CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE PRINCESS HAS DUTIES
Life in their new palace was different.
Mia was no longer simply Mia Wilson.
She was now Princess Mia.
And Nathan was no longer just her childhood friend or her husband.
He was the Crown Prince.
With their new home came new responsibilities.
Their days were filled with meetings, royal events, ceremonies, charity visits, family gatherings, and endless duties that seemed to have no end.
At first, Mia tried her best to adjust.
She even created a schedule for herself.
Every morning, she would look at it carefully before beginning her day.
Breakfast.
Royal meetings.
Charity work.
Afternoon appointments.
Evening duties.
She wanted everything organized.
But there was one thing she hadn't planned for.
Nathan.
One evening, Mia finished everything on her schedule earlier than expected.
She looked at the clock.
There was still plenty of time before dinner.
She grabbed her handbag and headed toward the palace entrance.
Just as she reached the door, Nathan's voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
Mia turned around.
"Out."
Nathan looked at her.
"Out where?"
"Somewhere."
He frowned.
"Mia."
"What?"
"Have you finished everything on your schedule?"
"Yes."
"Then you should stay inside."
Mia stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because it's late."
She looked toward the clock.
"It's not late."
"It will be soon."
Mia sighed.
"Nathan, I just want to go outside for a while."
"You can go tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Mia folded her arms.
"Why can't I go today?"
"Because you've already completed your duties. You should rest."
"I don't want to rest."
Nathan's expression became serious.
"Mia, you're a princess now."
She stared at him.
"And?"
"And you can't just leave the palace whenever you want."
Mia's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"You have responsibilities."
"I completed my responsibilities!"
"That's not the point."
"Then what is the point?"
Nathan walked closer.
"The moment you step outside those gates, people notice you. Everything you do gets talked about. You're not living the life you used to live anymore."
Mia shook her head.
"Then let them talk."
Nathan sighed.
"You don't understand."
"No, Nathan. I understand perfectly."
She pointed toward the palace behind her.
"You expect me to stay inside this place after I've finished everything I'm supposed to do."
"Until tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Mia stared at him in disbelief.
"Because you said so?"
Nathan realized immediately that he had chosen the wrong words.
But Mia was already angry.
"You can't just decide where I can go and when I can leave."
"I'm trying to protect you."
"I don't need you controlling me!"
Nathan's jaw tightened.
"You're my wife."
"And that doesn't mean you own me."
The words hung heavily between them.
Nathan went silent.
Mia took a breath.
"I wasn't a princess before."
She looked toward the palace gates.
"I could go wherever I wanted. I could see my friends. I could walk around without worrying about whether someone was watching me."
Her voice softened.
"I had a life."
Nathan looked at her.
"You still have a life."
"Do I?"
Mia looked around the palace.
"Because lately, it feels like my entire life is just schedules and duties."
Nathan didn't answer immediately.
She continued.
"You keep telling me I'm a princess now. Fine. I know I'm a princess. I know I have responsibilities."
She looked directly at him.
"But I'm still Mia."
Nathan's expression softened slightly.
"I know."
"Then let me breathe."
Nathan sighed.
"People will talk."
Mia shook her head.
"Let them."
"Mia—"
"I don't care what they say."
She picked up her handbag again.
"I've spent enough time today doing everything everyone expects from me."
Nathan looked at her.
"And where exactly are you going?"
Mia gave him a look.
"Outside the palace."
Nathan sighed.
"You really are impossible."
"And you're too controlling."
She walked toward the door.
Nathan watched her.
"Mia."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"What?"
He hesitated.
For once, he didn't have an answer.
Mia opened the door.
"I'll be back."
Then she walked away.
Nathan remained standing in the hallway.
He had wanted to protect her.
But perhaps he had forgotten something important.
Being a princess didn't mean Mia had stopped being herself.