"Don't look so miserable," Santana said as she watched as her husband was dressed. "You're going to be king of our half of your father's empire." Santana said gently pushing past the servants, who were trying to stop Charlie from fidgeting. She runs her hand up his chest and onto his face, so she could force him to look at her. "You kept your promise."

"I'm rethinking keeping my promise, it's not too late to simply run away to our palace," Charlie muttered. "We could be simple farmers ignoring the world around us."

Santana rolled her eyes, "Isabel and Alexander would hate you," Santana said calmly. "Well, Isabel would hate you. Alexander follows whatever Isabel says. It's rather worrying. I would hate you, I've put so much work and blood and sweat into making this kingdom great. Only to watch Lucas piss that all away. There would be no more sex in our future."

"Isabel would get over it, and—"

"She's actually begun to take her studies seriously because she thinks that you're responsible for the state of your half of the kingdom. She wants to be just like you. You running away will shatter the image she of you in your head," Santana said immediately, watching as his frown deepened. "And I wouldn't get over it."

"No fair, using our children against me, I don't want to be King. The sound of it. King Charlie! I sound like a boy king."

"Good thing you'll be known as King Charles of—" Santana began only to be interrupted by Charlie pressing his lips against her lips. She kisses him back, his full title made him feel anxious. Like all that responsibility was going to suffocate him. "You'll always be Charlie to me," she finishes.

"I was always supposed to be a Prince, Santana. I was never the heir presumptive. I had freedom, and I had zero responsibilities. I was popular with the people. The children could make fun of me even though they adored me. Now I'm going to go grey and grow fat. Perhaps I'll grow a beard, that should hide my fat."

Santana bit her lip laughing, "Of course it was your vanity, that stopped you from wanting to become Emperor. Do not worry I won't allow you grow as fat as your father." Santana said gently. "I can't believe Lucas was willing to abdicate his half for you."

"He's jealous of me." Charlie frowned slightly. "He loves Rachel, he will always love Rachel, but she is not like you. She is not his partner, he has to shoulder the burden alone. I have you, and you are just as popular to the people as I am. The people would probably riot tonight if you weren't beside me this evening getting crowned with me as Queen. I think they've figured out you're the one to thank for all the rapid advancements. The increase of doctors and healers, the fact that their children can become more. They can hire people they can own land, the nobles on the other hand—"

"I know, Brittany has told me that they're in an uproar about these recent developments. Your father's health has taken a turn for the worse, and they never expected that you would take over half of the kingdom. They are also unsure about how popular you are, and the fact that Lucas has shown no interest in vying for this half of the kingdom worries them. That's why we must show a united front, and you must remind them who you are."

Charlie sighed and smiled, "Fine, I'll do this. I'll even smile, if you say one thing to me."

"And what's that?" Santana questioned.

"We've been married for nearly ten years Santana and never once you've never declared your love for me," Charlie said looking for her. I'm going to be miserable doing this but I would do it for you in a heartbeat, but I would like to know that you're not using me to become Queen and plan to off me after an appropriate time. I need to know that you love me."

"I do plan on killing you after an appropriate length of time," Santana teased, but when he frowned she sighs. "How could you not know. I gave you two children, I nearly let you talk me into a third one." Santana sighs. "I sleep with you every night; how could you not think that I adore you. That I—" the words die in her mouth. And she realizes that he's right. "Have I really never said it before?"

"Never once." Charlie sighed. He had heard her whisper it to their children, and he knew that she probably loved him but he'd like to hear it once. To know, even if it was a lie. He was giving up part of his dreams for Santana, and even if she didn't he adored her, he loved her.

"I—" Santana sighs. "There's a part of me that hates you. I suppose it's rather unfair, but you did force me to marry you. There's a very small part that feels like you took away some of my choice, not that I had very many options at the time. But look at everything we've accomplished. We have two beautiful children, a thriving kingdom and you're about to become a king. You took this responsibility because I wished to be Queen. I don't know what my life would have been like if I hadn't met you, I'd probably still be living with my parents, all alone. So, in a way you rescued me, and I do love you. How could I not?"

Charlie smiled relaxing, "I love you too," he says leaning forward to kiss her. He wraps his arms around her waist for a moment and flashes her an amused smile. "Even if you are trying to kill me. Get ready, you're going to be crowned as their Queen."

Santana nods, and kisses him one more time. "Don't make me come and get you. No running away."

Charlie sighed, she knew him so well. "I do not fear anything."

"Nonsense, you've already burned up all of Isabel's marriage proposals, you're afraid she's going to leave you." Santana teased as she pulled away from him. She gently swats his ass, as she walks out.