To Be Loved

17 - Annalise

She really did it, she said yes. I thought after her mother announced the engagement. This wasn't right, she should be happy. It wasn't fair and I feel bad for not telling her this was going to happen.

I talked to some of my ex co-workers and danced with Rylee for at least two hours. I had yet to see Haven... I hope she was okay.

I was dancing with Rylee while feeling Rory's eyes on me. I wish he would stop looking at me. I tried to ignore it but every time I looked at him, memories of him and I filled my head and I was supposed to be having a good time with Rylee.

"Sorry, I need a minute." I said pulling away from Rylee and running to the throne room. It was dark and quiet. I sat in one of the five thrones and put my head in my hands. Gosh, could this night get any worse? I heard footsteps and immediately stood up, fearing that I would get in trouble for sitting in the royal thrones.

"Ann, can I please talk to you?" Rory asked, entering the room.

"Rory, please leave. I don't want to talk." I said, trying to remain calm.

"Ann, please." he begged.

"No, Rory. Just go away!" I said, losing my temper while trying to walk away.

He grabbed my arm to stop me, "Annalise, You have to listen to me...please?"

I looked into his beautiful blue eyes and mentally swooned for him all over again. He looked so hurt that I had to at least listen to what he had to say.

"Ann, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything I said. You mean the world to me and watching you dance with him, and having you leave...was heartbreaking. I love you." he said stepping closer to me. I looked down feeling tears fill my sight. He placed his pointer and middle finger under my chin lifting it so I had to look at him. He leaned in and whispered, "I love you."

I tried to resist the urge, but I wanted to kiss him so bad. Looking into his heartbroken eyes was like looking into a broken puppy. All was forgiven when his lips crashed into mine. He cradled my face and I soon melted into the kiss.

I ran my hands through his hair playing with the light brown locks.

Kissing Rory gave me hope and love. Rory's kiss was different from Rylee's. His lips were sweet and gentle, so were Rylee's but in a different way. There was no love or passion when Rylee and I kissed.

He sat down on his throne. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into his lap.

He seemed to think for a minute, "Ann,... marry me."

"What?" I was shocked. I literally just forgave him and now he's asking me to marry him?

"Marry me, please. We have known each other our whole lives and there's no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with." He explained.

He got up and walked over to the case that held all the crowns, tiaras, necklaces, rings, and just about anything else with value. I walked over to him.

"And how do you plan to marry me when your parents would never approve?"

"Well princess," he started, but stopped to place a gorgeous tiara on my head, it was gold but was covered in diamonds and had a few navy gems, "We can run away- just me and you. We would never have to worry about my parents and I could marry you with no judgement from them."

"Rory, we can't run away. You have responsibilities and the kingdom needs you-"

"No they don't Ann, I am worthless to this kingdom. Brookes will be king and even though she shouldn't have to, Haven is going to marry James and form an alliance. The kingdom has never needed me," he said.