"You don't have to whisper in my ear." I hostility said as he chortled.
"By the way, I would like you to invite to my palace to have dinner." he stands up and offers his hand.
"What for?" I put my hand on him then stands up as we walk inside.
"Just to get to know you better before our nuptials." he looks at me and I look at him back.
"I'll send myself again here later to accompany you."
"No thank you, King Levin. I have my butlers and a carriage as well." he stopped his tracks and goes in front of me.
"Just call me Levin, Your Highness. And even though I am a King, I'm still a gentleman for a woman whom I love."
Love?
"I'll call you by your name once we got married, Your Majesty. And stop playing games. We just met and you say you love me?" I said while giving him an irritated look.
"Hmm... It's okay if you don't believe me. But let me tell you this." he caresses my hair and then pulls something from it.
"You have a dahlia on your head" he smiles and walks away as he leaves me dumbfounded.
"Where did he get that?"
"Oh my, Your Highness. King Levin is so sweet." I heard Eliz said at the back then giggles as well as the butler.
"What is that? Some sort of magic?" I started walking while I lift my gown up.
"His Majesty is into you, Your Highness" my butler, Luca said.
"And how are you sure?" I asked.
"I, too, am a man, Your Highness. It's just that we all use different tactics," he responded quickly.
"And where did he go? He just left me here after he just said he is a gentleman?" I rolled my eyes in ire.
"Your Highness, what seems to be the problem? You look so furious." Eliz asked as I sighed.
"I don't know, Eliz."
I'm curious as well. When King Levin took me out of the throne hall, I suddenly felt achy.
"Perhaps, do you feel uneasy to His Majesty?" Eliz said.
I begin to think what's the possibility of my sudden enraged.
"Perhaps I hate that I would tie a knot with someone I don't love," I sigh as light footsteps approach.
"I left this from my carriage because I'm too excited earlier to meet you, Princess." King Levin came back with a blue bouquet of flowers.
"This flower is the hydrangea. I don't know what is your favorite flower. I only know that as long it is blue, you would love it." my cheeks burns up as he kneels down in front of me.
He proudly smiles at me, my heart pumps fast simultaneously when I notice a small shiny object that catches my attention. I heard a gasped from Eliz and Luca behind me.
Is he proposing to me?
I thought it was just a gift...
"Will you be my Queen, Princess Oceana?" he said while the bouquet of flowers, trying to hand it out to me.
"I-" I bite my lip, feeling tense about what's going on.
I ran past him after hearing Eliz call my name.
Once I reach my chamber, I call the handmaids to prepare a bath for me.
"Your Highness, what happened?" Eliz asked, panting from running to catch up with me as I sat down, covered in sweat.
"Eliz, I- I don't know how to react."
"Your Highness, it's natural to be nervous because this is your first time. You can answer him later, okay? And I'll go to Her Majesty to inform her of what happened. I'll be back in a minute," she said, bowing.
That was so sudden...
I don't know what or how to answer him. Even though we're groom and bride-to-be, I was not expecting a proposal.
Is it required? Or he just planned it out for himself?
I was still panting when someone abruptly knocks on the door.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is here," Luca said as my eyes went wide.
"D-don't come i-"
"My apologies, Princess" King Levin spoke.
"I didn't think of it. I just did it without Queen Cliodhna's authorization." I stand up and walk slowly to the door as I lean on it and listened carefully.
"Believe it or not, I've always wanted to meet you since I became the Crown Prince. But Grandfather just wouldn't let me. You've become my interest. I waited for years then I became the King when Grandfather passed away." I can feel him leans on the door as well whilst I started fidgeting my fingers.
"Now that I am a King, I'll make both of our nation stop the hatred to each other. Lead by you and me." I let out a silent sigh then one of the maids suddenly appeared.
"Your Highness, the bath is ready."
"I'll be there in a second."
"Go on, Princess. But please do come later at night for our dinner. I prepared something for you." I gulped my own saliva at his statement that made me nervous.
Is there another surprise?
"O-okay"
"And if you don't mind, if it's a yes, put the ring on your finger." I heard a crumpled sound from the bouquet and he places it down the door.
"And if it's a no, don't insert it and we will talk about it once you've arrived at my palace."
"Just give me some time to think."
"No rush, Princess. I'll get going now." I quickly opened the door and saw him already walking away.
"Luca, escort him until he gets in his carriage." I orderly said.
"Yes, Your Highness" he bows as he follows him.
I then close the door and begin to remove my clothes in preparation for a bath, carefully stepping into the tub and relaxing my body.
I look up at the ceiling, wondering and thinking what might be future holds once we get hitched.
How can I love someone who I just met? And he's the son of an old enemy.
Will be both nations got peace?
Or...
Will be my married life be happy?
So many unanswered questions that I want to be answered, sooner or later.
"I have to sacrifice myself. For Starnstadt."