Instead of responding, Siraiya wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tightly.
I could tell he was crying. Cradling him in my arms, I silently hoped that he would cry for as long as he needed. My vision went blurry too, but not just because of the dazzling light reflecting from the lake.
✦ ✦ ✦
✶✶✶
AFTER a long embrace, we finally separated and sat down on the shoreside. I was a bit moved when I realized it was our first time sitting side by side.
“I’m sorry I touched you without being engaged,” he finally said. “I apologize for my imprudence.”
“But I’m the one who hugged you,” I corrected.
“Oh, I see. Was that…really what happened?”
A beet-red Siraiya had his arms wrapped around his knees. It was adorable to see him so flustered around me. Despite his large frame and mature beauty, Siraiya also had an extremely appealing, cute side to him as well. It almost felt like a personal attack against my ability to hold back.
“Won’t your parents be against it…?” he asked, his voice small.
“No, they’re both aware of my feelings for you already and have given me their full support.”
“I see… They really gave their blessing?”
I was glad to see him relax and smile a little. I could hardly wait for us to officially be engaged.
“Perhaps it’s a bit too soon, but would you be opposed if I started addressing you as Lord Siraiya?” I asked.
“Of course not. In that case, I’ll call you Lady Cyn—”
“Please address me as ‘Cynthia.’”
“All right. Then I want you to call me ‘Siraiya,’ too.”
“Very well, Siraiya. I hope the two of us can share a wonderful life together.”
“I want the same, Cynthia.”
After gazing at the shimmering lake for a while, the two of us took a leisurely horseback stroll back to the Rhuddlan manor.
To think that we entered this forest as friends and are leaving as lovers. Incredibly moved, I had to squeeze Ally’s reins tightly to stop myself from trembling.
Twice, I tried to steal glances at Siraiya only to end up making eye contact with him. He must have been looking at me the entire way back.
Now I knew how it felt to be desired—to be on the receiving end of love from someone I felt so strongly for. Even the sunlight streaming in from between the trees looked brighter than normal.
Once we returned home, we informed my parents that the two of us had confessed our feelings for each other. They were both incredibly pleased by this news.
“I’ll ask to meet with Duke Brooke at once!” Father said. “Congratulations to you both.”
“We’re so happy for the two of you. Now it’s time to start planning your engagement party. It will have to be a smaller affair with just our families, but we can still get all dressed up and enjoy ourselves!”
When he heard my mother say that, Siraiya scrunched his face up nervously. “I must embarrass myself yet again by sharing that I receive no allowance or spending money from my family. I won’t be able to commission Cynthia’s dress for our own party.”
Siraiya sounded so disheartened, I took his hand to cheer him up.
“That’s fine, Siraiya. Allow me to prepare us matching outfits instead.”
“But…”
“You’ll be the one marrying into my family, after all, so I don’t see an issue. In fact, I’m really looking forward to dressing you up as I please.”
“Cynthia… Thank you.”
My heart soared when I felt him squeeze my hand back. I could hardly believe I got to marry such a wonderful person.
“We’ll let our daughter handle your outfits if that’s what she wants, but what about the dancing? Do you know how to dance?” Mother asked. “The opportunity will come up a lot once you’re engaged.”
“Sadly…no.” Siraiya weakly shook his head. “I’ve never had a lesson before.”
“Oh my, I see! Then why don’t I teach you? I’ve been dying to find something I can teach to my future son as well!” Mother lit up with sudden motivation. Now that she mentioned it, I’d noticed her fidgeting anxiously while Father was teaching Siraiya how to ride a horse.
“Can you stay a little longer?” she asked. “Come, let’s head to the dance hall! There’s no time to waste!”
Mother had dragged us away before we could even ask a question. Siraiya and I both smiled at her eagerness, and with that, it was time to begin the dance lesson.
Siraiya instantly absorbed everything he was taught. He moved so naturally that I would have never imagined it was his first time dancing.
Mother, gushing about what a great student he was, began to teach him even more intense forms of dancing—ones I couldn’t imagine he would ever have a need for.