I blinked at Leora, my heart skipping a beat. She had dropped the word so casually that it almost seemed like a joke. Marriage.
The thought alone felt like someone had taken a spark and set my brain alight. I should've been scoffing at her suggestion, brushing it off with my usual grumbling, but instead, I felt my face flush hot as an ember as the mental image of Aeliana in a wedding dress flitted through my mind.
Leora leaned forward, waving a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Ciara! I was just joking. No need to look like you're about to have a heart attack."
I swallowed, trying to ignore the ridiculous rush of adrenaline coursing through me. "I… well, yeah, obviously. Hilarious, really." I attempted to scoff, but it came out more like a nervous cough. "What makes you think I'm even thinking about marriage?"
Her eyebrow rose. "I'd say that look on your face is telling me all I need to know." She chuckled, but I could see her eyes narrow, studying me with that infuriating perceptiveness of hers.
I bit my lip, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. Part of me wanted to lie, play it off as another one of her jokes, but the truth was that the thought had crossed my mind. Not just once, either.
For the past few weeks, it had started slipping into my head at the oddest times – like when Aeliana would give me one of those soft smiles, or when she'd fall asleep beside me, her hand still entwined in mine.
"Fine," I grumbled, giving her a sharp glare. "So maybe I have thought about it. So what?"
Leora's mouth fell open, her expression morphing from amusement to sheer shock. She held up her hands, as if bracing herself. "Wait… are you actually serious?"
I rolled my eyes, though it didn't do much to hide the flush creeping up my neck. "Yes, I'm serious. Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Because!" she spluttered, struggling to hold back a laugh. "You're Ciara! The demon princess who swore she'd never settle down, who scoffed at love and romance! And now… marriage?"
I glowered at her, feeling like my cheeks were about to burst into flames. "People change. Besides, it's not like I'm jumping into it. We've been together three months."
"Three months!" Leora repeated, still looking as though she'd been slapped. "Oh, my dear, three months is hardly enough time for most people to think about a second date, let alone a proposal."
I crossed my arms, feeling my patience wearing thin. "Aeliana's different. She's… she gets me in a way no one else has. And if that's not worth holding onto, I don't know what is. She is my perfect match"
Leora studied me, her face softening into a smile that was equal parts bewildered and fond. "Well, you certainly surprise me, dear. I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be planning something so serious."
I swallowed, glancing away, the truth of it making my chest ache with a strange, unfamiliar warmth. "Look, I've even been… looking at rings. Just browsing, you know. Trying to get an idea."
Her jaw dropped again, and she actually put a hand to her forehead, as if I'd just told her I was sprouting wings. "Oh, you poor thing. You're completely gone for her, aren't you?"
"I'm not 'gone,'" I said, crossing my arms a little tighter. "I just… I want to make her happy. She deserves someone who will give her everything."
Leora's gaze softened, but I could see a glimmer of disbelief still lingering in her eyes.
"Well, well. I didn't expect to see my granddaughter getting sappy. So, are you planning on proposing this month? Is that why you've been acting so distracted?"
I shifted, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze. "Maybe," I muttered, brushing a hand through my hair.
"It's been three months, and… I don't know, it just feels like the right time. I want her to know I'm serious."
Leora let out a long, dramatic sigh, leaning back in her chair with a grin that could only be described as smug.
"Oh, this is better than any romance story. The infamous Ciara, so smitten that she's ready to tie the knot. You realize you're going to shock her to death, don't you?"
I scowled, though I could feel my face heating up. "She'll be fine. Aeliana's tougher than she looks."
Leora chuckled, clearly delighted by this entire exchange. "You're right about that. But even so, marriage is a big step. Are you sure you're ready?"
My gaze flickered to the window, where the sky stretched out in a pale blue, and I felt a pang of certainty settle in my chest. "Yeah. I think I am."
She shook her head, looking both amused and amazed. "Well, I'll support you, of course, but I have to admit, this is quite a surprise. Are you sure you're ready for the responsibility? Marriage means sticking together, even when things aren't all love and roses."
I shrugged, though I couldn't help but feel a thrill of determination spark within me. "Yeah, I know it's serious. But she's worth it. I want to do this."
"Alright, then," she said, crossing her arms, a small, fond smile pulling at her lips. "But you know, Aeliana's family isn't exactly normal. You'd be marrying into a whole lot of history and drama."
"Like my family isn't a piece of work?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow. "I think we've got her beat in that department."
Leora laughed, shaking her head. "Fair enough. Well, I wish you the best. But for your sake, I hope she doesn't faint when you tell her."
"She won't faint," I said, trying to keep my voice confident, even as nerves started prickling at the edge of my thoughts. "I've thought this through, Leora. I'm ready."
"Oh, don't get so worked up. I believe you." She leaned forward, a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes. "But just for my curiosity… have you thought about what you're going to say? How are you going to ask her?"
I paused, my mind racing as I tried to picture the moment in detail. "Well… I haven't exactly planned that part yet," I admitted, a touch of irritation creeping into my voice. "But it'll be perfect. I'll make sure of it."
She smiled, her expression softening in a way that made me feel oddly exposed. "You know, I'm proud of you, Ciara. This is a big step, and I couldn't have picked a better person for you than Aeliana."
I felt a strange tightness in my throat, but I managed a nod, not trusting myself to speak. Just as I was about to come up with a response, the door creaked open, and I turned to see Aeliana stepping in, her eyes bright with curiosity.
She blinked, glancing between us with a slightly puzzled expression. "What are you two talking about?"
I froze, my mind blank for a moment as Leora's words echoed in my head, teasing me about the proposal, about marriage. I glanced at Leora, who wore an infuriatingly smug grin, clearly enjoying every second of my discomfort.
"Oh, nothing," I said quickly, forcing a casual smile and hoping she wouldn't notice the slight tremor in my voice. "Just… family stuff. Right, Grandmother?"
Leora's grin widened, but thankfully, she played along, giving Aeliana a playful wink. "Yes, just a little family chat. But since you're here now, Aeliana, I think Ciara had something very important to discuss with you soon."
I shot her a glare that could've melted stone, but she just laughed, shaking her head.
Aeliana raised an eyebrow, looking between us with a soft smile. "Well, I don't want to interrupt. I just wanted to check if you two needed anything."
My heart thumped a little faster, and I felt a flutter of nerves twist in my stomach. I glanced at Leora, who gave me an encouraging nod, before turning back to Aeliana.