The Queen

Chapter Nine

He told himself necessity had prompted this visit. But that motive couldn't account for the sudden urge to straighten his tie and smooth his hair. Nor could it explain the sudden acceleration in his pulse as he tapped on her door.

And no way necessity could produce the surge of adrenaline at the sound of the doorknob being turned. As the door opened, his lungs stopped. Katherine stared at him with those big green eyes, her hair tumbling around her shoulders. "May I come in?" He managed to ask.

She nodded, completely confused to see the King standing before her. He hesitated, then flirtatiously whispered, "Uh, you still have my robe."

She chuckled, "Oh! Yes, I can see how that might require a personal visit."

He entered the room and shut the door with the heel of his foot — opened his arms to her and she curled up against him.

He held her close and kissed her hair. She could feel his warmth. He made no effort to take things further, trying to be content tonight with her proximity. She felt cared for. She felt safe. It was just what they both needed.

She embraced him so warm and tenderly that all of his broken pieces seemed to fit back together again.

He whispered a plea, "Just be with me. We'll figure out the details later."

He held her tightly, continuing on without giving her a chance to respond, "All my life I've done what was best for the Crown — for Gardonia — I never allowed myself to think of what I wanted. I always have followed the rules and diplomacy. But for just this once in my life — I want this moment to just belong to us. Just us."

He knelt down before her on one knee, she tried to stop him, "You're a King—don't kneel to me." He squeezed her hand and stopped her, "A King will only ever bow to his Queen."

She drew in a shaky breath as he continued, "My Kingdom needs a Queen — it needs you. I need you. You have changed my life in one night without even trying and I don't think I could ever tell you how much you already mean to me, but I couldn't imagine what things would be like if I hadn't met you. I know this is the craziest, quickest proposal in history and I know we still have so much to learn about each other — but we will have a lifetime together to find those things out, if you are willing to take this journey with me — if...will you marry me, Katherine?"

He opened a small case, displaying a beautiful blue diamond ring. She gasped. Was this really happening? Surely this was a dream. Concern washed over his face at the lack of her answer.

"Wow!" Was all she managed to say.

He grinned, "Wow is good...but I was hoping for a yes."

She smiled, "Yes!"

He rose and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Eagerly he captured her lips.

With a slightly shaking hand, he placed the ring on her finger. Then his brow creased and he frowned.

"What's wrong?" She asked, clearly see the change in his face.

He hung his head and sighed, "I hate to do this to you, but I have to ask you to keep our engagement a secret for now."

Confused, she studied him saying nothing. He grinned, cupped her face in his hands, gently kissed her forehead, and assured her, "You are the only one for me, Katherine. I'm not going to play the field if that's what you're thinking in that pretty little head of yours."

"Then why don't you want to announce your proposal and end the competition?"

He slid his hands into his pocket and shrugged his shoulders, "Expectations. Remember we talked about that? Just as there are expectations for you as Queen, there are even more so for me as King. From the people and the royal court. From the contestants and the press...even from the law itself. We have to see this through."