If Only My Heart Could Speak

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Parties weren't entirely Charlotte's thing, something the ginger had picked up in the years of knowing her. This led to the two taking a stroll through the practically empty garden, save for a few. Two of those being the pair's mothers. It was obvious to everyone say for the two involved that there were feelings beyond simple friendliness.

Though it seemed the two couldn't be denser to the other's feelings. So upon hearing her son plot to confess to the young lady, Ferdinand's mother simply had to jump on the chance to witness it. Along with asking Charlotte's mother to come along to help keep an eye on them.

Charlotte clung to Ferdinand's arm as he led her to the large fountain in the middle of the said garden. Though the gesture had no other meaning besides simply making sure she didn't trip over her poofy gown, it made Ferdinand's heart race. It wasn't like this was the first time they had done this. So why was he suddenly nervous? Why was he suddenly feeling rather hot? It had just been chilly, hence why his overcoat was draped over Charlotte's shoulders.

The brunette carefully let go of his arms before sitting down on the ledge of the fountain, sighing. She lifted the skirt of her dress as she began carefully removing her heels. "Honestly, I'm sooo glad we got out of there. Any longer and you'd have to carry me around." She joked, setting her shoes beside her.

Ferdinand let out a slightly nervous laugh as he sat beside her. "And I'd happily carry you, after all, I'm sure heels aren't very easy to walk in, I did watch you almost fall several times." He teased. Charlotte pouted as she gently shoved his side.

"Oh, hush! Says the man who wore RIDING BOOTS to a party!" She retorted.

"That was one time, and you were distracting me!" The two then burst into laughter, not a care in the world. Though once the laughter died down, Ferdinand seemed to remember the other reason he had brought the brunette out to the garden. He looked at his lap, his hands grabbing at his thighs as he went into thought about how he planned on doing this. It didn't take too long before Charlotte moved closer to him, placing one of her gloved hands onto his own gloved hand.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, looking up at his face. Ferdinand shook his head as he quickly looked at her.

"N-no! I mean, No, no, everything is fine, I was just lost in thought, that's all," He replied as he found himself admiring the way she seemed to sparkle under the moonlight. "Though I appreciate the concern, I assure you I'm fine." Charlotte nodded as she kept her hand upon his, before looking towards the flowers before them once more. At this point, not only were their mothers observing the two, but their fathers had also joined in on the observation. Though they weren't as aware of what was going on, simply that it seemed to be of some sort of importance if their wives deserted the party for it. Ferdinand followed her gaze as he pondered a moment. "Well... There is something that has been troubling me..."

Charlotte quickly turned her gaze to the ginger once more. "Is it anything I could help with?" She asked, curiosity and a tinge of worry filling her eyes. Eyes the ginger found himself lost in far more than he'd care to admit to anyone.

"Well, it's not really a problem, per se." He responded as he tugged on the collar of his dress shirt. Charlotte tilted her head, confusion written as clear as day on her face.

"Then what is it?"

Ferdinand bit his inner cheek as he stared at her. "How do I go about this?..." He muttered. He then turned towards her, gently holding her hands in his own. It was like nothing else existed and time stopped as the two sat there and stared at one another, waiting for what was to come. "Charlotte, I feel as though I'll die if I don't tell you this." He sighed, watching as Charlotte scooted closer to her. Their parents seemed to hold their breath as they anxiously watched the two. "I...I love you." He muttered softly.

He stiffened up a bit as the brunette went silent, his heart practically dropping out of fear he did something wrong. Their parents also feared for the brunette's response. It was only a moment before Charlotte burst into laughter as she tossed herself onto the ginger. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pulled him into her embrace. "Oh, you don't know how happy I am to hear that!" She chirped, looking up at him. "I was honestly so scared you wouldn't feel the same yet here we are!" She giggled

Ferdinand chuckled softly as he looked down at her, relief washing over him knowing she felt the same. A smile coated his face as he gently lifted a hand to cup one of her cheeks. His thumb began to rub her soft freckled skin as he stared at her eyes before glancing at her lips. "I know this may be a bit forward but... May I kiss you?" He quietly asked. Charlotte's eyes twinkled slightly as she nodded.

"Yes, of course, you can." She whispered ever so softly. He leaned in slowly, just in case she changed her mind last second. Though she never did, their lips met as he carefully pulled her closer.

But such a tender moment was cut rather short by the excited squeals of their mothers. The two quickly pulled away from one another, their cheeks becoming a tinted pink.

The two adult males sighed, though they seemed to have expected such to have happened. Charlotte's father then turned to Ferdinand's father with the smallest of smiles coating his lips. "Well then, it seems we will be picking up that discussion of an arranged marriage."He noted as he adjusted his jabot. The shorter noble nodded.

"And I assume we'll also be including them in the said discussion?" He asked only to get a hum in response.