A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I apologize for any grammar/spelling issues; I wrote this whole thing today and was editing my ass off to get this out before the holiday was over. Because everyone else's romance is steeped in drama at the moment, here is a cute* chapter of our uncomplicated faves: Kaden and Finnley. To be honest I just missed writing them and wanted an excuse to make them do cute married couple things. Hope y'all enjoy! (There is a little plot too, not to worry)

* until the last few paragraphs

Interlude Two: Date Night

The TV splashed pictures of color across Kaden's dimly lit office. Reporters' mouths moved but no sound came out. Kaden had to mute it because if he listened to another word, another soulless speculation that his daughter was hurt, that she was -

Office doors burst open. Kaden's head snapped up just as he tore his cufflink clean off his wrist. It landed with an ungodly loud thud on his desk.

"That was Auden," Finnley said as she walked into the office. She waved her cellphone in the air, exhausted but relieved. "She is safe and unharmed, back in Peña Palace with a full guard at her door. They think it was a few minority dissenters protesting the most recent tax increases, not the upcoming wedding."

Relief surged through Kaden like a physical jolt. He let himself relax, allowed the leather chair take his weight as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The past few hours were going to leave him with a terrible migraine. Tomorrow was not going to be fun.

"Someone needs to tell Hayden before she tears the palace apart."

"I already informed her maid."

God bless Finnley. What would he do without her?

"Did we make the right decision, letting her go to Portugal?" Kaden asked, more to the empty space than to Finnley. Not that he didn't value his wife's opinion; Kaden valued Finnley's opinion more than some of his counselor's. He just didn't think this was a question that had an answer. "Moreover, should Illéa be providing allyship and aid to a country in this much turmoil?"

Portugal seemed like such a safe bet at the time. On the poorer, less financially secure side, but not at risk of economic collapse in the next decade nor on the verge of war. Sure, Queen Amantia was a strange and somewhat crabby woman, but Kaden chalked that up to the idea of letting go of her only child. It was hard enough to agree to send Auden away. If she was his only...Kaden didn't think he would have it in him to part with her.

Now, Kaden had doubts. They would have come eventually, but he would have preferred later rather than sooner.

Finnley stepped behind the chair and rest her hands on Kaden's shoulders, squeezing lightly, as if she could work out all his second guessing.

"This was Auden's decision. She's perfectly capable of deciding what's best for her. And as for Portugal, their western ports will open up all sorts of trade routes, not to mention provide us access to their natural resources and technology. We could use a nation like that on our side."

Kaden turned in his chair and tilted his head up, looking Finnley in her beautiful, mischievous, heterochromatic eyes.

"When did you get so wise?"

"Hmmm," Finnley hummed as she kissed him, brief yet sweet. She pulled away but remained close enough to straighten his tie, smoothing her hands over his lapels. She spared a brief glance at his ruined jacket but didn't let her face give anything away. Kaden knew his wife; if he checked his schedule tomorrow morning, he would find an additional session with his therapist penciled in. "Let's focus on the positive. Did you see how happy she looked? I haven't seen her like that in years. And that prince, he looked just as taken with her."

"I know," Kaden managed to laugh and shake his head. "I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see. Who knew Auden could be so...?"

"I know," Finnley agreed with a matching smile. They both knew how serious and stoic their daughter could be. Despite the horrors of the day, it warmed Kaden's heart to see Auden so happy.

"I think they'll be good for each other," she continued. "Another royal couple the world can set their eyes on and give us some rest."

"Did we ever look like that?" Kaden asked.

"Oh, darling," Finnley laughed. "We were worse."

"I hope we still are." Kaden took Finnley's hand, pulled it towards him, and kissed it. The rest of her body came along with the motion, falling into his lap with more grace than expected.

The door blew open again.

"I just got off the phone with Sintra. Has anyone heard anything - " Elodie cut herself off as she processed what she was seeing. She blinked once, twice, then turned back towards the door. "Am I interrupting something?"

Finnley stood up and brushed her skirt down. So much grace, not an ounce of embarrassment, unlike Kaden whose cheeks were starting to rouge. It was a good thing he decided to keep his beard year-round. The salt and pepper strands hid most of the evidence.

"Auden is fine, just a few scrapes and bruises. Nothing a few good night's rest can't heal," Finnley said which calmed Elodie. She nodded and glared down at her phone.

"Peña Palace security promised they were looking into the security breach. They'll be informing us as new information comes in."

Kaden pitied the poor soul who got stuck dealing with a pissed off Elodie. She could be ferocious when she wanted to be, and securing her family's safety was one of the surefire way to get her claws out.

"Good. Your father and I are just so relieved."

"Is that what that was? Relief? I thought you were past the age of needing to put a sock on the doorknob," Elodie teased. Kaden narrowed his eyes at his oldest daughter while she rolled hers in response. "Come on, we are all adults here."

"I thought you had plans tonight. With Felix," Kaden said, refocusing the attention on Elodie before he had an aneurysm.

