Chapter 32

Christine sat on the edge of Adele's bed and took her pale hand in his.

"Marry me, Adele."

Adele, dazed for a moment, startled and tried to pull her captured hand free. But he wouldn't let go — if anything, he gripped it tighter.

"Don't joke around... Chris..."

"I'm not joking. I've never been more serious in my life."

"What about the Princess?"

"The misunderstanding about her carrying my child has already been cleared up, hasn't it?"

"But everyone believes you'll become his imperial consort. You're the most fitting choice, after all."

Christine shook his head firmly.

"What they think doesn't matter. This is a marriage between you and me — what matters is what we think."

"Still, a proposal this sudden..."

"You don't want it?"

Absurdly, the word "no" wouldn't come out of her.

"But it doesn't make sense, choosing me over the Princess."

Even as she told herself…