It had already been several days since Celistine and King Henry arrived at Seawatch Port. Cilist, however, had refused to accompany them, insisting stubbornly that she would rather stay behind than endure another tedious journey. The King had tried to command her otherwise, yet Cilist's defiance was immovable. In the end, Celistine and King Henry could only exchange a helpless glance and leave her behind, with Sir Cirston sent north to keep an eye on the young princess, in case any trouble arose while they were away.
Their journey to the Seawatch had been long, and the air tasted of salt when they finally reached the small port town that served as the capital's gate to the sea. The royal carriage came to a stop amidst cheers and fluttering banners. The door swung open, and waiting there with a radiant grin was Carlo.
He stood tall and striking in his white military coat, the gold embroidery catching the sunlight like tiny flames. A black belt cinched his waist neatly, his black gloves gleaming as he offered his hand to help them down. His golden hair swayed lightly in the wind, a picture of youth, pride, and confidence.
"Sister, allow me to escort you," Carlo greeted cheerfully, his smile bright and full of life.
Celistine smiled softly in return. Her gown of cream and blue shimmered faintly as she descended, the golden embroidery glittering like stars under the afternoon light. Her curls, the shade of sunlight itself, framed her gentle features, and a faint gold ribbon rested upon her hair.
As Carlo helped his sister down, his gaze flicked to the carriage behind hers, eyes bright with expectation. Yet when no other carriage appeared, his excitement dimmed. He had been waiting for this day not only to welcome his sister and the King, but to see his betrothed — Lady Rehena.
It had been three months since he last laid eyes on her. Letters had been their only bridge, words inked in longing, yet no letter could capture the way her laughter sounded, or how the air seemed lighter when she was near. He tried to shake off the disappointment, smiling still for Celistine's sake, but his heart ached with quiet yearning.
Celistine noticed instantly. Her eyes softened, and a knowing smile curved on her lips. She reached out, touching her brother's arm lightly.
"Carlo," she whispered teasingly, "look behind you."
Carlo turned, puzzled—then froze.
A second carriage had just arrived, its door opening slowly. From within stepped a figure so familiar that even the air seemed to still. Lady Rehena descended gracefully, her father offering his arm as she stepped down the carriage stairs. Her gown of soft brown satin, adorned with gold leaf detailing, moved like liquid light with every step. The fabric shimmered beneath the sunlight, and her sheer orange sleeves fluttered gently like an autumn breeze. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, half-tied with a delicate jewelled band that caught the light each time she moved.
Carlo's breath caught. For a heartbeat, he could only stare.
"Rehena…" he said, his voice barely above a whisper, before he blinked and remembered his manners. "Lord Herbet — I didn't expect you would come!"
Lord Herbet smiled kindly, yet there was a twinkle in his eyes, for he had seen how the prince's eyes never once left his daughter.
"Greetings, my prince," Lord Herbet said warmly. "His Majesty wishes for us to celebrate with the North in honour of the new warship's success."
Rehena, on the other hand, felt her knees weaken. She tried to look composed, but her heart thumped wildly, her cheeks already flushed pink. "H-how are you, C–Carlo?" she stammered, almost hiding behind her father as her fingers nervously gripped the folds of her gown. Her voice trembled, and she cursed herself silently for it.
Carlo chuckled softly — that same low, amused sound that had once made her blush beyond reason. "I'm fine," he said gently, his violet eyes glowing with warmth. "And you, my lady? You look… far lovelier than I remember."
Her breath hitched, and she turned her face away, but the corners of her lips betrayed her, curving into a shy smile.
Seeing the tension between them, Lord Herbet cleared his throat. "I shall excuse myself, my prince. I believe your father calls for me," he said — though it was quite evident that the King had done no such thing. With a knowing smile, he left the young couple alone.
The silence that followed was sweet yet heavy — the kind that makes the heart race faster than it should.