"He's...working," Elodie said, her tone changing to something clipped and bitter. Kaden couldn't blame her. Early on in their marriage, Kaden had missed dinners and outings with Finn much to his personal detriment. A happy life equalled a happy life, and Elodie did not seem happy with Felix at the moment.

"Seems like he is always working these days," Kaden said, trying not to step on any landmines. "Is there anything I can do? Perhaps call the Fleet Admiral and have Felix's duties lightened?"

"NO," Elodie said immediately, perhaps too quickly. Kaden was confused, even more so when he watched Elodie start to backpedal. "Felix loves his job. I would hate to have him give any of it up. He doesn't ask me to give up mine."

"You're the future queen. That's different."

"Not to him."

Kaden opened his mouth to reply, but was stopped by Finn. She squeezed his shoulder, drawing his attention, but it was the look on her face that silenced his protest for good.

"Sweetheart, it's like she said. We are all adults here. You need to let Elodie handle her own marriage."

In his heart of hearts, Kaden knew this was true. Elodie was perfectly capable of taking care of anything. But sometimes, when he looked at her, all he could see was the three foot tall little girl she used to be, arms stretched up so she could ride on her father's shoulders, eager to absorb any and every scrap of attention he could give. She used to rely on him for everything. Now, it seemed like she needed nothing from anyone.

Everyone needed the King of Illéa to solve their problems, to lower their taxes and fund their schools and fix their roads. Sometimes Kaden missed being needed as a father.

"Thank you, Mom," Elodie said with a pointed look Kaden's way, but it didn't hold much heat. "Anyway, there's a whole dining pavilion set up around back that Felix and I won't be using. Why don't the both of you save it from going to waste? It looks like you could use a break."

Last time Kaden looked in the mirror, the dark circles under his eyes resembled war paint. His blood was probably ninety percent coffee. A break was long overdue.

Finn looked at Kaden to gauge his interest.

"It's been ages since we've had a proper date night," Kaden said. He honestly couldn't remember the last time they went on a date.

"Too long," Finnley lamented, resting her head on Kaden's shoulder. She gave Elodie an assessing look, ever the concerned mother. "Are you sure Katy Kat?"

"Positive," Elodie said with a smile, ready to work. Kaden would wonder where she got that from, but already knew she took far too much after him. "You guys go, have fun. I've got this handled."

No one needed to tell Finn twice. She dragged Kaden out of the office before he had time to tell Elodie what was left on his to-do list. Not that it was necessary. Elodie knew his office just as well as he did.

They walked outside and into the gardens. Just as Elodie said, one of the pavilions was set up in a romantic dinner for two. A set table with two chairs sat in the center of the structure, surrounded by gardens lit with soft fairy lights. A bottle of wine chilled in an ice bucket off to the side. A centerpiece of red roses dominated the table, accented by tea lights and baby's breath. The china had been taken from the main palace, as had the red napkins and tablecloth. It felt far too intimate for a weeknight dinner for two.

No wonder Elodie was upset; Felix was going to regret missing this.

"Isn't this lovely?" Finn asked as she took a turn around the pavilion. "Elodie is such an angel. We raised her well."

"We don't deserve all the credit," Kaden said as he pulled out Finn's chair, pushing it in before taking his own. "There's a couple nannies and tutors we should send a belated thank you card."

"Good evening, Your Majesties," the butler greeted as his staff silently maneuvered silver-domed plates into place. "Tonight we have a sample of the best of Angeles' harbors: cream of crab soup, followed by salmon carpaccio with a side of greens and fresh bread, paired with a chardonnay from the palace vineyards, and finally finished with a lovely caramel and sea salt flan."

Kaden and Finn shared a look, surprised by the sheer indulgence of the menu. Neither of them were going to look a gift horse in the mouth, however. This sure as hell beat the late night coffee and protein bar waiting in the drawer of Kaden's desk.

Plates were displayed, trays arranged in the proper order, and the staff left Kaden and Finnley to their dinner. It was rare they got the chance to be completely alone, without disruptions from secretaries or children. It was a nice change of pace.

"Do you know what this reminds me of?" Finn asked after a spoonful of flan. Kaden shook his head and poured another glass of wine. "Our first date."

Memories of a younger version of himself, stumbling and awkward and trying too hard to be loved, resurfaced along with a younger version of Finn: blonder, hidden behind oversized cardigans, and terrified to open herself up to anyone. Golden-tinged memories, the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

"There aren't any cameras this time, thank God."

"I think I still have the pictures in a shoebox somewhere. We should get them framed," Finnley said with a laugh. "Goodness, I was so nervous back then. If that girl could see me now...I don't think she would recognize herself."

"I think she would," Kaden disagreed. "The spotlight suits you."

Finnley hadn't changed much over the years. They both had grown a little older, a little grayer, but despite the lines and wear and tear on their skin, they were still the same people at their core. If anything, Kaden thought Finn had only gotten more beautiful with time, coming into her own and making the best of her power and position. Their children loved her. The people of Illéa loved her. Most of the time when Kaden was with her, it felt like he stood in her shadow. There was no better place to be.

