CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THEIR NEW HOME
The honeymoon was finally over.
After days away from the palace, Mia and Nathan returned home.
The moment Mia stepped out of the car, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.
The palace looked exactly as she remembered it.
The tall gates.
The guards standing at their posts.
The servants moving around.
Everything was back to normal.
Or at least, that was what it seemed like.
Mia walked inside with Nathan beside her.
Nathan's parents were waiting for them.
His mother immediately smiled when she saw them.
"Welcome back."
"Thank you," Mia replied.
Nathan's father greeted them warmly as well, asking about their journey and whether they had enjoyed themselves.
Mia smiled.
"It was... interesting."
Nathan glanced at her.
"Interesting?"
She looked at him.
"Yes."
He smiled slightly.
His mother noticed the exchange but said nothing.
After spending some time with the family, Mia and Nathan went upstairs to rest.
Mia placed her luggage down and sat on the bed.
She was exhausted.
"I can't believe we're finally back."
Nathan sat nearby.
"Neither can I."
Mia looked around.
"The honeymoon went by quickly."
"It did."
For a moment, they were both quiet.
Then there was a knock on the door.
Nathan's mother entered.
She smiled at them.
"Are you both rested?"
Mia nodded.
"Yes."
"Good. Because there's something you need to know."
Nathan looked at her.
"What is it?"
She smiled.
"Your new palace is ready."
Mia's eyes widened.
"Our what?"
"Your new home."
Nathan sat up.
" We had been preparing it for some time. We thought it was time for the two of you to have a place of your own."
Mia looked at Nathan.
He looked just as surprised.
"You mean we're moving?"
His father appeared behind his mother.
"Yes."
Mia didn't know how to react.
She had spent most of her life in a large family home surrounded by people.
Now she was going to have a palace of her own.
With Nathan.
Without his parents.
Just the two of them.
"When do we leave?" Nathan asked.
"Tomorrow."
Mia's eyes widened again.
"Tomorrow?"
His mother laughed.
"Everything has already been arranged."
---
The following morning, the palace was filled with activity.
Servants carried boxes.
Their belongings were carefully packed and loaded into vehicles.
Mia stood near the entrance, watching everything.
She still couldn't believe she was leaving.
Nathan walked over.
"Ready?"
Mia looked at him.
"I think so."
He glanced at the boxes.
"Do you have everything?"
"I hope so."
Nathan smiled.
"You always forget something."
"I do not."
"You forgot your favorite bracelet when we went on holiday."
Mia frowned.
"That was one time."
Nathan laughed.
Mia shook her head.
"Let's just go."
They climbed into the car together.
As the gates of his parents' palace opened, Mia looked back one last time.
She knew things were about to change again.
She and Nathan were no longer simply staying with his family.
They were going to their own home.
Their own palace.
Their own life.
And for the first time, the reality of their marriage began to feel even more real.
Nathan looked out the window.
Mia looked ahead.
Neither knew exactly what living together alone would be like.
But soon, they were going to find out.