Chapter 40
Will you marry me?
It's been two days and Lydia has been avoiding her parents, she hasn't seen them and doesn't want to, though they are in the same palace. Lydia is angry at them but still worried, her friends know that behind the anger there is concern and worry.
The sun shines in the direction of Alysia's room. Lydia can be seen in Alysia's room, the team are all present and they are chatting the day away. Alysia makes a remark to ridicule Prince Kelly, they all laugh at it except Lydia who seems absent-minded.
Alysia: Sis, (she taps Lydia who gets shocked) Sis, your mind is distracting you, What is wrong?
Prince Kelly: Yeah, Lydia. Aly just made fun of me and instead of you laughing your head off as you always do to ridicule me, you kept silent like you weren't listening at all
Lydia: I didn't know, I didn't hear anything, trust me if I heard I would have laughed at you till you feel Shame
Prince Kelly: Yeap, I know (they laugh)
Postinur: On a serious note, what is wrong, Ly.
Are you still blaming yourself on the unfolding events? We told you before, it's not your fault at all. It's just the prophecy having its way
Lydia: No, not that. I wasn't thinking about that.
Alysia: Then what is it, Sis? Is it Because of what Uncle said that day? About you being old enough to get married?
Lydia: Yes sisi, it's about that. (Alysia holds her hands)
The worst part is that they are going to throw a party to find a groom for me. How disgraceful!
With all this beauty and ladiness in me, I have no suitor available. Even commoners are married already. Some are even pregnant. And me, the daughter of the great Duke, is single and would be seventeen in two months' time.
Even the Baron's daughter, who is of the same age is already married to a wealthy merchant!
Alysia: Stop comparing yourself to others Sisi, You are special and different so you need to have a special suitor.
Lydia: If I'm that special why didn't any man come to say, please marry me? or just even, hi, I love you?
I am cursed Alysia
Postinur: You are not cursed Lydia, stop saying that
Alysia: If you call yourself cursed then what am I? Triple cursed? I am cursed Lydia, I still am living. Not you that are not at all cursed
Prince Kelly : Or do you want to marry an old man? Hmm?
Lydia: If an old man comes right now, I will accept, I don't mind
Postinur, Alysia and Prince Kelly: What?!?
Lydia: I am that desperate
Prince Kelly: Excuse me, guys. (He walks out)
Alysia: Common sis, don't be like this
Lydia: My mom got engaged at her coming of age. Many women get engaged at their coming of age and then get married at their sixteen years birthday. Why is mine that different?
My parents might have been ridiculed or gossiped that is why they asked me to come home for a party. That's why they even thought of throwing a party to find a suitor for me.
As the trio were discussing, Prince Kelly went to his room and was waiting for something. Something he excused himself for, Something he knew would be brought to him by this time by a messenger he sent yesterday to get it for him. Something he has thought about and his mind confirmed his heart to do.
The messenger arrives with a box that holds that same thing that prince Kelly was waiting for.
Messenger: (knocks at Prince Kelly's door) my prince, I have brought what you sent me to make
Prince Kelly: Come in
Messenger: (goes in) Your royalty, (bows) I made the ring as instructed sir. (Opens the box) Diamond ring, as sparkling as possible. I found the diamond myself and made the ring myself.
Prince Kelly: That's good. The humble Goldsmith. It is as sparkling as I imagined it to be, the bag of gold coins and a sack of shillings I paid for the ring wasn't a waste.
Messenger/Goldsmith: You can always depend on me my prince. I can never and will never fail you.
Prince Kelly: Thank you. You can go now, safe journey back to Crystal kingdom
Messenger: Thank you, your royalty. (Hands the ring case to him and takes the box and leaves)
Prince Kelly: I am madly in love with you, Lydia. Marriage might not be a good option as we are in a battle with the prophecy but I better engage you before someone takes you away from me. You are mine and mine alone, forever.
I have to take this chance. I was ever scared that you wouldn't accept me since I am a wizard, having a witch's blood in me, making me half human and half witch. But I'm taking my chance now. It's better to try and fail than to not try at all. (He goes to Alysia's room)
Meanwhile, the trio were discussing Prince Kelly as he was talking to Goldsmith.
Postinur: Lydia! You shouldn't rush things because of what people say
Alysia: Yes. Besides you always wanted to marry who you loved, right? You always wanted and wished for a love marriage and not an arranged one.
Lydia: I even have someone I love right now. I love him but I never told him or wanted him to know. I don't want another heartbreak like the one of Duren
Postinur: We all have our share of heartbreak, Lydia. We just have to move on with it
Lydia: I know, but if the guy wouldn't come to say I love you, I won't tell him either, I'm not getting disgraced, not anymore
Alysia: Who is the guy, Sisi, tell us
Lydia: It's Kelly
Alysia: Wow, Kelly? Prince Kelly?
Lydia: Yes
Postinur: And the love is mutual
Lydia: Rephrase Postinur. I don't understand
Postinur: I mean, Kelly… (Kelly enters and the room becomes silent)
Kelly: Why silent? Didn't expect to meet silence here
Alysia: Just letting time pass
Prince Kelly: Well, (walks up to Lydia) Lydia, (holds her hands) There's something I always want to tell you. If your answer is negative please let it be mild and slow (Postinur and Alysia look at each other)
Lydia: Okay, I promise to go mild and slow
Prince Kelly: (puts one kneel on the floor) I love you Lydia. I have loved you since the time I set my eyes on you. I was confused at first but now I'm convinced. And I love the feeling of loving you.
Please, will you make me love you more and more, will you make me feel this joy continually by marrying me? I know I'm not good for you in any way but please marry me
Lydia:yes, I will marry you! (Postinur and Alysia clap, Kelly and Lydia hug each other)
Alysia: Kiss, I won't tell
Lydia: Spoilt brat! (They laugh) Let's go to my parents, let's tell them the good news! (They all left to tell the Dukedom and the king, except Postinur)