54.

The grand halls of Alex’s kingdom were abuzz with whispers that afternoon. The court astrologer, an old, wrinkled man named Malich, had been strolling by Alex’s chamber on one of his routine checks, seeking celestial insights. He hadn't intended to pry, but when he caught a glimpse through the slightly open door, he froze in disbelief.

There was the great Prince Alex—known for his authority, power, and unyielding nature—kneeling before Aeryn. A human.

Malich’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. The ruler of their entire galaxy, who commanded fear and respect, was kneeling before a woman, and not just any woman—a human woman! He shook his head, utterly scandalized.

His feet carried him quickly away from the scene, as his heart raced with the weight of the revelation. As an astrologer, Malich had seen many things in the stars, predicted many events, but nothing prepared him for this. He hurried to his chambers, where a few of the kingdom’s courtiers had gathered to consult him on upcoming prophecies.

“I saw... I saw something,” Malich muttered as he slammed the door behind him, startling the courtiers. He was still in shock.

One of the courtiers, Lady Syra, raised a brow, adjusting her flowing violet robes. “What is it, Malich? You look pale. What did the stars reveal?”

Malich wrung his hands, pacing back and forth. “It’s not the stars this time. It’s the prince. I... I saw him, on his knees.”

The courtiers exchanged confused glances. “Kneeling? But before whom?” Syra asked.

“A human,” Malich whispered dramatically, leaning in closer. “The human girl who has been brought to our kingdom. The prince was kneeling before her.”

The room fell silent. A ripple of disbelief washed over the courtiers. Kneeling was not just an act of submission—it was symbolic of humility, of respect. For their great prince to kneel before anyone, let alone a human, was unheard of.

“The prince? Kneeling?” Lady Syra scoffed, though her expression faltered. “You must have been mistaken.”

“I am not mistaken!” Malich exclaimed. “I saw it with my own eyes. The king, on his knees before a mere human. This cannot stay secret.”

Syra frowned. “If word spreads, this could be catastrophic. You know how the people view humans—they’re seen as weak, insignificant. The prince’s authority might be questioned.”

Another courtier, Lord Raek, spoke up, his voice laced with concern. “And what of the queen-to-be, Arin? She will not take this lightly. Her return from the wars and the tension between her and Alex—this could make it worse.”

Malich, his mind spinning, nodded gravely. “The stars did not predict this, but the impact could change everything. We must inform the council.”

***

Meanwhile, Alex was oblivious to the storm brewing outside his chamber. He and Aeryn were lying side by side on the massive bed, her head resting on his shoulder. The earlier tension had melted away, leaving them in a soft bubble of contentment.

“You know,” Aeryn said lazily, tracing circles on his chest, “for a prince, you’re pretty good at taking care of someone in pain. You handled that whole chocolate and cramp situation like a pro.”

Alex chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I had no choice but to adapt. You humans come with strange requirements.”

She grinned, nudging him playfully. “You could’ve just said I was being a drama queen. You didn’t have to go all knight-in-shining-armor on me.”

His hand came up to her face, brushing a strand of hair away. “I would kneel a thousand times if it meant seeing you smile.”

Aeryn’s smile softened. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course. I have never knelt before anyone, but for you…” He hesitated, his voice growing serious. “I would do much more.”

Before Aeryn could respond, a loud knock on the door interrupted the quiet moment. Alex frowned, sitting up. “What now?”

He stood up and crossed the room to the door, pulling it open to reveal one of his personal guards. The guard looked nervous, his eyes darting between Alex and Aeryn, who remained on the bed.

“Your Highness,” the guard began, bowing deeply. “There is news… rumors spreading through the kingdom.”

“Rumors?” Alex’s brows knitted together in confusion. “What sort of rumors?”

The guard hesitated, glancing at Aeryn before answering. “The astrologer, Malich, has seen… he witnessed you kneeling before the human girl. He has already informed several courtiers, and it seems the news is spreading.”

Aeryn sat up, alarm flashing in her eyes. “What? Kneeling? Why is that a big deal?”

Alex’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening. “Because in this kingdom, kneeling is not just a gesture of kindness. It’s symbolic—it shows deference, respect. If word spreads that I kneeled before a human, people may question my authority, and worse... your place here could be jeopardized.”

Aeryn’s stomach twisted with anxiety. “But I didn’t mean to—”

“This isn’t your fault,” Alex interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “I don’t care about these outdated traditions. But the people... they will react differently.”

Aeryn swallowed hard. “So what happens now?”

Alex’s gaze grew distant as he considered their next move. “I need to address this before it spirals out of control. The kingdom is on the brink of an important ceremony, and if this rumor taints it, we could have unrest.”

He turned to the guard. “Summon the council. We will deal with this immediately.”

The guard nodded and hurried out, leaving Alex and Aeryn alone once more. Aeryn stood up, crossing the room to him.

“I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” she said quietly, guilt creeping into her voice. “I was just playing around, but now…”

Alex cupped her face in his hands, his eyes softening. “Aeryn, none of this is your fault. They would find any reason to challenge your presence here. I won’t let them undermine us.”

She leaned into his touch, finding comfort in his strength. “But what about your people? Will they ever accept me?”

His thumb brushed her cheek gently. “They will. I’ll make sure of it. But it may take time.”

Aeryn sighed, leaning her forehead against his. “I never imagined a simple cramp episode would lead to political drama.”

Alex smirked, his voice dropping to a teasing tone. “You do have a way of turning my life upside down, don’t you?”

She chuckled softly, though the tension still lingered in her chest. “I guess that’s my specialty.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his voice growing serious again. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. You and me, against anyone who stands in our way.”

Aeryn looked up at him, her heart swelling with both love and worry. “I hope you’re right.”

Alex’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I am. Now, let’s deal with this rumor before it becomes something more.”

As they prepared to face the challenges ahead, Aeryn couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of the struggles they would face together. But with Alex by her side, she felt ready for whatever came next.