Summer had fully ripened, but within the royal family something else was also reaching its point—not just a faint feeling anymore, but something that could be seen.
Felt.
And… noticed.
George could no longer hide it completely, even though he tried to restrain himself.
The change was too obvious to those who had known him since childhood.
In one of the sitting rooms, the family gathered as usual. Light conversation flowed, though as before… not everyone was truly focused on it.
"George," a light voice called out.
Princess Maud of Wales sat across from him with an expression far too innocent to be trusted.
George let out a quiet sigh.
"What now?"
Maud smiled mischievously.
"I just want to make sure… are you still listening to us?"
Soft laughter rose around them.
George looked at her.
"I am listening."
"Good," Maud replied quickly. "Because we're beginning to worry you only hear one voice these days."
More laughter followed.
George remained composed, but this time, he did not respond.
Maud leaned slightly forward, lowering her voice.
"You know I won't stop, don't you?"
George gave her a sharp look.
But before he could answer, Maud added more softly, a faint sincerity behind her teasing,
"Besides… I want you to be happy."
That single line changed the tone. No longer just teasing—but something genuinely kind.
Across the room, Alexandra watched quietly. She saw that her son was no longer the same.
Quieter.
More thoughtful.
But also… more alive in a different way.
That evening, she spoke with her husband Edward.
"George has changed," she said softly.
Edward nodded.
"I've noticed."
"Do you think this is right?"
He paused for a moment.
"If it makes him happy… and if it is proper, then perhaps it is as it should be."
Alexandra did not answer immediately. But deep down, she already knew.
Mary… was not just a good match. She had already become part of their world.
But for George, nothing was simple.
Inside him, the conflict only grew stronger.
He respected his brother, Prince Albert Victor.
The memory was still too close, too real.
How could he step toward the same place?
How could he allow himself to love someone who had once been promised to his brother?
The question gave him no peace.
Mary sat among other members of the royal circle. George was nearby—not too close, but close enough that it was clear he had chosen that position.
Once again, Maud noticed.
And once again, she understood immediately.
She walked casually toward him and stopped right in front of him, blocking his line of sight.
"Interesting," she said lightly.
George frowned slightly.
"What is?"
Maud looked around dramatically.
"I'm just trying to figure out what is so fascinating in that direction… that you don't even blink."
George immediately understood.
He sighed.
"Maud…"
But she didn't stop. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, following his gaze with deliberate exaggeration.
"Oh, of course," she murmured as if she had discovered something obvious. "I should have known."
George said nothing.
And that silence was enough for her.
This time, Maud's teasing became sharper—but still playful.
"I did hear," she said casually, nodding toward the young nobleman speaking with Mary, "that Lady Mary has been talking to him for quite a while."
George did not react immediately.
"Of course she is. She speaks with many people."
Maud nodded slowly.
"Yes… and she looks quite comfortable."
That simple sentence was enough to make George go quiet for a moment longer than usual.
Maud glanced at him sideways, hiding a smile.
"You're not going to say anything?"
"There is nothing to say," George replied.
And somehow, that was the most revealing answer of all.
Maud let out a soft laugh.
"You truly don't see yourself, do you?"
Then, as if on a whim, she changed her tone—this time louder, just as Mary was about to leave the room:
"Mary, don't stay away too long. Some people here might start getting restless."
It sounded like ordinary teasing to everyone else.
But George knew exactly what it was.
And when he turned quickly toward Maud, she only smiled in satisfaction.
Sometimes, her teasing even carried something close to support.
Once, in a quieter moment, she said gently,
"You know, George… not everyone is that fortunate."
He looked at her, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"To find someone who makes you forget everything else."
No laughter followed.
George did not respond.
But that sentence stayed longer than any joke she had ever made.
That was Maud's strength.
She did not only tease him into embarrassment.
She pushed him until he could no longer ignore what he felt.
Every remark, every hint, every playful provocation… slowly brought him to a point where pretending was no longer possible.
And perhaps, without fully realizing it herself…
Her teasing became one of the small forces that finally made George brave enough to step forward.