11: In Which Everything Works Out

Princess Ariana

I can hardly believe how perfect today has turned out. I woke up wondering whether life was really worth living, and now I am floating among the stars, ecstatically happy. Still, there is one more thing I have to do before my life is completely sorted out. I have to talk things over with Jasper. I am currently hovering outside his room, hearing him shouting at one of his advisors and insulting me.

I guess I deserve that.

I have given Jasper the night to calm down, but it is now first thing in the morning and he still seems to be caught in the grips of anger. Oh dear! I want nothing more then to escape back to the arms of my love, who, spoiler alert: loves me back. Maybe Coby will kiss me again... although the thought causes my cheeks to blush bright red. I have quickly become addicted to his lips.

I wrote a letter to my dearest friend Bellatrix last night informing her of the development on the situation. It will take a week to reach her but I cannot wait to receive a reply. I just know Bella will be so happy that Coby and I have admitted our feelings for each other, and are finally together. If Coby and I get married (well, let us be real, I am not marrying anyone else!) she is going to be my chief bridesmaid.

I know that the quicker I rip the bandage off and speak to Jasper the quicker I will get to see Coby, so I suck in my remaining courage and knock firmly on his door. It all goes quiet for a second before the door creaks open, and the pompous man I have come to know as Lord Edgar comes into view. He is very short and round, and has deep pox scars embedded into his skin.

"Oh, Princess Ariana." He exclaims in his nasally voice. "I shall leave Prince Jasper and you to sort out your differences." He announces before running from the room, seemingly very eager to get away.

"Hello Jasper." I gulp, seeing him glare at me from the other side of his room. "May I come in? I think we need to have a conversation." I request, and he reluctantly motions for me to join him inside.

"Have you come to make even more of a mockery of me?" He says drily whilst pouring himself a whiskey from a crystal bottle.

"No, I have come to explain myself. I am so sorry Jasper. I never meant to offend or upset you and I have enjoyed our time together immensely – but as friends and nothing more. I am sure that there is a girl for you out there somewhere, but she is not me. My heart has already been taken." I reveal.

"Oh, so this whole time you were just leading me on? That was a really low thing of you to do." Jasper spits.

"I know, I know... and I am so sorry. But at first I really did think I would be able to marry you, but now I know I would be miserable, because my heart has already been taken." I beg him to understand.

"Oh, let me guess, you love that worthless nobody right? Jacob?"

"Hey! Look, I am sorry for leading you on, but don't you dare speak ill of Coby. I love him and he is a brilliant man."

"Whatever, I get it. Thanks for wasting my time, and do not worry – I shall not be wasting any more of yours. I am leaving this evening as there is no reason for me to be here anymore."

"Ok Jasper. I really am sorry though, and please, I beg of you, do not hold this against my father or Ushor. It is my entire fault." I insist.

"I know Ariana." He sighs. "I am not that stupid, it is just my pride has been hurt, and I was beginning to really like you." He admits.

"I really am sorry Jasper; I hope that one day we can be friends. May I just suggest though, if you are still looking for a Queen, that you try the country Bre Smium? Princess Flower is looking for a husband, and she will be most pleased if you take an interest in her. Also Bre Smium is one of the largest producers of cotton and livestock in the world, which could prove to be a useful ally to you." I suggest.

"Ok Ariana, thank you. I will look into her. I have to prepare for a meeting later with your father, to distinguish our allegiance, so I have to go now. I hope that you find happiness."

"Thank you Jasper, you too. I will wave you off tonight." I inform him with a smile as we walk to his door.

"Thank you Ariana. Goodbye Princess." He sighs as he takes my hand and places a chaste kiss to it.

"Goodbye Jasper." I reply before making my way with a joyful smile to tell my mother and father that Jasper and I will not be getting married.

I find them having tea together in the third sitting room, looking as in love as ever. That is going to be Coby and me some day, I know it.

"Mother! Father!" I exclaim as I erupt into the room, excited to tell them that Coby and I are finally able to be together.

"Ariana darling, is everything quite alright?" My mother asks with a teasing grin.

"Oh, everything is perfect, just perfect." I sigh as I sink into one of the fancy embroided armchairs across from the love seat my parents are currently occupying.

With a nod from my father, the two hovering maids waiting to be tasked leave the room.

"I am guessing this has something to do with you and Jasper not marrying?" My father asks, looking a little grumpy.

"Fenston be nice." My mother elbows him making him grumble.

"Yes actually father, Jasper said that he will sign an allegiance with you, but it is not going to be through our union. I do not care for Jasper in that way and I never will. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am in love with Coby, and he loves me back." I announce.

"I know Ariana, and I am a little disappointed it did not work out between you and Jasper, but I know that Jacob will always care for you, and I know that you love him too."

"Thank you so much father, oh I am so happy!" I squeal, jumping up from my seat and twirling around causing my mother to giggle, but I stop when I nearly smash a priceless Ming vase.

"Well, that should be a father's aim in life, to make sure his children are happy. You know Ariana, Coby came to me last night and told me about the situation. He asked for your hand in marriage. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Oh my goodness!" I gasp.

"How exciting!" My mother squeals.

"Oh, this is everything I have ever wanted! I mean, I did not expect this so soon but... oh this is incredible. I have to go and find Coby." I rush out, feeling happiness vibrate from deep within me.

"As long as you are happy I am happy." My father nods, and I rush over to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek before doing the same to my mother and dashing out of the room, skipping with joy.

"Hey, hey, hey! Wait up!" A voice I have come to love calls out from behind me as I start to hurry along the golden and red corridor.

"Oh Coby!" I exclaim as I twirl around, and see he was waiting for me outside the sitting room.

I dash up to him, jumping into his arms before surprising him with a kiss. He lets out an oof of surprise, before drawing me in closer to him and claiming me over and over again with his searing lips. When we finally part with laboured breaths, Coby chases my lips and lands one last loving and intense kiss there before letting me go with my head swirling.

"Well, that was unexpected." Coby chuckles whilst lacing my hands with his.

"Sorry..." I giggle, blushing riotously yet feeling blissfully happy.

"Do not be silly my love, now not that I did not love it – quite the opposite actually, and I wish you will always greet me this way – but what has brought this behaviour on?" He asks.

"Well, my father may or may not have just informed me that you asked for my hand in marriage... and he gave his blessing!" He squeal, bouncing on my toes.

"Well that I did, but it was supposed to be a secret." Coby pouts, making me aww at how sweet he looks.

"Coby that is amazing, oh I am so excited. You really want to marry me?"

"Of course I do Ariana! If you will have me." He replies nervously.

"There is nothing I want more." I reveal, smiling as happy tears pool into my eyes.

My life really has become all that I wished for.

"Phew, well there is no one else I ever want to be with. Nevertheless, I want to do this properly Ariana. I want to court you first, buying you gifts and taking you out on dates before finally asking you to marry me. One day you will become my wife, but not just yet." He explains tenderly, making me fall even deeper for him.

"That sounds perfect Coby, just like you." I giggle before he kisses me again, giving a taste of our future to come.

Please vote if you enjoyed this story babes! Just the epilogue to go now love you all xoxo

Epilogue