Chapter 220 " My dear , are you sure you don't want to meet your fiancé before the registration ? " my father asked , hesitant . I offered him a small , reassuring smile . " Dad , the doctor said I might lose my ability to have children if I delay . I trust you and Mother to have chosen well . If anything goes wrong , I'll come straight back to the palace . " He sighed and hugged me gently . " " My lovely Mia - nothing matters more to me than you . If you change your mind , you can break this engagement at any time . " > When we went to complete the paperwork that afternoon , my intended wasn't there. Instead , a man with a thin scar along his left cheek - an official from the groom's household - bowed , took my ID , and handled the marriage certificate with formal respect . " I'll deliver the certificate myself , " he said . " " I'm sorry , Miss Valdar , but the duke requests a private meeting . He would like to present it to you in person , " the assistant added , and the certificate was taken away . " That evening the welcome banquet was one of the most lavish events the palace had hosted in years : white roses , crystal chandeliers , tables laid with the finest linens . I hovered at the edge of the room like a wallflower , unsettled by how easy it was to recall Xavier's mother humiliating me in public while he watched in silence . " A small blueberry muffin was set into my hand . Killian - tall , composed , and impossibly close - had appeared at my side . " Eat this , " he said simply . I hesitated , then took a bite . " This is your home now , Mia , " he murmured . " If anyone makes you uncomfortable , tell me and I'll handle it . " His threat was low and dangerous , but his presence felt like shelter . " Thank you ," I whispered . " Dance with me ? " he asked . " No - I'm not falling for your tricks again . " I tried to pull away , but he stepped in behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist . The contact made something in my chest stutter . " Just once , " he pleaded . " Okay . " We moved together to the music . For a few minutes the rest of the room faded ; the fit of his hand over mine felt oddly inevitable . " You're beautiful , " he said when the song ended . I managed a bitter laugh . " Was I not beautiful when you turned me away ? " I asked , the grievance of years catching up in my throat . " I never rejected you , Mia , " he answered quietly - then the room erupted in applause . My father stood and beamed . \ " I am delighted to announce that my daughter , Princess Mia , is now formally engaged to Duke Killian of the North , " he declared . Shock slid through me . I looked at Killian . He inclined his head at me almost imperceptibly ; I couldn't tell whether I should be angry or relieved . I slipped away from the noise and found the palace garden , pale in moonlight . I tried to breathe . " You don't look thrilled , " a deep voice said behind me . I turned . " Killian stood there , his silhouette familiar and unnerving . " Did they tell you ? " he asked . " " Tell me what ? " I whispered . " That the council arranged this ? " He stepped closer . " I heard you returned . I couldn't stay away . " " You haven't changed , " I said , sharper than I meant . " How dare you decide this without asking me - after you rejected me years ago ? " " When did I ever reject you ? " His voice was steady , not angry . " You were eighteen . I was young , proud, and my hands were tied by politics . I didn't say no -I never stopped wanting you . I would have taken you then if it had been possible ." " You're lying ," I said . " If I'm lying , why would I have come here now - leaving everything behind ? " He sounded almost weary . " You chose to keep your distance before the engagement was confirmed . " " " An engagement can be broken , Killian . A signed certificate is still just paper- " " " We aren't breaking up . " He gripped my hand . " Engagement or marriage , I have waited for you . When you married before , I tried to accept it . Then I learned how unhappy you were . I couldn't stand by and watch you be treated like that . " " I told my father I would accept a political match , " I said , thinking of the bargain I'd struck with him . " This is for my family's future . I won't be fooled into loving again ." " He let out a single , soft laugh . " Ask your father to consider me . If you want an ally rather than a husband . I will stand by you . I P P . " I told my father I would accept a political match , " I said , thinking of the bargain I'd struck with him . " This is for my family's future . I won't be fooled into loving again . " He let out a single , soft laugh . " Ask your father to consider me . If you want an ally rather than a husband , I will stand by you . I convinced my family - none of them would treat you poorly . I will build a place for you in the North . " The weight of his words settled over me . It was more than courtship ; it was a promise and a plan . For the first time since everything fell apart , I felt something like possibility . " Then show me ," I said . " Win me back . " \