Just for a bit... let me stay like this...

I'm asking you to become my wife

Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon | Ep13 | It’s not that I don’t like it. That did cheer me up. Well then, I’ll be going.

“These eyes match my father’s,” he said, voice unsteady. “They’re proof that I am the emperor’s son. When I was a child, there were times when I wanted to gouge them out of my skull.” “Oh, Your Highness…” Arnold looked at Rishe and spoke to her quietly, sincerely, as if these were simple facts. “They aren’t ‘beautiful.’ Don’t look at them like they hold any value.” “On the day you arrived, you told me you’d always wanted to come to this country.” “Yes. And when I went down to the town, I realized what an amazing place it was.” “I can’t value the same things you do. I see the lights of insects as the fires of war, and the town you fondly gaze down upon sometimes disgusts me.” Arnold sucked in a breath. “Maybe it’s because I have my father’s eyes. Or maybe he and I are one in the same at our cores. Either way, it’s unsightly.”  (✿)

His hands slowly withdrew, and for some reason Rishe was sad to let them go. He gestured for her to look down and she did, blurting out, “Wow…” Shining on her finger was a ring set with a blue sapphire. The band shone brilliantly, like it was spun out of golden thread, with two strands curving together like waves. It was a showy piece, but it had a refined beauty. To think of the sheer delicacy needed to craft such a design. The center stone was inlaid with small, starlike diamonds. They twinkled like protective lights, shining heroically and adorably. It’s beautiful and…kind of cute? Most of all… Set in the center was a brilliant, eye-catching sapphire—a deep, endless blue, like a frozen lake in a cold northern country. Holding her hand up, Rishe let the sunlight glance off it, murmuring, “It really is the same color as your eyes, Your Highness…” (✿)

“I find myself wanting to pester you for something else, Prince Arnold.” “Tell me.” His tone seemed to imply that anything she desired she would have, and Rishe found her heart throbbing again. “Right now, I’ll listen. Whatever it is.” Hearing his whisper with his eyes on her made her earlier agitation flare up. Arnold usually did anything she asked of him, so long as it wasn’t related to national politics. All in all, she was frightfully spoiled, but that ship had sailed. Rishe spoke her wish, forcing the tremble out of her voice. “I’d like to go on a journey with you, Your Highness. I’d be a great tour guide, you know.” “A journey?” “Yes. A journey to see all the beautiful things in the world.” It didn’t have to be right now, but Rishe wanted a promise for the future. “Not just fireflies and fireworks… I want to show you all kinds of things worth seeing.” Arnold’s eyes narrowed, like he was squinting against the light. The color was even clearer in the sunlight pouring in through the office’s windows. For the thousandth time, Rishe was captivated by those eyes. “…There’s one more of those now because of you.” “Huh?” Rishe wasn’t expecting that. She blinked in surprise. “What’s that?” “Who knows. If you can’t figure it out yourself, I’m not going to explain it.” “Th-that’s not fair!” She wanted to demand an answer, but Arnold just pulled his fingers away and stood up. Rishe pouted in protest. “Do you think normal people can solve your riddles?” “Rishe, normal people don’t blow up strange chemicals in the skies above their in-laws’ house.” “Ugh…” That was hardly relevant, but she still didn’t want to hear it. Reluctantly, she relented, and Arnold placed his hand on her head with a bemused smile. “I don’t think it’s that difficult a puzzle.” He kept petting her, rendering Rishe speechless. Even when he was just touching her in jest, it was hard to keep her composure. She wished he would stop. Rishe hung her head, wondering why she was getting so flustered. Her hands were in her lap, the ring on her finger shining like the ocean. I hope one day he’ll be able to understand just how beautiful I find this color.  (✿)

Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon | Ep13 | Just like there is no fixed form for a family, there is no fixed from for happiness too, right? Even now, a form of happiness that is taking its shape somewhere. A form of happiness that will surely be born someday. And… the form of our happiness. Was I able to properly convey it to Miyo? I wonder if Miyo sensed it. Even if it’s just one of those many forms. Let us find new happiness together.