For the first time in a little more than a year, Bruno had to gather all his courage to talk to his mother. There was a big piece of news to tell her the decision he had made.

- Mamá, can I talk to you for a moment?

- Brunitto, querido. Of course. Come, have a seat. - Alma pointed to a chair close to hers.

- mamá, I want to… to… knock knock knock, knock on wood. - Bruno fumbled with his huana after his ritual. - I want to have an engagement party. For Faustine. I proposed to her.

- you did?! - Alma asked, surprised. - when did you get the ring?

- well… I didn't… I was hoping that you could come with me so we can choose one. To surprise her.

- oh, Brunitto.- Alma hugged his son. - I have the perfect one.

Bruno watched his mother get a small box from her dresser. The old velvety box was light on his hand. Upon opening it. A golden ring with a beautiful white diamond glowed under the sunlight that illuminated the room. Bruno looked baffled to his mother, to see her looking at the ring with a tender smile.

- Since the ring is the man's responsibility, your father would have loved to see you wed with it.

- ¡Mamá! I can't! This is yours! And Pepa and Julieta.

- Brunitto. Your father would be so proud to see his son this happy, to start a tradition in the family. Him and I were just like you and Faustine. We were always together, chatting and laughing when I look at you, I see him.

Bruno hugged his mother, not knowing of the single tear that rolled down her face.

Downtown, Dolores was walking with Mariano when she heard the conversation. Softly squealing, she grabbed her boyfriend's arm, excited with the news.

- It is finally happening!

- what?

- Tío Bruno is getting married.

- what? What about us?

- I need to tell my family!

Dolores called the town kids, asking them to distract Faustine while the Madrigals set a surprise for her. The kids left screaming and jumping, running after the archeologists. Dolores was back on her task, talking about what she heard,quickly spreading the news through the town.

Faustine was working hard on restoring the belltower at the church with Luisa. She was reframing the bell, sitting on the wooden frame to easily tie them up. Knot after knot, her mind tricking her into thinking of Bruno. Making quick work, Faustine asked Luisa to raise the bell to tie it to the ceiling. Using all of her skill she gathered over the years working at the most varied ruins, the bell was back in place.

- I think we are done here. - Faustine dropped to the floor. - Thank you for the help, Luisa. - she smiled.

- I think that this is the last thing I have to do for now.

- Great! Why don't you take a break- - Faustine tried to say, being tightly held by Luisa. - you are crushing me.

- I'm sorry. No one ever said to take a break.

- Luisa! SIS! - Isabela called from outside.

- I'm coming! - Luisa ran after her sister.

Faustine gathered her things and walked downstairs only to see people whispering about her. Could it be possible that the town already knew that they had their first time together? She saw Bruno walking to the church and she walked his way hastily.

- Bruno! - She went quicker. - Bruno! - She spoke in a hushed tone. - I'm sorry… I don't know how it got to town…. But I think that they know…

- they know what, corazón? - Bruno asked, confused.

- that we… - Faustine said so low and so behind her teeth that even Bruno had trouble hearing.

Then Bruno noticed. The townspeople were holding bundles of flowers and watching them talk. He held Faustine, hiding her face so she wasn't the one who sees what was actually happening. The town was already preparing for the party!

Mirabel came running to scatter the people who could ruin the surprise. They communicated through their expressions, Mirabel apologizing for the mess waiting for the perfect opportunity to come closer.

- I am sorry for ruining your reputation again… -She sighed. - I'll find a way to make things right again.

- there is nothing wrong, corazón.

- Tía Faustine! Is it true that you and Bruno-! - Pumped Juancho started speaking loudly.

- Shhhhh. It is a secret! - Alejandra said.

Faustine sighed before smiling to the kids and kneeling to talk to them. The first thing was taking the Coffee mug and giving it to Mirabel who had approached them.

- I've told you that coffee is for grownups.- said Mirabel to Pumped Juancho.

- but what is the secret you wanted to ask?- Faustine asked the kids.

- it isn't a secret if we tell you. - Antonio said, crossing his arms, proud of himself.

