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One of the things Mia loved about Nicholas was that he always knew when to sneak her away from the crowds and expectations that came with being a royal.
Sure, at first she hated him for it. Like when she fell into a fountain with him after they kissed and she panicked because she was supposed to be attracted to and marrying Andrew. Then, when she (erroneously, as she later found out) believed that he set her up with a member of the paparazzi filming them waking up together after a romantic night spent outside.
But now that they were together, she appreciated his innate ability to read a room and whisk her away for private time when she seemed to be wearing out, especially since this was her first holiday season as queen of Genovia. It came with a long list of Christmas parties to attend and multitudes of people to say hello to, even when she secretly wished she could be in her suite with a book and a good cup of coffee. Not to mention, just like an average person, she had to keep up the happy and smiling facade at Christmas dinner with her family. It also made her wish that Genovia had an equivalent of Thanksgiving where she could eat as much as she pleased and then go take a long nap.
Tonight, though, it was New Year’s Eve. While it meant attending another party at the palace, she was able to deal with it easier, as it was only one night. And Nicholas was savvy at making sure she got some private time and then went back to the ballroom with him as if nothing had happened, and no one had even really noticed she was gone. First, they went to the bowling alley to throw a few frames, which made them laugh because they thought they looked absurd bowling in their fancy party attire. Then, they took a walk around the outdoor pool, but not before he ensured she had a fresh glass of wine in hand.
Now, things had mellowed out, as some of the older royals in attendance had gone to sleep and the rest of the crowd was getting excited for the midnight champagne toast and fireworks. Mia and Nicholas had retreated to the theater, her public-facing duties done for the evening. She still had her hair up, but had changed into a t-shirt and yoga pants.
“That is enough holiday,” she said with a long sigh. “As much as I loved our first Christmas and seeing you officially welcomed into the family—which I’m still surprised it didn’t take Grandma long to consider you one of us, even though it’s not that shocking given what type of person she is—I’m ready for January and to take on my first full year as queen.”
“There will be even more eyes on you,” he reminded her. “Remember how you were saying that the start of the year will make your rule seem even more real?’
“Yes, unfortunately. Maybe we should try to get engaged in the next month so you can become king quicker. After all, even though you disowned your uncle, you’ll still be king by marriage.”
“I’m surprised you think that the whole ‘find a suitable husband within 30 days’ strategy is still a good idea given that it almost took you in the wrong direction. Not that I’m complaining, since you ended up with me in the end, but…”
“Yeah. I’m glad that rule was abolished. Let’s enjoy being a couple for a while and celebrate Genovia’s move into the 21st century.”
“Your coronation has to be the highlight of this year, right?” Nicholas asked. “I mean, there might be something else, but I imagine becoming queen is pretty hard to top.”
“It is, yes,” she laughed. “I’ve come a long way from spending New Year’s Eve at home with my mom wishing I could’ve had a hot date or gotten invited to a party hosted by one of the popular girls, although Lily slept over sometimes. Now I’m in a palace, wearing fancy party dresses and jewelry, and everybody wants to talk to me. But really…the other highlight of my year was the Independence Day parade. It really kick started my passion for helping children and deciding to make that a central platform of my reign.
“What was yours?”
“Besides meeting you at your 21st birthday and falling in love at first sight? I don’t know…the fountain fall is pretty funny now that I look back on it. Even when you were mad at me, I thought we had chemistry and that you were just adorable. And of course, the dance and the night sleeping under the stars…”
“That’s when I realized I couldn’t hide my feelings for you anymore.” Mia sighed. “I knew I had to go through with the marriage to Andrew for the sake of the law, but there’s no way I could have been happy, no matter what Grandma said about how she eventually grew fond of my grandfather.”
“King Rupert, may he rest in peace.” they both said at the same time, which made them burst into laughter.
“You know, though, there is one thing I want that will perfectly top off this year and send us into the new one on a high note,” she added. “Will you oblige?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“I’ve already had my foot-popping first kiss a couple of times, but now I want to kiss you on the balcony while the fireworks are going off. Going out on the balcony to wave to the crowd and take some pictures has always been one of my favorite parts of being royalty. And tonight, no press is expecting me to be out there.”
“Just us under the stars,” he said. “I can make that happen. It is getting close to 12. We can head out soon.”
When they got out to the balcony, Mia took a minute to overlook the empty palace grounds and smiled to herself while Nicholas was standing behind her. Not a photographer or video camera in sight, although she couldn’t help but imagine herself waving to a large number of royal admirers and curious onlookers.
“You can come closer, you know,” she said. “This is a romantic moment for the both of us after all.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone to kiss at midnight myself,” he replied. “I remember how many times I learned the hard way that not every girl wants to date someone who’s an heir to the throne.”
“It’s true, though. The spotlight can be very stressful and you always have to look a certain way and be camera-ready at all times when you’re out in public. Now you understand why I’m at my happiest when we’re lying in bed with Fat Louie next to us. It only sounds magical to be a royal; a lot of people don’t understand the work that goes into it or they think it’s glamorous to be photographed and in magazines.
“I guess that’s what makes us so good together, though. We each understand the expectations and the pressure, and you sympathized with me when the going got rough. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m so relieved that you eventually came back into my life after I stepped on your foot at my birthday party.”
“Sometimes I think it still hurts from when you stepped on me the second time. If I’m imagining it, it’s a nice reminder of how we went from enemies to falling in love and acknowledging it once the time felt right.”
“I know I was completely immature that day.”
“You’ve more than made up for it. And I’m glad we have each other too. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this year. You know I will support you, always.”
After they counted down and their watches struck midnight, the fireworks started, and Mia looked over at Nicholas. They smiled at each other, and he wrapped her arms around her waist while she hugged his neck, and they exchanged their first new year’s kiss. Then, he picked her up as her right foot kicked off the ground.
“It still feels just as good as when we had our first ever kiss,” she told him. “I’m looking forward to making memories with you too.”
“Well, happy new year, Queen Mia. Shall we go back to your suite and toast with some champagne?”
“I can’t think of anything better.”