Rehena glanced at the sea, pretending to admire the horizon, though she could feel Carlo's gaze burning softly at her side. He took a cautious step closer, and she instinctively stepped back, her gown brushing against the floor.
"I see you still avoid my eyes," he teased lightly, folding his arms as if in mock offence.
"I—of course not!" she protested too quickly, her words betraying her.
"Oh really?" Carlo grinned, stepping forward again, closing the gap between them.
Rehena looked up — and regretted it instantly. His violet eyes were so close, so vivid, that her breath caught. The sunlight reflected in his hair like gold threads, and the faint scent of pine and parchment lingered around him — the scent she remembered from his letters.
"Carlo…" she murmured, half-scolding, half breathless.
He smiled faintly, then gently took her right hand. She gasped softly, unable to move. His gloved fingers were warm, steady, reassuring — a contrast to the quickening rhythm of her pulse. Slowly, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss on her skin.
Rehena froze. For a moment, everything fell silent — even the waves seemed to hush. Her face turned crimson, and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.
"I've missed you," Carlo whispered against her hand. His voice was tender yet trembling with emotion, as though he'd been holding those words for too long.
Rehena's eyes softened. Tears welled unbidden as she tried to speak, but her throat tightened. "I've missed you too…" she finally managed, her voice fragile as glass. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Without hesitation, Carlo reached up and brushed it away with the back of his hand, his touch gentle, his thumb lingering for a heartbeat longer than propriety allowed. "No more tears, my lady," he murmured. "I would rather see your smile."
She did smile — shyly, sweetly, and for him alone. Their hands remained entwined as if neither dared to let go.
Together, they walked toward Celistine and the King, the world around them fading into nothing but soft laughter and the rhythm of their joined steps.
From a distance, Celistine observed the two, her lips curving into a proud smile.
"I daresay, Your Majesty," Lord Herbet remarked, watching his daughter and the young prince, "your son is deeply in love with my daughter."
King Henry chuckled heartily, his voice echoing through the port. "Then we mustn't delay the wedding, must we?"
Their laughter rang warm and loud as the people of Seawatch cheered around them. The air filled with music, the sound of seagulls, and the bright promise of celebration — a day of love and laughter at the edge of the sea.
The celebration was held in the main square of Seawatch Port, where beyond the open terraces stretched a magnificent view of the vast ocean, glimmering under the golden kiss of the sun. Seabirds soared across the skies, and countless small boats drifted gracefully over the waves. Banners of the North fluttered proudly in the sea breeze, as though the whole of Seawatch welcomed their northern guests with open hearts.
Celistine, the King, and Lord Herbert sat at a grand table overlooking the lively crowd. Music filled the air as townsfolk danced with bright smiles, and tables overflowed with food prepared for everyone. Laughter and joy flowed freely beneath the brilliant warmth of the day.
When King Henry rose to speak, silence swept through the square.
"Greetings to the people of Seawatch," he began, his voice carrying deep pride and gratitude. "I, King Henry Bogarte Norenian of the North, thank you for your unwavering support. To Lord Anderson, Warden of Seawatch, I pledge my deepest honor and gratitude for believing in us. Together, we have triumphed."
Applause and cheers erupted once more. The people roared with happiness, their spirits lifted by the King's words. Celistine simply smiled, unable to believe that her dreams had finally been realised.
As the festivity grew livelier, Carlo found the perfect moment to slip away with Lady Rehena — far from the crowd and away from his teasing sister and father. Together, they strolled through the narrow streets of Seawatch, where the air smelled of salt and the sound of waves blended with laughter. Vendors lined the lanes, selling trinkets — bracelets, rings, and necklaces made of pearls drawn from the sea. Seawatch was known for its wealth of pearls, and its people were skilled in crafting delicate garments and ornaments from the ocean's treasures.
"This place feels so alive," Lady Rehena said, tucking a loose curl behind her ear, her eyes bright with delight. Carlo couldn't help but smile as he watched her, utterly enchanted by the way the sunlight kissed her hair.
