Just as the entire hall continued to buzz with astonishment, King Shawn spoke up again, his voice filled with sincerity and affection.“Lady Catherine, I would like to officially declare to everyone that you will be my future wife and queen,” he announced to the court with a firm voice, his words resonating throughout the grand hall and his eyes never leaving Catherine's face. He held her hands sweetly in his after he spoke as if they were the most precious treasure in the world.The hall fell silent for a moment, the weight of his proclamation hanging in the air. Catherine's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding with a mixture of amazement and elation. Her heart swelled with pride as she stood by the king's side and faced the crowd. She was holding the bouquet of lilies in one hand while the other was intertwined with his. Just now, she felt genuine warmth from his voice, it didn't feel like he was faking it at all.Murmurs quickly rippled through the entire hall and one co
"Lady Catherine," he spoke softly, "may I have a moment of your time?"Catherine's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. She curtsied respectfully, her voice gentle as she replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. I would be honored." They moved to a quieter corner of the room, away from prying eyes and curious whispers."Let's take a break and rest for a bit," he said smoothly. She nodded and gave a small smile, feeling a sense of relief as he led her out of the big hall. She was finally free to breathe fresh air away from the prying eyes of the noble courtiers. It was as if His Majesty had seen through her and noticed her weariness from their continuous bombardment of questions.As they walked through the palace corridors in silence, Catherine couldn't help but admire the opulence and grandeur of her surroundings. She couldn't believe this place would be her home in a short while. She had never imagined herself in such a place, and she was still trying to wrap her head around
Catherine's cheeks flushed on hearing his question, realizing she may have misspoken due to how his handsome face twisted slightly with anger. But now wasn't the time to back down, she planned to open up to him as much as possible and understand the relationship between them this early before things get complicated. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. “I... from your letter my lord. I mean your letter was really formal, I just thought that maybe you only wanted me to be the queen because of external pressures and not your real wife.”Shawn let out a frustrating sigh as he leaned back in his seat. His gaze lingered steadily on her bright and lovely face. “I see”."Uhm... Yes. I mean, I've always admired your dedication and commitment to your people. You carry the weight of the crown with great responsibility. But I also understand that marrying for duty rather than love can be a heavy burden to bear for anyone.”King Shawn's brow furrowed as he listened i
"Of course, I'm ready for anything, your grace," she said, her tone confident and determined."Good," Shawn repeated. "So why don't we start with you skipping the formalities? Please, call me by my first name. We are going to be husband and wife after all," he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.Catherine’s cheeks turned a shade redder and she quickly lowered her head looking down at her hands. "Shawn, then," she murmured, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Shawn," she repeated, testing the name on her lips once more. It felt strangely familiar as if she had known him for much longer than she actually had. They looked at each other in silence for a moment before he spoke.“Great, sounds so easy, doesn't it?””Ah yes, your grace.” She said softly as she stared back at him then quickly noticed his smile change into a small and playful frown. “I... I mean... Shawn,” she said with haste. “Don’t worry, I know it might take a while to get used to it,” he said with a reassuri
“Ehmm... let's go back to the ball and have that dance,” Catherine said sweetly, breaking the awkward silence.“Yes.” Shawn held her hand in his as they made their way back to the ballroom. As soon as they stepped in, all eyes turned to them as if they'd been waiting ages for the pair. The room fell silent, filled with anticipation. Catherine felt a mix of shyness and pride as they continued to make their way through the crowd with fingers interlocked. She couldn't help but blush at the attention they were receiving from everyone.She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Shawn took her to the center of the enormous ballroom where the dance floor was located and pulled her gently into his arms. The onlookers couldn't believe their eyes. King Shawn had never stepped his feet on the dance floor of any royal occasion, talk more of dancing with anyone since he became king. He seldom participated in the grand festivities and even when he attended, he wore a bored face and leaves
Catherine was even more mesmerized as they entered King Shawn’s study, which was a total reflection of his love for knowledge and history. The dark-colored room was adorned with different shelves of books and artifacts from floor to ceiling. Each rack holds a collection of literature from various genres and eras. The aroma of leather-bound books lingered in the air, adding to the ambiance of the space. Catherine's eyes wandered around the study, taking in the grandeur of it all."This is a remarkable place, my lord. And you have such an impressive collection,” her voice was filled with awe.Shawn smiled, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "Books have always been my solace, and this place is where I gather my thoughts amidst the chaos of ruling my kingdom."Catherine nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have a favorite book, My Lord?"Shawn walked over to one of the shelves, his fingers grazing the spines of the books as he reminisced. "It's difficult to choose just one. But there
Finally, Shawn cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "Ahem," he began, regaining his composure. "Before you leave, Catherine, there's something I'd like to do. I want to introduce you to your newly appointed aides."Catherine’s brown eyes immediately lit up on hearing his words. She nodded, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Shawn. I'd love to meet them. Please lead the way."With a renewed sense of purpose, Shawn turned and gestured for Catherine to follow him. They left his study and walked down the corridor, the soft sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence. It was a moment of anticipation, both for Catherine and for Shawn, who couldn't shake off the mixed emotions swirling within him.As they approached a door, Shawn paused and turned to Catherine. "They're just inside," he said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "I've handpicked these individuals based on their expertise and dedication. I'm confident they'll provide invaluable support to you."Catherine
Catherine's cheeks turned a shade of pink as she reminisced about the enchanting evening. The warmth in Shawn's eyes, the gentle touch of his hand on her back, and the way he had made her feel like the most important person in the room. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him. "He treated me like a queen," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and affection. "He was kind, attentive, and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the night. We even danced together. The King was simply a perfect gentleman.” Her friends exchanged knowing glances, a playful smirk tugging at their lips. Vanessa nudged Catherine playfully. "Ooh, looks like our girl is smitten.” Catherine's blush deepened, and she glanced away, unable to hide her growing infatuation. "Well, we did have a wonderful conversation, and he even invited me to stay the night at the palace. But I declined." Catherine replied aloud, unable to contain her smile. The room erupted in a chorus of surprised gasps a