Page 81 of A Royal Disaster
“I’ve spent my entire life serving the people of Valeria and I was taught that nothing was more important than duty, strength, and honor. For a long time, I believed that was true. Then I met you.” He reached up and caressed her cheek with his free hand. A shiver raced up her spine, and she melted into his touch. “You were the first person who saw me not as a prince, but as a man. With you, I find myself inspired to be the best version of myself. The last six months have been the best of my life, and I’ve fallen so madly in love with you that I find myself counting down the hours and minutes until I can see you each day.”
Lena swallowed, her voice thick with emotion. “I can think of worse problems.”
Liam flashed her a dimpled smile, and she swore she’d never complain about royal protocol again as long as she got to wake up to his beautiful smile each day.
“I love you, Elena. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. None of this,” he said, gesturing broadly toward the palace, “means anything without you by my side.”
Liam loosened the ribbon from Jinx’s collar and dropped to one knee, sitting the cat gently on the pavement.
Holy crap. Was he? No. It couldn’t be.
Her heart leaped into her throat as he held up the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. It had a simple white gold band and a pear-shaped solitaire that positively sparkled in the sunlight.
“Marry me, Elena.” He stared up at her with such love in his eyes it nearly overwhelmed her. “Marry me so I can spend the rest of my life cherishing you the way you deserve.”
Lena clapped a hand to her mouth. She was dreaming. She had to be. They’d only been dating for six months, and even that felt like a dream most days. Just to be sure, she pinched herself.
“Ouch!” she exclaimed, gently rubbing the angry red welt that was quickly rising on her forearm.
Liam quirked a smile, his eyes dancing with laughter. “What are you doing?”
“Just making sure this is real.”
“This is as real as it gets, love. Marry me, Elena. Be the queen I need to make this crazy life complete.”
Lena stood, frozen. In her wildest dreams, she hadn’t imagined this day ending with a diamond. But what was there to think about? She loved Liam with all her heart and she couldn’t imagine returning to New York without him at her side. He loved her without limit, and with him, she’d learned to love herself. She no longer worried about what might happen when disaster struck, because she knew Liam would support her with the same endless humor he’d shown from the start. Yes, they’d have to figure out the logistics, but if she’d learned anything this summer, it was that she really could handle anything—including a pissed-off queen—with Liam at her side.
Plus, there was theah-maz-ingsex. That alone might’ve been enough to convince her if she wasn’t already 100 percent all-in.
“Yes,” she said, shaking her head vigorously as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
Liam rose to his feet and she threw herself into his arms, crushing her lips to his. The ring slipped from his grasp and as he scrambled to catch it, Lena stepped on the hem of her dress and stumbled forward, sending them both tumbling right into the pond. They landed with a splash and went under in a tangle of arms and legs.
The water was surprisingly warm, but it tasted like ass and Lena flailed to the surface, sputtering and spitting green pond water like a cherub in a fountain—albeit with far less dignity. Jinx yowled at them from his spot at the edge of the pond, making it clear he didn’t appreciate their antics. When she turned to Liam, his shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.
“Well, was it everything you imagined?” she asked, scooting over to sit next to him, her hair dripping and her dress plastered to her body.
“It was perfect,” he said, pulling her onto his lap and brandishing the ring, which he’d miraculously managed to save. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
Lena laughed, completely high on endorphins. “You do realize I’m going to be the worst queen ever, right?”
“You’re the perfect queen for me.” He slid the ring onto her finger. “And I can’t wait to tell the world.”
Lena pressed her forehead to Liam’s and stroked his cheek. “I love you so much, and I’m honored to be the future Mrs. Stanley.” She grinned. “I might even get the T-shirt.”
Liam laughed and lowered his mouth to hers. He claimed her lips with the raw intensity of a man who would definitely be getting lucky when they got back to his suite. A flash went off near the edge of the pond and for once, Lena didn’t mind. She was living her best life with the man she loved and, even though it might not look like a fairy tale from the outside, she was going to get her happily ever after, dammit.
