Page 48 of Viktor at Sea

Popping open the lid, I presented the Thostenson family ring to my future bride. The emerald gem shone brighter in the day than it did in the moonlight. Astrid gasped and pressed her hand over her mouth, in awe of the ring she would wear every day for the rest of her life.

“Astrid Victoria Skau, will you do me the honour of marrying me and making me the happiest man in all the lands?” I asked, not needing to hold my breath this time. Instead, I grinned at her stupefied reaction and eagerly awaited her answer.

“Yes,” Astrid giggled and wiped away a few tears she had shed. “I will happily marry you, Viktor!”

Astrid was bubbling with excitement as I plucked the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger.

A perfect fit.

“I’m glad we’ve gotten that out of the way,” Daewon chuckled as he helped himself to another boiled egg. “I’ve already announced your engagement to all of Jorvik. I don’t want to go back and have to tell everyone that the engagement is off so soon.”

Katarina groaned at his terrible joke, Astrid was hardly paying attention to anything but the ring on her finger, and I laughed.

I would have done this yesterday, but I knew Astrid would have preferred such an intimate moment to be kept private. I preferred it that way as well. Especially since Crosby was a part of the crowd yesterday. While I didn’t care about his feelings in the slightest, I knew Astrid didn’t pride herself on going around and hurting people’s feelings.

“Thank you for accepting,” I whispered and bowed my head over her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the back. I was certain that the heartfelt gesture was a tad bit too intimate in front of her parents, but I couldn’t bring myself to care right now. Not when I was on such a happy high.

I wasn’t just thanking Astrid for accepting my proposal, but for accepting me, as well.

“Thank you for not giving me any other choice,” she laughed, and I couldn’t help but join in. The sound of her laughter was melodious and music to my ears.

Like my very own siren.

This time, Astrid and I had no issues with sitting next to each other at the table. Instead, we sat closer than two non-married people ought to do and began discussing the details of our upcoming wedding.

“Do we need to invite all of Jorvik to the wedding?” Astrid groaned, sending a pleading look to both her parents.

“It’s too late now.” Daewon shrugged. “In all my happiness yesterday, I invited everyone. I can’t go back on my word now.”

“I know you’re not too happy about it, Astrid, but what’s done is down now. Let’s just focus on everything else and leave the invitations to me and your father, okay?” Her mother reached across the table to pat her hand reassuringly. Though, I didn’t miss the subtle way her fingers lingered over the ring, admiring it, and I couldn’t help but grin proudly at that. The small smile on her face told me she liked it, and I was happy to receive approval from her parents. I knew that family was extremely important to Astrid, and frankly, that was yet another thing I loved about her. It was always family first to her. To all of the Skaus. And soon, I would be a part of their family as well.

“Regarding the wedding, there was something I wanted to talk to you about,” I said, pausing to take a sip from some herbal tea to calm my nerves. Something told me Daewon wasn’t going to be a fan of what I had to offer. “I would like to pay for the entire wedding. As Astrid is to be my wife, I would like to start taking care of her from now. Starting with the wedding and everything that is required for it,” I said, turning to face my future bride. “Whatever you want, I want you to have. Just say the words, and it’s yours.”

Astrid sported an unreadable expression, and her parents shared a knowing look.

“That is a very kind offer, Viktor, and we thank you for it, but we cannot accept it,” Katarina denied, shaking her head.

“May I ask why?” I asked.

“You can start paying once the two of you are married,” Daewon told me, a small, approving smile on his face despite turning down my offer. “As Astrid is still living under our roof, it is our job, as her parents, to look after her and see to her everyneed. That includes organising and paying for her wedding. However, if you choose to gift her something for the occasion, we cannot reasonably stop you.”

“I understand and respect that, but I insist.”

“Well, if you truly respected us, then you would not say anything further and allow us to pay for our part of the wedding,” Katarina pointed out, her lips turned up in a small smile.

“I don’t know what you all are arguing about,” Astrid interrupted us, turning her nose up. “I have some money saved from my work at the school, so I’ll be able to chip in as well.”

“We’ll see about that,” Daewon snorted, and I laughed. There was no way we were going to make Astrid pay for the wedding. “Now, let’s stop talking about the expenses and talk about what’s actually important. Like what we want in the wedding.”

Just as Daewon had requested, the matter of money was dropped, and instead, the topic of dresses, location, food, and so much more began. It warmed my heart and filled me with joy to see Astrid so enthusiastic about our wedding.

It was so hard to believe that in less than two weeks, she would be my wife.

Mrs Astrid Thostenson.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Astrid moaned, and my cock immediately came alive. Except, instead of her swallowing my cock, she was swallowing the tastiest and most succulent chicken that the both of us had ever tasted.

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