Secrets

The kiss wasn't going to be a failure—Corina wasn't about to allow him to bamboozle her again with a kiss to the cheek or the forehead. Instead of waiting for Alexander to do so, she placed her hands on his cheeks, closed her eyes, and quickly pressed her lips against his.

Their lips touched, but Corina had no idea what she was to do once they made contact. All she had ever seen were quick pecks between family members. 

The kiss was over as quickly as it started.

"C-Corina," Alexander stammered as he looked down into her blue eyes.

Princess Corina looked smug as she looked back to him; a grin tugged at her lips. "That wasn't even a big deal," she giggled. "I'd do it again. That's all a kiss is!"

Alexander couldn't hold back his laughter. The woman who sat next to him was one of a kind. He couldn't imagine he would ever meet someone like her. She was so innocent, yet somehow fiery and bold. "That surprised me," he chuckled.

Corina tilted her head and smiled. "I didn't want you to back out of it."

Alexander reached up, brushing his fingers against her cheek. "That kiss was too quick," he whispered.

"Is there another way to kiss?" Corina asked with confusion in her voice.

The Duke nodded. He leaned forward again. "Yes," he replied, his voice low, while his forehead pressed to hers. "I'll kiss you this time."

Corina swallowed hard when she heard him speak. "O-Okay," she muttered.

Alexander pressed his lips firmly against hers. The sensation was overwhelming for him. He placed his hand against her neck, using his thumb to caress her cheek.

The two exchanged soft kisses. They were short and timid. It was a moment they both enjoyed.

Alexander pulled away, looking down into her eyes. His heart fluttered. He was glad she didn't shy away. He felt relieved that she felt comfortable around him.

"You're blushing," she giggled.

"Because of you."

Corina smiled, then wrapped her arms around him. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Thank you."

His fingers brushed through the back of her hair. "What are you thanking me for?"

"For allowing me to be here with you," she whispered against his skin.

Alex shivered as her warm breath brushed against his neck. He didn't realize something so simple could feel so pleasurable. He wanted to share so much with the woman.

The two embraced. Alex's eyes closed, and his chest puffed out. He never wanted to let her go. 

He was afraid to admit it, but his feelings for her were rapidly growing.

Corina rested her cheek against his shoulder. The embrace felt warm and comforting. She felt safe in his arms. "I'm glad you're going to be my husband," she whispered.

Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer; their upper bodies touched as they embraced. 

Alexander's thoughts wandered as they hugged. He was afraid he'd scare her by speaking his mind, so he refrained from it. 

"Corina, I..." he mumbled, unsure if he should finish his thought. "I think you're going to make an incredible queen."

Corina pulled back; her face lit up at his comment. "I do, too!" She grinned.

He chuckled in response. She was absolutely precious. "You have no idea how adorable you are," he commented as his cheeks flushed.

The two shared a short kiss, their eyes closed, their hearts racing. It took everything in his power to end the kiss instead of deepening it.

When Alexander opened his eyes, his lips curled into a grin. He couldn't help but feel an overwhelming happiness whenever she was near.

"You look really handsome today," she whispered.

He laughed in response. He wondered what it was like to be so optimistic and see the best in everything. "I do?"

"Yes, you do," she nodded.

He wanted to confess his love for her then, but it wasn't right. It would have to wait until their wedding night, or when the timing was right. He was confident their future together was bright. "I want to learn everything about you, Corina."

The princess' face lit up with a warm smile. "Me too. I want to know everything about you."

"I'm glad we have our whole lives to figure things out together."

Corina smiled, placing a chaste kiss against his lips. She pulled back to gaze at him with a face lit up with pure joy. "Let's start. What's your favorite color?"

"You," he responded, without even a moment to consider an answer.

"That's not an answer," Corina frowned.

Alexander smiled warmly as his eyes met hers. "It's my favorite answer," he replied with a nod.

She scrunched her nose at the comment, then placed her hands over her eyes. "I'm embarrassed now. I want to be your favorite color, but that's impossible."

"It is, but you'll be the one color I can never forget," Alexander assured her.

Corina rested her palms on his thighs. "Then, what's your favorite food?"

Alexander smiled. He knew this was the perfect way to begin a journey to discover all that there was to know about the princess. It would be a journey they spent a lifetime completing.

"Favorite food..." he hummed to himself.

The princess listened intently.

"It's going to sound so weird, but...my favorite food is pickles."

"Pickles?" Corina scrunched her face up. "Eww."

Alexander laughed in response. "You don't like them?"

"No!" She laughed. "Not at all! They're gross! Pickles are yucky. When I was small, my brother Lazarus would sneak pickles in my food because I hated them. They're the worst. The worst!"

Alexander leaned forward and kissed Corina's lips, then her nose, then both of her cheeks.

"E-Eh?!" She squealed at the unexpected display of affection.

"It's my first step in convincing you to like pickles."

"Not gonna happen."

"Then I get extra," he chuckled. "Maybe I could give you an extra of something you enjoy if you surrender your pickles to me."

Corina hummed as she placed a finger on her chin, her eyebrows knitting together. "What would be an acceptable trade-off?"

"That depends. What do you want?"

"Strawberry cake," she hummed. "Or any cake. I love cake!"

Alexander smiled. "You're so cute," he muttered. "I'm sure we can arrange for you to get strawberry cake if you promise me your pickles."

"A fair trade, I suppose."

Alexander reached out his pinky. "Shake on it?"

"Of course," she giggled and wrapped her finger around his.

They shared a long gaze, and Alexander felt his cheeks warm. He loved that she was so carefree. He was curious as to how she was able to retain such a demeanor despite growing up in such a large palace and living life as royalty.

"Can I tell you a secret, Corina?"

"A secret?" Her eyes went wide.

The princess looked around to see if there was anyone around, then looked into Alexander's eyes with a warm smile. "Tell me!"

He looked over his shoulder before speaking, "I'm glad my father arranged this marriage. I'm pleased we were able to meet. I really love spending time with you."

Corina felt her chest tighten. Her face flushed, and she felt tears prickling at her eyes. "That makes me so happy," she whispered as her lip trembled.

He looked concerned. "Did I say something wrong?"

She shook her head. "You make me so happy, Alexander," she smiled warmly as her voice cracked. "I really enjoy spending time with you."

A look of relief washed over Alexander. "That makes me glad."

"Tell me more secrets," she smiled.

He reached out for her hands and gently held them, rubbing the tops with his thumb pads. "I'm falling in love with you, Corina. I promise you that I will do anything and everything in my power to make you happy. I promise you that I will be by your side. You make me incredibly happy, Corina."

"You really love me?" She asked with tears running down her cheeks.

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. He nodded slightly before placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry, but it's too early to confess something so intense, but I want to tell you that I am falling in love with you."

"You make me very happy, Alex. I really am so glad I met you."

They embraced. Their eyes were closed, and they smiled, listening to each other breathe. The feeling they shared was warm and comfortable. They enjoyed being with one another. They knew their time together would be fruitful and filled with many fond memories.

Corina noticed the sky had gotten dark. The moons glowed brightly in the sky as Orpheus began his chase toward Orphelia.

Alexander took Corina's hand. He walked her back to her bedchambers, his heart aching at the thought of having to part with her, even though it would only be until the following day.

"Corina?"

"Yes?" She hummed as she looked at the door. She was lost in thought and couldn't believe it was so late.

"May I lay with you again?" He nervously inquired. "Sleeping by your side was the best sleep I've ever had. Nothing else. I just want to sleep next to you. I promise."

Corina turned to face the duke. She looked at the handsome man; his brown eyes looked longingly into her eyes, awaiting her answer.