Art blog

“I suppose I have to wait until we get to the dock.” She gave him a sidelong glance. “You’re not going to break up with me again, are you?”

He knew she didn’t mean it, but that didn’t stop the surge of panic. Mixed with the flood of emotions, the relief, the nerves that had been building all night, his happiness, his fear, all overwhelmed him and he gripped her hands, pulling her to a stop with him, and his words came tumbling out.

“No! No, no, never, how could I?”

“I know!” Rhaella said with a slight laugh. “I was joking.”

“It’s the exact opposite, actually, but it’s all gone so wrong.” He knew he should stop talking, but it was just flooding out and there was no turning back. “It’s been a disaster, a complete disaster. I’m a failure. I’m supposed to ask you, but I lost my notes, and I dropped the ring, and-”

“Julian, slow down,” Rhaella said, clearly baffled. “Ask me what?”

He barely heard her. “You deserve so much better, you really do. Could I ever hope or dream that you might…”

“That I might what?”

“Would you marry me? No, of course not, who would? Imagine tying yourself to someone like me, how absurd. I mean… oh no.” He groaned despairingly, dragging his hand down his face. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this. I had a speech…”

"What did you say?"

"What didn't I say, that's the point. Two sides of paper, all gone. I think I can remember some of it, let’s see…"

"No, just now, you said-"

"I… what?" He blinked, frowned in confusion, and then it came to him. He felt his cheeks and ears burn as he blushed fiercely. When he dared to look at her, she wore a hopeful smile and lightly bit her lip. He sighed despondently and looked away. He’d let her down. "Ah, you idiot Devorak," he said softly to himself. "You ruined it."