Page 50 of Prince She Shouldn't Crave
He moved forward, towards her. His face beaming like sunshine lighting up the room.
‘I love you. I could never marry for duty, because it would eat away at me. I’d come to hate everything and everyone if I was forced to give up on the one person who showed me myself. Who made me better every day. Who brought colour into a world that had been grey. I’d give up everything for you, my place in succession, because you have my heart and no one else will do.’
She froze. Her brain simply couldn’t compute what he’d said.
‘I—wait. You can’t. Give upbeing King?’
‘If the only way I can have you is to give up my right to the throne, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll always choose you.’
‘But you’d be an amazing king. What are you talking about? I don’t understand.’
The corner of Gabriel’s mouth kicked up in a half-smile. It looked entertained, but also sad.
‘You would have understood, had I been the man I should have been. Treated you the right way. Fought my parents for you. But I wanted more time to sift through my feelings because they were so unfamiliar. I should have told them that, told you. Stood up for you, for what you meant to me. It’s my greatest regret that I didn’t. I treated you like your father did, whenyou’re a woman who deserves to shine, not be hidden away. You are not my guilty secret. You’re nobody’s.’
All her life, she’d been told to stay in the shadows. Not to talk about her father, to say she didn’t know, to protect him. To protect her mother. Now Gabe was here. Acknowledging what she’d once craved and dreamed of. Being recognised, being truly seen. Yet in all her dreams, she’d never dreamed of anything like this.
‘If I haven’t been clear, let me make it plain…’ Gabe said, walking towards her. Standing closer. So tall and solid. A man who could take her breath away. Who might even help her shoulder some burdens, as she’d helped him. ‘I love you, Lena. There’s no one else in the world I want. You already rule my heart. One day, I want you to rule my country by my side. You impressed methatmuch.’
The man she loved, a man who would one day be King, wanting her to be his queen. Saying he would give it all up for her.Her.She’d be thrown into the world’s spotlight. There would be no hiding any more.
Lena found she liked that idea, because it gave her Gabe.
‘I think I’m tired of hiding. I hid my past from you because I was afraid. I didn’t really trust that you wouldn’t judge me like others had.’
‘I hope you trust me now?’
She nodded. ‘I do.’
Gabe took another step forwards, the corners of his lips quirking as if he wanted a smile to break free but wasn’t yet sure.
‘Then, I’ll always work to honour that trust. Come join me at my sister’s wedding. Show the world what you mean to me. It seems you’re dressed for it.’
Her heart leapt. ‘Today?’
‘Is there a better time? Cilla did say I could bring a “plus one”, as she put it.’
‘Where would I even sit at the reception? I have an invitation to the ceremony but you don’t just walk into the formal lunch for family.’
‘You are invited. You’ll be with me. But you’re concerned…’
He reached into his coat pocket and slid out a mobile phone. Scrolled. Put the phone to his ear. Lena didn’t know who he was calling, but she could hear the murmur of a voice at the other end.
‘I know, I’m running a little late. I need you to do something for me. If I bring someone to the reception, make sure there’s a place for her?’
Gabe hesitated for a second. More. Lena’s heart pounded. What if the answer was no? Then Gabe flinched. Pulled the phone from his ear and held it out. Lena could hear the shrieking, which sounded exuberant rather than angry. After a few moments, Gabe put the phone back to his ear, grinning.
‘Yes, itisthe best thing but don’t get too excited. I haven’t heard the magic word… But I hope so, too. She just needs to know there’ll always be a seat at the table for her… Right. See you soon.’
He slipped the phone back into his pocket. ‘It’s done, if you want to join me.’
‘Who did you speak to?’
‘Ana, who passed the news on to Cilla, hence the collective and premature shrieks of joy.’
‘Are they premature?’
‘You haven’t said yes. I understand why you might be reluctant, but I can’t be clearer. I love you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to show everyone the woman who found me, who saw me. Who made me a better man. Who’ll one day make me a better king.’
