our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

I can not wait any longer

Jack takes a deep breath to let go of any final nerves. Ava holds onto his arm. "It is just a dinner." She reassures.

"With your future husband, need I to remind you? I have never done this before." He sighs.

"Prince Declan of Wales, Princess Leonor of Aragon and Prince Thomas." The servant announces.

Thomas's eyes were glued on Ava's jade ones. He adorned a small smile.

Jack greets their guests alongside his mother with a respectful bow. Ava bows as well.

Kristin starts leading the guests to the dining hall, and Jack stays behind with Thomas.

"You have my blessing, your majesty."

"We will become brothers in law. You may call me Thomas."

Jack nods. "Please take care of my sweet Ava." He looks down. "She means the world to me."

"I will." He reassures. "I am building her a library. I have a shotgun being custom-made just for her, I want to give her the world and all the stars."

The Viscount smiles. "It is all I ever wished for my darling Ava to have. Thank you, Thomas."

The two men walk into the dining hall and sit in their respective places. Jack at the head of the table, Ava next to Kristin and Thomas beside her.

"My, these flowers arrangements are astonishing." The princess comments out loud.

Jack smiles. "It was my gardener who made them, your majesty. He is quite talented at his craft."

The food is served, and they all eat.

"Viscount Torrington," the eldest prince starts, "I must say, your family exudes a certain class I do not see present in Dukes, much less in other royals."

Jack looks at Ava and back at the prince. "It was our mother and father who taught us everything. If we exude such class, it is all thanks to them." He speaks from the heart.

"Miss Torrington," the princess calls her attention, "do tell me, what do you like about my son? I assume you are not marrying him merely for the status."

Ava clears her throat. "An Avery does not marry for status, but for love. It is our family tradition." She smiles. "Your son is loving, brave, and patient. He does not think less of me for being a woman. He sees me as an equal, and he encourages me to be better. I only wish I could do the same for him."

"You are quite eloquent, Miss Torrington." The eldest Prince comments.

"Thank you, your majesty. My brother has cultivated a special interest in literature in me."

"Tell me, what more can you do besides reading?"

"I speak five languages. I play the pianoforte, the violin, and the flute. I can do embroidery." They nod, seemingly uninterested."I hunt, and I fence. I can do arithmetic to an advanced level."

"She has great aim. Remember when she saved me?" Thomas adds excitedly.

"That is quite... unladylike. " The prince mumbles. "Yet you seem so proper." He seems conflicted.

"I am a sore believer that I can be proper and still do whatever brings me pleasure. Hunting and fencing bring me peace of mind." She smiles, content with their nods of approval.

Jack watches as Thomas takes out a small box from his coat pocket. He stands up and kneels.

"Thomas!" His mother gasps.

"Ava Marie, I can not wait any longer. You are extraordinary. Your jade eyes and raging intelligence have me bewitched. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Kristin covers her mouth as Ava smiles widely. Jack looks at his sister expectantly. His heart is beating so fast that he feels like he is one who is being proposed to.

"Yes. Of course, Thomas." She holds his face gently.

The prince clumsily takes out the ring and slides it on her finger. He presses a long kiss in her hand. "I love you with all my heart, Ava." He confesses.

Jack feels a few tears slide down his cheeks. He quickly wipes them as he congratules his sister.

"May we have a word in private with you, Viscount Torrington?" The princess asks.

"Of course, your majesties." He sets his cutlery down and removes the cloth from his lap. "Excuse us for a few moments." He announces.

He and Thomas's parents walk to his living room. A servant set some food by them.

"If it is about the dowery, I can pay it immediately, your majesties." He is quick to speak.

"It is about the dowery." The prince smiles.

"Seeing our son so... enamoured by your sister. Seeing how well you have raised her despite losing your father so early on..." The princess trails off.

"We do not wish for you to pay the dowery. "The prince is curt. "Ava is the dowery herself. "

"Our son was never too... passionate about things until he met her. As you may know, there is a slight possibility of Thomas becoming a king someday." The princess comments. "Having Ava's strong personality behind him is a bit... unstable."

"I can assure you she can make wise decisions." He reassures.

"It is her unruly personality we are concerned with. A future princess that hunts? That fences? It surely would cause some havoc. Perhaps you could speak to her and tell her she should...
calm down."

Jack furrows his eyebrows. Are they asking him to tell Ava to contain herself?

"You majesties, will you allow me to speak freely?"

The prince signs him to speak.

He takes a deep breath. "I refuse to contain my sister. She is not unruly nor unstable to your monarchy. She will be an example to young women. Ava will not belittle herself to play in some -"

"Jack, that is enough." His sister speaks up. Thomas was by her side.

"Mother, Father. If I do not marry Ava, then I will refuse to become king when Uncle George passes." His parents gasped at the ultimatum. "Ava will continue being the woman I keep falling more in love with every day. With no restrictions. "

"Thomas, you must understand the risk she -"

"The only risk she stands to the monarchy is the risk of being a queen. And when she does become one, she will change this nation for the better."

Jack clears his throat. "Perhaps we should all head back to the dining hall and have dessert. Maybe then we can discuss things more calmly."

"I do not wish to discuss anything else." Thomas crosses his arms. "Uncle George wants to meet Ava. I do not wish to disappoint him."

"The king wants to meet me?" Ava's voice is barely above a whisper.

"Yes. He has heard me speak of you, and he desires to meet you and the Viscount."

The siblings share a look of pure panic. They are meeting the king of England.

"Very well." Jack speaks up. "Do you still wish not to receive the dowery? It is fine if you decide to change your -"

"We shall not receive the dowery." Thomas confirms. "I want to marry Ava because I love her. I am merely following their tradition."

Jack gives the prince a small bow. "Your wish is our command. My mother would like to discuss more details with you all about the marriage, if it is possible."