I'm sitting in the library reading a book when I hear the neigh of a horse and I stand up to look through the window, gasping when I see Hayden hopping off his horse. Book forgotten, I all but run out of the library and when I reach him I try to calm my breathing and act like a proper lady "You've returned"
He smirks "I have. And I brought company" he nods to a carriage I didn't even notice as three men exits it.
"I'm sorry who are they?"
"Can we speak somewhere private?" He asks and I nod before leading him to the study and close the door behind us
"What's going on, Hayden?"
"My father was Duke Cordero Astor Vitello the third and my mother was Princess Valentina Hugo of Dalton"
My mouth falls open in disbelief "What? How is that possible?"
"When my father died, I so badly wanted to take over because it has been my dream for as long as I could remember." He steps closer to me "But then I saw you at a gala one eventful night and suddenly I had a new dream." He takes my face into his hands as his eyes roam over my face "I was pissed when I found out that you were engaged to Romero at the time and I felt hopeless. But then word went around that the king was in search of a knight for his wife and I had to choose. Business or the girl"
I let out a heavy breath "You chose me?"
He nods with a small smile "Of course, how couldn't I? I left everything behind to my brothers and I became your knight. It may seem like I did the most foolish thing ever but I knew you were worth it. I still know." My bottom lip quivers and he rubs his thumb over it "I got my title back, baby. It's Duke Hayden Vitello from now on"
I let out a laugh that sounds a bit watery because of the tears I'm trying to not let fall "So what does that mean?"
"It means that I am finally worthy of you, Soph. Only a fool would have a chance with you and mess it up, I am no fool." He slowly drops to one knee and I let out a gasp as he gently takes my left hand into his "Sophia Visconti, you're my best friend. My body burns for you, my heart beats for you and my soul craves for you. I am absolutely nothing without you by my side" I'm full on crying now I stare at him and he's smiling but tears are falling down his cheeks too "Will you make me a man amongst men and be my wife?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" I throw myself in his arms and we fall on the floor but we couldn't care less because we're just holding each other so tight "You have become my gravity that always held me down and I don't ever want to be free of your force."
"Fuck, I love you so much"
I almost startle at his words and how casually he said it but judging by the way how happy he looks, I know he meant to say it. And I mean it too when I say "And I love you"
"Thank God" he says with a laugh as he sits up with me and he takes a ring out of his pocket and I have to put a hand on my chest to calm my heart, because it feel like it might just burst.
Red Tourmaline.
"It's so beautiful, I love it" I say in awe as he slips the ring on my finger before pressing a kiss to my hand and I suddenly remember something and I glare at him "So you could've got your title a while back but just decided not to?"
He shakes his head "I knew you needed to heal first before just snagging you up again"
I hum "You're right."
"Of course I am" he stands up from the floor and helps me up too before pulling me against him "I can't wait to marry you"
"And I can't wait to marry you." I pause "Let's do it on Saturday"
He raises an eyebrow "This Saturday?" When I nod excitedly he shrugs "Fuck it, let's do it"
"Yes!" I smile in victory "Though it's going to be a small event because of the whole Lincoln situation. Just close friends and families."
"I can do that." He stares at my lips as he licks his own "Now can I finally kiss my fiancée?"
I smile "I'm sorry, your what?"
"My goddamn fiancée" he says before crashing his mouth to mine and I happily kiss him back. Perhaps everything will work out just fine.
"You can't marry him" Raya says the next day when I tell her about everything
"Why not?"
"Because you love father! You're not supposed to marry again if you loved him!"
I take a seat next to her "Sweetheart, you need to understand that just because I'm marrying Hayden does not mean I no longer love your father"
She sighs in frustration "I don't understand"
I nod as I think of a way to break it down for her "I love Romero but I'm in love with Hayden. There's a difference" I glance at her to see her watching me intently, listening to every word I say "I love your father because he was my husband and he gave me two of my greatest accomplishments in life. You and Junior and for that I will always be grateful for him. But with Hayden? It's different. Not only does he know me better than I know myself but I cannot breathe properly when I'm not close to him. When I'm in a crowded room, he's the face I seek out and when I don't find his face, I have a pit in my stomach that only loosens when I lock eyes with him." I sigh "I'm deeply in love with him"
She smiles softly "That's awfully beautiful, mother" she squeezes my hand "I want you to be happy and if it's with Sir Hayden then I'll respect that"
"Duke Hayden" I say with a laugh and she rolls her eyes with a smile because after Hayden claimed his title and made it official, he makes sure everyone knows now that it's 'Duke Hayden' "But thank you, it means so much to me to have your blessing"
She nods and we sit in silence for a while as we enjoy each other's presence before she sighs "What do you think it'll be with Prince Ronan and I? Love or in love?"
"We can't be sure, sweetheart and besides it's only in a few years. Don't let it get to you now"
"Yes. You're right, mother"
"Aren't I always?" She lets a hum as she drops her head to my shoulder.
That night myself, Hayden, Raya, Tyler and Hayden's brothers have dinner together and even though I'm happy, the atmosphere feels a bit awkward and I say the first thing that comes to mind "This is the first time in a long time that we're having dinner at a full table"
Everyone glance at me and Hayden puts a hand on top of mine "It'll always be full from now on if that's what you wish for"
"I do" I say with a small smile
He presses a kiss to my hand and we all startle when the door to the dining hall is thrown open and a guard hurries in "Prince Lincoln's army is here"
I'm immediately on my feet and Hayden grabs my arm before telling the guard "Tell the soldiers to get into position" the guard nods and leaves, Hayden turns to me "We're sticking to the plan, Soph"
I nod "Okay, be careful please."
"You too" he presses a quick kiss to my lips "I love you"
"I love you too"
He hugs Raya and tells her something in her ear to which she nods and he turns back to me "Go."
I take Raya and Tyler with me to the king's bedchamber and take the knife from dinner to remove a section of wood from the floor. I frown when I realise that all three of us won't be able to fit.
Shit.
I tap my nails on my thigh as I think of what to do but my decision is made when I hear the men's cries of pain from outside the castle, I glance at Raya and Tyler "Get in."
They get into the hidden spot without questions and as I move to put the wood floor back in place, Raya says "What are you doing?"
"There's not enough space, I'll find somewhere else to hide." Her eyes widen with fear and I say "You'll be okay, just stay here with Tyler and don't come out unless Hayden or myself come fetch you okay?"
She nods and I glance to Tyler "Please take care of her and yourself"
"I will" he promises and I give them one long glance before I put the wood floor back in place and I look around the room for somewhere to hide but don't find any so I let out a heavy breath and walk out.