The Prince and His Princess

Just not tonight

Lila’s POV

The scent of something buttery and warm drifted into the room long before I opened my eyes. I blinked slowly, the soft creak of floorboards and faint hum of voices grounding me in a place that wasn’t the palace. The room was dim, lit by the gentle glow of morning sun slipping between curtains.

It took me a second to remember where I was.

Oscar’s home.

Safe.

A blanket was draped over me, someone had placed a pillow behind my head. My shoes were gone, but the oversized jacket I’d worn was still wrapped around my shoulders. I sat up slowly, the blanket falling into my lap, and stretched.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.”

I turned to see Henry standing in the kitchen doorway, beaming like nothing bad had ever happened in the world.

“You’re up early,” I croaked, my voice rough with sleep.

“I made eggs,” he said proudly. “But Orin made everything else.”

As if summoned, Oscar’s father appeared from around the corner, carrying a plate piled high with hot bread rolls and slices of ham. He looked impossibly cheerful for someone who’d been in a drunken rage the night before.

“Ah! There she is!” Orin boomed. “The guest of honour!”

I blinked. “Good morning…”

“Nonsense, none of that formal palace stiffness here,” he said with a wide grin. “Call me Orin. Or better yet, call me what Henry does—Dad.”

Henry nearly choked on his tea.

I glanced at Oscar, who was setting the table and avoiding eye contact.

“You’ve caused quite the stir, young lady,” Orin said, setting the food down. “But anyone my son trusts enough to bring here is family. You’re safe. You’re welcome. And you’d better be hungry.”

“I... am, actually,” I admitted, surprised to feel the truth in it.

“Well then sit, sit!” he said, ushering me to the table. “We’ve got eggs, sausages, tomato, fresh churned butter, jam, even a bit of honey if you’re so inclined.”

The table was already half-covered with mismatched plates and a chipped jug of juice. It was a far cry from the polished silver and delicately arranged fruit at the palace—but it felt real. And it felt good.

I sat beside Henry, who nudged a slice of toast toward me with a shy smile. We ate in comfortable conversation, Orin telling stories about Oscar’s childhood, Henry giggling through half of them, Oscar groaning into his coffee with a half-hearted “that’s not how it happened.”

And for a little while, just long enough, the palace didn’t exist.

Tobi’s POV

The breakfast table was silent. No one commented on the untouched food in front of me. My fork clinked against the plate once before I gave up entirely, pushing scrambled eggs around just to keep my hands busy. Mother sat at the head, sipping her tea like nothing was amiss.

Father scrolled through the morning brief, only occasionally glancing up with that calculating look he wore whenever the kingdom teetered near scandal.

I could feel the unspoken words sitting like a storm cloud over all of us. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I take it from the silent calm we know where she is?”

Mother set her cup down gently, the china barely whispering against the saucer. “She’s safe.”

I straightened. “Where?”

“That’s not important.”

My pulse spiked. “Not important? She disappeared in the middle of the night and no one thought it might be relevant to tell me where she went?”

“You’ve already done enough damage,” Father muttered.

I ignored him. “You know where she is, don’t you?”

Mother didn’t flinch. “Yes. And I will not tell you.”

My voice dropped, barely above a growl. “She’s my mate.”

“She is also a young woman who was humiliated in front of the court, groped in public, and publicly shouted at by a prince who called her inappropriate.” Catherine’s voice was even, but the words hit like a slap.

I had no defense.

“She needs space,” she continued. “You are not to go to her, Tobias. Not now. Not yet.”

I looked down at my plate. My appetite was long gone.

Across the table, Wren cleared his throat.

“I assume you’ve seen this?”

He slid a folded newspaper across the table, the bold headline already catching my eye.

“PRINCE SNAPS AT NIGHTCLUB: DRAMATIC SCENE WITH HUMAN MATE CAUSES STIR”

I read the first few lines, jaw clenched:

Witnesses describe a violent altercation between Prince Tobias and an unknown patron, after the prince’s mate was seen dancing provocatively on the club floor. Sources say the prince attacked a man without warning, allegedly injuring a Luna in the process.

