Disclaimer: All characters are owned by Pixelberry and I claim no ownership of them. Enjoy!
A shaky hand applied lipstick in the mirror. Her hair brushed the middle of her back as she moved. It was in loose waves, just like he liked. Her lips the color of dusty rose. She straightened and looked at herself in the mirror one last time.
She walked down the sidewalk to her old work, seeing Liam standing in front of it. His face was lit by the neon sign that hung above the weathered brick building. He stared up at it, and in the moment, she thought he looked like a child. He looked younger than he had in weeks. He looked filled with joy and possibilities. Her stomach did a nervous flip.
“Good evening Lady Riley. You look lovely.” He smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Good evening King Liam.” Riley curtsied at him.
“We’re not at court, no need for formalities. There’s no one here to judge you, except for maybe Bastien lurking in the shadows somewhere.” He chuckled. “Come on, I have something to show you.”
Liam grabbed Riley’s hand and they strolled slowly down a familiar path. They stopped at the dock where she took him the night they saw the Statue of Liberty together.
“Do you remember the last time we were here, Riley?”
“Of course I do.” She smiled fondly. “That’s when I took you on the adventure of a lifetime. Little did I know, it was only the beginning.”
“Indeed. So much has happened since then. I hope you haven’t grown to regret coming to Cordonia.” He grabbed her hand and tangled their fingers together.
“Never. It’s an adventure I’d gladly take again.”
“As would I.” He cleared his throat. “One of the things I wanted to discuss is that last night I asked Madeline to meet with me after the wedding shower. I decided it was best to end our engagement.”
Riley looked over at him with wide eyes.
“Oh. That’s big news.”
“Yes, it is. That’s part of the reason I brought you here tonight.” He nodded out towards the water.
Riley squinted into the distance, trying to make out a figure coming towards them.
“Is that…”
“That’s the boat you took me in to see the Statue of Liberty. That was one of the best nights of my life, Riley.”
The boat pulled up to the dock.
“After you, my lady.”
They started off into the misty water. A cool breeze blew off the river, sending a shiver through her. He wrapped his arms around her as Riley leaned into him. His heartbeat was strong and steady. The closer they got to the Statue of Liberty, the faster it became. It docked at the port and Liam smiled.
“Let’s take a walk.”
He led her off the boat to the base of the monument. They both stared up at it with appreciation. Riley flashed back to that night. The way Liam smiled at her. The way he was awestruck by the towering statue. The way his lips felt the first time they kissed and how she became lightheaded under his spell. It felt like so long ago, like lifetimes had passed since them. A grin had subconsciously spread across her face at the memories. She looked over at Liam to see him sharing the same expression. She knew he was replaying the same movie that she was in his head. He turned to her, moving closer.
“I will forever regret the night of the coronation. Giving that ring to Madeline and not you will always be the biggest mistake of my life. I never stopped thinking about you. Every time I stood up in front of a crowd, I had always imagined it was you beside me. You’re the queen Cordonia deserves, and I hope to be the man that you deserve. You’ve been an inspiration to me since the night we met. Since the last time we stared at this very place. You’re the most determined and adventurous woman I’ve ever known. I’d be honored to have you by my side. I have waited far too long to say these words. Riley, my love, will you marry me?”
He dropped to one knee before her, pulling out a ring box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal a beautiful princess cut diamond on a white gold band. His eyes were staring up at her, blue as the sky. Here he was, vulnerable as ever. He’d given up courtly etiquette for this moment, a task she knew was nearly impossible for him to do, and a careful smile on his lips. His blonde hair perfectly placed, despite the breeze quickly coming off the Hudson. His eyes twinkled with the New York skyline. She always imagined this moment. For months it was all she wanted. Him down on one knee. An ornate ring in a small black velvet box. It was hers for the taking. All she had to do was say one word and the world could be hers. A life filled with glamorous gala’s and the finest cuisine danced in her head.