Chapter 20

One Month Later …

The bittersweetness of my last night in Verdana lingered in the air. August was getting the cast removed from his arm today, signaling his complete recovery, but it also meant my stay was coming to an end.

I didn't want to leave.

As I chatted with Daphne on a video call, my gaze occasionally drifted to the suitcase open on the bed—half-packed, and a silent testament to my imminent departure.

"Still no hint of a proposal?" Daphne asked.

I shook my head. "No, nothing yet. I told him we should take it slow, and when the time is right, he'll know. There's no hurry."

Daphne smirked through the screen. "Tell that to Queen Annabelle who is more than ready to abdicate the throne. August must have told her not to intrude, because I'm surprised she hasn't been pushing it."

"I'm not worried about her," I said with a laugh. "How about you? How are things going with Caleb?"

"It's been amazing, to say the least." Daphne beamed with sheer bliss. "I've seen him twenty-one days in a row, not counting the days in Verdana and Africa. We've been inseparable."

"Truly, I have never seen you happier than you are right now," I noted, genuinely curious about her budding romance with my brother. "Your relationship seems to be on the fast track."

"More than you think." She leaned closer to the camera, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I told him I loved him."

My heart warmed for them both, but I couldn't hide my shock. "Wow! And what did my brother say to that?"

With a knowing smile, Daphne replied, "He told me he's loved me since he was five years old."

We both laughed, not at all surprised.

A sudden thought struck me. "I need to have a talk with him. You'd better not get engaged before me."

"Don't you dare!" Daphne's laughter filled the digital space between us. "We could have a double-wedding!"

I shook my head in amusement. "I know you're joking because that is not going to happen with two princes from different countries."

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from August. He said he was running late at the hospital, and that it would be better to meet him at the restaurant, using the backup driver at the palace, since the main driver, Marco, was with him.

"It looks like I need to get going," I said, standing to gather my things. "I have to meet August at the restaurant."

"Maybe he's going to propose tonight," Daphne said.

I was sure that would not happen.

"It's just a dinner," I said. "He wouldn't propose at a restaurant. We're just celebrating him getting the cast off, and my last night here. I'll be home tomorrow and will call you when I get there. Can't wait to see you."

"Can't wait to see you, too," Daphne replied, her smile wide and warm as we said goodbye and disconnected the video call.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to the restaurant. I got out, then saw Marco leaning against the SUV in one of the parking spots.

"Hey, Marco!" I said, waving to him as I walked toward the front door of the restaurant.

"Princess Veronica!" he called out. "There's been a slight change of plans."

I stopped and spun on my heel. "August is not inside?"

He shook his head and opened the backdoor of the SUV. "I will take you to him, if you don't mind."

"Okay …" I hopped in the back of the SUV, curious about the change. "Where are we going?"

Marco drove, then glanced at me in the rearview mirror with a grin. "A different restaurant. You'll see."

Five minutes later, the royal SUV glided to a halt near the entrance of El Tiburon, aptly translated to "The Shark" in Spanish. Memories of my first date with August at this cozy Mediterranean waterfront restaurant, known for its exquisite tapas and paella, washed over me.

"This spot is even better, Marco." I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, Your Highness," he replied with a courteous nod.

Stepping inside El Tiburon, I paused, taken aback by the unusual silence. The dining area was devoid of patrons, a stark contrast to its usual bustling state. I had noticed a few cars in the parking lot, and just figured it was a slow night. Only muted sounds of activity drifted from the kitchen.

The owner, a jovial Spanish man with a welcoming smile, approached swiftly. "Welcome, Your Highness. Please, follow me."

I trailed behind him, weaving through the vacant tables to the rear of the restaurant. He opened the back door, revealing the terrace, and pointed to a staircase leading directly to the sandy beach below.

"Just take those stairs to the sand below," he instructed with a subtle smile. "Enjoy your evening."

As I approached the stairs, the low rumble of a passing plane momentarily captured my attention. I glanced up in surprise, only to see an advertisement for Verdana Beer fluttering behind. I scoffed at myself for even thinking it might have been a proposal banner. I knew August was far more thoughtful than that.

Descending the stairs to the sand, my heart skipped a beat at the sight that greeted me. A path lined with softly flickering candles led to a small table by the water's edge, where August stood waiting, a grin on his face. The soft strumming of a guitar playing Spanish melodies filled the air, adding to the magic of the scene before me.

August was always attentive to details—candles, the beach at night, the sound of the ocean mixed with music—these were all my favorite things.

"You went all out," I said as I reached him, taking in the romantic ambiance. "I don't think my last night here could have been any better. Thank you for this."

"Just for you," he replied, his eyes brightening as he took in my reaction, then kissed my lips.

I gestured to his arm. "How does it feel to have the cast off?"

"Much better," he said, flexing his newly freed arm. "Although it's a little skinnier since I wasn't able to use it for a month." He pulled out my chair so I could take a seat.

"Thank you," I said as the server approached with two glasses and a pitcher of sangria, my favorite drink.

