Chapter 228 - With new eyes (1/2)
”Cam, about earlier... I really am sorry... I handled that completely wrong from the start.” He held her hand as they walked the moonlit path leading back to the palace. Ales had quickly apologized to Cam's long-time friend and insisted on learning all he could of the strange girl with the horrible reputation about town. ”I didn't realize she had it so hard...” He frowned as he kicked at a stone on the path. ”I suppose I did... I guess I just never thought of how such things affected her... She's been painted as a monster for as long as our people have lived on this island. The tales of her sinking sh.i.p.s and killing entire families date back so far... I guess I just assumed... well that she was a monster...” He met Cam's gaze. ”I guess I figured if she wasn't what they say she was then why would she stay and put up with it?”
Cam frowned, ”She's trapped on this island. That cave, it's more than just her home... it's her prison.” Cam motioned around them. ”This entire island is... well technically if the council had their say she'd never leave her cave, but lucky for her Raven doesn't mind going against their order.”
Ales scrunched his brows. He had insisted on walking them back, offering to carry several dresses Cam had outgrown and insisted Jos take. ”You know if you really want to help her... if we really wanted to help her... instead of having her mask her identity, have her come as is. Let it be known that she is the best friend of the crowned princess and prince. The people would be too afraid to say anything to her inside the palace, and eventually would see that she's just a normal girl with otherworldly problems.” He shrugged. I'm sure if she told people half of what she explained to me tonight, they would understand and look at her in a different light.” He stroked his chin. ”We could talk to mother about it...”
Cam smiled brightly up at him. ”Do you mean it?!” She squeezed his arm tightly, resting her head against his shoulder.
”Of course, I do.” He said as he stopped and turned to her. ”I would do anything to see you happy, besides I honestly like your friends they both seemed oddly nice... and definitely anything but dull.” He chuckled.
Cam sent him a devilish grin, her eyes twinkling mischievously up at him. ”So, are you going to admit it?”
”Admit what?” Ales asked, captivated by the ethereal glow of her pale hair and skin in the moonlight.
Her smile widened. ”Admit that you were jealous this evening.”
He narrowed his eyes at her trying to hide his own wide smile. ”I believe you planned that! You knew that I would be!”
She shook her head. ”It truly hadn't dawned. I feel so completely yours that it hadn't crossed my mind. Besides Jos still smelled mostly like herself so it was easy to forget she wasn't in her normal form unless looking directly at her. I was more fascinated... and I thought you should be the first to meet her since you are both important to me and a big part of my life now. I didn't want the first time you met to be at the coronation.”
He nodded as he tugged at a lone, bouncy curl. ”Understandable... and yes... I was very jealous.” He bent and placed a tender kiss to her waiting lips. ”I love you, Camilla, and do not plan to ever share your affections with another man that is not of my own flesh and blood.”
She smiled up at him lovingly. ”Are we already speaking of children and we're not even wed yet...” She teased.
Ales's smile faded as he released her and fumbled around awkwardly in his trousers pocket. His cheeks were red as his eyes returned to hers. ”I wasn't going to do this until the night of coronation but Cam...” He lowered to one knee at her feet. ”Camilla, I have loved you since the first day you were dragged into our palace.” He smiled up at her as he took one of her hands. ”I realized nearly a year ago that my life would never be complete without you by my side. Your smile is the one thing that always brightens my mornings, your cheerful words always get me through the most dreaded of days, and your beautiful face has always chased away the darkness from my dreams.” He opened the hand he'd pulled from his pocket. The gleaming of a diamond caught the moonlight and reflected it back in a radiant spectrum. ”Camilla, will you marry me? Will you be mine forever and always?”
”Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!” Happy tears filled her eyes as she watched him slide the ring onto her finger. Once it was in place, she threw her arms around his neck and showered his face with fevered kisses. ”I love you, Ales! Only you forever and always!”
***
The day of the coronation was nearly upon them. Cam stared down at the ring Ales had given her over a week ago as the seamstress made the final adjustments to her gown. Something about the ring kept troubling her, but she couldn't seem to put her finger on it. A light tap at the door drew her attention away from the dazzling ring. ”Come in.” She called out.
Reighley walked in, a bright smile lighting her beautiful face. ”It looks simply breathtaking, dear.” She said as she walked around Cam taking in the magnificent dress. ”Oh, and I see the adjustments to the ring suited you as well.” She said lifting Cam's hand.
Cam nodded. ”Yes, it has...”
Reighley frowned as she moved her attention away from the family heirloom to the girl's perplexed expression. ”What is it, dear? You're not having second thoughts about all this, are you?”
Cam's eyes widened and moved to the queen. ”Oh no! I love Ales very much. My dreams have truly come true... but...” Her focus moved back to the ring. ”Is it common to give someone a ring like this if you like them? Or is it only for someone you plan to marry?”
Reighley tilted her head. ”Well, it all depends... It isn't unheard of that men shower a woman they are interested in, in gifts such as rings.” She tapped Cam's ring finger of her left hand. ”But if the ring is placed on this finger, then it is usually a promise of such things as marriage. Why do you ask, dear?”
Cam stared blankly down at the ring. ”No reason... It's just not common around here is all... and it wasn't in my parent's pack either.”