CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A LIFE OF HER OWN
Mia left the palace that evening.
She didn't go far.
She simply wanted to breathe.
The palace gates opened as the car approached, and the guards immediately bowed when they saw her.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
Mia gave them a small smile.
"Good evening."
The car drove through the gates.
For the first time that day, Mia felt free.
She watched the scenery outside the window as they drove through the city.
People were going about their normal lives.
Children were playing.
Couples were walking together.
Shop owners were closing their stores.
Everything looked ordinary.
Mia smiled.
She had missed this.
She had spent so much time inside the palace that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to simply go somewhere without a schedule waiting for her.
She asked the driver to stop at a small café she used to visit before becoming a princess.
She sat quietly near the window, ordered her favorite drink, and watched people passing outside.
No meetings.
No speeches.
No ceremonies.
No royal expectations.
Just Mia.
She stayed there for nearly an hour before finally returning to the palace.
---
When she arrived, Nathan was waiting in the sitting room.
He looked up as she entered.
"You're back."
Mia placed her handbag on the table.
"Yes."
"Where did you go?"
"To the city."
Nathan nodded slowly.
"I was worried."
Mia looked at him.
"I told you I would be back."
"You did."
"Then what's wrong?"
Nathan stood.
"When you left, I didn't know where you were."
Mia sighed.
"I didn't think I needed to give you a complete report every time I leave the palace."
"I didn't ask for a report."
"It felt like one."
Nathan paused.
He seemed to be choosing his next words carefully.
"I know you don't want to feel trapped here."
Mia's expression softened slightly.
"I don't."
"I understand that."
She looked at him with surprise.
Nathan continued.
"But you're right about one thing. I can't decide everything for you."
Mia remained quiet.
He walked toward the window.
"At the same time, I can't pretend your position hasn't changed."
"I know I'm a princess."
"I'm not saying that to restrict you."
"Then what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that there are people who will take advantage of your position if we're careless."
Mia thought about his words.
"I understand the security part."
Nathan looked at her.
"Then perhaps we can work something out."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Such as?"
"You can go out whenever your duties are finished."
Mia smiled.
"Really?"
"Within reason."
Her smile disappeared slightly.
"What does that mean?"
"It means you tell security where you're going, and you take an escort."
Mia considered it.
"That's acceptable."
"And if something official comes up, you can't simply disappear."
"I wouldn't do that."
Nathan nodded.
"Then we understand each other."
Mia picked up her handbag.
"Good."
She started walking away.
"Mia."
She turned.
Nathan looked at her for a moment.
"I'm sorry."
She wasn't expecting that.
"For what?"
"For making you feel like you had to ask permission to live your own life."
Mia's expression softened.
"Thank you."
She walked toward the staircase.
Then she stopped.
"Nathan?"
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow, I'm going shopping."
He smiled faintly.
"All right."
"And I'm not putting it on my schedule."
Nathan laughed quietly.
"Then I suppose I'll have to remember it myself."
Mia smiled before continuing upstairs.
For the first time since becoming Princess Mia, she felt that perhaps she could have both.
Her responsibilities.
And her freedom.