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The family of royals gather outside to wait for Prince Robert's arrival.
Queen Cateline clings to her daughter's palm as her nervous face is easily read.
The royal carriages fastly come into view as the copious amount of horses drags them along with fatigued neighs. The melodies of trumpets float into the air as the prince is welcomed and announced.
His long, chestnut boots dig into the gravel as he separates himself from the tiny carriage eager to stretch his legs and greet the Bennet family.
Jocosa audibly gasps as the sun shines on the overwhelming beauty belonging to her betrothed, Robert Wood Althan.
His hair remains close-cropped just as she pictured in her flashy memory. She beams a nervous smile whilst she takes in the contrasting colors emphasizing the contours of his rosy complexion. The jewels and fine textures of his chosen outfit of the day only made him grandly beautiful in her innocent eyes.
His light freckles are almost easy to miss as she focuses on the many creases made by his dazzling smile.
As he makes his way across the cobblestone courtyard, he respectfully approaches the family as he bows. He straightens his nimble body he meets the eyes of Jocosa; a noble lady of grace and poise. The air is filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant murmur as he approaches her.
Robert gently lifts Jocosa's hand to his lips, pressing a reverent kiss upon her shaky fingers. After a quick greeting to the family for the sake of customs, Robert glances down to lock gazes with the young girl.
"Lady Jocosa," Robert's tone eases through Jocosa's pleased ears, "may I have the honor of your company for a stroll in the castle gardens? Time is precious, and I wish to make the most of every moment. As we have been away from each other for far too long."
"I-I do, I mean I would love to," she sheepishly accepts the sudden invitation. She slowly releases her mother's grip before turning to her reassuring eyes. The warm smile offers her courage as she is whisked away with Robert.
The grandeur of the castle slowly diminishes as they approach the blooming courtyard. Perfect scenery to ease the two royal minds as they find a place to begin their chat.
Robert spots the bench lying in their paths and invites her to settle on the wooden structure.
"Jocosa," he begins the nonexistent conversation before turning to face her. "Do you mind my saying your name, I wish to respect you."
"No, I don't mind. Not at all," she catches the trailing of his words quickly offering honest reassurance.
"Then I shall he continue," a smile quickly appears before he attempts to compose himself. "Jocosa, "I do apologize as my duties and obligations kept me away from not appearing sooner. Do know I fought my best though my father remains unhappy with my absence. I came to say after I received your family's letter, my heart sank. All our memories that I hold dear are no longer with you. It did hurt and I wanted nothing but to immediately return to our old ways. Before your disappearance, we were so close to marrying our kingdoms and our hearts. But then I wondered how you must have felt, all the confusion. I worried for days wondering what must have happened before you were found. Ah, I'm getting off track. What I came to say is I don't wish to lord this engagement over you, I want to respect your new wishes. Whether your heart still remembers me or not, the decision remains with you."
He begins to rise thinking she may want time to herself after his speech, but his steps cease.
Jocosa's hand flies up to grasp him, with prickling tears and an earnest smile.
"R-Robert the reason I agreed to accompany you to the palace gardens was because I remembered you, A memory of us in a field with wide smiles."
Robert's head bends as he silently smiles at the day he holds dear. The day they vowed their love to one another regardless of their arranged marriage.
"I wished to see if seeing you would make those feelings return. You seem so kind, so loving as your gaze in the memory. I wish to continue our engagement if you want to as well, I wish to not burden you."
"Burden? My love, as soon as I heard of your disappearance I wished to rush to your brother's aid to help with the search." He rushes to sit back by her side, "You can never be a burden, of course, I want to remain by your side. For as long as you'll have me."
She smiles as the salty tear slips down her delicate face, "You mean it?"
The sun reflects in his eyes as he reassures her once more, "Without a doubt." He presses his firm lips against her forehead before meeting her gaze with a sighing smile.
The that was once grey smoke in their hearts releases into a tiny, lit flame.