It was over. As Genevieve walked back to the garden where her sisters were waiting, she breathed deeply. The adrenaline rush was ebbing, and a million thoughts were spinning in her head. The fear that had nearly consumed her mere মিনিট earlier was replaced with a sense of relief and overwhelming joy- their father was safe! They were safe-and altogether. Lacey had assured her that she could tend to Papa while Genevieve went to tell the good news.
"Princess!"
Genevieve turned. Derek was running down the corridor towards her. "Your Highness, are আপনি all right?"
"Yes of course, silly," she laughed softly.
"Are আপনি certain? No cuts, no bruises?"
Genevieve smiled. He would worry about her. Even if for no good reason, Derek would fret about her wellness. "Yes. Quite."
"Good," he said, sighing with obvious relief. "If আপনি hadn't I'd-- I'd...I mean..."
Genevieve blushed, the awkward moment lengthening as Derek stammered. They'd just saved each others' lives, and now he couldn't make one intelligible sentence.

"Genevieve, will আপনি marry me?"

She stopped and looked him in the eye, her mouth hanging wide open. What? He'd gone from "Your Highness" and respectful to "Genevieve" and blunt, to-the-point in seconds.
Not to mention insane. They'd just barely escaped with their lives, for pity's sake, and immediately he was proposing to her? Not that the idea was a bad one, she thought to herself. She'd only been in প্রণয় with him for what...her whole life? And.....
"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I can't believe I just ব্যক্ত that. Princess, please forgive me for being so brazen and..."
"Stop," Genevieve ব্যক্ত softly. Derek looked down at her, faltered, and was silent. They stood there for a moment, not saying anything. Genevieve stared at him, at his handsome face, the boy that she'd cared for and who had grown into the man she loved. She searched his eyes, trying to find the উত্তর to her questions. She knew she could.
He was serious. There was nothing but selflessness and care in those deep green eyes-- like that of a কুকুরছানা dying to serve, pledging its allegiance no matter what. He was earnest, waiting for her answer.
How could she not say yes?

"Of course I'll marry you," she whispered. She stood on her tiptoes and reached up to চুম্বন him. Soft and slowly this time. And when she pulled back, he didn't run.
A grin tugged at the corners of Derek's mouth, and he broke into a full smile. Genevieve laughed and threw her arms around his neck. "Of course I'll marry you!" she ব্যক্ত again, loudly this time. Derek hugged her waist and picked her up off the ground, spinning madly in the hallway. They both laughed, and when Derek set Genevieve down, he kissed her again.
"Are আপনি sure আপনি want to marry a shoe cobbler?" he asked.
"Are আপনি sure আপনি want to marry a ditzy princess?" she quipped.
"So long as her name is Genevieve."

They walked down the hallway towards the garden, hand in hand, planning.

"What will the wedding be like?"
"Lots and lots of flowers. My sisters, and lots of dancing!"
"What will your father say?"
"He'll be happy to have আপনি as a son in law."
"Are আপনি sure?"
"Positive. We'll have so many children, he'll be the most happy grandfather in the kingdom."
"How many?"
"As many as possible! We can have a whole houseful of children! We can name the first one after our mothers..."
"What if it's a boy?"
"Oh, it won't be. Trust me. But we may have a boy somewhere along the line. We can name him after your father and my father! And--"
Derek laughed and cut her off. "Let's just focus on the getting married part first."

Genevieve leaned her head on Derek's shoulder. "You don't know how long I've been waiting to marry you."