Chapter 291 Let’s Not Delay

Beatrice’s smile was so wide that she barely got any sleep, the overwhelming bliss from last night still bubbling inside her. Everything had gone perfectly, from Uriel’s confession to the moment they finally made their relationship official.

She couldn’t wait to tell Princess Riela the good news.

She quickly called her maidservant to help her get ready for the day. Once she was done and stepped outside, she was startled to see Uriel waiting by her door, leaning casually against the opposite wall.

He straightened immediately when he saw her.

A blush rose to her cheeks as she gave him her sweetest smile. He seemed momentarily taken aback, lips parting slightly as he stared at her.

“Good morning. Don’t you have your royal court session with the king this morning?” she asked, doing her best to stay composed while quietly squealing inside.

“It’s almost lunch… and I thought you might want to eat with me,” Uriel quickly replied.

Beatrice had completely lost track of time and nearly forgot that she woke up late, considering she had only slept near dawn.

“Yes!” she answered immediately, excitement clear in her voice. She hurried toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she tiptoed and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. After all, they were already together now, and last night they had shared more than just one kiss.

“Beatrice,” Uriel murmured when she pulled back slightly. His hand slid to her nape, gently holding her in place, keeping her close with only a breath of space between them.

“That’s not how you should kiss me,” he teased.

She parted her lips, about to respond, but he didn’t give her the chance. He leaned in and claimed her lips again.

Unlike her quick, playful kiss, his was slow and deliberate, deepening as he lingered, drawing her closer into something far more intimate than before.

She felt his tongue slip inside her mouth, and Beatrice nearly lost herself again in his hungry kiss. If Uriel hadn’t pulled away, she felt like she would have run out of air.

They were both left breathless, panting softly, yet he still held her close by the waist.

Then he leaned toward her ear and whispered, his voice strained, “I’m losing control. If I don’t stop now, I might end up pulling you back into your bedchamber. I don’t want that… because I want to follow tradition and do things right with you.”

Beatrice blushed deeply, feeling that familiar tightening in her stomach, along with the constant flutter of her heart.

For her, this felt like a dream come true… to finally be with the man she had longed for, like this.

It was then that her stomach suddenly grumbled.

Uriel pulled back slightly, then took her hand, interlocking their fingers. “Let’s get you fed first. You’re starving, he said.

She nodded, and they walked together, their hands still linked, not minding the eyes on them. After last night’s

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event, she was certain they had already become the talk of the royal estate, especially now that they were openly walking side by side.

“I’ll go to your manor later this evening to formally ask your father for your hand in marriage,” Uriel said casually.

Beatrice suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She turned to him, eyes wide. “Wait… that fast?”

Uriel’s expression suddenly turned serious, so she quickly added, “I mean… I thought we’d stay in a relationship for a while first and see how things go.” She tried her best to keep a straight face as she waited for his reaction.

A brief silence followed, and she felt his hand tighten slightly around hers.

“I thought you wanted to marry,” Uriel said, his voice steady. “And I don’t see any reason to delay it.”

“Do you really want to marry me already? Are you sure about that?” she pressed, watching him closely.

“Yes,” Uriel answered firmly. Then, almost immediately, he added, “Why are you having doubts now? Do you want to change your mind?” His questions came one after another, followed by a small, tense swallow.

She could feel the stiffness in his body, and her expression softened.

“Why would I have doubts or change my mind?” she said quickly. “I was just teasing you.”

“That’s not amusing, Beatrice,” Uriel said, his tone turning serious.

She was taken aback when he suddenly pulled her closer, pressing her against his chest as he held her tightly, almost possessively.

“I’m sorry for making you wait before,” he murmured. “I promise I’ll make it up to you from now on. Please don’t tease me like that again… it makes me nervous.”

“What will you do if I suddenly change my mind?” she asked, her expression turning serious.

“I… I won’t let you go, Beatrice,” he replied, his voice firm despite the hesitation. “I’ll make sure you won’t change your mind. I’ll do everything I can to keep you, no matter what.”

He swallowed, his gaze softening.

“It wasn’t easy for me to find the courage to stand here like this. I still feel like I don’t deserve you… or even to be happy. But you…” His voice steadied. “You deserve the best, Beatrice. You’re worth everything. So I’ll do my best to become the best version of myself for you… and give you no reason to ever change your mind.”

Beatrice found herself staring at Uriel for a long moment, still unable to fully believe how the once cold and distant man had become like this in front of her. It amazed her every time.

“Beatrice,” he called, trying to get her attention, clearly aware of her gaze. A faint blush crept onto his face. “Call me ‘my wife,“” she suddenly said.

“What?” Uriel asked, as if unsure he had heard her correctly.

Beatrice gave him a mischievous smile. “You should start practicing. Call me ‘my wife‘ from now on.

“My wife?” Uriel said timidly, rubbing the back of his neck. His face turned bright red, but Beatrice only smiled wider as she hugged his arm and rested her head against it.

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“Let’s eat now, then later we can talk about our union,” she said softly. “Let’s not delay it… just like you wanted.”

Her smile nearly reached her ears as she walked beside her future husband.