41, The proposal

This is nice, Ayya thought. Then it dawned on her; the prince was kissing her. Her second kiss was not as earth shattering as she had read about in books, and she knew she needed to stop it. She placed a firm hand on Neherim’s chest and pushed as she took a step backward. He didn’t fight her or object. He let her create space between them as he looked at her with a smile. 

“I apologise if I offended you,” he said in a soft voice. Ayya gave him half a smile.

“You did not offend me. It’s flattering when someone like you gives you a kiss,” she told him. 

“You make it sound like a spur-of-the-moment thing. I can assure you, Ayya, this has been on my mind for a long time.” Ayya couldn’t help herself but let out a laugh. The prince raised an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry, Neherim. I don’t mean to sound condescending. But we have known each other for less than two weeks. Even if that was the first thought you had when you saw me the first time, it can’t really be called ‘a long time,” she explained. The prince joined in her laughter. 

“Maybe you are right, maybe it just feels like a long time as I feel like I have known you for longer than that. May I be honest with you?” he asked.

“Please be,” Ayya said.

“This may seem like a spontaneous thing, but I don’t want you to think that I’m not serious about my feelings towards you. I am. You are an amazing woman. Your beauty is the first thing that any man would notice, but you are intelligent, kind and brave as well. You are everything that I’m looking for in a future wife. I would like if you allowed me to come back after my introduction tour to court you as is befitting. If you will wait for me, I can promise you to be faithful to you and when I get back, I will show you what it would be like to live as a Ne’xsissian princess,” he said and took her hand in his. Ayya was stunned for a moment. This was much more serious than she had thought. What was it with men that kissed her and then proposed? Couldn’t a kiss be just that? Well, Neherim hadn’t exactly proposed to her, but it was as close as it could get. 

“I appreciate your honesty. Is it okay if I’m just as honest?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you. First, I want to say that I’m sorry if I have led you on, or made you believe that I have romantic feelings towards you. That has never been my intention. I like you, Neherim. You are a good man and a good prince, that will be of great help to your people. But I see you as a friend, nothing else,” Ayya told him. Neherim gave her a crooked smile.

“You haven’t led me on, Ayya. I don’t think you would ever do something like that. I guess I have let myself believe that there would be a possibility of you feeling the same way about me that I do about you. I don’t mind if you see me as only a friend. Some of the best marriages are based on friendship. Maybe you will grow to love me?”

“That is sweet of you. But I won’t marry someone I don’t love. It wouldn’t be fair to you, or to me. Besides, if I were to accept, I would have to give up my place as a candidate to become the Lady. I’m not willing to sacrifice that, which tells me I shouldn’t marry you,” she said. Ayya realised that in reality there were only a few people for whom she would sacrifice her goal of becoming the next Lady. 

“I could come and live here in Salmisara,” Neherim said. Ayya smiled at him.

“I don’t think you could. You are just as passionate about helping your people and fulfilling your role as I am about becoming the Lady and help people that way. You should find someone that share that passion.”

“Is there some way I can change your mind?” he asked.

“No. I would like to remain your friend. I understand if you need some distance, but know that if you need a friend, I will be here,” she said, taking her hand back from him. 

“Is there someone else? Is that why you won’t consider me?”

“Maybe, but not in the way you might think. But my heart belongs to someone else,” Ayya confirmed. 

“Will you tell me who so I can win your heart from him?” Neherim asked. Ayya laughed and shook her head.

“No, that information will stay with me. Are you okay?” she asked him.

“I’ll be fine. My ego is a little bruised, but Pehobo keeps telling me it’s too big so it might be a good thing,” he told her. “Can I escort you inside?”

“No, go ahead. I think I will stay awhile and enjoy the view,” she told him. He hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded and headed back inside. Ayya leaned on the banister and looked out over the ocean. She hoped Neherim hadn’t been too upset by her refusal. 

“Is everything alright?” Tenac asked as he came walking. Ayya smiled at him.

“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” 

“I saw the prince come back inside without you,” he said. He leaned back on the banister beside her. 

“I sent him back inside. I wanted to stay a while longer and look at the ocean,” she told him. Tenac looked over his shoulder towards where Ayya was looking. 

“Are you all danced out?” he asked. Ayya laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m pretty beat,” she admitted.

“I can help you sneak away, if you want,” he offered.

“Thank you. But I’m satisfied with just standing here for a while. If I’m not keeping you from something,” she said. 

“No, I have no place to be.” 

Ayya woke up late the following day. Her feet still felt a little sore, but she had enjoyed her first ball. When she was about to head out to find something to eat, there was a knock on her door.

“Hi dad,” she said as she opened the door and found her father standing outside. 

“Hi there, little one. Tariana is staying in her room today and was happy with letting two riders guard her door. I was thinking it would be a good time to have lunch with my daughter. Are you up for it?” he asked.

“I’m always up for lunch with you,” she said. They headed out to the dining hall together. It was nice to be in her father’s company and the comfortable silence that they shared. They got some food and walked outside to sit in the garden. 

“Did you have fun last night?” her father asked. 

“I did, but my feet are a little sore today. I think I overdid the dancing,” she admitted.

“There were quite a few men that wanted your attention,” he said. Ayya looked at him to see if he was going to say something else. But it didn’t look like it. 

“They were all very respectful,” she said. Her father nodded. They continued eating and moved on to other subjects. 

“I can take your plate and go inside with it and get something sweet for dessert,” Ayya offered. 

“Are you sure?” her father asked. 

“I’m sure. I’ll be back in a moment.” Ayya headed for the kitchen and handed over the empty plate and managed to get a hold of two big pieces of trickle cake. She was just rounding the hedge to where her father was sitting when she heard Neherim’s voice.

“Sir Teeran, I was hoping to have a word with you,” he said. Ayya stopped. She was hidden behind the hedge, and she knew that ease dropping was rude, but her curiosity got the better of her. She remained where she was and listened.

“How can I help you, your highness?” her father asked. 

“I’m here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage,” the prince said. There was a dead silence. 

“Excuse me?” her father finally said. Ayya prepared to step in as her father sounded furious.

“I would like to court and eventually marry Ayya,” Neherim tried again. Ayya didn’t know if he was brave, stupid or just didn’t realise in how much danger he was. 

“Why on earth are you asking me this? Shouldn’t that be a question you ask to my daughter?” Kopa asked, and Ayya had to smile. 

“I have.”

“Since she hasn’t told me she is going to be married, I’m assuming she turned you down. What are you trying to achieve by asking me?”

“As her father, I thought you would want what is best for her. I can offer her a life that would set her in a place of comfort and luxury. She is a brilliant woman, and she has everything that I’m looking for in a wife. I can promise you I will cherish and protect her,” Neherim proclaimed. To Ayya’s big surprise, her father started laughing.