Chapter Eighty-Five

Chapter Eighty-Five
The following morning, Rex insisted on taking me somewhere unexpected. When the car pulled up to the gates of a vast amusement park, I could hardly believe my eyes. My lips parted in disbelief, a quiet laugh escaping me. "You can't be serious," I whisper, still stunned by the sight of the colorful rides towering above us.
Rex, with his usual calm yet mischievous smile, simply says, "I wanted to spoil you today. The entire park is ours."
It takes me a moment to comprehend his words. The laughter of children, the chatter of families, the endless lines of visitors—none of that existed here. He has, with a single command, cleared the place so that only the two of us might play. The thought is overwhelming, indulgent, and yet so perfectly him.
Our first stop is the rollercoaster. The sharp curves of the steel track gleamed in the sunlight as we climb into the front row. As the cars surge forward and race up the towering incline, I instinctively throw my arms into the air, my hair whipping around me. I scream from exhilaration, half terrified, half euphoric, while Rex, unbothered by the rules that bind ordinary guests, lifts his phone and captures the moment. He snaps a picture of me mid-ride, laughing freely, my arms spread wide as though I were flying. I want to protest that it wasn't allowed, but deep down I know—no one would ever dare deny the president.
From the rollercoaster, we move from one attraction to another: spinning rides that left me dizzy with laughter, carnival games where Rex—competitive as ever—insisted on winning me every stuffed toy in sight, and quiet moments where we shared cotton candy, our fingers brushing together in the simplest yet most intimate of ways. Time slipped away effortlessly, as if the world had narrowed down to just us and the shimmering lights of the park.
But perfection has a way of unraveling in the most unexpected of moments. As we hurry toward another game, I misstep on a patch of damp ground and tumble gracelessly into the mud. My dress is smeared, my shoes ruined, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Rex's laughter rings out, warm and unrestrained, as he quickly raises his phone again, capturing me in my ridiculous state.
"Stop!" I protest with mock indignation, stretching out a hand as though in need of help. But when he leans forward to pull me up, I seize the opportunity and drag him down beside me. The look on his face as the mud splatters across his clothes is priceless, and this time it is me who erupts in laughter, clutching my stomach as I double over.
It is in that moment—amid the laughter, the mess, the chaos—that something small and dark slips from Rex's jacket, landing squarely in the mud. My laughter catches in my throat as my gaze fixes upon it. It is a box. Small. Velvet. The kind that can only mean one thing.
I inhale sharply, my chest tightening as my eyes fly to his. He follows my gaze, and for a heartbeat, silence settles between us. Then Rex exhales, his smirk softening into something more vulnerable, more earnest.
"Well," he says lightly, though there is depth in his voice, "what a wonderful way to ruin the surprise."
I cannot summon words; I can only watch as he pushes himself to his feet, then extends his hand to me. His grip is steady, warm, as he pulls me upright. Without hesitation, he stoops to retrieve the muddied box, brushing it clean with deliberate care, before holding my hand once more, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Violet," Rex begins, his voice steady but touched with emotion. "I know you once told me you did not wish to marry right now. I know I have not even been given the honor of meeting your family until now. Yet despite it all, there is one thing I know without question—I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If it means taking risks, if it means stepping into the unknown, then so be it. You are worth every uncertainty. Violet, you taught me how to live when I had long forgotten what that meant. You opened my eyes to truths I was too blind to see."
His words make my chest tighten. I see the sincerity in his eyes, the kind of vulnerability Rex does not show easily.
He continues, his tone deepening, carrying the weight of his confession. "From the very first moment you walked into my world, everything shifted. I once believed that a crown was the heaviest burden I could bear. But then I learned the true weight—the ache in my heart when you are not near. With you, I am not only a king; I am a man who knows laughter, peace, and a love no throne could ever provide. I don't want another sunrise, another council meeting, another tomorrow, without knowing you are mine, forever."
And then, with grace, Rex kneels on one knee, mud staining his trousers, but dignity radiating from his every movement. He holds up the ring box. "So today, here and now, I ask you... Violet, will you make me the luckiest man alive? Will you marry me?"
My breath catches, my hands flying to cover my mouth. Tears spill as I whisper through trembling lips, "Yes. Yes, I will marry you."
Rex's grin lights up his whole face as he slips the ring onto my finger. Rising to his feet, he cups my face, pressing his lips to mine with tenderness. When he pulls back, his voice lowers mischievously. "I have a surprise for you."
"Another surprise?" I gasp, half laughing through my tears.
He nods and gestures beyond me. "Look there."
I turn, and for a heartbeat my vision blurs with disbelief. Then I see them—my family, walking toward me. My heart leaps, my feet barely touch the ground as I run to them. "Oh my God!" My arms wrap around my mother first, clinging tightly. "You're here! You're actually here!"
My mother strokes my hair, her voice warm with love. "King Rex called me personally. He said he wanted us to be here, to see you, and he asked for your father's blessing to marry you."
I pull back, eyes wide. "He really called? He asked for your blessing?"
My father steps forward and envelops me in his arms. "He did. And I gave it, proudly. You deserve to be loved like this."
Tears stream down my face as I nod against his chest before turning to Gracie. I nearly knock her over in my eagerness. "Gracie! I've missed you so much. I have too much to tell you."
Gracie grabs my hand, holding it up so the ring sparkles in the light. "And I can already guess one of those things. Violet, this ring... it's blinding. Leave it to you to go from 'I don't want to marry' to marrying a king."
"Don't forget, she's still my sister," Ben cuts in, hugging me tightly. His voice cracks though he tries to sound casual. "Even if I wanted to strangle you for disappearing on us, I'm just glad you're safe—and happy."
I hug him back fiercely. "I'm sorry, Ben. I never meant to hurt you."
By then, Rex approaches, composed and regal, but I can see his nerves in the way he straightens his posture. He extends his hand to my parents, bowing his head politely. "It is an honor to finally meet you. Welcome to Spain." He then turns to my brothers, offering his hand firmly. "I look forward to proving to you all that I will protect and cherish Violet."
Gracie, however, stares at him blankly, her chest rising and falling as if she forgot how to breathe. Her mouth opens but no words escape.
I glance between them, embarrassed. "Rex, this is Gracie—my sister."
Rex smiles warmly. "Gracie, I've heard much about you. Violet speaks of you with nothing but admiration."
Gracie just blinks rapidly, still at a loss for words, and I swat her arm lightly. "Say something, Gracie!"
Rex chuckles softly, nodding. "It's all right. We'll have plenty of time to talk later, perhaps at dinner." He takes my hand again, intertwining his fingers with mine.
As we walk together with my family, Rex leans close, his voice lowered for me alone. "You know, this wasn't how I planned it. I imagined proposing on the castle balcony, you in a gown, I in a suit, your family watching from below as cameras captured every second."
I glance down at my mud-streaked dress and laugh through my tears. "And instead, here we are, covered in mud, no gowns, no balcony."
He squeezes my hand.
"It's imperfect," I whisper, smiling up at him, "but it's imperfectly perfect."