- touché, bambino. - Faustine said defeated. - ok. I won't ask again. What no good are you up to?

- It is a secret! - the kids giggled and ran away.

Faustine smiled and turned around to see Camilo just finishing his transformation into Bruno, making her laugh. She joined arms with the boy and both helped around town. Later that day, the shape-shifting boy wouldn't let her go back before his sister met the archeologists.

All of the Madrigal women went to the thermal pools, taking Faustine with them. Still trying to learn what they know, she sparked conversation, getting the most varied answers. With an inconclusive answer, she walked back defeated but still in high spirits. After all the night rituals were completed and the Madrigals were sleeping, Faustine was too nervous to sleep herself. She needed to talk to Bruno and apologize for the town knowing that they had slept together. With that in mind, she grabbed a change of clothes and sneaked to the Madrigal's house.

Casita could be alive, but she still cracked a lot! Finding only an empty clean kitchen, she moved to his room. Slowly going step by step, she went to Bruno's room. Trying to guide herself through the shadows of the furniture, spying to his bed, only to find it empty and tossed around. Turning around to leave, she bumped into a shadow that wasn't there and that had held her.

Bruno picked his girlfriend up, bringing her with him to his chair. He lit up a candle and held her on his lap, giving a gentle kiss to her lips. Faustine ran away, only to get his blanket, gently placing over the two of them and snuggling on him. Kissing softly, his hands were on the side of her thigh, feeling her soft skin under his touch.

- You wear the tiniest pajamas, corazón. - He said.

- This is one of my most well behaved one. - She teased.

- Knock knock knock, knock on wood. - He blushed.

- I'm sorry… - she giggled. - I came here to apologize… and look at what I am doing..

- Why apologize, mi vida?

- I ruined your reputation again. Everyone in town was talking about us…. About you…

- I'm not worried, mi vida. Thanks to you, I got to experience something amazing.

Bruno and Faustine were back at kissing. With a little more intensity than before. She moved to better sit on his lap, her hands on his shoulders for better support while he fumbled with the hem of her shorts. She kissed his neck, trailing down to the small cleavage of his shirt. He moaned and she sensually bit him to tease him more.

- Silenzio, Bruno. You are giving me bad ideas… - She smiled, not stopping kissing him. - I came here to make things right…

- Corazón… - He moaned agan.

- Silenzio, Bruno.- She said again, caressing his neck.

- When you say that… is it because you are enjoying it?

- Yes. - She purred.

- I make you feel good?

- you have no idea how much you make me feel good.

The compliment made Bruno kiss her to hold a groan. How did she know which buttons to push even if he didn't know himself? His hands were still on her thighs, trying to not go up, to feel her soft ass under his touch and to have her hips touching his, like the night before. Could he do it? To touch her like that?

Faustine noticed Bruno. She felt his erection between them, his struggling hands. Taking action, she straddled him, better placing his hands on her.

- in situations like this, you can absolutely touch me. - she whispered in his ear, making him push his hands inside her shorts. - that's it. Good boy… - she kissed him.

The praise! She liked his touch! He kissed her more, squeezing her ass over and over again. His fingers sunk deep into her skin, pulling her his, to rub his arousal on her.

- You like when I call you a good boy? - Faustine teased again.

One of Bruno's hands left her ass to caress her back and raise her shirt in the process. Faustine looked at him, raising the fabric too close to her body that made her breasts bounce, just to cover them before he could start sucking on them.

- Rule number one. Always tell me "yes" or "no" when I ask you something, ok?

- Corazón…

- Bruno?

- Yes, mi vida

- Good boy…. - Faustine Purred and Bruno grunted.

- Something else?

- Yes. Rule number two. If you want me to stop immediately, just say….. "Encanto".

- No. Not "encanto". porque eres mi encanto, mi vida.

- Bruno…

- Let it be… "plant"

- ok. "Plant". Perfect. - she kissed his cheek. - rule number three. As long as you want to be my partner, we are only for each other.

- what do you mean?

- no cheating.

- mi vida… - Bruno laughed. - It took me 50 years to find you. Why would I want to share you… or cheat on you?

