Chapter 136: His Confession
"Would you like me to propose again, Princess Soleia?" Ralph asked. "I would, you know. Ten times, a hundred, hell, even until you possibly agree to make me the happiest man alive and marry me."
"Do you know what you are saying?" Soleia said. There was no one in the room other than the two of them, but her voice was no higher than a murmur. It was hushed, hiding the scandalizing topic as much as she could. "My wedding is to happen soon. I am married to your best friend and commanding officer―"
"We can run away to a different kingdom," Ralph suggested. "I can quit my post as the lieutenant general. I don’t have to stay here in Vramid. We can move to somewhere warm, somewhere greener―"
"And run for the rest of my life while my father and husband hunt me down?" Soleia said. It felt like someone had stabbed their hand right through her chest, took hold of her heart, and squeezed so tightly that she found it difficult to even breathe. "I am a princess. I have duties to my people. You, on the other hand, are an eligible bachelor who will eventually meet a fair share of women, one of which will become your wife."
She placed her hand on his chest with the intention of pushing him back and away.
"You will forget about me," she said. Her breath, however, was caught in her throat when Ralph placed his hand over hers.
He didn’t even sway, her strength seemingly having no effect on him. Instead, he remained rooted to his spot, clutching Soleia’s hand tightly against his chest.
"I cannot," Ralph said. "You may think this is an infatuation, Princess, but I must admit. I have fallen in love with you. Everything about you is like your name― you’re like a warm ray of sunlight that has brightened my world of eternal winter. Like a flower, I crave your warmth."
Soleia’s eyes widened. She had seen her fair share of bold proclamations of love — mostly in novels and words of gossip — but she had never been told of them. Even her husband had been so quick to leave her side, and when he returned, she was given the cold shoulder for most of the time.