He served the sangria for us, then set the pitcher on the table. "Tapas are on the way. And, of course, the paella." He bowed and walked away.

I shook my head in surprise. "You really thought of everything."

"Everything for you," August said, then raised his glass and added, "To us."

"To us," I repeated, then clinked his glass.

As we sipped our sangria, August confessed, "This place brings back so many wonderful memories, but I was a wreck on our first date here. I thought you were way out of my league."

I laughed. "Please, I had thought the same about you."

Our laughter mingled with the flamenco guitar, then my eyes suddenly caught on a small velvet box on the table.

My heart raced.

Was this the moment?

August noticed my gaze. "Oh, that?" He picked up the box, handing it to me. "Just a little something for you."

No sane man would ever just hand his future fiancée a box with the engagement ring inside. This wasn't the proposal, obviously.

Nodding, I masked my disappointment. "Oh … thank you. You didn't have to get me anything."

"Open it," he said with a grin.

I wondered what he had gotten me, while doing my best to pretend that I was actually eager about it. Then I opened the box and smiled.

It was a sterling silver lizard pendant—a reminder of Africa and the reptile that had startled me so much that August had to whisk me away from it. Even though I was disappointed, and this was not the night of the proposal, I couldn't hold back the chuckle of the memory.

"We will never forget that trip," I said, shaking my head in amusement.

"Never," he said with a grin, then slipped behind me, wrapping the necklace around my neck and securing it. "There we go." His breath was warm against my ear, which sent tingles up my spine.

I turned around to face him, playing with the lizard between my fingers. "Thank you. I love it."

It was the truth. It was lovely, although I had hoped for something else that was more circular with a sparkly diamond on top. I really did just need to let go of the disappointment and enjoy the evening with him because I was the one who told him we should take it slow. It was all my fault.

"You're very welcome," he said.

The server returned and placed manchego cheese and fried calamari on the table, also two of my favorite things.

"Seriously—you are scoring a lot of points with me this evening," I said, reaching for a piece of cheese and savoring the flavor, then adding some calamari to my plate.

"I'm just getting started," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "By the end of the night, I'm aiming for a perfect score." He watched me with amusement as I enjoyed a piece of calamari.

I laughed, then gestured to the food. "Don't just sit there—dive in! I can barely hear the crashing waves over your stomach's rumbling."

He chuckled and reached for cheese and calamari, and we slipped into enjoyable conversation as the flamenco guitarist continued to play. We talked about my wonderful project I've been working on with the International Grain Coalition, the blossoming romance between Caleb and Daphne, and the upcoming anniversary party Sabrina and Simon were hosting in Slovenia. The night was absolutely perfect, culminating when the server set a steaming pan of seafood paella before us and served us each a plate.

Forty-five minutes later, we had polished off the paella. Not a speck of rice or seafood was left in the pan. Only six lemon wedges that had been squeezed until every last drop came out of them.

I leaned back in my chair, content. "This might just be the best dinner I've ever had. It's just as wonderful as our first date. Thanks again for this."

August dabbed his lips with a napkin. "Absolutely. But you know we can't possibly leave without indulging in your favorite dessert."

I froze for a moment. "You ordered flan?"

His grin was all the answer I needed.

My heart swelled with affection as I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "That's it. You wanted a perfect score. You've got it."

August shook his head. "No, no … not yet."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because I still need to do this." August reached into his pocket, withdrew a box, and then dropped to one knee in the sand.

My hands flew to my mouth as I jumped to my feet, my heart banging against my chest. "You tricked me!"

August chuckled as he opened the box to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring. "It certainly appears that way."

My eyes immediately began to fill.

This is it.

It's happening right now.

Under the bright glow of the full moon, August held my gaze. "Veronica, every moment with you has been a chapter in the most beautiful story, and nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Tears blurred my vision as I nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

He slipped the ring on my finger and stood, but before he could make another move, I jumped into his arms and kissed him so hard I almost knocked him over.

August pulled away from the kiss, chuckling with happiness and surprise in his eyes. "It's a good thing I'm healed or that would have hurt." He gathered the sangria glasses from the table and handed me mine.

"To love and lizards," he said.

I chuckled, then clinked his glass. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said.

We both took sips of our sangrias, then returned to the table.

My heart was swooning as I sat down.

August settled into his chair with a satisfied sigh, setting his sangria glass on the table. But as he leaned back, a sharp crack split the air. In an instant, his chair legs snapped, and he crashed backwards into the sand, legs flailing in the air comically.

I burst out laughing, unable to help myself as I stood and rushed over to him. "What is with you lately? You were never this clumsy before."

"That was not my fault!" He chuckled, brushing sand off his pants as he stood. He glanced at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Either way, this is the life you've signed up for as the future queen of Verdana. Can you handle it?"

I helped him dust off the sand, still laughing with him. "I can handle it just fine. As long as it's with you, I'm ready for anything that life throws my way."

"And that is all that matters," he said, pulling me closer and kissing me.

THE END