- I had my fair share of experiences

- that is not something I would do. - Bruno kissed her. - Neither Hernando, nor Jorge. - he said, making Faustine laugh.

- thank you, Bruno...

Bruno was kissed by Faustine. Slow tender kisses and her nails scratching his head, what a feeling it was. He was only getting more certain that he wanted her forever. His hands went to her back, holding her close so she wouldn't escape him.

Faustine only broke the kiss to hug him. She held his head against her chest for some time. Enjoying the feeling of being loved and safe with him. He looked at her with roe eyes and a sweet smile before hiding in her chest again to listen to her heartbeat. She sighed, kissing the top of his head.

- we need to go on more dates when I return. - she said, getting up.

- what do you mean? - Bruno went after.

- I want to go to the city, to see if I got any mail.

- n-no! Don't go!...

- why? I know I will be away for a week. It is only temporary.

- why don't you go next week? - asked anxiously.

- why?

- why… because… - Bruno laughed, trying to find a cover-up story. - Knock Knock Knock, Knock on wood!

- Bruno, is something wrong?

- Vision! I had a vision!

- what kind of vision?

- of you, corazón. - he kissed her. - and you startled with something. - he held her against him.

- it will happen today?

- yes! - he knocked on wood again. - I mean! I don't know. I just want to be close by when it happens.

Faustine kissed Bruno. They were back at making out, he finally had courage to explore under her clothes. The man picked up his fianceé and placed her on top of his table, tossing his belongings to the ground, after sliding down her shorts. Not only did he want to distract her, but all of the teasing throughout the night was becoming unbearable.

Bruno untied his pants, teasing her wet entrance before going in. Faustine crossed her legs behind him, delighted and contracting around him before she held him back.

- Bruno… are you sure? Didn't you want to wait until after the marriage?

- corazón… I want all of you… Te deseo más de lo que puedo describir, corazón. eres tan hermosa... tan intoxicante… and after tonight, how can I resist you and this amazing feeling? - he said the truth.

Bruno also knew that she would melt when he spoke Spanish to her. More than once she had her guard down, even for a second, just because of something so simple. This time, she seemed to be enjoying it a little more than their first time. Her hands trailed in opposite directions on her own body, making her call for his name.

Faustine had just taken off Bruno's clothes, yanking hers off right after. She raised to be on her elbow only to pull Bruno to suck on her breast. He was going fast and deep, just as she liked. The woman moaned his name more each time she got closer to her limit.

- Bruno… I…. I'm almost…

- I'll try to hold back… as much as I can…

Both came a few seconds apart, almost not in time for him to pull out of her, only in time to cover his release with his hand. Bruno watched her beautifully spent on his table before going to clean himself quickly.

Upon returning, his fiancé hadn't moved yet from the table. He kissed her stomach, making her open her legs again, an invitation for him. Bruno grunted, holding her tightly before helping her up. In cue, Faustine's watch started vibrating for her alarm.

- We need to get dressed, mi vida. Mirabel might come any second now.

- right…- she climbed off the table. Bending her waist in a way Bruno could see all of her before she got dressed, making him knock on wood. - I might just need a few minutes more…. - she said, after she was dressed and getting his blanket.

- cold?

- yes! - she ran to Bruno's arms. - you are learning, caro mio. - she snuggled on him.

Bruno smiled, holding the woman in his arms. She gently caressed his face. She gave him a kiss before getting up to return the blanket to his bed after she was warmed up, right on cue to Mirabel to enter the room and roll down the small slope.

- still not used to the step? - Faustine joked, offering her hand to the girl.

- Faustine? - she cleaned herself from the sand. - what are you doing here? And what are you wearing?

- Bruno and I had insomnia again. So we spent the night chatting.

- you just might want to put your clothes back on, if you want to go downstairs.

- but… I am dressed…? - Faustine said, confused. - oh! Yeah! Sure… Bruno, can I….? - she asked, pointing to the bedroom.

- of course, corazón.

- thank you. - she kissed his cheek.

