Less than one kilometer away from the hospital, a convoy made up of five cars raced along the pavement.
In the backseat of the vehicle, Sophie anxiously wrapped her hand as Christina sat her comforting hand atop hers.
Sophie returned the gesture and then offered a gentle nod.
"Thank you, Christina."
"I wonder why my dear brother only wants us to visit him in the hospital? He should've also included Ana and Tiffania, they are also both worried about him." Christina said.
"I don't know but the way the Imperial Guard asked us to come sounded so serious," Sophie commented.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Sophie and Christina peered through the windows and saw a plethora of people holding candles, banners, and flowers. They placed it on the ground. Their hands were clasped and their eyes were shut as they mouthed a prayer.
The people looked anxious, tense, and solemn, seemingly praying for a swift recovery of the Imperial Prince, Alexander.
Christina's heart sank the moment she witnessed such a heartbreaking scene. She was glad that the people were hoping for her brother's condition.
Her eyes drifted over to Sophie who was gazing at the sight before them with concern written across her face. She probably felt the same emotion as hers.
As the convoy arrived at the main entrance of the hospital, Christina and Sophie stepped outside the vehicle and quickly entered the hospital, eager to see Alexander.
They walked down the corridor, passing by many people who looked equally anxious and concerned over Alexander. The two of them reached the room where they met him, lying on a hospital bed and donned in a patient dress.
Alexander must've noticed their arrival as his eyes drifts over to them and he weakly lifted an arm to wave to them.
Christina walked over to his side and gently hug him. while Sophie walked over to his other side and took his hand in hers. Tears instantly formed in Sophie's eyes.
"I'm so glad that you're okay brother!" Christina exclaimed with a slight sniffle.
"Yeah...I'm thankful too..." Alexander whispered as he winced in pain. "Christina...you're hugging me too tight," he chuckled nervously.
"Well...how could I not when my brother is laying here?!" Christina said as she let go of Alexander.
Alexander flickered his gaze to Sophie and gave her a warm smile.
Sophie just smiled back as a faint blush rose on her cheeks.
"I'm sorry for making you worry! My condition has not improved so much yet..." Alexander said as he moved slightly towards a sitting position. "But I think everything will be alright."
He gave Sophie a reassuring glance as if to say, "I'll be okay, I promise."
"We are all worried about you...Alex. To see you talking with me already assured me enough that you're okay," Sophie said.
"Well I'm not perfectly okay, I still have to undergo surgery to remove bullet fragments inside my chest," Alexander said as he rubbed the bandage on his left shoulder.
"Is that serious?" Sophie asked somberly.
Alexander shook his head. "No. The doctors assured me that I'll be alright if the operation is successful," he replied.
"Is that so? Then I'll pray to god so that the operation may go well..." Sophie said as she brought her both hands together.
Alexander couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his fiancé being so protective over him.
"How's Anastasia and Tiffania?"
"Well, they are sad that they couldn't come to visit you brother...why did you exclude them?" Christina asked quizzically.
"It's because it's still dangerous outside," Alexander answered. "I don't have the latest news about the perpetrator that is on the run. Besides, I have important matters to talk to you about."
"Hmm? What is it?" Christina tilted her head to the side.
Alexander grabbed her hand and enveloped it within his.
"Christina, you'll be the temporary head of state of the Ruthenia Empire while I undergo surgery," Alexander announced. "You will be responsible for overseeing everything from the administrative and military levels of the empire..."
"Wait...what? Me?!" Before Alexander could finish his words, Christina interrupted. "No! Brother you can't put me in charge of all those things! I don't even know how to..." Christina paused as Alexander tightened her grasp on her hand.
"Christina, listen...you're the only one I can trust here. You'll just listen to my ministers, they are reliable, I can assure you that. They'll provide you solutions to the problems we are facing right now and you'll just have to give them permission to execute those solutions..."
"But...but...I don't think I can...can do it," Christina stammered.
"Christina...I didn't select you out of desperation, I chose you because you're the only one I can trust and have the capability. You're smart and I know you will work for the best interest of our country. So...can I count on you?" Alexander begged. His voice was filled with hope.
Christina gulped and slowly nodded. "Y...yes...you can count on me," she whispered softly.
"That's good to hear...then you'll be meeting with my ministers in the next hour. That's all, make me proud."
Christina leaned forward and hugged him again. She rested her chin on his shoulder as she closed her eyes.
"I love you, brother..." Christina whispered lovingly.
"I love you too...Can I have the room for a moment?" Alexander replied.
"Okay...I'll see you later, brother," Christina said.
Christina turned around and headed towards the door. As she opened the door, she glanced back at Alexander one last time.
"I won't let you down...brother, I'll make the person who did this to you pay," Christina muttered under her breath with her eyes gleaming coldly.
Leaving the two alone, Alexander took this chance to speak with Sophie. He has something meaningful to say to her after all and this might be a good time for him to do so as it is uncertain whether he'll survive the surgery or not.
The whole conversation between Alexander and Christina was in the Ruthenian language. So Sophie doesn't have a gist of ideas about what they've been talking about earlier.
"Sophie..." Alexander called.
Sophie snapped out of her thoughts and faced him. She saw Alexander staring directly at her.
"What is it, Alex?" Sophie inquired.
He shifted uncomfortably before saying, "Listen...before I go to surgery, I have something I need to give you," Alexander said and grabbed something under his pillow.
It was a ring box. It's the ring that he wanted to give her on Christmas eve five days ago.
Alexander opened the box, revealing what was inside. It was a shiny diamond ring.
A soft gasp escaped Sophie's lips as she stared at the ring.
"Sophie, it was supposed to be my Christmas gift to you but I forgot because of work. Now I have the chance to give it to you again..." Alexander smiled sheepishly.
"Alex...what does this mean?" Sophie questioned as tears began to form in her eyes.
"We are engaged to one another right? For political reasons. Given our circumstances, marrying each other means bringing diplomatic ties with your country and my country. But that is not the case for me because I realize from the start, especially when I saw your bright expression while you were painting, that I've fallen for you. This ring is the symbol of my feelings towards you. I want it to be official."
Alexander paused for a moment as he gathered up all of his courage and strength to ask the question that had been nagging him ever since he realized his feelings for her.
"Sophie...will you marry me?" he said with a quiver in his voice.
Sophie stared at Alexander and blinked a few times before she started tearing up.
"Yes...of course, I will!" Sophie exclaimed with tears rolling down her cheeks.
A smile spread across Alexander's face as he grabbed her hand and slid the ring on her finger.
"I love you, Sophie!" Alexander said with joy as he pulled Sophie closer and kissed her passionately on the lips.
Both of them were unaware of anyone watching the couple. All they could focus on was each other and their mutual love and happiness.
Several seconds later, they let go of each other and stared into each other's eyes. Alexander smiled brightly and caressed Sophie's cheek with his thumb. He cupped her face as his thumb stroked her soft skin. He could feel his heart beating so fast against his chest which felt like it was going to explode from excitement.
But...
A man in a white coat suddenly entered the room.
"Sir...the operating room is ready," the doctor announced.
Alexander sighed quietly and removed his hand from Sophie's cheek and gently wiped away her tears.
"I understand, let's go."
That night, two promises were made. The first one is Christina running the country for him while he is gone and the second is Sophie marrying him not because of politics but for love.