Ulrica’s POV
“Don’t tell me you’re still sulking over the fact that your crush chose some cock over you?” I asked, my lips parting in disbelief as I watched Shayna continue to give everyone the cold shoulder. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing – the whole situation was just too ridiculous. How could she be so upset over something so trivial? I mean, sure, getting rejected by your crush is never easy, but it’s not like it’s the end of the world. There are plenty of other fish in the sea!
Everest groaned from where she sat, patting Shayna on the back. “Oh, please. That’s rich coming from you.” she scoffed.
“Don’t act all innocent. You chased after my cousin for years and didn’t eventually get him. You shouldn’t be acting all mighty, you know?”
I had always known Everest to be a grumpy, no-nonsense type of lady – if you could even call her a “lady” with the way she acted. But I never expected her to be so fiercely protective of Shayna. I mean, when did they become best friends? The last I checked, she barely even spoke to anyone like friends do.
I opened my mouth to talk but eventually closed it back when I didn’t seem to know how to address the issue on the ground. It was true that I chased after Prescott for years, but that was against my wish. It was my grandfather’s doing and I never for once saw Prescott as more than a friend.
“You know what your problem is?” I asked, dropping the tonic I was mixing for Dixon which his boyfriend would be here at any minute to take. Turned out Dizon would depend on grandfather’s tonic forever and I didn’t mind brewing the tonic for him as long as I lived.
A pair of eyes landed on me as I turned my gaze at them. Shayna glared at me with her face looking like a ripe tomato.
“Hey, take your flushed face off me, go show it to your crush I’m talking to Everest.” I glared back at Shayna, she shook her head before turning away.
“I hate you.” she groaned before placing her head on Everest’s chest. I somehow pitied her because there was no comforter on Everest’s chest, everywhere was flat like the back of my flip-flop.
“You have two seconds to tell me what my problem is before I hit your ugly face with this mug.” Everest threatened, grabbing a mug off the table.
I rolled my eyes at her, “you know what?” I jumped down from the kitchen counter and grabbed the tonic bottle. “I will leave this place for you lovesick to do as you please.”
“We are not lovers!” the two yelled at me in unison and I raised my hands in surrender.
“Whatever you say.” I smiled, walking out of the kitchen.
I met Anika, the head maid on my way out and handed over the bottle to her to help me deliver it to head warrior Dixon.
I made my way towards the old King’s building where Wharton had asked me to meet him. I remember how he pleaded with me the previous night during dinner that I should meet him in the old king’s building and that he had something important to say to me.
I sounded rather anxious and I could see the way he nervously ran his fingers through his hair as he spoke. Whatever shit he got himself into, I hope he knew I was going to slap sense into his brain before I agree to bail him out.
I mean, why would my crush of all people act like a pussy? Or maybe I was overthinking it.
I got to the old building and I paused when I didn’t see anyone around the building. I took a deep breath before proceeding with my walk towards the building.
“What the fuck is going on with Wharton?” I sighed, I was getting nervous since he never asked me to meet him in a private place before. What had he done? What has he gotten himself into?
I got to the King’s former bedroom and I paused to calm my racing heart before grabbing the doorknob and pushing the door open.
The light was out, leaving the room in total darkness, reminding me how Prescott loved to have his room be in total darkness.
“Stupid boy!” I muttered under my breath, feeling my way around the dark room until I found the switch. I flicked it on, and the room was bathed in light. I made to turn around and immediately bumped into something. Or rather, someone. I stumbled backwards, nearly falling on my rear. I looked down to see a pair of anxious, silver eyes, and my heart dropped. It was Wharton.
“Wharton?!” I exclaimed, my jaw dropping as I took in the sight before me. There he was, kneeling on one knee with flower petals scattered across the floor. It was like something out of a cheesy rom-com, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was this some kind of prank? Or was he really about to propose to me? My mind was racing, and I couldn’t seem to form a coherent thought. All I could do was stare at him, completely dumbfounded.
“Ulrica I…”
“What are you doing?” I whispered, cutting him off from his speech. I didn’t know if I was getting ahead of myself, but the scene before me seemed like Wharton was about to propose to someone and perhaps that person was me.
I couldn’t let him say whatever he was planning to say, because my mouth seemed to not be cooperating with my brain anymore and I wanted to rant till I passed out.
“Heaven knows I’m so fucking nervous right now and I don’t know how to say this anymore.” he gulped, his hand slid into his jacket and brought out a cute little box.
I blinked my lashes nervously, I was rather too stunned that I couldn’t bring myself to make fun of Wharton who had suddenly become a kid I grew up knowing.
“I… I don’t know how to put my feelings into words,” Wharton stammered, his eyes darting around the room. “But I’ve always wanted to be the person you could call your own. I’ve always wanted to hold you in my arms and tell you that I would give you the love and attention that no man has ever given you before. But I’m such a cowardly idiot that…” he trailed off, biting his lip. He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence, but I knew what he was trying to say.
Without a second thought, I yelled, “Yes! Yes, I will marry you!” Tears streamed down my cheeks as I threw myself to the floor, crawling toward Wharton. My heart was beating wildly in my chest, and I could barely catch my breath. But I didn’t care. All that mattered was the man in front of me, the man who had finally found the courage to say the words I had longed to hear. “I love you,” I whispered, taking his hand in mine. “I love you, Wharton.”
“Phew! I’m so relieved that you said yes,” he chuckled, while my heart was racing crazily in my chest. “I was so scared that you would see me as a total mess and walk out the door, leaving me alone to deal with all this. But you didn’t. You stayed, and you listened, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. “I’m not perfect, and I don’t know how to do this whole ‘love’ thing, but I want to try. I want to try with you.”
“Will you shut up and kiss me already?” I cried out, taking the shiny ring from the box and shoving it in my promise finger, racing it up to his face. “I accept your love, your heart and confession. Now kiss me.” I pulled him by his collar and I was about to smack my lips against his when I heard someone clearing their throat behind me.
“Before the two of you go wild, please let us get out of hear.” I heard Prescott chuckle behind me, followed by Nova. I bit my bottom lip and shut down my eyes.
“Get the fuck out of here.” I groaned, I might lose my fucking mind if I didn’t kiss my dream man before the count of three.
“Okay, whatever.” Prescott chuckled.
“Congratulations!” I could feel Nova’s smile as they walked out of the room, closing the door behind them.
I opened my eyes to see Wharton smiling at me, “What?” I yelled, pushing him off. He fell on the petals on the floor and I felt my cheeks hit up at how hot he looked on the floor.
Wharton chuckled as he rose to his feet, extending a hand to help me up. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet, his gaze never leaving mine. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, and the electricity between us was real. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, he cupped my cheek with his free hand and leaned closer. His lips met mine in a searing kiss. I closed my eyes and melted into him, our bodies moving as one. It felt like nothing else in the world existed but the two of us.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. My grandfather was wrong, I never wanted to be a part of the royal than I already was. And I didn’t need a King to be a Queen. I knew what I wanted and everything I have ever wanted was Wharton. And yeah, I got what I wanted in the end.