Faustine grabbed her small bag of clothes and quickly changed. Bruno pulled up the hood and protected Mirabel from the sand cascade. Bruno and Mirabel were chatting in the kitchen, her trying to truly know what Faustine was doing in his room, with him only dodging her questions. The rest of the family arrived, sitting for breakfast. After some time, Faustine came to join the family, making Bruno choke on his food.

- Mi vida, why are you wearing your explorer's clothes? - Bruno asked.

- oh! I know you asked me not to leave Encanto, but there is a cave near the edge of Encanto, one I haven't gone inside of it yet, and I went there once and found a piece of shattered clay there near to the entrance. Maybe if I go into the cave I can find something more! - she said too excited. - sorry… and today is a beautiful day, why not spend it outdoors?... I know I will be inside the cave, but the sun beams caves have! It is so beautiful! - Faustine covered her face. - I got carried away again… I'm sorry everyone. I'll just grab something and be on my way. I'll be back by late night, don't worry.

Faustine kissed Bruno's cheek again and grabbed some food and some fruits before making her way to the front door. In an adrenaline rush, Isabela used her vines to constrict Faustine. Dolores ran upstairs to open her room and Faustine was bound inside the soundproof room. The Family ran to see the archeologist, who was kneeling quietly in the room, arms outstretched to each side held by a vine and facing the door.

Bruno ran to the room to see that scene. He never had seen her like that. It made his heart beat faster when she looked at him, a hunter letting his prey play.

- are you sure you want to play this game, Bruno?

- I'm sorry, Corazón… things got out of hand and-

- Bruno.

- mi vida… I'm really-

- Bruno. Yes or no? - she commanded.

Bruno looked at her wide-eyed. He wasn't sure what she meant, but the thrill and excitement ran through his body. His heart was beating faster than before and behind him the Madrigals pooled behind the threshold. He was the prey, he was sure and her eyes shined on how excited she was… but he really needed her in time for her surprise engagement party.

- yes. - he said, firmly, making the Madrigals wonder.

- are you sure? - she asked again.

- Yes. I am certain.

- very well. - she smiled, trying to hide the lust and to show him who was in charge. - I will be waiting…. - she looked down.

- do we need to…? - Camilo asked, with a long piece of fabric.

- when I'm free… please, do share with me that story. - Faustine said to the teenage boy. - You said you wanted to make choices today, Bruno. You decide.

Bruno took the Blindfold from Camilo and covered his fianceé's eyes. Then, she was left alone in the silent room, waiting for his care. Some time later, Faustine's hands and knees had gone numb a long time and her mouth was running dry. She heard unsure steps that came straight for her.

- Bruno…?

- yeah… no… it's just me… - Camilo said.

- Camilo! I'm sorry… I can't be of much help for you right now.

- no… I came to see if I could help you with something…

- hum… a complicated situation here… - Faustine said. - is the door closed?

- no… let me… - Faustine heard Camilo close the door. - it is now. - the boy said.

- great. Now tell me. How did you get this blindfold?

- it was for my birthday last year. A little before you arrived.

- oh! Ok… hum… then… I need you to call your uncle.

- why?

- why…. Because I need to talk to him about something.

Camilo left the room. Before he went to call his uncle, he decided to transform into him and get more information on why Faustine wanted him. Giving a fair amount of time, he entered the room back again and went to the woman once more. She turned her head into his direction, unsure what to say, he fidget before trying anything.

- you called for me? - he asked.

- Bruno?

- yes.

- hum… - she hummed. - Camilo was just here… so I need to be sure that you are you. - Fasutine smiled.

- ok.

- what did I throw at you last night?

- a pillow.

- Camilo… I really need to talk to your uncle.

- worth a shot. - he snickered. - I'll call him.

- Thank you.

Camilo was out again, this time to truly call his uncle. Bruno quickly got up the stairs, carrying some food and water. He saw Faustine in the same position he left her a few hours back.

Bruno helped Faustine drink the water in small sips, like she was instructioning him and small bites of food. Her body regained some strength but she still didn't move.

- how can you be so calm with all of this? - he asked.

- before I answer you, I need to be sure that you are not Camilo.

- he tried to impersonate me?

- he did. - She giggled. - so.. what did I throw at you last night?

