Leo’s voice was confident. “My heart has belonged to Evelyn since the night she arrived. I am hopeful she is willing to give me her heart in return.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
I don’t know if I’m more scared of the moment ending or continuing. Leo wants to marry me? But I just decided to go with Haydn…
King Tristan sighed. “Then I will let Evelyn make the decision.”
Her father left the sitting room and closed the door.
He didn’t give his blessing. Making it my choice isn’t the same thing.
Leo kneeled in front of Evelyn. “Princess?”
She opened her eyes. Leo interlaced their fingers. Not-so-many minutes ago, Haydn had been the one touching her.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, especially not right now.
“I love you,” Leo said softly.
Evelyn blinked back tears but didn’t look away.
“I know I hurt you,” Leo continued. “I don’t deserve your smile, much less your heart. I would give up my crown for the chance to go back in time and fix my mistakes. I should have proposed the night we met and spent every moment after that convincing you to say yes. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure that out. Your voice is the only one I ever should have listened to. Will you let me try again?”
Oh gods.
Evelyn gaped at him. “Why now? Why today?”
“I realized last night how close I am to losing you, and it terrified me. I thought my soul would rip in two when I saw you walk upstairs with Ritter.”
Frustration swept over Evelyn. “You kissed Hannah!”
“And I regret it. You pulled away from me and I was trying to do what everyone wanted me to do.”
“What you did isn’t my fault!”
“No, it’s mine. I’m not blaming you for any second of what happened. I am promising that Ineverfelt anything for your sister, and I am begging you to forgive me.”
“I listened to your meeting with the lords and my father,” Evelyn admitted. “You agreed to propose to Hannah.”
“I didn’t know what else to say after your father told me not to marry you. Is that why you stopped talking to me? Because of what you overheard? Is that why you were with Ritter?”
“Damien told me not to say anything to you. He said if you were determined to ruin your life, I should stay out of it and let you.”
Leo scoffed. “That certainly sounds like Damien’s idea of good advice. But Iwantyou to talk to me when you’re upset. And I’m not going to ask what happened with Ritter. I understand you were angry with me, and I’m sure he offered you a lot more than I had. But I know he didn’t stay here last night. I saw him leave not long after you went upstairs.”
Evelyn’s stomach bubbled with guilt.
He cannot learn what really happened. Ever.
“Please tell me it’s not too late. You said Ritter proposed?—”
“I didn’t say yes.”
But I almost did.
Leo let out a sigh of relief. “I want to marry you, Evelyn. I want to be your husband so you never have to doubt that I amyours.”
It can’t be that easy.
