Liam sighed realizing both Drake and Riley were right even though he would try again anyway. Liam just couldn't see any other way really working other than her marrying someone he trusted. He was being selfish and he knew it. There was nothing more that could be done at the moment he asked, "Could you guys leave Riley and me alone. We need to talk." As soon as they all had left and the door had closed behind them. Liam turned to Riley saying, "I'm not sure I can marry you Riley are you sure you won't consider marrying Drake?"

Riley narrowed her eyes before replying, "Liam, I asked Leo he said I could marry you but not the King. I don't need the King just Liam the man I love. This way I won't be your mistress in Cordonia I will be your wife. It will give us time to make the people think I am the best thing since the Cordonia Ruby. Unless you don't want to marry me and would rather send me home after your wedding reception with Madeleine." Liam didn't want her to leave ever it had been him to draw the line at mistress, not her. He was thrilled that she'd do anything for him. Riley could see him thinking things through as he sat there. She decided to make it easier on him she said, "If we marry here I get to legally take your last name and any children I have would carry that name."

Liam sat there touched he placed his hand in his pocket and felt the box. Of course, he wanted to marry her but he wanted her to be queen. Only then did he realize that this was a temporary set back for them. He got down on one knee in front of her. He cleared his throat saying, "Riley my love all I have to offer you is my undying love. My loyalty, and passion. I can't give you everything you deserve. I am a lucky man to be loved by you and if you'll have me I'd be honored to be your husband." Riley smiled softly saying, "Yes, of course, I'd marry you, Liam. I love you always and forever." He finally turned the box around to place the ring on her finger his breath caught as he took in the sight. He gently placed it on her finger as she whispered to him, "It's the pearl from the blue grotto and the Celtic knot on the sides basically means forever."

Liam placed a kiss to her hand before taking a moment to get his feelings in check. He stood up a rouge tear trickled down his face as he captured her lips with his. The kiss was sweet and tender. He reluctantly pulled back pulling her close to him whispering in her ear, "I promise I will make your sacrifice for me worth it, my love. What can I do to help the queen of my heart." Riley smiled saying, "You can assign me to the room adjoining yours and put in a secret doorway so we can share a bed. Also, I need you to get some free time so we can marry and have a honeymoon. I regret it will have to be fairly short though." Liam chuckled before responding, "We will just have to make due I suppose. Although, I will have my way with you every night Mrs. Rhys. I just can't wait for all of Cordonia to see what I see in you."

Riley bit her lip as she looked at him through her lashes nervously saying, "Liam do you have time to talk a little longer. I have somethings I want to share with you." Liam went to his day planner and quickly went over his schedule for the day. He turned to her saying, "I have an hour before I'd have to be anywhere. What is it you need to tell me." He pulled her to him sitting back down on the chair while pulling her into his lap. She sighed out, "You won't believe me you're always underestimating me." Liam ran a hand through his hair before uttering, "Riley please I can tell this is important to you. I promise I will try not to underestimate you."

Riley looked at him and decided she'd start from the beginning saying, "On the first plane ride to Cordonia Drake gave me all sorts of warnings about how the social season was. I plotted the whole trip in and decided I wouldn't let anyone really know me. That was how I got labeled the mystery woman from America." Liam nodded he remembered the press referring to her as the Mystery woman. Riley let out a frustrated breath rushing out, "I haven't been trying Liam. Everyone was so busy underestimating me I never really put any effort into anything."

Liam looked at her confused before saying, "I don't understand Riley." She was very nervous about his reaction replying, "Everyone ignored me and underestimated me simply because all they knew was that I was a waitress from New York. None of the suiters ever bothered to get to know me. Sadly neither did your parents had anyone bothered they would have learned a lot. Even you are guilty of it." When he had a shocked look she held her hand up saying, "I learned to waltz at a costume ball in front of a large number of people. I picked up the game of croquet by watching you, the queen and Madeleine. I learned the Cordonian Waltz in one night with Hanna. Didn't you think it was strange that I excelled at all those things without training?"

Liam was taken aback he hadn't really thought of it as odd. He replied confused saying, "I just thought you had been gifted in learning sports." Riley shook her head no before saying, "I am gifted Liam I am a genius with a photographic memory. I spent all my spare time in your Library do you have any clue how much I know about your country. What I have learned in the time we have been together." Liam was totally shocked and knowing she spent all her time learning about Cordonia made him love her even more. "Love, why... I don't understand." Riley got a mischievous smile on her face as she said, " I wanted to be underestimated so that I'd have an advantage. I thought I'd need one against all the competitors. So I used my natural gifts to my advantage."

Liam captured Riley's lips with his in a fervent kiss. He pulls away looking at her saying, "I'm glad you've shared this with me. I promise I will really work on not underestimating you. I love you Riley and I don't want you to hide from me. I want to know all of you, Riley." He sighed as there was a knock at the door a voice came through saying, "Sir, we need to get going or you'll be late. He looked at Riley regretfully saying, "I need to go. Have Maxwell contact me if you need anything." He exited the room meeting Bastien outside the door Riley quickly joined him asking, "Can I request something of Bastien Liam?"

Liam turned to nod and motioned her to ask Bastien. Riley asked, "Could you look into Justin for me? I love the Beaumont's but I doubt they looked beyond how cheaply he'd work for. He's the only one in my group I suspect at tipping Tariq off that we were coming." "Will do", Bastien replied as he and King Liam made their way to his next appointment. Riley missed him already but she had a lot of planning to do. She had a wedding and honeymoon to plan even if it was only for one night.