After All

Chapter 4: Proposal

The following day after his fateful encounter with Artemisia, Zane took his promise very seriously and made sure to get ready at an appropriate time. As he raced down the stairs, he ran into Omar and Samuel.

"Hey, Zane! What's got you in a rush?" Samuel asked as Zane passed by.

"It's nothing." Zane nonchalantly replied.

"Are you sure? Your parents told Emilia (who told me) that you came home late last night, and they hadn't seen you all day either." Omar explained.

"I just... needed to blow off some steam," Zane explained followed by a shrug.

"What kind of steam requires you to spend a night elsewhere?" Omar demanded, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"He spent it with a girl." Samuel crudely remarked, elbowing Omar in the ribs. Omar rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose out of cringe and frustration.

"Sam, there is no way Zane spent the day with-"

"He's right." Samuel and Omar paused for a moment, staring at Zane with wide eyes. They weren't sure if Zane was joking or not, however, the red tint in his cheeks was a dead giveaway.

"Atta boy! What was her name?" Samuel exclaimed, giving Zane a congratulatory slap on the back.

"Artemisia," Zane admitted.

"Is she pretty?" Samuel asked with wide-eyed curiosity, making it no secret that he had an affinity for beautiful women.

"She has nice eyes," Zane answered, trailing off as he became lost in thought over Artemisia's eyes.

"And when do we get to meet this Artemisia?" Omar teased, snapping Zane back to reality.

"Oh... uh... look at the time! I have to go... uh... study! Bye!" Zane exclaimed, sprinting down the stairs and out the door. Omar and Samuel exchanged a confused glance for a moment, wondering what had gotten into their friend and if this mysterious Artemisia had to do anything to do with it.

Meanwhile, Artemisia was in the middle of getting ready for her meeting with Zane when she was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Princess Artemisia? King Orpheus and Queen Bellona have requested your presence in the throne room." Artemisia rolled her eyes before obeying her parents' orders and heading towards the throne room. Upon entry, Artemisia noticed her parents were quietly discussing something until they noticed her arrival.

"Artemisia! Your mother and I have wonderful news!" Orpheus exclaimed, extending his arms towards her. Before Artemisia could ask about the news, Bellona had something to say.

"What are you wearing?" Bellona remarked, analyzing Artemisia's choice of attire with her disapproving eyes. Artemisia glanced down at her clothes but found no fault in her white shirt, brown pants and matching boots. She opened her mouth to respond but was silenced by another interruption from Bellona.

"No matter. Captain Broderson will have to make do with the state you are in." Bellona grumbled, dismissing Artemisia's outfit with her hand.

"Adonis? He's here?" Artemisia asked.

"Yes! He has requested an audience with the three of us. Although I can't imagine why." Orpheus explained, giving Artemisia a knowing wink. It took Artemisia a few seconds for her to figure out one possible reason Adonis wanted to see her and her parents. A giggle escaped her lips as she grinned from ear to ear.

"Don't act so childish, Artemisia. You know how unbecoming it is." Bellona critiqued just as the throne room doors opened once more. Artemisia turned around to face the door and sure enough, Adonis had arrived. He smiled upon meeting Artemisia's gaze as if she was the most important person in the room to him. Once he was close enough to the royals, his expression became more serious as he bowed before them.