He smiled charmingly, grey eyes twinkling at me from under his fair hair. "I knew that angels existed, but I hadn't realised that there was one in our town."

I blushed.

He took my hand and kissed it. "Miss Rosalie, am I right? I've forgotten my manners. Royce King II, at your service."

I made a small curtsy. "Please, don't trouble yourself. Take a seat." I gestured to the comfortable couches, sitting across from him. "Your father's not brought you here before."

"No, I usually don't bother with my father's business. He insisted I come today to look at his star employee." Royce had a lovely voice. It soothed me.

I blushed again. "Really? I'm sure Father will be pleased to hear that. He was ever so worried about yesterday's inspection." We talked all the while, feeling quite at ease with each other.

Royce King laid a hand on his son's shoulder. We both stopped talking to look up. "Sorry son, Rosalie; we'll be heading home now, his mother will worry."

Royce laughed. "No Father, you're worried your dinner will get cold." The two left shortly after.

Mother and Father turned to look at me, smiling as though they shared a secret. Mother spoke first. "Rosalie, dear, how did you find Royce's son?"

"Oh, he's such a wonderful boy. He's charming and witty, and oh, Mother, isn't he just handsome?" I relayed our entire conversation to my parents, who looked pleased.

Father said, "I think he'll be coming over more then, Rosalie, wouldn't that be nice?" I beamed at him.

So began my courtship with Royce King II. It was perfect. He escorted me to balls, around the town, he presented me with beautiful bouquets of the most gorgeous flowers...

"Rosalie, dear, come down!" Mother yelled up the stairs.

"Yes, Mother, I'll be down shortly!" I was frustrated. One of my pins was broken, and my hair simply would not stay up. I was sure there was another pin somewhere in my room, but there were now so many vases that whatever pin I might have was concealed. I could leave my hair down, of course, but the dress I was wearing simply begged for an elegant hairdo.

"Rosalie Hale!"

I sighed and swept out of my room. I would have to leave my hair down today. I gave the maid my broken pin as I passed her. She bowed and hurried to dispose of it. As I descended the staircase, I saw Royce in the dark suit I liked so much, holding his hands behind his back. I suppressed a smile. Royce always brought me extravagant bouquets of roses; he knew how much I adored those royal-looking blossoms. I reached the bottom of the stairs and Royce slipped an arm around my waist. "Hello, beautiful."

I gazed into his light grey eyes, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Hello yourself." My hands touched the petals behind his back. "What's this?"

Royce drew back a little, laughing. "Oh my dear Rose, are you being greedy again? Close your eyes." When I opened my eyes again, I saw before me not roses, but violets. I accepted them happily, inhaling their sweet fragrance. "I'm glad you like them, Rose. I thought maybe I'd surprise you, change it up a bit. They're the same colour as your eyes."

Once I'd put the flowers away, clearing away some old roses to make room, we set out for the local park. Royce had brought along a picnic too, and we sat in the great green expanse, whiling away the afternoon.

"...so that was why I was so late – "

"Oh Rose, why would you bother? Hair up, hair down, you're still my gorgeous Rosalie."

"Mm, which baker did you buy this from?"

"My mother made it, actually, you like it?"

"It's absolutely fantastic!"

"Mother will be glad to hear it. She'll get Father to send it along."

"Oh thank you, I know Mother would be glad not to go the baker's so often."

"Have you been to the bank much?"

"Only to see Father sometimes."

"I'd be glad to show you around."

"Mm.."

"No?"

"I know very little of business."

"Ah. In that case, would you like to know what your father does there?"

"Does he make the money?"

"Oh Rose, you are silly."

So Royce told me all about the bank, how he was going to take over his father's position...I was much too entranced by the way his eyes lit up, how his voice rose and fell –

" – and I'll be making so much in a few months – "

"A few months, dear? Is your father retiring so soon? He's not ill, is he?"

Royce smiled. "No, Rose, he wants me to take over now so that by the time I marry, I'll be able to give my beautiful wife all that she wants. "

I froze. "Oh? And do you plan on getting married soon?" My voice had suddenly become stiffer.

Noticing the change, Royce frowned and took my hand. "I hadn't meant to startle you, darling. I suppose I should have made myself clearer." He shifted so that he was kneeling in front of me, still holding my hand. "My father wants to give me his position now, so that I'll be able to provide you with the very best."

My heart stopped, my jaw dropped, and my hand flew up to cover it. Just because I was shocked - had I heard right? – I had to be lady-like.

"Rosalie Hale, will you marry me?" Royce had pulled out a small, velvet box and opened it to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring ever. It sparkled in the dying sunlight, throwing a small rainbow on my hand. I stared at the ring, at Royce, suddenly noticing how they were both blurry. Royce reached up and brushed my tears away.

"Yes, dear, of course!" With that breathless exclamation, Royce slipped the ring onto my proffered finger. The first thing I noticed was how cold the silver band was, and I gasped. But Royce took it to mean that I was blown away by its beauty and didn't comment.