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 found 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.
"It's so beautiful." 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.