11 Proposal

Everyone in the auditorium was staring at the crown prince of Flousia as he declared his love to the only daughter of Luke Wilson and Alora Smith Wilson.

Alira couldn't understand what she would feel at that moment. She was so happy that, at last, everyone knew that she wasn't just pretending.

The reporters seemed satisfied with Caden's answers. They now turned to Alira to ask some questions.

"Miss Alira Smith, do you share the same feelings with the crown prince? Are you not being forced to this engagement?" Someone asked from the crowd.

Alira looked at Caden and smiled. Then she turned to the gazes of the people in the auditorium.

"When I was six, I met this young boy who looked exactly like Uncle Jayden. I was curious. The first time I met him, he told me I was pretty, and he would marry me someday. I thought he was weird. Then we became friends. He was the nicest boy I had ever met." She glanced at Caden, remembering the first time they met.

Then she continued. "When we were six, the most terrifying events happened in Flousia. I was scared. But this boy never let go of my hand. He took me somewhere safe and never left my side. That was the day I felt that he was the one I wanted to share my life with. The engagement twelve years ago was entirely our decision. It wasn't because of our parents, but because of what we felt with each other."

Everyone saw how Alira was glowing and how radiant she was when she told the story of her first meeting with Caden. They knew that the girl was head over heels in love with the crown prince.

"Why are you so sure that it was love? You were so young." Another reporter asked.

"Love has no age. Everyone here felt the love towards someone even they were young. I loved my mother from the moment I felt her love for me. Indeed, it was love towards a family. But it's still love, so you can't tell a kid that they don't know the meaning of love because of their age." Caden answered.

Caden held Alira's hand, squeezing it gently. Then to everyone's surprise, Caden suddenly kneeled in front of Alira, showing her a red box with a ring on it.

The students were shouting and screaming. It was their first time to witness a live proposal.

Alira's eyes widened, and her heart was pounding non-stop. She could hear her heartbeat, making her gasp for some air. She felt a different level of excitement and happiness.

"Alira, I know it's twelve years too late. I couldn't give you a proper proposal when we were six, but I want you to know that my feelings for you never change. I was still the boy who fell in love with you when we were young. I was weird; I know that. But I truly love you with all my heart and soul. Alira Eleanor Smith Wilson, will you marry me?"

Alira bit her lips, but her tears started falling from her eyes. She nodded at Caden and smiled.

"Yes! It's always been a yes!" She answered, then jumped into his arms. "I love you, Caden."

Peggy was crying while looking at her son and Alira. She was happy for them.

"See? Caden didn't change, and so did Alira." Jayden commented while holding on to his wife's hand.

Peggy was so anxious on the day of Caden and Alira's engagement twelve years ago. As a parent, she felt like it was a wrong decision to tie the kids to each other at the age of six. 

Jayden told her to trust Caden and let him spread his wings. She couldn't understand why Caden wanted to be the crown prince. She decided to talk to him and asked him about it.

"Sweetie, will you tell mommy the reason you want to be the crown prince?" She asked.

Caden looked at her with sadness.

"I want to have power so I can protect you, daddy, and Alira. I don't want anyone to die anymore." He answered.

Peggy cried, knowing that her son craved power because he didn't want anyone to die like his sister. Kyle said that it was a good motivation and goal for the next king of Flousia. Caden's desire to protect the people he cares about would be his strength as the heir to the throne.

Peggy's mother, Princess Catherine, supported Caden and was the one who taught him about everything. Her mom was a strict teacher, and she would sometimes see Caden crying alone in his room.

She wanted Caden to have a normal life. She didn't want him to crave for power. The life in the palace was not like in those fairy tales. It was way too different from those they read in books.

But it was Caden who chose to be the next king. She couldn't do anything about it anymore. 

Seeing her son all grown up now, she was happy that she let him do what he wanted. He didn't change. He was already eighteen, but he would still call and text her sometimes to greet her and Jayden.

After the press conference, Peggy walked toward Caden and Alira. She was smiling at them while the two held hands with each other.

"Congratulations! I'm happy for you both. But Caden, I will trust you to be responsible in everything you do moving forward." His mother said.

Caden nodded. "Don't worry too much."

A lot of people congratulated them including her friends. They took some pictures together and she was happy seeing them on her phone.

"Wallpaper?" He asked.

They went back to her residence and were resting in the living room.

"Yes. Don't you think I look fat in this photo?" She asked.

Caden frowned and then looked at their picture in her phone, then he glanced at her. Not to her face, but he was looking on her chest.

"I think that's fat." He blurted.

"What?" She frowned.

Caden grinned and she was shocked by what he did next.

"I mean this. It got bigger." He said while touching her breast.