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“No, I’m not hoping. I know.”

“And how would you know?” she asked. “All I have is how well my job was done yesterday. How well people see me perform my duties and the respect that gets me.”

“Do you not think you’ll have respect as my wife?” he asked. “Any who even consider not giving you the respect you deserve will answer to me without hesitation.”

Mirilla froze. Time seemed to stop as she struggled to make sense of what he’d just said, doing her best to determine if they were still just having a conversation or if he’d stepped into new territory with their relationship. “I… it, I’m sure that I… what?” she finally asked.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as familiar with Cruestaci mating traditions as I should be, based on who I’ve chosen to have by my side. I have no idea if there is a certain time frame, or certain customs that must be observed before I can formally ask for your hand, or if I should request permission from your family, or not. But I know that I want you. I know that when I leave here this time, I want you at my side, as my betrothed, or if we can do it that quickly, as my wife. I don’t plan on leaving you behind again. I don’t plan on spending each night lying in my bed wondering if you’re thinking of me, as I think of you. I want you at my side. And if I’m required to wait, then I will be making it clear to any and all who will listen that you are mine, and as soon as certain customs are satisfied, we will be married and you’ll be joining me, forever, wherever it is that we end up.”

Mirilla stood across the room from him, simply staring at him, speechless.

“Mirilla?” he asked after an uncomfortable silence.

She remained where she was, and a slow blink was all he got in response.

Bart set the platter down and walked over to where she stood. He got down on his knees and gazed up at her. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“I have so many questions,” she finally managed.

“I’ll answer them all.”

“Will I maintain my position here?” she asked.

“I know you worked hard for it, but as Chairman, I spend eighty percent of my time on the Unified Consortium Defense Space Station. At the end of my appointment as Chairman of the Board, we can reside wherever you wish. Earth. Cruestace, or any planet in between. Tell me what you want and we’ll make it happen. But I cannot be apart from you for extended periods of time. I just won’t be able to perform to my best capabilities if you are in one place and I’m in another, so my answer to you remaining on here is that it’s not likely.”

“Will your peers not look down on you because I’m not of your class?”

“Mirilla, there are no classes of people in my society. And even if there were, I don’t care what you did or do for a living. I respect you. I love you. All that matters to me is that everyone will see that you are my wife and equal if not superior to me in all things.”

She thought about it while he remained on his knees.

“Are you saying no?” he prompted. “Tell me if you don’t feel the same way and I’ll never bother you again.”

“No! I do love you. I’m just… shocked.”

Bart smiled. “Me, too. I never thought I’d feel this way.”

“Can we keep this to ourselves until your visit here is at its end?”

“Why?” he asked.

“I wish to give Sovereigna Eula proper notice. And I wish to advise Sovereign Zha Tahl of our plans. And I would like to tell my brother personally, rather than have him hear it from others. He’s all I have left. And I’d like to put people in place to continue my responsibilities so that they are not neglected when I do leave.” She stopped and focused on him. “When would we leave?”

“I must be back on the Consortium station in three days time.”

“Three days?” she asked nervously. “It’s not a lot of time.”

“Tell me how much time you need to prepare and I’ll make it work, Mirilla. But know this, if you accept me, you’ll never be alone again. I will not settle for being separated from you. I love you. I’ll protect you, and stand beside you always.”

Mirilla smiled at him as tears started to collect in her eyes. She nodded.

“Yes?” he asked excitedly.

She nodded still. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes. I just ask for time to set everything to rights here before we make it public knowledge.”

“Done!” he said, getting up off his knees and taking her in his arms. “You won’t be sorry.”

“I love you,” she said into the crook of his neck as he held her tightly in his arms.

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