The dinner went smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves. Aeris smiled as she walked through the palace courtyard enjoying the warm night air, pausing beside a fountain she sat on the edge and stared up at the stars.
"Need some company?" A voice asked.
Aeris looked towards the voice and jumped to her feet. "Prince Sephiroth?! Of course... have a seat."
Sitting down he gestured for her to sit. "Did you enjoy the dinner?"
"Yes sire." She smiled. "It was most enjoyable."
"I think the company was more enjoyable." He said looking down at her. "Aeris, you heard me speak about wanting to marry someone..."
"Yes sire, I think whoever the lady is, she will be very happy."
Sephiroth raised a gloved hand to her face and turned her face to his, leaning down and placing a light kiss on her lips. Aeris gasped and pulled away, standing up quickly. Sephiroth blinked. "What's wrong?"
"No your majesty, this is wrong." She said shaking her head.
"Aeris," he sighed and stood up. "Don't you get it? The lady I spoke of, she's you... I've fallen for you, Aeris."
"Me? But... why me?"
Sephiroth held his hand out to her and sat her back down, sitting next to her. "I saw you a few weeks ago in the market place from one of the tower windows, and I made it my mission to find out who you were."
"I see..." she said quietly.
"Aeris," taking both her hands in his own he knelt on the ground before her. "Would you marry me?"
Speechlessly she looked down at Sephiroth, the prince with the stunning green eyes that had a depth to them that no words could describe. "I..."
"Please Aeris, I love you. I wish you to be my wife, and one day queen of this kingdom. To rule beside me, what do you say?"
"Yes sire, yes. I'll marry you." She smiled and Sephiroth pulled her into a deep kiss.
"And please... call me Sephiroth, ok?"
Standing up they both walked back into the castle hand in hand, only to be stopped at the door by Captain Valentine. "What do you think you are doing your highness?" He asked, having been watching them the whole time. "Do you think your father will allow you to marry a commoner?!"
"This is none of your business, Vincent." Sephiroth stated calmly.
"With all due respect sire, it is my job to see to the well being of this kingdom and her royal family. That makes it my business."
"And with all due respect to you captain," Sephiroth growled. "I am the prince here not you! Now, let me pass."
"Yes sire." Vincent said with a reluctant bow, stepping aside.
"He's right you know, Sephiroth. The king will never agree to this." Aeris said as they walked down a corridor.
Sephiroth sighed. "I know, but honestly I don't care. I'll make him agree to this." Aeris smiled and kissed his cheek just before they entered the main hall. Small gasps and quiet whispers went through the few remaining courtiers when they saw them, hand in hand.
"Sephiroth, what is the meaning of... this?" The king asked glancing to Aeris.
Aeris hesitated under Hojo's gaze but Sephiroth walked calmly forward and knelt before the throne. "Your majesty, this is the lady of whom I spoke earlier. We wish to be married."
"Is that right..." he said, his eyes wandering over Aeris slowly, a cruel smirk on his lips. "Is that what you wish my dear?"
Aeris nodded and bowed her head. "Yes sire, I do."
Sephiroth stood again and took Aeris' hand in his own. "Will you give us your blessing?"
"Give my blessing, to marry a commoner? Do you think me a fool, I know very well who she is!"
"Please father!" Gasps went through the hall, the prince had never before called the king father in public.
Hojo frowned slightly. "I can see that you are very passionate about this, very well..." he stated. "Leave my presence and I shall think it over."
* * * * *
To be continued ......?
R/R and tell me what you think.. ^_^