Hugfia's 30 Day OTP Challenge

Day Fourteen: Marriage Proposal

It's Princess Sofia's 18th birthday, and Prince Hugo has a special gift for her.

Prince Hugo closed the outer door to Sofia's castle behind him, and paused with his hand on the doorknob. Princess Sofia sat on the top doorstep, and as he watched, he saw her shiver in a sudden cold wind that swept past them.

Inside, he knew, her family would be cleaning up from the little party they'd had for Sofia, Amber perhaps picking up the streamers from the small poppers he'd used to punctuate the ending of "Happy Birthday," with James helping her, and King Roland was probably snagging an extra piece of cake, even after he'd said he was full.

Or, perhaps, they were at the window, watching him as he sat down next to Sofia. He smiled at them, and waved. Caught, all four awkwardly grinned and disappeared from the frame. Princess Amber was last and Hugo saw her mouthing something that looked like, "Go on," before she was gone, too. It wouldn't be long, Hugo supposed, until they were back again.

Princess Sofia smiled when he sat down, and laced her right arm through his left, cuddling close.

"It's cold," she said.

"Here," Prince Hugo said, and moving his arm out from hers, he took his suit jacket off and draped it around her shoulders.

She put her hands in the sleeves and wrapped it tight around herself. Sofia sighed, and then said, "Oh, such a long day."

"I'm not denying that," Prince Hugo said, and then asked, "Did you enjoy your party?"

"Of course. It's just that, with everything, I mean, I like surprises but sometimes, they can just be...interesting"

"Believe me, I know. At least, we made it through, right?"

"Right."

Hugo raised his left hand, and caressed her cheek. Princess Sofia leaned into it, smiling gently. She laced her arm through his again and put her head on his shoulder.

Hugo said, "Do you remember when I said I had another gift for you?" He didn't wait for her answer, but continued, "Check my left coat pocket."

Princess Sofia reached in, pulling out a black velvet covered box.

Hugo took it from her before she could open it, but didn't open it himself. Sofia stared at him, mouth open.

The Princess started to speak, but he held up a hand and said, "Just, wait a minute, I know if you start talking, my speech will go by the wayside, and I really want to say this."

She nodded, her eyes bright.

He said, "I know I'm not supposed to ask you like this." Prince Hugo turned the box over and over in his hands, not looking at her. "I should have taken you out for a fancy dinner, a play, something like that, but it didn't seem right."

He opened the box, taking out a ring with a stone that glittered in the moonlight. "Simple seemed better."

Sofia said, "Oh, Hugo" and put her left hand on his cheek. Prince Hugo, looked up, eyes serious and dark.

She smiled, encouragingly.

Hugo took her hand from his cheek and put the ring on her ring finger. "I love you, Princess Sofia. What do you say? Will you marry me?"

Sofia bounced a little on the step, and then her arms went flying around his neck, drawing him into a hug. Hugo laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Oh, yes, definitely, yes." Princess Sofia gave him a smacking kiss. "Now, that, Hugo, was a good surprise."

"Better than good, I hope."

"Did I say good? I meant--wonderful."

Prince Hugo kissed her in earnest, and somewhere in the midst, he hoped that the four watching in the window were getting a good show.

They were.