228 The Proposal

AUTHOR'S POV

Stellan rested his head on the soft pillow, catching his breath. With his heart racing, Stellan can't believe that he could get knocked off on his feet even on Helena's ribald ways. Surely, every time they do it, it always feels like the first time. He have always been a morning person, who embrace his duties at early dawn. Having this kind of new routine on the top of his long list of tasks in a day would be something he definitely willingly do. Exhausted, they both fell asleep snuggled in each other's arms. A heavenly way to a restful shuteye.

At about an hour or two, Helena was awakened by a series of knocks on the door. She waited until they went away on their own. When Helena looked to her side, she saw Stellan still sound asleep. It was so peaceful that he looked perfectly charming even with his disheveled hair. Then, Helena carefully removed Stellan's arm snaked on her waist. As she move away, she flinched when Stellan suddenly held her tight pulling her back to his chest. "Where are you going?!", Stellan anxiously asked, with a fear of Helena is abandoning him. "Don't go".

"I'll just .. I'll use the bathroom", Helena felt awfully despaired seeing Stellan extremely uneasy with just her going out for a bit.

"Alright..", Stellan watched Helena weakly stood up, thinking badly if he was too rough on her. In fact, he wanted to save such very intimate moment with Helena until their marriage… however, he didn't knew he's going to be so frail not to make a bold move. Helena pulled the black silk of fabric, and wrapped herself nicely. "You don't need to cover yourself up.. I've seen everything already, besides, there's only the two of us here", Stellan uttered, as he place his hands under his head.

"That's exactly the reason why I need to cover up", Helena glared at Stellan, which was clear testimony that he kind of went over the top. She then went straight to the bathroom on tiptoes, leaving Stellan guilt-ridden for not controlling himself. 

Inside the privy, Helena looked at herself on the broken pieces of mirror. She dropped the black silk on the floor and stared at her unrecognizable pale body full of red marks from Stellan's fierceness. She touched every part where Stellan laid his hands on, and recalled the feel of his lips on her skin. Grabbing her full chest, she wondered what could be in it that Stellan finds gratifying. As she lowered her gaze, she felt embarassed seeing her private part still dripping with all the pleasure of satisfaction from their intimacy. Stellan was indeed went all frenzy with just her touching his extra limb, she thought.

"Did you like my art?", Stellan appeared leaning by the privy door, watching Helena intently while she stare at the broken glass. 

"You call this art?", Helena tried to rub the marks off with her hand.

Stellan couldn't resist being away from her that she followed Helena the second she stepped out of the bedroom. He walked towards Helena, and stood right behind her where he thought he gladly belong. "I'm actually not done yet..", Stellan held her shoulders and planted a kiss on her nape. 

"I'm just here to wash", Helena whispered, turning around to face Stellan. She wrapped her hands around his neck, as Stellan rest his hands on her waist.

"Then let me help you again… like last night", Stellan offered, as he gracefully lifted her up in his arms, and walked towards the shower area of the privy. Helena gave him a sly look, assuming Stellan have something else in his mind. "I promise. Just plain... bath", he winked. It's the least he could do for being a little harsh on her this morning.

Stellan opened the faucet and let the cold water run on Helena's hair, down to her body. She was like an enchanting fairy under the waters that had him swept away. It was never just her smile, or the gleam in her dazzling eyes. It was how he felt in the language of her touch, and the unspoken words of her look that made him completely swayed by her charm. And without a warning, he has been madly… deeply blown away and enamored at soul traveler who stole his heart.

With her eyes closed, Helena found delight in the coolness of the water streaming on her skin. The gentle pressure of the water showering on her head gave her calm as she sigh through her parted lips. Stellan watched her enjoy the waters in silence. Even without any words, he could tell Helena enjoys the bath… especially the floral scent soap that he used on her.

"You seem to like the water so much", Stellan lathered some soap and washed Helena's hair. 

"I never had this kind of luxury", Helena said, as she rub Stellan's chest with her soapy hands in return.

"Then, allow me to give you more than this", Stellan took Helena's hand, and brushed his lips on her fingers as he rinse all the soap on his body. Drenched, he stepped out of the shower and coursed his way to his budoir naked.

Confused, Helena watched from the shower area. In a moment, Stellan returned in a black brocade robe and a small red velvet box in his hand. Helena closed the faucet and put on a thick white robe made of soft cotton, as she step out of the shower area. "What's this?", she asked.

"This is not my idea of doing this, but... I have no reasons to delay it.", Stellan exhaled sharply, staring directly at the box in his hands. No matter how many times he think of it, his tailored scheme remains the same. "Helena Athena", Stellan suddenly knelt on one knee, in front of Helena. She staggered, getting caught by the unexpected moment without blinking an eye. "I want to give you the luxury of everything, with a promise of my undying love and faithfulness. I will give you everything that you deserve. Freedom, family and a home", Stellan took her hand, and caressed each finger as he look into her eyes. Helena never removed her gaze on Stellan's, as she listen closely at every word he say. "Use me, trust me… Just say the word and I'll cut out all the rough edges there is", Stellan opened the box, showing Helena a bone ring containing a teardrop labradorite with blue iridescence in the center that come in pairs. Stellan took one ring, and wore it in his index finger.

"I… know this ring", Helena was at a loss for words. She knew what exactly Stellan means. This is certainly not a proposal of marriage that she thought it would be. It is a kind of proposal that's too good to be true, entangled with all kinds of danger. In Stellan's pleading eyes, there was nothing romantic in it. It was obtrusively firm, refusing to be answered with a no.

Helena knew her capabilities. There's nothing in her potentials can save herself, or her friends. Unhesitatingly, she wore the ring with an acceptance of Stellan's proposal. "Honestly, 'I love you too' was enough", Helena answered, sealing their deal with a kiss.