Little Prince [✓]

XVⅠⅠⅠ

Max's POV

Brown hair, but not the muddy brown that was staining the wood on the bridge. The rich brown that matched brewing beer. Her eyes were wider than his yet her nose the same. They had the same tiny ears and thin lips, yet Nathan's bottom lip was fuller. Looking between them you could tell they were related, but as mother and son? I never would've guessed.

He must resemble his father more

"Oh my! Is this-" The woman dropped to her knees, "-It is an honor-"

"Rise, it'd be cruel to have my mate's mother bow to me." I looked up at Nathan, his slightly swollen eyes empty and dark. "I presume you live in the village."

"Yes sire- I run the biggest fishery and handle all oceanic imports!" Her eyes lit up in a way Nathan's did when he was cooking, the gleam familiar and the glow bright. "A big net of bass was just loaded in!"

Nathan tensed, biting his lip as his mother spoke. I knew he was too nice to stand up for himself, especially when it came to those he cared deeply for. Looking in her eyes, something felt forced, though I was unsure what. Her smile, it didn't reach her dimming eyes, and her hands were clenched to her sides as she spoke.

She must be looking for a way out of a conversation she initiated

"Excuse us, we must head off for lunch now-"

"Oh why don't you come over! I'd love to get to know you, Sire." Her eye twitched, "However if you're busy-"

"Max, you should enjoy lunch." Nathan's voice was sudden and small, "Please...I'll be at the villa."

"If you insist-" I squeezed his hand, sensing his stress, "-Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it'll be good for my mom to get to know you!" He pressed a soft kiss on my forehead, "I'll walk with you two to the fishery."

"I'd prefer to dine together, maybe at a restaurant." I held his gaze for a moment, his eyes pained and hands pressed against his thighs. "But...you seem tired. I'll see you tonight?"

"Of course," he smiled.

.｡. :*☆~☆*: .｡.

"I never expected Nathan to marry into status," she sipped from her teacup loudly. "I never really expected Nathan to marry or mate-"

"And why is that? He's handsome, kind, and skilled in several areas." I felt my ears burn as memories of last night flooded my mind.

Quite skilled, I should say

"Well, he's always been so closed off and quiet." She sunk her yellow teeth into a cake, her eyes widening with every bite. "Never able to stand up for himself either."

"Perhaps he was closed off due to your neglect." I was done playing nice, she had made her intentions clear.

We had been sitting for about thirty-minutes, sitting and talking. At first, her tone was even and her smile stretched across her face. It did not take her long to start dwelling on Nathan's existence. From his hair to his posture, she had a complaint. She managed to word it sweetly, so sweetly that if you were not paying attention you would think it was a worried mother. I had enough encounters with manipulative snakes to identify one in a conversation.

"I-" She loudly gulped, "-I never meant to harm him."

"Perhaps not, however, you did make sure to isolate him." My hands clenched into fists, "Do not attempt to lie to me, to swindle me into thinking Nathan is horrendous like his father."