“I would also like to ask that Ludmilla be allowed to rethink her engagement to the Crown Prince of Sunvaara.”
Annika narrowed her eyes, staring at him over the rim of her teacup. “Why?”
“She is not happy with the man. And you cannot mean for the wedding to go through when his aide has been caught for espionage?”
“That only proves that he is a poor judge of character, it doesn’t prove thathewas behind the espionage.”
“It is enough for her to cry off using a woman’s prerogative, surely?”
Annika frowned. “Then do you have any alternative suggestions for how we can keep our alliance with the Empire of Sunvaara?”
“I would propose that we offer them something else in exchange. Perhaps we could send them a large shipment of our finest goods, or we could agree to a cultural exchange program. I'm sure we could find a compromise that would satisfy both parties.”
“I will consider your proposal, Luka, and bring it to our father and the council. But you must understand that this will not be an easy decision to make.”
“Our sibling’s happiness means more than that, I am sure.”
After a long moment, his sister nodded. “Yes.”
~
The next morning, Luka dressed with care, and as he slid his left foot into the leather prosthetic that Maya had made for him, he felt hopeful for the first time since Maya had left Kamenev province.
As the carriage drew up to Rakhmonov palace, the estate that Maya’s family used when they were at the capital, he felt his heart pounding. He’d come bearing a bouquet of flowers, like a true suitor. Would Maya turn him away? She’d at least hear him out, wouldn’t she?
When the butler announced him, Luka entered the sitting room to find Lady von Rakhmonov looking up from her embroidery with surprise.
“Good morning, Lady von Rakhmonov,” Luka said, bowing. “I was hoping to speak with Maya.”
Maya’s mother smiled at him kindly. “She’s in the garden, taking her morning tea. You can join her there, if you’d like.”
“Thank you, that is very kind of you.”
A few quick minutes later, Luka was standing in the gardens, blinking in the summer sunshine. He found Maya seated in the gazebo, and followed the butler who led him to her.
“Prince Luka Kamenev to see you, my lady.”
Maya shot to her feet when he was announced, her eyes wide with surprise. She waited in a stiff silence as Luka took his seat, before waving the butler away. “Leave us, please.”
The flowers in his hands rustled as he shifted uncomfortably, and Luka handed them to her. “These are for you.”
She blinked, taken aback. Luka knew she must be surprised, the last time they had spoken, they had not been civil with each other, and now he had turned up on her doorstep with a bouquet.
But she took it from him with grace and nodded. “Thank you.” She took a long inhale of the flowers’ fragrance, and then placed it on the tea table to her right. And then she turned her dark, bottomless eyes on him.
Luka took a deep breath, calling upon all his courage and his wit. He had to get this right.
After a long moment of silence, Luka cleared his throat. “I spoke to the Crown Princess, Maya,” he said. “I asked her to release me from the engagement to Lady Demidov, and she agreed.”
Maya gasped, her mouth going slack as she stared at him. “She did?”
He reached across the table, and took her hand in his, running his thumb over her ring finger. “I have no ring, since I wasn’t sure if you’d want to wear one, given that you work with your hands in your lab. But I’d be happy to commission as simple or as elaborate piece as you want.” He smiled shyly at her. “As long as you agree.”
“Luka—” She shot to her feet, ripping her hand from his grasp. He got to his feet, staring as she shook her head. “Luka, what—?”
“I would've thought it was obvious,” he said, even as all his happiness curdled into confusion. “I'm asking you to marry me.”
“Luka, I—can't!”
