Robert led a blindfolded Gabriella through the palace gardens a few months later.
"Robbie, where are you taking me?" she giggled slightly
"You trust me right?"
"Did you bump your head as a child or are you naturally dense." she huffed. The came to the riverbank. and he removed his hands away from her eyes.
"Oh, Robbie."
"Do you like it?" he asked and she turned to him.
"I love it, i don't know you could be quite the romantic." he grinned coyly then looked back at the candle lit picnic
"Well I guess you bring out the best in me." He took her over and they sat down she removed her shoes and crossed her legs as they began to talk and eat, in that moment it wasn't King Robert and Duchess Gabriella it was just Robbie and Ella. After their meal there was moment of calmness
"Did you know growing up I was told never to want, never to expect not even hope to fall in love, or dream of it. It was my duty to pick someone pick someone right for the country, pedigree, education, the right person for the job and to hold my feelings. So I shut down my heart or at least i thought I did. Growing up with you was more of a challenge that growing up with Len."
"I try." Ella grinned he chuckled
"Even though you were more close to my siblings than myself and you berated and challenged me nearly every chance you got I still felt this protectiveness over you, and as we got older that feeling grew in to more and different but at the time the world and tradition kept getting in the way. I'm six years older than you, your my siblings best friend, my parents god daughter. So I backed off and dated others or was seen to be dating them. When I was on that Island I went stir crazy remembered things and saw people that weren't there. I could even swear that I could hear you having a go at me for something.
When I got back I couldn't wait to get back to normal but things weren't normal. Well not until you strutted in with off handed comments."
"I still sometimes think you might be a clone." she looked thoughtfully , he smiled softly.
"No matter what's going on you ground me, Ella. I love you for that." it was her turn to smile softly.
"I have something to ask you." he dug into his pocket and pulled out a box.
"Gabriella Brandon would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" tears softly rose up but didn't fall. She gave broad smile.
"Yes." she replied and held out her hand. Robert slipped on the emerald and diamond ring onto her finger the they kissed
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Gabriella walked into the dining room for Helena's birthday dinner, when she felt an arm slip around her waist.
