9 The Engagement

Em, Maria, I love you and I have never loved any woman other than you. It’s you all along and ever since we’re kids, I’ve always loved you, Louis whispered on Maria’s ear while carrying her to her room. He then gently placed her on the bed then kissed her on the lips and forehead. Em still speechless but loving the idea of Louis loving her and caring for her, since she thought before he just hated her and was always cold in front of her. So, since I love you, I want our first night together memorable. And this is not that night. I want to court you and let you see how much I love you by getting to know you and you knowing me, the real me and not the boy who tried to hurt you and your family, Louis added looking at Em seriously but lovingly. Em exhaled and was a bit disappointed with the idea of Louis refraining from making love to her. Em, I know, you wanted it, the sex I mean, me too, so bad I literally am going crazy just thinking now that we are together, what more to feel, touch and make love to you, I could die after because of happiness on that note. But I respect you and though it sounds cheesy and old fashioned. I want to ….

Louis, it’s okay. I have waited for this a long time and I can’t wait to be with you. Okay if that’s what will make you happy I’m good with that, Em said with sincerity.

Well, since I have disappointed you in some way, I can make it up to you by this….Em, Maria Emilia Po Montfort, will you marry me? Louis asked with a nervous tone springing out a diamond ring big as a bead of a rosary, one that mom gave me when she went to the Vatican. I was speechless but not surprised for I already had a hint why Tessa and mom would want me and Louis have this get together when my team is still up finishing the renovation of the castle. And speaking of the finishing touches on the front lawn and face of the castle, it’ll be done in a week, so everyone here is in a hurry to have the engagement a success and I think they are right about doing this engagement event at the most beautiful and historical place in the entire history of the Montforts. Though my dad was a Montfort by law, Louis is a Montfort by blood and our families wanted us to marry to continue the bloodline of the royal family and kingdom for our future and the future of the Montforts. Though my dad was a Montfort by law, Louis is a Montfort by blood and our families wanted us to marry to continue the bloodline of the royal family and kingdom for our future and the future of the St. Paul Vill and the country of Tunisia.

Yes, I will marry you, Louis Leopold Montfort, may our future marriage be holy and may God bless this union forever, I said with confidence since it is a privilege of a family to be asked for her hand even if one is a commoner or a regular citizen. The spiel I said was what I needed to say after a proposal, which I have memorized ever since I can remember. Mom wanted me to memorize things from of old and the ways it was done during the times when dad courted and married her even though she was just a regular woman though the head of the castle guards. She always protected my dad from danger and people who tried to hurt and kill him or his family. My mom was there when war broke out and Grandma Gisel with her men tried to overthrow the reign of the King and his kingdom. Though Grandma Gisel didn’t succeed, many lost their lives, why Louis and his family hated us for that. But my ancestors and mom explained what happened and that Grandma Gisel was powerful yet she was just controlled to do the horrible killings. It was believed that there is still someone close to the royal family who planned everything and plotted to kill the King which happened when Grandma Gisel already left the castle and was banished for from the kingdom for eternity. So all was a big misunderstanding and now that Louis proposed, nothing or no one can stop our new found love and union. I hope it will be that simple.

. Louis Leonardo came home and he didn’t expect that Louis Leopold and I would hit it. But I didn’t know Leonardo was the one who captivated my heart when he helped out on our luggage the last time we saw each other. And when he went back from his Safari escapades, I am already engaged and he wasn’t that happy with the outcome. I just recently knew from Rodolfo that Leonardo was the guy I met at the castle mini bar who I got curious on since he was pretty handsome and that I thought he was a ladies man then. So, what would a girl like me do. Nothing! I am already betrothed with his brother and I will stick to that promise since I made an oath to bless our union and I will abide to that promise forever. I hate the universe now. I thought if I could agree to this stupid engagement I would be happy and content. But how come I feel imprisoned and as if my love isn’t so genuine as when I was with Leonardo. Haaaa! I don’t know myself anymore and I’m so confused. Leonardo wanted to talk to me and I intend not to dwell in to his pity antiques. But I owe him an explanation and well I waited for him but it took him a while to come back, and the idea why I was with Leopold was to match make us both for the future of the kingdom.

We don’t really have the luxury to wait for things to happen while Leonardo is valiantly scouting for fresh animal meat in the wild, that if it can help sustain and maintain power and support for the royal line. Well no! but my marriage to Leopold would make a lot of difference especially that I am still a virgin. It is tradition that I need to be offered before the gods and make the union after marriage sacred by making love in front of the family or relatives to ensure the security and validity of the union. There the vow will take place and seal the connection of my blood to Leopold’s and wait for the offspring or child in future for the kingdom’s continues reign forever. From one child to another and so on and so forth. From my generation to our future generations to come from our children or from childbirth.