>>5231498>>5231558>>5231587>>5231702Your words catch in your throat. Are you really doing this? Now? You won't be living an easy life from here on, after all. But then, isn't this what Alys chose too? She had comfort and safety provided to her, she could have been just another princess with privilege and wealth handed to her. She chose a more dangerous life. She chose to be an assassin, a spy, a poisoner. She chose the life that put her in this very bed with a bloody wound.
In a way, she chose you. Your mind is made up. Was there ever another option? You know what you need to do. If you're honest, you've known for years. This latest event just made it more clear to you than ever.
You take Alys's hand in both of yours, tightly grasping her slender fingers with your calloused, scarred digits.
“Alys, marry me.” You whisper. Her eyes go wide, and that rare flush you have grown to treasure tints her face crimson.
“W-Will...” She looks at you in utter shock. It's one of the only times you have ever seen the woman at a loss for words. The moment hangs, and you begin to think you have made a critical misstep. Of course, the second you think you've made a mistake, Alys embraces you and locks her lips with yours. Taken aback, it is a moment before you reciprocate. Its a few seconds of bliss. Did you really wait so long to do this? Didn't you know long ago, almost from the beginning this was inevitable for the two of you? She winces, and breaks away. You let her go, fearing that she may reopen her fresh wound. But she grabs your arm, pulling you into another embrace. This time her head rests on your shoulder.
“Yes, Will, yes.” She speaks softly into your ear. So it's done then. No ring, no plans, no ceremony. But right now, you just might be the happiest man in the world. You fight back tears, this has all happened so fast. But you will not show weakness. It just took you time to see what Mother, Eleyse, and Alys herself clearly saw. Depths, how can you be so dense? You wonder if even the Emperor expected this. Alkaign is no fool. You would bet he was banking on it. A skilled assassin and one of his most trusted retainers? Who else to tackle the coming threats? And if you love each other, that's just all the more reason for the both of you to throw yourselves at the task.
You want to slap yourself. This beautiful moment is right in front of you and you are thinking on conspiracy theories. “Alys, I-I thank you. I think I need to get the castle in order now.”
She smiles. Sardonic. Radiant. “I know you do, Will. Leave me to the healers, we have all the time in the world now. We'd hardly want people talking. At least not yet.” She winks, and your heart flutters. What are you, fifteen? You place your hand on her cheek, and against character she leans into it. Her warmth restores you, but you do not cross the line into impropriety and remove it after a moment.
