CW:Arranged marriage/proposal (which doesn’t go to plan )
“Rook.” You whispered harshly, trying to tug your hands away to no avail. “What do you think you’re doing? Everyone’s staring!”
“I’m dancing with the one I love, of course!” The reply fell off his lips like it was the most natural thing in the world. Instead of letting you change partners, Rook kept his hands secured around your waist, daring to pull you closer with a smile.
You felt your face begin to heat up; not that he hadn’t said such things to you before, but today was different! You were at a party, and…
…you were meant to be proposed to in a few minutes, by another man.
For a moment you shut out the music and chatter, focusing on Rook and his twinkling gaze. He had always been intelligent, playful, and held a mystery that always dragged you back for more. You once witnessed him without his grandesque air, with an expression so plainly in love that it made your heart ache.
He made you wish you were brave enough to love. His patience made you wish you could grasp the entire world, cradle it, and offer it to him like a candle in the dark.
But Rook was never one to wait for too long. Once a love that bloomed in the moonlight and with careful, fleeting steps, he now bounded into the gaze of a dozen chandeliers and spun you under his arm, movements flourishing along with the melody in the air.
Oh, how cruel was he to dare and taste freedom in the court of nobles.
Rook’s lips quirked in a little way that made your heart skip: “Do you understand now, mon amour?”
“I do, but I–”
I can’t, how many times have you said that to him?
“I can’t just ruin the plan,” you amended, breathless. “Can you imagine the uproar it would cause?”
“But it’d be beautiful, wouldn’t it?” Rook adopted a smile so carefree that you couldn’t bear to admonish him. Sensing your lingering doubts, he leaned closer to whisper the rest, strands of his hair tickling your cheek.
“I love you too much to simply let that happen,” Those emerald eyes burned into you. “Your planned fiancé knows that, and was kind enough to plot out a show with me. So if you will…” He finally stepped back with a gentle smile, offering you his hand. “Would you allow me to whisk you away?”
