My Wife is a Crown Princess

Chapter 6

The autumn air was crisp and fresh as Eric drove along the winding coastal road, the sun beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the sea. He glanced over at Sophia, who sat beside him, her hair tousled by the wind from the open window. She looked peaceful, her eyes focused on the scenery outside, though he could sense a quiet tension beneath the surface. She had been more reserved lately, weighed down by the impending return to her royal duties.

But tonight, Eric had something planned—something he hoped would remind her that, no matter what happened, they had a future together. He glanced at the small box hidden in his jacket pocket, his heart racing at the thought of what he was about to do.

"Where are we going?" Sophia asked, her voice curious but relaxed.

Eric smiled, keeping his eyes on the road. "It's a surprise."

She raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "You know I'm not great with surprises."

"This one, you'll like," Eric said, his heart thudding in his chest. He hoped she would.

Sophia's eyes softened, and she leaned back into her seat, watching the coastline unfold before them. The cliffs rose up dramatically on one side, and the vast expanse of the ocean stretched out on the other, waves crashing against the shore with a rhythmic power that felt timeless and steady. Just like how Eric felt about her—steady, certain, even amidst the whirlwind of her royal obligations.

After about thirty minutes, they reached the spot Eric had chosen—a quiet, secluded cove at the base of the cliffs, where the sand stretched out to meet the sea. The beach was almost empty, the only sound the gentle roar of the waves and the occasional call of seabirds overhead.

Eric parked the truck, his heart pounding as he looked at Sophia. "Come on," he said, his voice soft but filled with excitement. "There's something I want to show you."

Sophia's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but there was a smile playing on her lips. "What are you up to?"

"You'll see," he replied, stepping out of the truck and walking around to open her door.

She took his hand, and they made their way down a narrow path that led to the beach. As they walked, the soft, golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm glow, turning the ocean into a shimmering expanse of gold and pink. The scene was breathtaking, but Eric's mind was elsewhere, focused entirely on the moment ahead.

When they reached the sand, Eric led Sophia toward a rocky outcrop where he had set up a small blanket and a basket. Sophia gasped softly, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at the cozy setup.

"Eric," she breathed, turning to him with a look of disbelief. "You did all this?"

He shrugged, trying to appear casual even though his heart was racing. "I thought we could use a little quiet time. Just the two of us."

Sophia smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made Eric's heart swell. "This is perfect."

They sat down on the blanket, the sound of the waves a soothing backdrop as they talked and laughed, sharing stories and reminiscing about their time together. As the sun sank lower on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of lavender and orange, Eric felt the moment drawing near.

His heart pounded in his chest as he reached into his jacket pocket, his fingers brushing against the small velvet box. He glanced at Sophia, who was sitting beside him, her eyes fixed on the horizon, a soft breeze playing with the strands of her hair.

"I've been thinking a lot lately," Eric said, his voice quiet but steady.

Sophia turned to him, her expression curious. "About what?"