The Royal Contract

After what seemed forever, she could finally hear noises in the background. It did not sound anything like the usual things she heard around her. She wondered where she was and why she still could not open her eyes or move her fingers or toes.

Then, she heard it. It was faint, but she was sure it was not her imagination. But it could be a dream since she remained in this fuzzy state where nothing made sense.

“Please, baby. Open your eyes when you’re ready. I am just here, waiting.” Then, silence again.

Of course, she recognized his voice. How could she forget that charming voice that had won her heart with his sweet words? But where did he go? When silence enveloped the room.

After a while, she felt her body swaying as if she was in a boat. Then, her eyes blinked at the bright blinding light as her hand automatically blocked its source. Slowly, she adjusted to her surrounding as her eyes scanned what seemed to be a small room.

“David.” Then, she saw him enter the small cabin, reminding her they were in his yacht. She suddenly remembered the romantic dinner he had meticulously prepared for her as they cruised the bayside.

.....

It was such a perfect night as the stars littered the sky like glitters sparkling brightly in the sky. Then the moon served as their witness to this extra special evening.

He even hired a violinist to serenade them throughout their sumptuous meal, making it out of the ordinary. The music filled the air together with their chatter and laughter. If she had a wish, she did not want that evening to end.

“Did you have a good night’s sleep?” He asked as he sat beside her on the bed, pulling her fingers into his lips, reminding her again of what else happened that night as another sparkling object caught her eyes.

After dinner, they left the front side of the deck so the staff could clear up their table. Then, the musician retired for the night. It was just them again, roaming around the deck, enjoying the steady breeze of the slightly chilly wind.

When he noticed her shiver in her backless dress, he automatically took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, effectively warming her instantly. His body heat certainly helped.

“I did,” Rosella answered him, curling in the bed as she tried to untangle the tightness of her muscles.

Then, her mind reverted to that night as they stared into the night sky. She recalled her fear that it would rain or the boat would rock through the waves was unfounded.

The yacht that she learned he named after her, Lady Rose, sailed through the beautiful ocean with ease. She barely felt the waves but felt the mild wind as they touched her skin. He said that the boat reminded him of her beauty, like a rose.

“Did you like my surprise?” He asked with a slight hesitation in his voice, as if he was afraid that she might have changed her mind.

Yes! She loved his surprise.

After a while, he took her to the upper deck. She saw two fishing poles set up on the side railing. She was not expecting they would go fishing late that night, especially in their formal clothes.

In truth, she was not expecting that he was taking her on a cruise. She thought when he invited her to dinner. He would only ask her to go to a fine restaurant as they usually did. Well, not this.

“Are you seriously thinking of fishing?” Rosella finally asked him when her curiosity reached its peak when he touched one of the poles.

She knew how much David loved to go fishing. It was one of his hobbies that she was starting to enjoy. It was safe, compared to his other activities, and it was quiet. It was a way of getting away from their stressful worlds.

“Why not?” He answered as he arranged his bait, cast his line in the air, and the hook flew toward the water. “There is no law against fishing at night.” He said as he continued to move his pole from side to side.

Then, he gestured for her to take the other pole and cast her line. Why not? She thought. It could be fun. Besides, she could add this to her most unforgettable memories if she caught a big one.

She had been fishing with him several times now. But the biggest she had caught was the size of her palm. It would be nice if she could beat him even once in his game.

“Ok. Fine.” Glad to take the challenge. She moved closer to him and took hold of the pole’s handle.

“Don’t forget your bait.” David reminded her as he concentrated back on his fishing line. Usually, he would help her with it. This time, he let her fix her hook and bait by herself.

She could do it. She had done it before. Slowly, she reeled in the line until she could reach the other end, the hook. But before she could even touch it, she noticed something sparkling around it.

At first, she thought it might be the metallic portion at the end glistening in the light. But eventually, she saw that it was something else tied to the hook as she looked at it closely.

“Oh... my...” But she could not finish the expression as she became speechless upon touching the shiny object. Finally, she realized that there was no hook at the end.

When she finally turned to him, he was already facing her with a nervous smile on his lips. Then, he untied the ribbon on the line, taking the shining object in his hand as he bent down on his knees before her.

“I love you, Rosella,” David uttered in his slightly trembling voice. “You will make me the happiest man in the world if you join me on this cruise as we sail together through this lifetime.” He lifted the ring to her, waiting for her to accept his offer.

“I know we will sail through rough seas, but together as we work hand in hand, we can overcome it. But during the calm weather, I promise to fill our lives with great memories that we will cherish for eternity.” He continued as her eyes filled with tears of happiness.

“I do.” She finally answered as she stared at the stunning diamond ring sitting on her ring finger. She had never felt so alive.