"I'm glad you love it," he replied softly as they wandered from stall to stall, tasting bits of food and laughing together like two souls untouched by the world. They looked as if they were the only people on earth — lost in each other's company.
"You look lovely today," Carlo teased, his lips curling into a grin. "Did you wear that beautiful dress just for me?"
Rehena blushed, unable to hide her shyness. "Ye–yes… I hope you like it," she stammered. She hadn't meant to wear such an extravagant gown, but Her Majesty Celistine had insisted — summoning her to her chamber and commanding the maids to dress her in something fit for an daylight with a prince. Rehena had no choice but to comply, though guilt fluttered in her chest as she imagined Celistine's mischievous smirk echoing in her mind.
"The only thing I like is you, Rehena," Carlo said with a chuckle, his eyes filled with warmth. Her cheeks turned crimson as a smile curved upon her lips.
Carlo held her hand gently, unwilling to let go. He had missed her terribly — and Rehena felt the same. Their fingers intertwined as they walked further until they reached a clifftop overlooking the shimmering sea. The waves below crashed softly against the rocks, the view breathtaking in its wild beauty.
"Wow… what a beautiful sight," Rehena whispered in awe. Her brown hair danced with the wind, her eyes glimmering like jewels, and her cheeks faintly flushed. Carlo stood beside her, quietly smiling — the sight of her wonder struck something deep within his heart. She leaned on the balusters, the wind brushing past her like a lover's touch.
"I hope you're happy today," Carlo said, gazing at the horizon where the sea met the sky.
"As long as I'm with you, Carlo, I'll always be happy," she replied, turning to meet his purple eyes — eyes that glowed with warmth and devotion.
Silence settled between them, soft and unspoken, the kind that needed no words. As Rehena admired the sea, Carlo quietly took a small velvet box from his pocket. He moved closer to her side, his hand brushing against her arm, making her flinch slightly in surprise.
"Carlo…?" she breathed, but her voice faded when he opened the box.
Inside gleamed a gold ring set with a large pearl at its heart, surrounded by smaller pearls and delicate diamonds carved in leaf-like patterns. Another ring, finely detailed with vines and tiny gems, was joined beneath it — a design both regal and tender.
Before she could utter another word, Carlo gently took her hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I'm glad it fits perfectly," he said, his voice rich with delight.
Rehena's heart fluttered. Her cheeks burned as she stared at the ring, her pulse racing. "Thank you… Carlo," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She turned toward the ocean, her eyes misty with thought. Doubts often lingered in her heart — whether she truly deserved such love, or if all this was but a fleeting dream. She feared that one day she would awaken and lose everything. Yet if this were a dream, she would rather never wake at all.
Carlo noticed the shadow in her eyes and asked softly, "Rehena, is something troubling you? Are you not happy?"
"No, I am… I'm happy. It's just that I never thought you'd give me something like this," she murmured. "I just thought that… perhaps…" Her voice trailed off.
"Perhaps what?" Carlo asked, curious, tilting his head slightly.
"I'm afraid this might only be a dream," she confessed, her gaze drifting back to the sea.
Carlo smirked, finding her expression too endearing to resist. "Do you truly think that, Rehena?"
She forced a faint smile. "Maybe I'm just being foolish."
"Then… what if I do this?" Carlo whispered.
Before she could react, his arm slid around her waist, pulling her gently against him. His other hand cupped her cheek, his touch warm and trembling slightly — and then, he kissed her.
Rehena's breath caught. Her heart thudded wildly as Carlo's lips met hers. She felt herself melt beneath his hold — his kiss was deep, tender, yet burning with longing. His arm tightened around her as if he feared she might vanish. Rehena wanted to resist, but her heart betrayed her; instead, she closed her eyes and kissed him back, the world fading until there was nothing but the two of them and the sound of the sea.
When their lips finally parted, Carlo smiled softly, his breath brushing her skin.
He whispered, his voice low and full of promise,
"Stay with me tonight… let the night be ours alone."