Family Meeting

The two sides of the family were chatting in the living room that looked so grand. The wooden chairs that supported the bodies of the users looked sturdy and covered in glossy lacquer.

"We are very happy that you and your family are coming, Your Highness."

"Yes, we are also very honored to have received this invitation, Your Highness."

"Because the war in that border region has put many things on hold. So when we learned that the situation there had improved, we decided to invite you immediately.", said the queen.

Princess Nicole and Prince George had been glancing at each other. It was as if they did not care about the conversation between the two families. The princess and prince were busy with their own chatter. Invisible chatter.

"You're getting fat, Nicole!"

"Damn it! When I was little, I don't think your neck was that long."

"What exactly did your father invite us for?"

"I don't know! Aren't you happy to be here?"

"Of course Nicole! Aren't you happy to see me too?!"

During the conversation between His Majesty and Prince George's parents, Prince George asked for something. He couldn't wait to have a one-on-one conversation with Princess Nicole.

"Your Majesty, if I may... I would like to have a private conversation with... the princess."

"Ah, of course! Of course I will allow you to speak with her, prince."

"Thank you, Your Highness. So, is it okay if the princess and I have a chat in the backyard of the palace right now?"

Princess Nicole widened her eyes at the question, not expecting Prince George to be so crazy.

"What? Right now? Ah, well, go ahead, prince."

"Come on Nicole, go with Prince George!", said the Queen.

"Ah, okay mom!", the girl in the white dress got up from her chair. Along with Prince George. Both of them bowed politely to say goodbye.

Now they have stepped side by side towards a large door there. When going down the stairs, Prince George's hand came up to accept Princess Nicole's hand. The man was about to guide the beautiful girl down the stairs.

"Thank you, George!"

"Hmm! Did you say I was crazy?"

"What?", Princess Nicole turned her face to look at the man's face.

"Just now, when I told your father... that I wanted to talk to you now."

"Ah, right! You can hear it."

They were back together in the side corridor of the palace, about to head towards the courtyard on the back side.

"Did... all this time you not tell anyone?"

"What, George? Speak clearly!"

"About us being able to communicate in our hearts."

"Ah, of course I... never told anyone."

"Hmm... We can only communicate like that, after all, when we're not too far away."

"I often try it with some people I meet. I wondered if I could meet someone who had the same ability as me. But, it never worked George."

The prince began to take his seat on the garden chair, as did princess Nicole who also sat beside him.

"Huh, I did that too, Nicole! I tried it from the people closest to me like mom, dad, brother, cousins and... to other people I met, I tried it too. And... you know that it didn't work either."

"That means... it was only... between the two of us?"

Prince George nodded, "Hmm! Doesn't that sound strange, Nicole?"

"It reminds me of the first time we realized that."

"Yes! How could I forget that, Nicole!"

"Hahaha! In my heart, I said your legs are so short. And you..."

"I heard that. Then I got really annoyed with you and scolded you."

"Hmm... That time, you suddenly said, "Why is it that I have short legs?". Hahaha... Then I was surprised and asked what you meant. And you said... you could hear what I was saying in my heart."

"Hahaha... Time flies, Nicole. Now... we're all grown up. In fact, my legs are not short now, right? I have grown tall nicely. And if you can still remember my last words in your heart, when Mom brought me home under the drizzle that afternoon....", then turned to Nicole's daughter who interrupted her sentence.

"I remember! I can still remember, George. Before boarding your carriage, you said... you would come back later to marry me.", the princess turned to Prince George.

Their gazes locked, silent for a few seconds. Until one of them realized and ended his gaze.

"Ouch, why did I say that? I should have pretended I forgot.", he thought unspoken.

"You regret saying that? Why should you pretend to forget? You can't lie to me when I'm around you, Nicole."

Princess Nicole sighed, "Alright George! I'm sorry."

"Now... I want to keep my word. I want to marry you."

"Is it because of a word you said back then that you feel compelled to keep it? You even said it when you were nine years old!"

"No Nicole! That's not what I meant. I really liked you, I was in love with you. I feel... I suffer, when I'm away from you."

Princess Nicole blinked and... her tears fell.

"Are you crying, Nicole? Did I hurt you?", Prince George panicked at the sight of the girl beside him shedding tears.

Instead, Princess Nicole laughed and shook her head, wiping her tears away. "No! You didn't hurt me George. I... you really surprised me with your words earlier. Is it true that you suffer when you are away from me?", her tears this time flowed even more heavily when repeating the prince's sentence.

And that made Prince George use his fingers to wipe away the girl's tears.

"Why are you so moved, Nicole?"

"I... I didn't expect that I would be so precious to someone."

"What are you saying, Nicole? You are so precious to me, to your parents, to everyone who knows you. You are so precious!"

"Thank you George! Thank you for telling me that."

"So, are you serious about marrying me?"

"Of course Nicole! Of course I'm not joking."

"Of course? I haven't asked you anything yet."

"But you have asked me in your heart, Nicole! And I answered it."

"Ah, yes... Okay!"

"So... you want to marry me?"

"What should I answer George?", a smile appeared on the princess' lips.

"Of course you have to say yes!"

"Hahaha... we are very funny George. When we get married, we'll know that one of us wants to start a fight. Then one of us dodges, and finally... Hahaha... I don't know what will happen George!"

"Did you say... when we get married? Does that mean you're willing to marry me, Nicole?"

"Hmm! Of course! It will be very exciting to be your wife!", she replied confidently as she nodded her head.

And Prince George could only smile widely, looking at Princess Nicole's face with his deepest gaze. A gaze that seemed to express the sincerity of his love for Princess Nicole.