Getting to know you. Part 1

He beamed instantly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "Then, do you accept my proposal?"

Amelie smiled back and nodded. However, as much as she was feeling optimistic, she was also feeling guilty. After all, she was kind of marrying him for her own benefit. Of course, he was the one who had proposed and now that she had accepted, he looked relieved, but she still felt bad at the thought of 'using' him. Maybe it would make her feel better to be honest with him and tell him how she truly felt but first, there was something very important she wanted to know.

She took the quill once again and scrambled:

*Do you mind If I ask why you want to marry me?*

He read it and gave her a secretive grin, "It's a secret" he said mysteriously as he sipped some tea. Amelie couldn't help but think his smile resembled that of a mischievous kid. In fact, although he hadn't answered, she doubted he had any bad intentions. "Amelie, do you mind if I ask you the same question? You can be completely honest with me, please do not worry about my reaction. I just want to know why you changed your mind so suddenly when you seemed unsure just a little while ago."

She wasn't expecting him to ask her so directly. Still, it was convenient since now she didn't need to bring it up. He looked a bit more serious now but he was still smiling, which made her feel less nervous.

*I want to leave this place.*

He nodded silently. His facial expression didn't change at all, which made her think that he was expecting an answer like that.

He finished what was left in his cup and looked towards her modest palace. From his seat, he could see the music room through the big glass windows. His eyes darted right away towards the piano, and she noticed that nostalgic gleam in his gaze again. Maybe he liked music?

She shyly touched his arm to catch his attention and, once he looked at her, she pointed at the piano and then at herself. He didn't seem to understand what she meant, so she pointed at the piano again and then moved her fingers as if she was playing it.

When he got it, his eyes shined with anticipation, "Your Highness, will you play for me?" he asked with more excitement than she was expecting. His eagerness made her feel bashful, but it was a nice feeling. After all, she never had the opportunity to show anyone her music aside from her friends. She nodded softly, and he got up from his seat with a wide smile. "I would truly love to hear you play again! Thank you for giving me the honor."

She felt her cheeks heat a little. It was impossible not to feel embarrassed when he was looking at her so expectantly. She was a bit taken aback because he had apparently heard her play before, but at this point she didn't know why she was still getting surprised. If they had met in the garden as he had said, it was actually very possible, so she didn't question it. Smiling a bit, she got up and guided him to the music room.

She wasn't the only one getting surprised though, as the two guards standing by the front door frowned upon seeing Lionel. They looked at each other and then at her. Initially, she thought it was because that was the first time someone had visited her place aside from the King. However, the way they looked at Lionel was a bit weird, as if they knew him. Still, they didn't say anything and just saluted them as they entered.

Once there, Lionel sat on one of the sofas inside the room while she took a seat in front of the majestic instrument. After thinking a bit, she decided to play something she herself had composed. The melody was soft and nostalgic, not too slow but not fast either. She closed her eyes as she played, her fingers as graceful as a swan.

Music was something that she felt rather than something she knew. No one had ever taught her how to play the piano. It was something she had learned naturally. When she was young and had just 'joined' the royal family, she lived in the main castle with them. Her improvised bedroom was next to the music room that Princess Elise often used.

Four times a week, Amelie would hear her play during her lessons. Elise played many instruments, but Amelie's favorite was the piano, especially when Elise's teacher played it. His melodies were so rich Amelie felt as if she was floating. Just listening to it made her happy and optimistic. It was as if the piano was talking, and she too wanted to talk by moving her finger through the keys. She felt the necessity to communicate with music what she couldn't with words.

Thus, she would secretly enter the music room whenever it was possible. She was lost at first, as she had no idea how the huge instrument worked, but she always tried to reproduce something similar to the melodies she heard.

Surprisingly, she got better with time. She still didn't know how to read music sheets, but she could feel the music running through her entire body. Her furtive practices continued for months until, one day, she was caught red-handed by Elise.