Awaken

The next day...

(At the Water kingdom)

"Your highness, King Cameron's awake!" Alice yelled as she ran towards the woman sitting on the couch.

"Really..?" the woman said as she stood up and looked at the man lying on the bed.

As the woman went closer, Cameron slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. He then slowly sat up and asked the woman where he was.

The woman hugged him tight. "You're finally awake. I thought you'd never wake up!"

"Silly! Why wouldn't I? Licia used my own sword to hurt me. Do you think that the red gem would allow its owner to die that easily?"

"I'm sorry, I should've been the one that got hurt."

"Don't say that. I'm willing to sacrifice everything for you, Eleanor. I love you."

The princess took a few steps back. "I have something to tell you."

"Why are you so far away? How can I hear you?"

"Just stay where you are."

"If you won't come closer, then I'll just be the one to go to you."

Eleanor tried to stop Cameron from getting up of the bed. As she was about to grab his hands, Cameron swiftly grabbed her wrist. She then fell onto the bed with him under her.

"What-What are you doing? Alice is still here!" Eleanor whispered.

"Your highness, I'll be heading back to now. You may continue." Alice chuckled.

The princess shouted, "Wait! Alice it's not what you—"

Before she was even able to finish what she was saying, Alice immediately got out of the room and locked the bedroom door.

"She's unbelievable." the princess turned her head to look at Cameron.

"She's given us time alone. Don't you think you owe me something?" Cameron brought his face closer.

"I know." Eleanor gently kissed his lips.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"About a week."

"How about Licia? Were you able to capture her?"

Eleanor then told him that Licia ended her life before she was even able to let the guards lock her in the dungeon. She told her that she couldn't live a life filled with regrets, so she decided to kill herself.

"Well, if there was a second life, I hope that she'd change by then." Cameron smiled.

The princess looked away. "You should've told me that your first love was her."

Cameron tilted his head. "I didn't want to bring up the past. I thought you'd feel uneasy about it."

Turning her head to respond, Cameron pushed her down causing her to kiss his lips.

"Why did you do that?" Eleanor asked with her lips close to his.

"Do I have a reason not to? I've missed you. Now that everything is solved, don't you think it's time for you to make a decision?"

"Don't tell me its about..."

"I'm asking for your hand in marriage, Eleanor. I want the whole world to know that you're mine."

As soon as Eleanor heard what he said, her mind went blank. What should she say? She hasn't even thought about it and he's already asking for her answer? She loved him truly, but can she really say no to marriage?

"I-I actually think that I'm not ready for this."

Cameron held her hand. "It's not that I'm rushing you to make a decision. I just want to—"

"I accept."

Cameron's eyes widened. "What did you just say...?"

Eleanor pecked his lips. "Idiot! I said I'll marry you!"

"Didn't you just say that you weren't prepared?"

"We've been through a lot, Cameron. In those times, you never once failed to make me smile. You're always there for me when no one else is, and you accept me for who I am. There are millions of women out there who are a lot prettier than I am, but you choose to stay loyal. I wasn't able to show how grateful I was to have you, but despite everything, I want to tell you that falling in love with you is the best is the best thing that happened in my life."

"I'll love you forever, Eleanor. Not just today or tomorrow, but for the rest of my life."

Tears started falling from the princess's eyes. "I never thought that this day would come."

Cameron wiped her tears. "No matter how much you push me away, I've made a decision to stay forever, Eleanor."

"Should-Should we inform everyone in the castle about this...? I meant like—"

"We'll tell them soon. I'd like to enjoy the rest of the day with you first."

"Doesn't it still hurt? I should let you rest."

Cameron wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why are you making excuses? Do you not want to spend some time with me?"

The princess blushed. "Well, it's just that..."

"What? Are you keeping something from me?"

"I've been waiting all day just in case you wake up, and I've lost most of my energy."

"Then sleep here. I'll stay with you."

"But-But I'm lying on your chest. You should let go."

"You'll sleep that way."

"I won't be able to—"

"Don't try to get away from me, Eleanor. No matter what you say, I won't let go."

The princess then stayed quiet and slowly drifted off to sleep.