- at me? - he asked, confused. - nothing…

- caro mio…- she smiled. - kiss me…

- mi vida…

- answering your question. I like this. This excites me. I bet you have more questions. - She smiled for the denied touch. - ask away.

- well… why?

- the denied touch, how sensitive the body becomes when it is untied and blood flows freely again. If you truly choose to marry me, after our marriage, I will tie you up, contour your body with my ropes… oh, Bruno… - she groaned. - you will look so beautiful.

Bruno finally kissed Faustine. She was defenseless and, yet, she could still be so seductive. He kissed her neck, making her gasp and pull against her binds.

- why do you said that it was my choice to blindfold you?

- because I am letting you have a taste of dominating someone. Until midnight, I am giving you full control of me. What I eat, what I drink, what liberties I will get. For today, is all up to you.

- why do you asked if I wanted?

- Consent. If you are joining me in this world, "consent" is one of the fundamental rules. Safe, sane and consensual, those will be our fundamentals… if you want to be with me after we discuss all of our rules.

- rules? There are more?

- yes. That is the "safe" part. Hard limits are not to be run over. Like my rule for no cheating. The first time it happens, it is over. Forever.

Bruno was unsure of what to think. It was all strange, but he didn't hate it. Faustine waited for his reaction, she knew it was a lot to take in, specially to a man from 1950. Finally she heard him move in front of her.

- what is happening now?

- we switched roles. You give commands and I obey. Which brings the question. How do you want me to call you when we switch?

- what do you mean?

- Do you want me to call you "master" or "sir"... - Faustine noticed he was too silent. - if you command me "open your mouth" I will ask "how wide…."

- querído.

Bruno pulled his hood up. A little bit of Hernando's courage was necessary. He cupped his fianceé's face, lightly pecking her lips, only for her to try to deepen it before he backed away.

- I want you in my room tonight.

- yes, querido. - Faustine smiled. - at what time?

- Ah.. I… at 11!

- yes, querido.

Bruno was at loss of words. He had never seen her like that. Unsure of what to do, he kissed Faustine one more time before fleeing the room and knocking on wood. Thankfully the preparations for the surprise engagement party was almost done.

When the sun started to go down, Bruno went to Dolores' room to free Faustine. He massaged her arms and legs at her request, letting her lean on him until she got back all feeling on her body.

Taken to the guest room, Mirabel and Luisa helped Faustine change to a new dress. She was yet blindfolded and was carried around by the superstrong granddaughter.

- I will take off the blindfold, but don't open your eyes.

- yes, querido.

When the fabric was removed, she rubbed her eyes to try to be easier on her when she opened them when she was given permission. Bruno took the small box from his pocket, kneeling down on one knee.

- you can open your eyes now.

When she did as commanded, she saw her green dress matching his huana, the Madrigals and the townspeople around and Bruno in front of her. Holding a box with a ring.

- will you marry me, Faustine? - Bruno asked.

- Bruno! Yes!

Bruno got up and slid the ring up her finger, holding her hand after it, just for her to jump in his arms. The Madrigals clapped, contaminating the rest of the guests and starting the party. Faustine was trying to dance with Bruno, but he kept himself from it to not cause more problem in town. She couldn't even insist on it, to not break the rules of their little play. She tried to enjoy the party as best as she could.

The party had died down considerably when the clock hit 11 at night. Faustine stealthy went to Bruno's room as he had demanded. The clairvoyant saw what she was doing it and checked Agustín's clock to see that she had indeed followed his command.

Faustine looked beautiful in his green… So beautiful and precious. Like a vision. She smiled, making him walk to her. He kissed her fondly, holding her by the waist.

- mi prometida.

- il mio fidanzato.

- you came.

- of course. You commanded me to. What do you want me to do?

- I don't know what to ask for.

- anything, querído. Do you want a massage? Or do you want me on my knees again? Do you want us to kiss like last night? Do you want us to sleep together again, naked under the covers but not doing anything?

- how can you do this? - he chuckled. - it is so hard… - he looked at her. - dance with me.

Faustine took his hand and they danced to the sound of the song being played outside.