Finding Real Love

Chapter 14

"Yes, Edward, I would love too." I smile, and he jumps up, elated. "But, are you sure?"

"Of course! It will be hard, I know. But I love you far too much to let you go. If I had to, I would renounce my claim to the thr-" I cut him off with a finger to his lips.

"Just kiss me, Edward. Just kiss me." And so he does. This feels like it's sealing my fate. And, for once, I'm sure. This is how it's supposed to be. This is my life. I will change if I must.

We break away. "Edward, I will change if I must."

He looks horrified. "No! I love you for who you are. Never change. Never change, mon âme. Never."

I smile and he kisses me again. We leave the room and head up to the deck where Edward says he wants to make the announcement.

"Edward! Edward. Stop. Please."

He stops and looks into my eyes. "Yes, love?"

"We cannot do this yet. It wouldn't go over well. With anyone."

"That shouldn't matter."

"But it does. And you know it."

He sighs and nods. "I want you to be mine now, though."

"I am. I'm engaged to you. I'm yours. Forever, love. Forever."

"I know." He kisses me and I kiss him back. "I'm cutting the trip short." He mumbles against my lips. "I want you to be Duchess soon. And then my wife. All in one month."

"One month?" I murmer back.

"Yes." He pulls away, but leaves his arms around my waist, and I leave mine around his neck. "Come, I must speak with the Captain."

I feel the smile on my face fall and my lips twist with worry when I hear this. "How will I tell the Captain? I can't! It would break his heart!"

"Do you still love him?"

"What? No!"

"Then why do you sound so worried about one man's breaking heart?"

"I consider him a friend! I don't like hurting friends!"

"What about hurting your fiancé?"

"I - I - I -" I'm confused. And stuck. Backed into a corner, with no right answer. I love Edward, but the Captain loved me! I don't love the Captain, not like that, but I've broken too many hearts in the past two days. I don't want to break anymore.

"Adella, we don't have to tell him now if you don't want to. I wouldn't make you do anything you didn't want to do." He smiles down at me and I look into his eyes, and try and remember the question I was about to ask, but I can't focus; his eyes are too deep, too hypnotising. He remembers for me, somehow, "I don't have to give him a reason, I can just order it. I am the Prince, after all."

I giggle and I smile at him, basking in the attention.

<><><><>

"Oh, Adella!!!!!!" Exclaim both girls after the Captain announced our early return and ordered us to pack up.

"I'm so happy for you!" Continues Faith.

"I told you Edward was right for you!" Says Sephira. "I just knew it."

I blush and hide my face in the dress that I am packing.

"How does he plan on making it work?" Faith asks.

"He says he's going to make me a duchess."

"Ha. Told you." Continues the Princess, sitting with us because others are packing for her. "But of where? There isn't a duchy that's free!"

"What about Duke Lewin? Wasn't he just booted from his title?" Faith interrupts hopefully.

"Yes! You're right! Fabulous! I should really keep you around, Faith..."

"Oh, I could't do that. I'd have to be married off for you to see me regularly."

"Unless you were the new Princess' friend. Then Lady-in-waiting?"

"Oh, no. That's too much to ask."

"You're not asking it. As the fiancé to the Prince, I formally invite you to be my first Lady-in-waiting! If you wish, that is." I interrupt them in my best posh accent.

They both burst out laughing and Faith nods. "I'd be charmed." She agrees in her best posh accent which sets us all laughing again.

I close my carpet bag and lean against the side of my bed as I sit on the floor. After a few minutes of silence, Faith does the same with her bag and Sephira decides she should go supervise the packing of her things. Faith gets up, puts her bag on her bed and leaves, saying she's going to meet up with someone. I have a sneaking suspicion that I know who it is.

I copy Faith's actions, although I say nothing to the empty room. I open the door to the hallway and aimlessly walk the corridors.

I'm deep in thought when a pair of lips crash onto mine. I pull away. "Captain?"

"William, please." He corrects.

"Alright, William?"

"Adella," He kneels down and produces a tiny box. He opens it to reveal a silver ring with a small pearl in it. "Will you marry me?"

Oh good God. Not again.

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Ahahahahahahahaha!!!

PLOT TWIST.

I went there.

Silly me.

<3 Eve