Wren didn’t look smug, just resigned.

“This is already spreading. The public is asking why a mate bond has led to scandal instead of stability.”

“She was harassed,” I snapped.

“And the response should have been protection, not panic,” Mother said calmly. “You must think beyond instinct now, Tobias. You’re not just a mate. You’re a future king.”

I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the crown pressing down like a vice. My chest ached where the bond pulsed—open and raw, but distant.

Tobi’s POV

I needed air.

The moment I was free of the dining room and its suffocating silence, I took the stairs two at a time, yanked open the east corridor door, and kept walking. The halls blurred past. I ignored every guard and bowed head. I didn’t stop until I hit the gym.

Empty.

Thank the goddess.

I peeled off my overshirt, grabbed the heaviest sparring staff from the wall, and slammed it against the training dummy.

Once. Twice. Again.

Each blow cracked through the silence like thunder, sending a satisfying shudder down my arms. Sweat beaded at my neck in seconds, and still I swung—harder, faster. Like if I struck enough times, it would shake loose the guilt lodged in my chest.

“Did the dummy offend you?” a voice called from behind me.

I turned, panting. Matthew stood in the doorway, arms crossed and brow raised.

“Don’t start,” I muttered.

He wandered over and leaned against the rack of weapons. “Wasn’t planning to. But you’re swinging like someone trying to get arrested for murder-by-training-equipment.”

I dropped the staff, chest still heaving. “Needed to hit something.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Been there.”

There was a pause. Then, more softly, “You okay?”

“No,” I said, breath shaking. “Not even close.”

He nodded and sat across from me. I could feel him watching me, waiting—but not pushing.

“I almost lost her last night.”

Matthew’s gaze flicked to mine.

“She was—” I shook my head, looking down at my hands. “She was just gone. No note. No scent. Nothing. And I didn’t know if she was safe or if I’d finally pushed her too far.”

He said nothing, just let the silence sit between us like an offering.

“I keep screwing this up,” I whispered. “And I’m hanging by a thread, Matt. I don’t even know if she’ll come back.”

“You don’t have to tell me everything,” he said, voice steady. “But I’ve got you. Whatever happens.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

Before I could say anything more, the door creaked open.

Asgot.

Of course.

He strolled in like he owned the place, looking like he’d just rolled out of bed and straight into smugness.

“Ah, Your Highness,” he said, clapping slowly. “Heard you had a bit of a temper tantrum last night.”

I was on my feet before I knew it.

“You and your wife think you can play games with people’s lives—”

“My wife,” Asgot said, holding up a finger, “was being a good host. Lila wanted to go out. Ophelia took her. End of story.”

“She dressed her like bait and paraded her in front of every wolf with eyes,” I snapped.

Matthew stood now too, placing a careful hand on my arm. “Tobi.”

“No,” I growled. “Ophelia knew what would happen. She’s always circling, always watching—she's nothing but a social climber.”

Asgot’s expression hardened. “Be very careful, boy. That’s still my wife you’re talking about.”

“And Lila is my mate.”

“You don’t act like it,” he spat.

I surged forward, but Matthew stepped in front of me, forcing space between us.

“Alright, that’s enough. Asgot—leave.”

To my surprise, Asgot did. With a scoff and a pointed look, he turned and walked out, the door banging closed behind him.

For a moment, I stood there, shaking.

Matthew let out a breath. “You’re lucky I like you.”

I slumped back onto the bench. “That’s debatable.”

He sat too. “You know, for what it’s worth, I think she’s still figuring it out.”

“Lila?”

He nodded. “I don't know what happened between you two only that it looks like she’s been through hell. So have you. But she’s not running from you, Tobi. Not really.”

“Feels like it.”

“She’s running toward something she can control. That’s not the same.”

I looked over at him. “Since when did you get so wise?”

“Since watching you lose your mind over a girl,” he said, grinning. “It’s weirdly inspiring.”

Despite myself, I cracked a tired smile. “Thanks.”

He bumped his shoulder against mine. “You’ll fix it. Just not today.”