Page 135 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

“Perhaps if I had told you...”

His voice trailed off. His arms tightened around her as he stood and carried her to the railing. The Eiffel Tower came to life as he set her on her feet, light glittering across the iron structure.

“I love you.” He lowered his forehead to hers. “I’ve loved you for so long.”

Happiness spread through her, swirling through her chest and filling her body until she felt as if she could float. He cradled her face with such tenderness she couldn’t hold back a tear from escaping.

He swiped away the tear with a finger. “I suspect I’ve made you cry far too many tears in our time together.”

“Yes.” She reached up and let her hand settle on his cheek. “But love often involves tears. And I do love you, Julius.”

A harsh breath escaped him.

“Just like I didn’t know what I had done to deserve such loyalty from a young woman, I don’t know how I deserve your love.”

“It was nothing you had to earn, Julius. I gave it freely because of who you are.” She swallowed past the thickness in her throat. “I should have told you in Grenada. Should have told you what I needed from you, what I wanted. But I was too afraid. I accused you of not talking to me, and then I did the exact same thing. You offered me so much then, and I was so wrapped up in my own pain I could only see my own fears and not what you had overcome to even make that proposal.” She bit down on her lower lip, looked away. “I’m sorry.”

He grasped her chin in his fingers and tilted her face up so he could look her in the eye.

“I told you that day in the hospital that I was humbled to be the recipient of such loyalty. Today,” he whispered softly as he leaned in, “I am humbled to be loved by such an incredible woman. One who gives despite having so much withheld. One who can look at herself and what she needs to change, who wants to grow beyond her boundaries or the restrictions others place on her. One who I love deeply and who I can only hope will one day forgive me for holding myself back.”

The words drifted around her, beautiful words that made hope and longing surge in her chest so fiercely in that moment she felt like she could fly.

Except reality held her back. He might love her now. But what did that mean? A tragic parting like the princess and the newspaper reporter in the old black-and-white movie she had watched on repeat in the late hours of the night, where they had admitted their love for one another and shared a bittersweet kiss before the princess had returned to her royal life?

“Julius, I... I appreciate you sharing how you feel.”

One eyebrow shot up.

“‘Appreciate’ is not exactly the kind of sentiment a man wants to hear after he’s just professed love to a woman.”

“How about ‘I love you, Julius’?”

He nodded once, then suddenly released her.

“One moment.”

He disappeared. Flustered, she stepped away and moved to the balcony. She smoothed the skirt of her dress, focused on the lights of the Tower. Contentment settled over her, along with a peace that steadied her racing heart and brought a smile to her lips. For once, she was exactly where she wanted to be. He loved her. She loved him. She wanted to be with him. Whatever came next would come in its own time.

Footsteps sounded behind her. One deep breath, then another. She turned, ready to face him.

Her heart nearly burst as her mind registered that Julius was no longer standing but kneeling before her. In his hand lay the black jewelry box, the lid open and the speckled diamond gleaming with the rosy lights of a Parisian sunset.

“I’m not just asking you to become my wife, Esmerelda. What I’m asking is so much more, and it may be too much.” Love burned in his eyes as he took her hand in his. “Just as you were ready to move forward, to be your own person, I’m asking you to become a servant of the people of Rodina. A servant to the country and all that entails. It has its merits, yes, but it also has hardships. Being under constant scrutiny, having your every choice questioned.”

“You’re not exactly selling this proposal,” she said with a soft laugh. “And I’m nervous, Julius. I don’t know how to be a queen.”

“I am, too. But you are not only the woman I want. You’re the queen Rodina deserves.” His grip tightened on hers. “You love Rodina. You’re intelligent. You care. Those traits mean more than anything anyone else could have brought to an arranged marriage. I believe that wholeheartedly. Which means I need to let go, to let you carve out your own path when it comes to your role if you choose to accept it.”

Her eyes widened at the magnitude of what he was saying. That he would give up control, trust her to make her own choices as she helped him lead the country he loved, meant more than any ring ever could have.

The last weight hanging from her heart loosened, then fell away.

“Julius...”

“Maybe that’s not enough,” he continued. “But I can’t live with knowing I had the chance to ask you to be my wife, to be the woman I want by my side, and didn’t. I would rather move on knowing I took the risk, told you how much I love you, and you said no than go the rest of my life wondering what could have been.”

The seeds of hope that had been steadily growing burst inside her chest. Her smile grew until it nearly hurt, she was smiling so hard.

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