Jumping chimney sweeps. Here it comes. Ariane bit her lip and pushed her shoulders back, mentally bracing herself.
“I am in love with you, just as you must be in love with me since you broke my curse. When should we get married?”
Ariane stopped walking. I must have heard that wrong. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness. What did you say?”
Lucien rolled his eyes. “You can’t return to calling me ‘Your Highness’ just because I’m human now. And I asked when we should get married. I don’t have a preference, though I imagine we might want to wait until next year, as dead-boring as that will be. Mother would likely kill me if we tried to hold it any sooner, I think.”
It took Ariane a few moments to truly understand what Lucien had said. “Wait a moment, stop, stop, stop.”
Lucien raised his brows. “What? Do you want a summer wedding instead?”
“No. I mean, it doesn’t matter—that’s not what I’m talking about!” Ariane sucked a gasp of air in and tried to think. Unfortunately, only one sentence could make it through the murk of her mind. Lucien just proposed to me—in the most arrogant, assuming way possible—but he proposed!
When Ariane finally risked glancing up at him, his mouth was set in a slight smile as he watched her with softened eyes.
“This is moving too swiftly,” Ariane said. “We’ve known each other for less than three weeks.”
“You doubt your love?”
“No,” Ariane said.
Lucien’s expression smoothed over so he looked like a statue carved from stone. “Then you doubt my love?”
“Of course not,” Ariane snapped. “Though it is a little shocking as I know you are self-serving. You would never propose marriage out of something like duty just because I broke your curse. You would be far more likely to preen over it in a mirror at night, praising your own charm and good looks.”
“I do not preen,” Lucien said.
“You absolutely do—I’ve seen it!” Ariane snorted. “It is merely that this is all very fast. Yes, I love you, Lucien. But we’ve been chained together for the duration of the Summit. I think it would be ill-advised to forge a lifelong relationship off such a short duration.”
“Time or location isn’t going to change my feelings for you, Ariane,” Lucien said. His smile was back, and the warmth in his eyes increased as he caressed her cheek with warm fingers.
Ariane nearly leaned into his warmth but instead shook her head and backed up. No! I cannot let him swindle me with his sweet looks! I must be strong! “Yes, I can believe that. You are just as mule-headed as I am. The problem is our lives. You live in the palace—which I clean.”
“You’re worried because you are a maid? Why? It won’t matter. I’m the prince—who will stop me from marrying you?”
You will, Ariane silently thought, when you realize what that means. “You are right; I am a maid. I know the best way to polish wood and clean glass. I can clean a room so it is fit for a queen, chase spiders, and know the different ways to polish silver, brass, and gold. What I cannot do is run a country.”
Lucien blinked.
He’s listening. “I barely understand Loire’s government, much less know all its laws. Putting a child on the throne will do you just as much good as it would be for me to become your queen.”
“You can learn. You’re smart, Ariane. If you attend my lessons with me, I’m sure you’ll be a fast student. Besides, my father will live for a long time yet, and we will have Severin and Elle!” Lucien’s smile was lazy this time. He again stepped closer to Ariane and tried to slide his hands around her waist.
Ariane hurriedly skittered away from his touch. If I let him lure me in with expressions of affection, I’ll never get this out—and the sly fox knows that! “But Lucien, do you really think Loire will tolerate a crown prince and princess who both have to attend lessons?” Ariane asked.
This made Lucien pause. After a moment, he shook his head. “It will be fine. Father let Severin marry Elle.”
Ariane pressed her lips together. “Severin and Elle are not a good counter-argument. The King is already concerned about you. He will not give you permission to marry a maid as long as he believes you will not be a competent ruler.”
“And Severin was already a competent military leader and a brilliant tactician before he met Elle,” Lucien said, his voice neutral.
Araine bit her lip again as she peered up at his stony face. Do I comfort him, or is it too risky? Eventually, Ariane’s soft heart drove her forward. She placed a hand on Lucien’s cheek. “You are brilliant as well, Lucien, but you so rarely show it. You cannot blame your father for perceiving something you hide deep within yourself.”
Lucien stepped into Ariane—though he refrained from touching her with his hands and instead leaned his head against hers. “You saw it.”
“Because you were within arms-reach for days,” Ariane said. “It might seem unfair, Lucien, but he is king. He must care for the entire country—just as you will one day. He must make a decision based on the information you have shared with him.”
Lucien placed his hands under her elbows and leaned back so he could look her in the eye. “Then I’ll give him new information. I’ll prove I really do know what they’ve tried forcing down my throat for years and drop my silly classes. I’ll show him I can be a competent leader, and then I’ll marry you.”
As Ariane studied Lucien, taking in the earnestness in his eyes and his happy grin, her heart squeezed in her chest. The mere fact that he’s made such a suggestion really does prove how much he loves me. He’s willing to give up everything he strove to hide just to marry me. What does he see in me that drives him to this kind of brash action? Giving up his incompetent cover was not something Lucien would lightly suggest. He had spent years hiding.
Ariane struggled to swallow and not to cry—no one had ever loved her so passionately that they were willing to entirely change their lives for her. It was rather humbling to experience. But I don’t know that he understands what it will mean. “I am very honored you say that.” She was proud her voice barely shook. “But Lucien…have you really counted what that will cost you?”
Lucien tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
“It means you will have to rule. You will have to put yourself out and show that you are listening. The days when people expect less from you will be gone. You’ll be looked to for large-scale decisions. You won’t be able to write anyone off anymore by declaring you are bored or say you want wine—which I know is a distraction and a ploy you have managed to use against even Elle,” Ariane said.
Lucien slid his hands down her arms so he could intertwine his fingers with hers. “You’ll be worth it, Ariane. I love you. I don’t want to live without you.”