"Be my fiancé," the prince declared, his voice carrying an air of finality that echoed through the grand hall.
Barbara's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the unexpected proposal. She felt as though she might be dreaming or hallucinating. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words emerged. "I—I," she stammered, struggling to process what had just been said.
The prince's expression remained impassive. "Take your time to think it over. I'm not in a rush," he said flatly, his tone devoid of the emotion one might expect in such a serious matter.
"I do not understand why the prince would make such an offer?" Barbara asked, her voice trembling with suspicion and confusion.
