3: The Ainsworth men

Princess Kailani came to visit the capital and her family. In the last three years, she had made Soule, the northern region, her home, and though she had responsibilities to the throne as the princess, she asked for pardon to leave. She told them that staying in the capital only brought her pain from the loss of her mate, and she couldn't bear it. She promised she would do her duties in the north and rally the king's army together, and she also ensured that she kept the order there. Xavier granted her request and told her she was always welcome to visit. Mia remembered the joy the princess had on her face at the king's permission.

In the last three years, she has visited over a dozen times, spending no less than a week with the royals before returning to the north.

Having Kailani in the palace was a breath of fresh air. Mia knew she wouldn't feel as alone as she had in the last few months, especially the last few weeks.

She didn't have to say a word about where she and Xavier were to Kailani after her arrival; the princess felt it herself. It was written all over them—the disconnect. They were not the people they used to be; there was barely any joy in their eyes, and though they put on a show, those who observed closely could see the façade.

Kailani did.

The princess walked up to her once they were alone and pulled her into a tight hug, and she cried on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry." Kailani kept repeating it even as she sobbed her heart out.

When asked if she wanted to talk about it, Mia didn't know where or what to say. She just shook her head and told her he had changed and had someone.

They shared a similar situation. Edward had abandoned his promise to his mate when he made a deal with Doom and Mischief, rulers of the dark dimensions. It left Kailani broken three years ago.

It felt almost as if the Ainsworth men were predestined to ruin their mates, no matter how hard they tried to be better men. Mia didn't want to think too far, but she couldn't help it. Xavier had sworn and vowed that he would never follow in his father's footsteps in hurting his mother, and Edward did, too. However, that wasn't the case; they had both hurt their mates and broken them to the point of despair, just like their father did. The king had abandoned her and chased after strange women, just like his father did.

"How were you able to move on?" Mia asked, staring up at the princess.

"I realised I had no choice but to move on and be better. Unlike you, I have no child for Edward, so I just moved on because I knew that was what he would want." She sighed and moved to sit in bed. "It was hard to see it at first, but after a long while with myself and my thoughts, I realised he did what he did for me; he was ready to sacrifice three years instead of eternity. His way was better."

Mia scoffed. "I doubt Xavier has a good reason for what he is doing to me-to us. Edward's reason was logical, and it made sense in the long run, but Xavier broke our promise because of a strange woman."

Kailani gave her a pitiful look, but the last thing she wanted was pity.

"We will never know his reason, not until he tells it to us."

She shook her head. "I do not want to know his reasons, Kailani, not after everything he has done. And you may be able to forgive Edward after what he has done, but his act is still noble. There is nothing noble about chasing after strange women and shaming your wife. I don't think I can forgive him; I don't have it in me," she said, sitting beside Kailani.

"I still want to keep hope alive for your sake, my queen. I saw the love you and the king shared, and it was enviable, and I am not ready to give up on it just yet."

Kailani took her hand in hers and squeezed down on it. "I would love to see Lyon and Kim now," she said, changing the subject to a much more lively one.

Mia's face broke into a big grin at the mention of his name, and she rose to her feet. "I am sure he will be excited to see you, too."

"Yes, and he will have so many questions for me to answer." Kailani got up after her.

The last time she visited, the boy asked if she was her parents' sibling, and when she said no, he asked if she was a princess. Kailani had to tell him she was married to Prince Edward, whom Xavier and Mia didn't talk about much and wanted to keep it that way. Lyon then asked where he was, and Kailani told him he was outside of Wahala.

That night, Xavier had a lot of questions to answer from the little curious Lyon. After his fifth question, Xavier turned to her for help, but she shook her head and told him it was his turn to take the heat. She had taken the last round of questions Lyon had and would prepare for the next.

His curiosity hadn't diminished; if anything, it had increased with his age, and sometimes, they thought hard to answer the questions he asked.

"I'm glad you are prepared." Mia chuckled, and just as anticipated, Lyon was excited to see her and had a few hard questions to ask her about Soule.

Mia prepared herself for her turn.

Somehow, Mia found comfort in Kailani's presence—not that Xavier would return to her, but that she could live through this. While Kailani had Edward's return to look forward to, she had her sons, Lyon and Kim. She would raise them to be better men or die trying.