Red & White

twenty eight.

One phase Prince Harry Styles thought he would never, ever be glued in was the "Post Engagement Bliss." This was titled by him many years ago when he rolled his eyes at couples in the streets of his kingdom, cuddled up together in their own bubble.

But alas, he was now in this stage.

The biggest surprise? Harry was enjoying it.

He enjoyed looking forward to coming back to the General's mansion to see Leah again. He enjoyed the mindless chatter with her in their room. He enjoyed just simply being with the girl who told him, "Yes."

The girl gleefully agreed to marry him that day in the wilderness. A proposal was the last thing she thought he was going to do, but honestly, he just was as surprised. The Prince knew he had to propose to Leah during the trip, but he genuinely didn't plan on doing it that day. Just in that moment, sitting there with her, birds chirping in their ears, Harry couldn't have thought of a better time to ask her.

"I promise to get you a proper ring when we get home," he had promised her when she clung to his chest in happiness that afternoon.

"I don't care about a silly ring. You're all I care about," she had replied, her voice muffled by his woolen jacket.

He had chuckled at her, but mentally noted that he really did have to get her a ring. It was only right.

A ring, Harry mentally thought. Christ, I never thought I'd ever have to buy someone a ring.

Going into this relationship with Leah, Prince Harry planned to dispose of her once they got married. But for some reason, after spending countless hours laughing and talking with her, he did wish to marry her. But at this point in his life? While he was still young and free? Not particularly.

This is what his mother needed of him. If he followed his own way, he would be holding off the wedding for a few more years, but being a bachelor at twenty one years of age was not acceptable.

Besides, it was already through. They were engaged.

She was ecstatic. He loved watching her eyes light up when he would walk into their bedroom from a meeting. He could tell her first thoughts at the sight of him were, I'm engaged to Harry.

"Are you one of those girls who has had their entire wedding ceremony planned out down to the minute since they were ten?" Prince Harry teased her when they were sprawled across the duvet in comfy wear, relaxing after a long day in the General's home. This was day five of the trip and day three of being engaged.

"Not all all," Leah laughed in response. "When I was that age, my idea of a wedding was going to the kingdom's courthouse and signing a legal document. It wouldn't cost my family anything. And I was alright with that vision of my wedding. I didn't -and still don't- need a big, fancy ceremony."

He gaped at her. Prince Harry had never met a single lady who didn't dream of an extravagant wedding. But then again, he had never met a lady like Leah. She kept surprising him.

This newfound information warmed his heart. Leah wasn't asking for a fabulous ceremony with a large, creamy cake, or an elegant ball gown, or white, silky streamers in the chapel. She wasn't in this relationship for his social status. She was in it for him.

"Well," Harry cleared his throat after a moment of shock. "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but if you're marrying me, with the parents I've got you can bet there's going to be a huge gathering."

"I know," she smiled back at him. "I could care less how the wedding is designed, just that I'm marrying you."

He connected their lips for a sweet minute, tasting the breakfast fresh on their mouths.