All Things New: Chapter Twelve

So, in this chapter, I have some fwuff. I mean, this is more family fluff. Preparations for something big!!

CHAPTER TWELVE: A PROPOSITION TO PROPOSE

A year has passed. Arundelle turned sixteen in the summer, but it wasn’t celebrated because of safety concerns with the recent incident in the Hollows. Reginald did promise to celebrate it properly in the fall, when things would have blown over a bit more.

You might think, dear reader, that now, Artham and Arundelle would be officially courting. But, now that they had returned, they were both so busy they barely saw each other.

One thing that had happened this last year was that the other girls in Anniera had realized what a dashing young Throne Warden they had.

That annoyed Artham.

Every day he would walk into the marketplace, or ride into the marketplace, he would hear a young girl giggle, and he would see her shyly wave at him. He would move his head in a nod, but also so he could hide his face behind his hair. And then he heard more giggling. And that embarrassed Artham. Usually, he would just get out of the marketplace as quick as he could before he had to talk to someone.

Esben also has matured. With only one year to his coronation, he was being trained by his grandmother, and old Bonifer Squoon, to be king. Most often times, he would get frustrated with all the rules he had to follow.

That was when having a brother was helpful to him. Artham would always encourage him, and they grew quite close. Emerald also was growing up, and maybe not for the better.

She tried to grow up too fast, almost thinking she should be treated as an adult. Artham grew frustrated with her. Ever since his parents had died, he had been partially responsible for raising her. Perhaps that was why their relationship had changed recently. Maybe she saw him as more of an authority, and less like a brother. Maybe that was why she had started to act so strangely.

Whatever the reason, Artham had some other pressing things to concern himself with. He wanted to propose to Arundelle.

He was completely in love with her, and while he thought he hid it well, everyone knew. It was easy to spot the shy smiles the two exchanged across rooms, or how easily Artham would get distracted if she walked in a meeting room to offer some water. The way he straightened up. Smiled brightly. The way she would giggle and blush. It was all too obvious.

Reginald had given him permission several weeks ago (when he finally got the courage to ask), and now he had to gain the permission of his family. He knew Esben and Emerald would be fine with it (he hoped), but it was his grandmother that he was doubtful on. But, nonetheless, he found himself entering her drawing room one sunny morning, by himself, and a bit nervous.

“Good morning, Grandmother.”

He went up and kissed her, as was his custom, and she smiled at him in return. “Good morning my boy. Do you need something?”

“Well. Yes.”

Now, as it was a very personal conversation, allow me to touch on one subject. In the world of Aerwiar, people get married much younger than they do where you may be from. You may think sixteen and almost eighteen a bit young, but it was the perfect age for it.

Madia understood this, and that was probably why she said yes. She still, as any mother or grandmother would, saw Artham as her baby. and she was not overly fond of losing him. However, she said yes. With two people he needed to ask down, he brought up the question to Esben that afternoon.

“Why are you asking me?” Esben asked, somewhat annoyed.

“Because you’re the King. You know, when you get married, we’ll be going through this again.”

“Oh.”

“So?”

“Yeah, of course! It’ll be nice to have a niece.”

Artham’s brow went down, and a comical smile lit up his face. “What?”

“I better get a nice out of this deal, otherwise I’ve been cheated.”

Artham laughed.

Emerald reacted as any young girl would to a wedding. “AHHH! ARTHAM!!! REALLY!?!?!! YES! YES! YES! LETS START PLANNING! EEEEEEE!!!!!!”

Artham laughed at her enthusiasm but was finally able to calm her down after a few minutes.

“Do you have a ring for her?” Emerald asked, still breathless.

“Yeah, it’s right here.”

Artham produced a beautiful gold band, with an emerald in the center, surrounded by rubies.

“Oh, Artham, it’s gorgeous.”

Artham smiled. “I’m glad you think so. I only hope she does.”

“She will. Oh, Artham, I’m so happy!”

Artham grinned. “Now, I only have one other person to ask. (He gulped.) Her.”

I hope you enjoyed it! So, just to give you a little bit of a preview, this is him planning the proposal...which means...there is a wedding coming around 🥰

Let me know if anything seemed wonky!