had very strong policies against doing something like that.
“King Darragh, King Consort Finn.” The lead representative, a severe woman named Magistrate Thorne, inclined her head respectfully. “The World Council wishes to formallycommend you both for hosting one of the most successful summits in recent history. Your organizational standards exceeded expectations, your cultural presentations were both enlightening and appropriate, and several significant treaties were achieved through your facilitation.”
“The Council also notes,” another representative added, “that Safe Harbor’s approach to diplomatic hospitality offers a valuable alternative model. Not all nations need to replicate traditional court formality to achieve diplomatic excellence.”
Magistrate Thorne’s expression softened slightly. “We understand there were challenges leading up to this summit. The fact that you overcame them and delivered such exceptional results speaks to your capabilities as leaders and partners.”
After the World Council representatives departed, Darragh looked at Finn. His husband was swaying slightly on his feet, exhaustion finally catching up.
“Bed,” Darragh announced. “Now.”
“I should check with the housekeeping staff about…”
“Gordon can handle it, before he takes a well-earned week off. You’re going to collapse if you don’t rest.”
They made it to their private chambers, but no further. Finn dropped onto the sofa with a groan, pulling Darragh down beside him. They sprawled together, too tired to even remove their formal jackets.
“We did it,” Finn said softly, his head resting on Darragh’s shoulder. “We actually did it.”
Darragh pulled him closer, wrapping an arm around Finn’s waist. “You did it. All of it. You proved Thomas wrong, proved everyone who doubted you wrong. You took a potentially catastrophic situation and turned it into an amazing triumph.”
But Finn shook his head against his shoulder. “We did it together. I couldn’t have done any of this alone. And I shouldn’t have tried to.”
The admission settled something in Darragh’s chest. They’d both learned hard lessons over the past months, nearly lost each other in the process of trying to prove themselves individually rather than working as actual partners.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I was naïve,” Darragh admitted quietly. “About how difficult court life would be for you. I kept telling you to be yourself, that you were perfect, but I didn’t prepare you for how politely savage this world can be. I should have been a true partner from the beginning, not just someone who patted your shoulder, gave you a hug, and offered you empty reassurances.”
Finn shifted to look at him. “It wasn’t all your doing. I was just as bad. I was desperate to prove I was worthy of this position, and worthy of you. I almost destroyed the person you fell in love with, in the process.”
“Almost.” Darragh touched his face gently. “But you didn’t. You’re still you, just...more confident now. More certain of your place.”
“Because I finally understand what my place actually is.” Finn smiled. “I’m never going to be a traditional king consort. I’ll never glide through court politics or host elegant salons. But I can solve practical problems. I can cut through diplomatic nonsense and ask the obvious questions. I can fix things, physically and politically, at times.”
“You can do all that and more.” Darragh kissed his forehead. “And now you have people around you know who appreciate those skills rather than trying to change you.”
They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes. Through the windows, Darragh could see staff beginning cleanup operations in the courtyard. The castle would return to normal soon, the frantic energy of the summit fading into their regular routine.
“We’re stronger now, though,” Finn said eventually. “Aren’t we?”
“I think so. We’re a team.” Darragh turned Finn’s face toward him, meeting his eyes. “We’re finally, actually, a workable team. That’s what we should have been all along.”
“Better late than never, I guess?”
“Much better.” Darragh kissed him slowly - they were both too tired to do much else. But Finn melted against him with a contented sigh, accepting the affection for what it was.
When they finally pulled apart, Finn’s expression had turned thoughtful. “I’ve been having some new ideas about infrastructure improvements across Safe Harbor, not just in Winrone. During the summit preparations, I learned so much about supply chains and resource management. There are villages that need better roads, bridges that should be reinforced, systems that could be streamlined...”
