𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

35

As the evening sky deepened, Syndril’s estate took on a magical glow. Soft lights illuminated the gardens, casting long shadows from the ancient trees, while the faint scent of night-blooming flowers filled the air. Inside, the Morganthe family was gathered in the grand sitting room, each one settled comfortably as the warmth from the roaring fire crackled through the room.

Lady Morganthe had insisted we relax and make ourselves at home, and I found myself wrapped in one of her thick, velvet blankets. The softness was comforting, especially after the day’s events. I was still adjusting to the grandness of Syndril, the family, and the way they welcomed me like I’d always been part of their world. I glanced around, feeling a sense of belonging that was new, thrilling, and slightly overwhelming.

Ava, Lady Morganthe, was seated beside me, her arm resting casually over my shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She leaned in, whispering anecdotes about Ezekiel and Eros as boys, her eyes alight with memories. “Ezekiel always had a stubborn streak,” she laughed. “But Eros was the wild one—always leading his younger brother into mischief.” She sighed fondly, and I found myself laughing along, feeling the warmth of family stories that had been kept alive through years of retelling.

Just then, Eros entered, taking his place across from us. He met my gaze with a smirk, an almost mischievous glint in his eye. "Mother’s exaggerating, you know,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “I was an angel compared to Ezekiel.” The entire room erupted in laughter, and even Lord Morganthe cracked a smile, shaking his head as if he, too, remembered the stories differently.

We settled into a comfortable rhythm, exchanging stories and laughter as the fire danced, casting a warm glow over each face. Eros launched into tales of Syndril’s royal family, talking of court intrigue, old alliances, and the occasional mischievous adventure. He recounted a story of sneaking into one of the grand banquets disguised as a guard, resulting in a comedic disaster that had us all laughing and gasping in equal measure. His energy was infectious, and any tension melted away as we were drawn into his vivid storytelling.

Just as the laughter started to die down, I caught Ezekiel shifting beside me. When I looked over, I noticed a certain intensity in his eyes, one I hadn’t seen before. He took a deep breath, stood up, and then, to my utter surprise, lowered himself to one knee.

A sudden hush fell over the room, and my heart began to pound. The warmth of the fire seemed to grow even stronger as my gaze followed him down, my eyes widening when he pulled out a small velvet box. Everything around us seemed to fade away—the room, the laughter, even the comforting presence of his family.

Time seemed to slow as my heart skipped a beat, and my breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened as I saw him pull out a small velvet box, revealing a stunning ring. The firelight danced off the gem, casting sparkling reflections across the room.

"Akira," Ezekiel began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "my Akira... I know I was an arrogant fool when we first met. I didn’t deserve your kindness, your patience, or the way you looked past my flaws. But you saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. You changed my life, Akira. You changed me.”

He paused, his gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. “I don’t want to spend another day without you by my side. Please, I’m begging you—marry me?"

I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me as his words sank in. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, but I could still see the sincerity etched into every line of his face.

His family, as if perfectly choreographed, sat in silent anticipation. Lady Morganthe’s hands were clasped together, her smile hopeful and radiant. Eros leaned forward slightly, his usual smirk replaced by an expression of genuine encouragement. Even Lord Morganthe looked expectantly at me, his eyes soft with approval.