A Muse Her

Chapter 35

"So, when do you plan on speaking to Maia about what I've told you?"

Mateo sighed, shaking his head at his father. "I thought you weren't going to push the issue or the crown on me?"

"I'm not, but I at least want to know where you stand now that you know the truth," his father said as they rode one of the old winding trails to the lighthouse at the edge of the land.

"Fair enough," Mateo said, pushing a low hanging branch out of his way. "Maia and I talked about it last night."

"Oh?" his father said with his eyebrows raised. "And what were her thoughts on the matter?"

"She said it doesn't change anything for her," he said and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "She wants to help and she wants to stay with me whether I'm king or not." He dragged a hand through his hair. "I've never been with anyone who cares like this and the thought of anything happening to her scares the shit out of me."

"I know how you feel," he said, sliding a hand to Mateo's shoulder. "I felt the same way about your mother, but sometimes there's nothing you can do. Not that this is one of those situations, but that feeling you have will never go away." His father smiled. "It just means you're in love and it seems to me Maia's in love with you too."

"Yeah, she is," he said, looking around at the flowing meadow and the brook winding down the path beside them. "And I don't want the issues with Jorien to get in the way of what we have."

"So, what's your plan then?"

"I just want to observe what's happening. I'm going to meet with Jorien to see what part he wants me to play in his new vision and go from there," he said as they trotted over a small bridge near the lighthouse. "I want to get it out of his head that I'm here for the crown."

"That's smart." His father nodded. "I'm assuming that means you've decided to stay for a while then?"

"Yes, Maia likes the vibe of Vijverwoud and I want to give her the chance to see if she truly likes it here. It also gives me time to get Jorien to trust me and understand what he's really up to," he said as they slowed to a stop in front of the towering lighthouse. "I don't want to be king if I don't have to. I prefer the freedom of living outside of the politics of this country."

"I know you do and I'm sorry to put all of this on you. I should've been better with Jorien and not let things get to this point." His father sighed. "I don't want this to get in the way of your happiness with Maia. If being here starts to damage that, then you need to do what's best for the both of you."

Mateo's eyes grew wide. "I never thought I'd hear you say something like that. The livelihood of this country has always been your main priority."

"No." His father laughed softly as he shook his head. "Being worthy of your mother's love was my top priority," he said, waving his hand around the blooming estate. "Building this for you and her was what mattered. The country always came second, but when I lost her I forgot what mattered. The country and the people thrived under my leadership." He pressed a hand over his heart. "But I failed to teach you and your siblings what mattered the most and maybe that's why Jorien turned out like this. Gesina and his children are just trophies to him. He doesn't see the value in love. He doesn't see how it can make you a better king."

Mateo looked away from his father out to the gently rippling sea. He never knew his father felt that way and he never would've seen the value in love if it wasn't for Eline thrusting Maia's books on him. "Do you think it's too late for Jorien to see it?"

"I don't know, Hendrik. Maybe your plan might help him, but I honestly don't know," his father said as they rode along the bank back to the manor. "Let's leave it there for now. I don't want to spend this ride talking about Jorien. Why don't you tell me how you and Maia met and where you're taking her today?"