Janet sighed in peace and mirth at being held by the hand and taken to a different place by the one she loved. After a few more steps away that led them to the front of a green hill, a tower standing tall at the top, he told her it was their destination.
"See?"
"It's a beautiful hill. What's up there?"
"Well, darling, ha ha, the fun is exactly not to make it easy for you! We'll walk up."
"Wait... what?"
"Want me to... oh. I know how to make it better. No worries, the princess shouldn't have to make all that effort in that pretty dress."
"Frankie, wha..!"
The blonde young lady yelped at Frank lifting her off the floor to carry her in his arms, the bag with clothes placed on his shoulder and his cape being put around her body. She swung her legs from above and when he chuckled at the excitement in her mood, she chuckled back.
He carried the woman through the entire walk, reaching the top of the hill at last. There, he found a spot by the ground, sat down and placed her on his lap, the cape enveloping her back, just as his arms then enveloped her. He pulled her body close until her hair fell all over his chest as her head reposed there. He swooned and listened to her talk tenderly:
"I see what you wanted to show me now. The view is just so beautiful. The sky's pretty! And... and I can see the hotel here from above!"
"Right! You can, love. And you see what stands behind us?"
"Yeah! A tower. Very high and must be an old building, I figured. I'm glad to be here with you..."
"Want to walk to the top of the tower with me? It's got stairs, so it's not necessary to carry you as much as I love to", he winked and she giggled.
"Sure! Take me with you."
They entered the place together and stepped forward in a spiral of stairs that led them to the highest point. There, the dark-haired man revealed there was a window that granted her the sight of many places in the town. Janet gasped, her hues were aglow in fascination and she took more steps ahead. She saw buildings get lit up as the radiance of the afternoon was beginning to fade and the night drew closer. It was beautiful, to witness small movements from citizens, to see many trees and flowers growing on different ends. She leaned into the window, held her head in both hands and, after the admiration took its time, turned back to the one standing close behind her.
"Hey. Thanks for bringing me here. You've made me have a great afternoon", she granted him along with a kiss on his forehead — he couldn't suppress his laugh, she was adorable standing on her tiptoes to reach him there.
"You deserved at least that. Royalty."
"Aww. So that's what you'll call me now. I'll have to do the same for you!"
"Technically, uhm... it wouldn't be incorrect of you at all."
"What do you mean?"
"I was born a prince in my home planet."
"A prince?! And how is it I had no idea?"
"I figured now that I should have told you this before?", he laughed tensely, "maybe I'm a clueless fool. But yes. My mother was known to be a good ruler, deemed the best of all generations for all it counts. They... they used to say I look just like her. Some would argue I even... act like her! That's something I wouldn't disagree with, but I understand too if I'm not taken as her son at face value."
"That's grand! The resemblance... it made me madly curious. Do you mind telling me about her?"
"She... appearance wise?"
"No, not only that. Everything. I'm sorry if I'm prying, you don't have to-"
"No worries! It feels fine, it's all good. In appearance, the curls and the dark hair, combined with the shade of my green eyes, must be the first things that captured people's attention on her that I've inherited notably."
"Beautiful, really."
"And now, about character or behavior. She was known to be... an emotional, cordial, hearfelt person. That always granted empathy on her decisions and it was appreciated by many, I'd say by all except the family."
"The family?"
"When growing up, I remember it was looked down upon between my relatives to rely a lot on your sentimental values to operate. But before anything, I should tell you, it's not that uncommon where I lived. Some inhabitants tried to maintain the tradition: putting an end to anything leading to attachments or personal bondings. They'd argue that personal matters equal complications on other issues for prosperity. Many young ones went against that old line of thought, but... not easy to move on."
"Your mother went against the norms according to some of you."
"Surely did."
"And she was openly emotional..."
"Wore her heart on her sleeve. Rumor has it, she was in love with my father's best friend. Another pretty woman. Mother did do a lot for her and they spent a good while walking together to God knows where. I wouldn't blame her, take it as you will, because the last thing my father had in mind was to stay with his wife for any feelings. He honestly was not bothered in the slightest about the relationship, there were other things in mind. Well, that was never confirmed about her, but no matter what the truth is: she was known to be a person so full of love."
"You're like her! I see that."
"Really?"
"Going against anything others impose on you. Following what you have in mind. Pursuing freedom. And, clearly, the heart. You two got the same one. Same temperament."
"That's a great compliment! I loved to know."
"Yes, you are just as loving. You're intense and it might even overwhelm you in a few cases, but... you can also make the best out of it and you've shown me that. You'd have been a good prince had you stayed there, but... your nature being like hers, you had to go against the flow, isn't that so? Ha ha."
"You know me well. And yes! I'm thankful I'm here, princess. I'm thankful I found you."
"I guess I have all the right to say the same! Won in the lottery, got a beautiful prince for a lover."
She placed one finger down his chin, holding it, then lifted her head to make up again for her smaller figure and kissed his lips. He closed his eyes for a moment before he spoke.
"Guess the tale took a fun spin because you're the one who came to my rescue and broke the spell. Truly. Didn't know I'd ever have this before."
"Now you do", she smiled.
"And for all you've been to me, I've been planning since we walked up here to do something else for you. But, Janet, you've got to do me a favor so it'll work."
"A favor? Of course, darling, how can I help you?"
"We'll go back to the hotel. And once we get in, go to our room. I'll go to the dining room and I want you to occupy yourself inside in whatever way you prefer, only meet me again outdoors later, stand out of the building at nine. At nine, okay?"
"Wow! That... sounds mysterious. I'll miss you."
"Trust me, I'm the one who'll miss you the most. But it's worth the... it's worth what you're going to see. So, is it a deal?"
"Yes! Deal! At nine, right?"
"At nine. Let's go."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, she clasped his hand and shared his cape with him, both covered in it so they would go downstairs, say goodbye to the marvelous view of the town and return to their current place. She was feeling blessed for their bonding and for how she got to know him in ways no one had ever done. He should guess by now, she wanted to be sharing those walks and talks forever. That's when he looked at her and added a comment:
"Royal announcement, Janet."
"What is it?"
"The future king found the one he'll take for his queen", he grinned.
She cackled and hummed in confirmation.
"She says yes. She loves him."
"I love you, too."