Chapter 5: The place I would rather be
Cypher pulled her closer to himself. He place both his palm at either side of her face and he made her look at him.
"Hey, doesn't matter to me that you are a blacksmith's daughter"
As much as Clara liked to believe him, she knew it was difficult for a king to marry a commoner with losing allies.
"It matters, your father wouldn't have given us his blessing, Cypher. The Midland is not ready for a scandal involving the charismatic handsome Cypher Dumont, King of Lamek and the beautiful charming Clara Wade, daughter of blacksmith. This love story doesn't have a happy ending, Cypher"
His eyes always dimmed just a little bit whenever he smiles and Clara loved watching him smile.
"Attend the ball, Clara...Just attend the ball and leave the rest to me" Cypher told her.
he was talking about the royal ball that was going to hold in three days and King Cypher was mandated to announce his future bride, the future Queen of Lamek.
Surrounding kingdoms would be in attendance with unwed princesses and Ladies of noble upbringings. It was a ball like no other and most times, it wasn't open to commoners. it hasn't for decades.
"You know I can't attend, right? I don't have the dress or the title"
Cypher Dumont let go of her face for a minute to grab the sack on the table. He handed it over to her.
"What is this?" Clara asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Why do people always ask that when they can always open it and find out" Cypher sat on the old stool.
"Because the first time you gave me a sack, a huge rat jump right out of the bag" Clara gave him the look.
"I was ten years old, okay? and I was fascinated by rats. it was a phase and I thought it was romantic"
"Well, sobbing and hopping around like a toad while my sister searched my dress for the rat wasn't romantic, Cypher"
Cypher smiled and so did Clara. But he remembered more from that day, Clara let him hold her hand that day for the first time. It was a good memory.
"You have your mischievous smile, Cypher...if I open this bag will I see a big rat?"
"Maybe...but you trust me, right?" Cypher asked her
"Not when it comes to rat...You were a weird kid, Cypher Dumont"
"I know" Cypher laughed. his laughter sounded like music to Clara's ear "Do you remember that time I was around twelve and you were ten years old? I think was into..."
Cypher was interrupted by Clara.
"You were fascinated by rocks, then cattles, toads and birds like I said... Cypher Dumont, you were..."
it was Cypher's time to interrupt "A weirdo?" he suggested to her.
"Well, yes but you were my weirdo and boom, you grew up and became fine. Now, every princess wants you"
Cypher stood up and kissed her right on the lips "I only want one girl. The girl that gave me a rock as a birthday present.."
"It was a good rock.."
"She also gave me a toad, when I liked them.."
"Yeah, sorry I later squish it by accident two days later..."
"Yes, you did and you replaced it again...this time around, I was the one that did the squishing. The point is, will you marry me Clara Wade, daughter of Blacksmith?"
Clara was surprised. She watched his face to be sure he wasn't joking. And he wasn't.
Slowly, her face beamed up with a smile. She had been waiting for this day for a very long time. It was the reason she was almost twenty years of age and unmarried.
She simply wanted no other person that doesn't go by the name of Cypher Dumont. Someone that does not like rats, toads or someone that wasn't a weirdo.
"Oh my goodness, Yes! okay, I will marry you"
Clara kissed him and he hugged her.
"Now, open the sack"
"Okay. I will take the risk because I love you Cypher"
Clara opened the bag and screamed in horror. Cypher started laughing. He reached inside the sack and took out the rat.
"You should have seen your face!"
Clara calmed down long enough to clench her fist and punch him lightly on the chest "You are in so much trouble!"
"I am sorry, I couldn't resist it. And it's a fake rat. it's made out of wood. Here, check it out!" Cypher presented the craved rat to her.
She took it and smiled. "So, my big present is a wooden rat...yay!"
"Oh come on, that was my funny joke...no, you real gift is..." Cypher reached inside the bag and took out a dress. A red dress that made Clara's eyes widen.
"It's...so beautiful"
"It's yours to wear to the ball. Every one will see what I see everyday whenever I look at you, Clara Wade...the perfect woman"
"How did I get so lucky?" Clara asked him as tears began to form on her eyes.
"You saw a weird prince that was into odd things and you loved him despite the fact that his head was too big"
"Your head was the perfect size and you look like a god now, so I guess I made the right choice after all. Thank you Cypher. I love my dress"
"I will walk you home" Cypher took her hand and they walked into the dark woods till they got to the blacksmith house. He watched as she climbed into her room via the window.
Clara almost made it inside when she fell on her back. Cypher rushed to the window to find her on the floor, laughing.
"I see you made it. You need to work on your window climbing skill, darling"
Clara kept laughing but she used her palm to cover her mouth.
"Go away, your highness before my father finds both of us and glares at you while calling you his Highness" Clara knew how uncomfortable her father was towards her friendship with Cypher. He considered it improper.
"Okay, Good night Clara Wade"
"Good night Cypher Dumont"