Chapter 8

"As beautiful as that sounds, my place is here serving as king. But we can still appreciate days like today as a temporary escape from the burdens of the crown," he said.

Amy nodded, understanding Viktor's sense of commitment. She snuggled closer, cherishing this quiet time together away from the demands of the palace.

Later, as the sun lowered in the sky, Viktor folded up the picnic blanket. Hand-in-hand, they slowly walked back to the car to return home. Their responsibilities awaited them but the memory of this carefree interlude would remain a gift.

The next morning over breakfast, Viktor reviewed documents once more. Glancing at Amy with a subtle smile, he recalled the simple joy of the previous day spent focused only on each other. Though fleeting, their time away had been a respite to treasure always in the midst of governing a nation.

Over the next few weeks, Amy thought often about their happy day away from royal duties. She decided to plan more small escapes for just the tw