Chapter 17 - The Royal Proposal
The silence in the grand archive stretched for a long moment, filled only by the soft rustle of the autumn breeze against the high glass windows.
Lucy stared at the silver ring, her mind racing through every memory—from the terrifying night the crown whispered its dark secrets, to the damp darkness of the lower dungeons, to the bright golden light of the restored spire. She had spent her entire life hiding her gift, thinking it was a curse that made her an outcast.
Now, sitting here across from the king of Oakhaven, she realized it was the greatest gift she could have ever asked for. It connected her not just to the stones of the castle, but to the heart of the man sitting before her.
A bright, watery smile broke across her freckled face, a single tear escaping her eye and tracking down her cheek.
"If I say yes," Lucy whispered with a teasing spark in her eyes, "does that mean I still have to scrub the archive desks?"
William let out a rich, joyful laugh, standing up from his chair and walking around the desk to take her hands. "Absolutely not. In fact, I hereby officially decree that the Royal Archivist is permanently exempt from all cleaning duties—historical or otherwise."
He slid the delicate silver ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, radiating a warm, comforting magic that matched the rhythm of the newly liberated castle walls.
Lucy stood up, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. "Yes, William," she murmured softly against his coat. "A thousand times yes."
Outside the archive doors, Captain Marcus happened to be walking past. He caught sight of them through the slightly ajar door, a rare, approving smile touching his rugged beard. He gave a sharp, respectful nod to the empty hallway before continuing on his patrol, whispering quietly to himself, "About time."
May you like
Word of the royal engagement spread through Oakhaven Palace within the hour. By lunchtime, the entire castle was buzzing with excitement. The kitchen staff prepared an enormous feast of celebration, and rumor had it even the copper soup cauldrons were vibrating with celebratory joy.
The shadows that had haunted the royal bloodline for centuries were gone forever, replaced by the bright, unyielding promise of a new era.
