The moonlight cast a gentle glow over the premises of the Apollonian palace, the distant roar of the ocean filling the air as Ro and Antonio strolled through the gardens, hand in hand. It was the end of a perfect night for them, one filled with the serenity that came from finally being able to get away from the crowd and chatter at the ballroom—they had a moment just for themselves.
"It feels good to be out here alone," Antonio remarked, his gaze sweeping over the landscape, the breeze tugging lightly at his hair. "Away from all the people. Just us, the gardens, and our thoughts."
Ro smiled, though her heart fluttered strangely at Antonio's words. Being close to him had always stirred warm feelings inside her, and tonight these feelings were only intensified as they were alone.
"I agree, it's very nice." she murmured, and the two walked over to the bridge that overlooked the ocean sparkling with reflections of the moonlight.
Antonio held Ro close, wrapping an arm around her waist while Ro rested her head on his shoulder. They reflected on everything that happened over the past few days, and how the very thought of them being together seemed impossible with all the engagement drama and the king and queen's disapproval for Ro. Now all of that was over, and they were finally together at last.
"Ro," Antonio whispered. "Do you want to go to the greenhouse?"
"I'd love to."
The greenhouse had been the first place where Ro seeked refuge upon her arrival in the castle. This place had some degree of resemblance to the peaceful and serene, tranquil environment of her island, something that they both currently longed for after being in a crowded ballroom for most of the night.
As they walked in, Ro took in the scent of the night blooming flowers, as well as the sweet scent of the island roses that were in bloom all season around. The sweet, sensual aroma of the florals, as well as the privacy of the greenhouse that embraced them only made their evening more romantic and intimate, creating the perfect atmosphere for what Antonio planned to do next.
"Ro," he started, "You know how much I love you, right?"
"Not as much as I love you." she replied.
Antonio chuckled and bent down to kiss her, something he'd been longing to do all night. "I believe we're so perfect for each other, which is why I want this to be perfect as well." he held her hand and knelt down on one knee.
Looking intently into her eyes, he held out an open ring box. "My beautiful island princess, will you marry me, and be my queen?"
Ro's eyes widened, hadn't he already done this once? And didn't they just spend the entire evening dancing at the ball, their engagement ball? But this time it felt equally as special and romantic, if not more. After all, he was the man she loved and who had shown her the world beyond her island and given her the chance to find her family and origins. She loved him so much, she could say yes to him over and over again.
"Yes, yes! Antonio, I will marry you." she breathed heavily, using every ounce of her restraint to not just jump at him and throw her arms around him.
"I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, my love." Antonio placed the ring on her finger, it was a perfect fit. Ro's eyes glimmered as she studied the ring. The gems sparkled so brilliantly she could make out the shape of the ring even in the shadows of the trees that surrounded them. Pink gems, in the shape of a peacock with its feathers spread out, small blue gems placed at the tip of each feather with a larger blue oval stone making the body of the peacock.
Pink and blue, shaped like a peacock. It reminded her of…
"Remember that night, when we danced for the first time?" Antonio smiled, holding her close and wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I do." Ro replied, still studying the ring and realizing it was inspired by her blue and pink peacock dress.
"I wanted this ring to be a reminder of that night." Antonio held both of her hands in his. "It was the night where I realized you were the one, and I was ready to give up everything to be with you forever."
"I am sorry I didn't try to understand, I kept thinking you were—" Ro started getting emotional, realizing for how long she misunderstood him and thought he had Princess Luciana over her.
"I would never choose someone else over you, Ro. You're the one." Antonio reminded her again, before closing the distance between their lips. Ro melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Now that the doubts over their love for each other was clearly over, and their engagement was announced to both of their kingdoms, nothing would stop them from being together.
Such thoughts, along with the current privacy they had in the greenhouse started to stir intense feelings of love, as well as something else, something new, something more warm and fluttery inside of Ro. She found herself standing on her toes to deepen the kiss while Antonio placed both his hands on her waist. His touch suddenly felt so hot against the delicate fabric of her dress, it was like his fingertips could burn holes into her dress and melt her skin. Ro gasped—she felt hot, she needed air. The heat from being in each other's embrace, the sweltering warmth of his tongue brushing against hers—all this heat started to travel down her mouth, her throat, down her belly, pooling between her legs.
"I need... I need more," she gasped, her voice trembling as she pulled back slightly, her gaze locking onto Antonio's. "Please..."
Antonio lowered his mouth to kiss at her neck, sucking and grazing his teeth ever so lightly against the smooth flesh, only intensifying the heat that rushed through her body so rapidly. His breath came in shallow bursts, his heart racing as his hands moved to the front of Ro's gown, his fingers trembling as he loosened the ties. "Yes," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "Let me touch you, Ro."
The gown loosened, slipping down over her shoulders, the cool air of the night brushing against her heated skin as Antonio's hands moved with purpose, sliding down to cup her breasts through the thin fabric of her chemise. Ro moaned softly, her body arching into his touch, her breath trembling as the pleasure coursed through her.
His fingers teased, caressing the soft skin beneath the fabric, his breath hitching as he felt the heat of her body beneath his hands. The distant sound of the ballroom music mingled with the soft gasps of their shared pleasure, the scent of the flowers thick in the air as they lost themselves in each other's passionate embrace. Antonio pushed Ro's back against a tree, still kissing her while slowly lifting the skirt of her ballgown and bunching the fabric into her hands.
