Epilogue
Sophia
Standing in my parents' drawing room should be a normal event for me, but today is different because Lucas' nerves are starting to get to me, despite the fact I've done this countless times.
Though now I think about it, I've never done it with someone.
I reach out and take his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. "It's just my parents," I whisper. "It's going to be fine."
"Yes, but they're royalty," he counters.
"So am I. And Archie. You don't have a problem with either of us," I point out.
He sighs. "That's different."
"How? You didn't know us when we first met."
"Sometimes your logic is annoying," he mutters.
I chuckle to myself. "Just be yourself and it will all be fine. And remember, you're not alone. My parents haven't met Lottie yet either."
"Yes, but Lottie was never hired by them to keep an eye on you. It doesn't look good that I'm here as your boyfriend now."
"You're not just my boyfriend, you're my mate," I remind him. "That means something in the demon court."
"Somehow that makes me more nervous, not less. What if they don't think I'm a good choice of a mate for you?"
"It's not their choice. I promise it'll be okay.
They're not going to think about that at all once they get to know you.
" I'm not just saying that. I firmly believe my parents will accept both Lucas and Lottie with open arms. They don't exactly have the most conventional romance themselves if the stories my mother's been telling me over the past couple of weeks are to be believed.
I think she's been doing it in an attempt to make me feel more at ease with bringing Lucas to meet them.
The doors swing open and my parents walk into the room arm in arm and dressed in the smart-casual attire we all default to, especially around the palace.
Lucas squeezes my hand extra tightly, but I don't say anything about it. I'm sure I'll feel the same when I meet his parents.
"Hello, darling," my mother says, breaking away from my father and enveloping me in a tight hug.
I have to let go of Lucas' hand to return it, but I think it's going to be okay. She lets me go and lets my father have a turn. I've missed the two of them more than I thought I had. It's good to see them again, even if things were a bit strained when I left for my first term at Rosewood.
"And you must be Lucas," my mother says, turning to him.
"Yes, Your Highness." He dips his head.
"You don't need to stand on such formality when you're just among us," she assures him.
"That's going to take some getting used to, ma'am."
"Marginally better," she says with a smile.
Lucas laughs nervously but is spared from more by her moving on to greet Archie and Charlotte.
"Dad, this is Lucas," I introduce, more nervous than with my mother. While she may have been born the heir to a Duchy, she wasn't born into the Royal Family.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Lucas says, holding out his hand.
My father tries to suppress a smile as he takes it and shakes. "Likewise. I'm pleased to meet someone who makes my little Sophia happy."
"Dad," I murmur.
He laughs and shakes his head. "We'll talk more in a bit. I need to go say hello to your brother, but then I have work to do before dinner. You'll have to excuse me."
I nod, used to it by this point. As the King of our demon realm, he always has one thing or another to do.
"I'll see you in a bit."
He gives me another hug, then moves off in Archie's direction.
I turn to Lucas, glad to see he hasn't started hyperventilating or anything like that. "See, it's all fine."
He laughs nervously. "I wouldn't go that far. I just made such a fool of myself."
"No, you didn't," I assure him. "And it'll be better over dinner anyway. I think some of our other siblings are coming and it'll be more relaxed." I hope I'm right, if not, then this trip could easily scare him away and I'm not ready for that.
My parents say goodbye and disappear out through the doors almost as quickly as they came. I'm glad they decided to do it this way, it's less pressure on both Lucas and Charlotte.
"I'm taking Lottie on a tour," Archie announces.
"Have fun," I tell them both.
"And you're not going to offer me the tour too?" Lucas asks.
"I have other ideas for you," I respond, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His circle my waist, pulling me to him. "Do you now?"
"Mmhmm. There's only one room of interest in the palace anyway."
"Sophia! This is your parents' house."
"I'm teasing. Though the bedrooms are far enough away from one another that it wouldn't matter much," I promise. "But I actually wanted to show you the gardens, I think you're going to love them. And maybe take you out to the golf course so that you can give me some pointers on my golf skills."
"You mean your lack of golf skills," he murmurs.
"Exactly. If I can improve them, then maybe next time a diplomat wants to play gold with me, I can actually hold my own and know what I'm talking about. And one day, maybe I can just get you to do that for me."
He laughs. "All right."
"Good, I'm glad we've got that settled."
He leans in and kisses my nose.
I close my eyes and try not to giggle like I normally do when he does that. Something about it just feels so affectionate and that makes me feel as if I'm walking on air.
"I love you," he whispers.
I freeze as the words sink in. I've suspected he feels this way for a while, and I know I do, but neither of us have said the words out loud. I suspect we've been waiting for the right time, especially after the way we almost messed everything up.
"I love you too," I respond.
He beams down at me, filling my heart with unbridled joy. I can't believe I almost threw all of this away. Now that we've been working on rebuilding the trust between us, I can see just how special what we have is.
Lucas leans in and brushes his lips against mine.
I melt into him, letting myself forget everything other than the sensation of being in his arms. The truth of his words is revealed in the way he kisses me, tender and adoring. It leaves no doubt in my mind how he feels about me.
I would never have guessed that this is what I'd find when I went to Rosewood, especially not with my secret bodyguard, but I'm glad that I did. Because it turned out so much better than I ever predicted.
Thank you for reading The Demon and the Princess, I hope you enjoyed it! If you want more from the monsters of Rosewood Academy, The Nixie and the Frost Elf follows Lexi, a nixie who ran away from her fated mate, but has now been brought back into contact with him: