Will You Love Me? (A Medieval Reylo AU)

ƇӇƛƤƬЄƦ 18

Ƭhe next day, the castle was crowded with guests. They had all come to celebrate the beginning of summer. Most of the guests were royalty, nobles, or high-ranking military officers.

Ben was already beginning to feel nervous as he watched the guests arriving in fancy carriages and coaches. He stood on the balcony of the upstairs sitting room, looking down at the guests as they entered the castle. He had never liked celebrations like these unless his uncle came, but so far he hadn't seen him.

It was odd for his Uncle Luke to miss a royal celebration, but he was even more surprised that he hadn't come to his wedding. Of course, that had been planned at the last minute. Ben hadn't seen his uncle in years. He wanted a chance to set things right with him. But it would seem that he wouldn't get that chance, at least not on this evening.

He was glad that he would have Rey with him. At least he would have someone to talk to. All the royal guests ever talked about was official business, or they would compare their wealth. Each claiming to have the best palace, the most servants and guards. As the prince, he could top everyone but his parents in wealth and power, but such things meant little to him. Wasn't love, family, and friendship far more valuable? He had always believed so. Though he was a prince, he'd spent most of his life without the privileges of royalty, but he hadn't missed them. What he had missed was the love of his parents.

When he had almost lost those dearest to him, he had realized how truly valuable love was. If he could choose between all the riches that the world could offer and the love of just one person... Rey, he would choose her love without hesitation or regret. But her love wasn't something he could buy, if it was maybe gold wouldn't finally be valuable to him.

He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Rey. He couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped his lips at the sight of her. She wore an elegant blue gown, that fell to her ankles and had flared sleeves. The top half of her long brown hair was twisted and pulled into a bun, while the remainder hung loosely over her shoulders. She was so beautiful, he didn't understand how she seemed to grow more beautiful every time he looked at her.

She blushed as she noticed the way he was looking at her. Admiring her from head to toe, taking in every inch of her.

He swallowed hard and took a step towards her. "I have a gift for you," he whispered, pulling the necklace from beneath the collar of his tunic. He was nervous. Would she accept it this time? Would she see that he was giving it to her not to buy her love, but to express his own?

She smiled shyly at him, then lowered her head slightly so that he could place the necklace around her neck.

He removed the necklace and placed it around her neck, gently moving the strands of her hair that had been trapped beneath the leather cord. He smiled, unable to hide his happiness that she'd finally accepted his gift.

She looked down at the crystal, holding between her fingers and admiring it. The king and queen had given her several pieces of fancy jewelry. She had never really cared much for fancy jewelry or elegant gowns. But she liked the necklace he had given her, it was simple and rustic, a natural crystal tied to a leather cord. And he had made it himself, carried it for years waiting to give it to his future wife, it was a special gift. A gift that had come from his heart.

She felt guilty for rejecting it before. She knew that as the prince he could have offered her anything to try to buy her affection. But while this necklace was of little value in gold, it was very valuable to him... she knew that he had given it to her as a true sign of his affection.

"It's beautiful, thank you, Ben," she whispered.

A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.

"I'm sorry I didn't accept it before."