His hand slipped between her legs, fingers brushing lightly against the slick heat there, the undeniable wetness of her desire making his breath catch. He moved, his touch gentle as his fingers explored the most tender parts of her. Ro gasped at the sensation, so foreign to her. She had never been brave enough to explore that part of her.
Antonio paused for a moment, his eyes locking with hers, silently asking for permission to continue. There was a softness in his gaze, a quiet assurance that this moment belonged to them alone, and that he would take care of her. Ro nodded, her breath coming in soft, shaky bursts, her back pressing against the trunk of the tree.
"Relax," Antonio whispered, his voice soft, soothing as his fingers began to move again, sliding gently along her slick folds. "I'll be gentle. I promise."
Ro's eyes fluttered closed, her body responding instinctively to his touch, the tension melting away as her mind gave in to the sensations. Every stroke of his fingers was careful, almost reverent, designed to bring her pleasure without overwhelming her senses. His thumb circled her clit, applying the slightest pressure, enough to send a shiver through her entire being but not too much to frighten her.
"Does that feel good?" Antonio asked softly, his voice a mere breath against her ear as his fingers continued their gentle exploration.
Ro could only nod, her breath catching in her throat as his fingers moved with slow, unhurried precision. She had never felt anything like this before—the intimacy, the warmth, the overwhelming pleasure that came from being touched in such a way. His fingers dipped lower, sliding through the wetness between her legs, teasing her entrance with the lightest of touches. She gasped, her fingers tightening on his arms as the sensation sent a shock of pleasure through her body. But Antonio didn't rush—he kept his movements slow, deliberate, ensuring that she was comfortable and ready.
"I'm going to put a finger in," he whispered, his voice soft but filled with quiet authority. "It might feel strange at first, but I'll be gentle. Just relax, my love."
The girl's breath hitched, her body trembling with both excitement and nerves as she nodded, her heart racing as the prince's finger pressed gently against her pulsing entrance. She could feel the slight stretch, the warmth of his finger as it began to slide inside her, slow and careful, giving her time to adjust to the sensation.
The stretch was unfamiliar, and for a moment, Ro tensed, but Antonio's other hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin in a soothing gesture.
"Breathe," he murmured, his lips brushing lightly against her forehead. "You're doing so well. Just breathe. Let me take care of you."
Ro nodded, her breath trembling as she focused on the warmth of his touch, the way his fingers moved with such tenderness, easing her into the experience. Slowly, the discomfort faded, replaced by a growing warmth, a fullness that made her body tremble with pleasure.
His finger slid deeper, moving with a gentle rhythm that allowed her body to adjust, to welcome the new sensation. The slick heat of her arousal made the movements easier, each stroke sending a wave of pleasure through her body, the tension melting away as she surrendered to her lover's care.
"You're so beautiful," Antonio whispered, his voice filled with quiet reverence as his thumb found her clit again, stroking it in time with the slow, gentle thrust of his finger. "I want you to feel everything... I want you to know how much I care for you."
Ro moaned softly, her hips moving instinctively against his hand, her body responding to the pleasure that was building deep within her. The way he touched her—so careful, so gentle—made her feel cherished, adored, in a way she had never known before. It wasn't just physical; it was emotional, the connection between them deepening with every slow, gentle stroke.
Antonio added a second finger, his movements still gentle but more insistent now, the stretch making Ro gasp softly. But the discomfort quickly faded, replaced by a growing sense of fullness, of pleasure that made her entire body tremble. His thumb continued its soft, rhythmic passes over her clit, the combination of sensations pushing her closer and closer to the edge.
"Antonio," Ro gasped, her breath trembling as her body arched. "I... I think I'm...oh, I can't—"
"It's all right," he whispered, his voice filled with quiet reassurance as his fingers moved faster now, his thumb pressing more firmly against her clit. "Let it happen, my love. Let yourself feel it."
Ro's breath hitched, her body trembling uncontrollably as the pleasure built, wave after wave of sensation crashing over her as Antonio guided her toward release. The world around her seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of his touch, the soft sound of her breathless gasps.
And then, with a soft cry, the blonde's body tensed as the wave of release washed over her, leaving her breathless, trembling in Antonio's arms. His fingers moved in slow, gentle circles, drawing out every last shudder of pleasure as her body finally relaxed, collapsing back against the tree.
For a long moment, neither of them moved, and neither could hear a single sound other than the beat of their hearts synchronizing with every breath they took. Ro's knees felt weak, her body still trembling from the intensity of her release. Before she could collapse into the ground, Antonio held her, stopping herself from losing balance. His hand rested gently on her waist, guiding her to sit on a nearby bench.
"You did beautifully," he whispered, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Ro's plush lips. "How do you feel?"
She smiled weakly, letting the bunched up fabric of her skirts fall free. "I feel... wonderful," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. "Thank you…for making me feel this way."
Antonio's smile deepened, his hand sliding up to cup her cheek as he gazed down at her with quiet reverence. "You deserve nothing less, my love."
Ro blushed, still catching her breath before hesitantly asking, "Do you think you can do that to me again sometime?"
Antonio kissed her slowly. "My princess, once we're officially wed, we'll have all the time and privacy in the world to do a lot more than just that."
Ro smiled into the kiss. She didn't know what other things lovers did when they were alone, but perhaps she could spend the rest of the night trying to guess a few things. She blushed and felt herself starting to moisten again at the merest thought of his touch.