"Flattery will get you nowhere. But wine - " Finnley grabbed her glass and raised it in a toast " - now that will get you places." Their glasses clinked together. "Between all the traveling and Selection planning and The Hope Gala, I feel like I've barely seen you these past few weeks."

"How is that going, by the way, The Hope Gala?"

"Fine. Still in the beginning stages." Finn took a sip from her glass. "We might be doing things differently this year. I had some inspiration from one of Delia's Selected, someone who has participated in the charity before. He opened my eyes to a lot of things the committee was letting slip and reminded me that we need to do better."

Kaden wasn't surprised that a Selected had gotten involved. He distinctly remembered his Selected helping him thwart a coup. Part of what he had come to love most about the Selection process was growing and learning from so many different perspectives. Hopefully Delia would come to see, in time.

"I am proud of you. And grateful that you take so much on."

"Now don't go giving me a big head," Finn teased, swatting at his arm. "You know I do all this because I want to. If I didn't keep busy, I'd go insane."

"Josie hasn't been keeping you busy?"

"Since she's arrived, we haven't had the chance to talk much. I should fix that."

"I should do better as well. It's just, so much has happened..."

"We really are in over our heads, aren't we?" Finn asked with a wry smile, but Kaden knew they both wouldn't have it any other way. Boredom didn't suit either of them. Having a full house was when they both thrived.

"Maybe I'll include Josie in the Hope Gala," Finn continued, smiling into her wine. "Since we are set on throwing out the rule book."

"Lea is going to love that."

"Wish me luck in that meeting."

They both laughed. Then, Finnley shivered.

"It's getting chilly," she said, rubbing at her bare arms. The sun had set an hour ago, nighttime dropping the temperature drastically despite the space heaters. "The one time I leave my cardigan in the office..."

Kaden got up and walked behind Finn's chair, taking off his jacket and placing it over her shoulders. "Better?"

"Thank you."

Finn tilted her head up, an invitation for a kiss. Her lips were a little chilly and tasted of wine, but Kaden didn't mind. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before pulling back and tucking a stray white-blonde hair behind her ear.

"We should head in for the night," Finn said, and like always, she was right.

"You go ahead. I'm going to find the butler."

"Alright. I'll wait up."

One more kiss and Finn was on her way, tracking the lit path back to the palace, Kaden's jacket pulled tightly to her smaller frame. Kaden walked off in the opposite direction. He swore he saw the butler head towards the storehouse further back on the property. It was the only other place that would have kitchen equipment.

Gravel crunched under Kaden's feet as he walked. Chilly wind blew and goosebumps prickled at Kaden's exposed forearms. The wine had made him warm earlier. The chill didn't bother him when he gave away his jacket. Away from the heated, lit pavilion, the chill was more obvious. He would hate to leave food and dishes exposed to the elements overnight, but he was too old to go on a wild goose chase.

A rustle in the bushes made him forget all about the butler. Kaden would have ignored it, but a moment later, the rustling happened again, and again. It was too late for anyone else to be out. This wasn't one of Kase's elaborate pranks. He knew better. He wasn't even here.

Kaden should run. He should go back inside. It was probably nothing. But what if it was something? He should not follow the noise. Which is why, of course, he did exactly that. There was nothing to use as a weapon, nothing but his shoes. Not that they would do any good if it came down to it.

Still, he followed the noise, growing louder and louder as it ran through the shrubs. Why won't they just show themselves? Kaden thought. Suspense? Fear? Was it all a game?

It moved faster and fasted until finally, they ran out of shrubs out popped -

- a raccoon.

Kaden let out a breath and deflated, his arm reaching out to stabilize himself on a nearby tree. His pulse raced under his skin; his heart beat out of his chest. Kaden focused on his breathing, on clearing the spots of color from his vision.

A raccoon. It's just a raccoon.

You've lost your goddamn mind, man, he berated himself. What a fucking mess.

Of course it would lead him here: the graveyard. In the dark, the grass transformed into a sea of black, islands of headstones gleaming in the moonlight. The lights of the pavilion, of the palace, seemed so far away now, like tiny specs on a distant horizon. Generations of Illéas and Schreaves buried here. Of course he would come face to face with his father.

Kaden moved from the tree to stand in front of the impressive structure. When he died, many, many years from now, he wanted something far less ostentatious. Mark his final resting place with a tree, none of these marble monoliths, none of these names carved in stone.

As he pressed his fingers to the headstone, an electric chill ran up his spine. A familiar voice whispered in his ear, One day you'll be grateful it all burned.

Kaden spun around. No one was there.

"Your Majesty."

Another voice, this one less sinister. It came from the butler walking down the path. He held a flashlight, his face contorted in concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Kaden nodded and ran a shaking hand over his face.

"Fine." Lie. "Just thought I saw a ghost."