Page 170 of Rags to Royals

“We just wanted to talk about what’s going to happen in the next couple of days,” Linnea says, taking charge even though the Crown Prince and Princess are right here.

“I was thinking it would be great if you guys could stay for a while,” she says to me and Cian. “Having Cian, Fiona, andespecially Declan all back on the island is wonderful. And this way we could make all of this into a huge celebration. It would go a long way in calming and reassuring the citizens that Diarmuid is healthy and on the mend.”

“What kind of celebration?” Cian asks.

“Well as much as Declan will probably disagree, I do think that we need to announce his marriage to Astrid. We can also announce Torin’s ascension to the throne and schedule the official coronation before all the grandchildren leave the island.” She leans in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “And if we could introduce Scarlet as Cian’s betrothed, it would give everyone plenty of exciting happy news to concentrate on versus the king’s health. It would also makehimso happy.”

“So you think we should officially do the coronation sooner versus later?” Torin says.

“No question,” Linnea says. “For the people. But also for Diarmuid. It would mean so much to him to be a part of it.”

Even I pick up the fact that Diarmuid turning over the crown is much different, and obviously better, than him dying and Torin inheriting the crown that way.

“The people seeing him crowning you would be good for everyone. When he was crowned after his father’s death, it was so sad and it took the people time to really come around.” She looks around. “My grandmother told me,” she says. “And I’ve read about it.”

I see Torin and Abigail link hands and Abi give him a squeeze. She leans into his shoulder, clearly offering support.

“Well, I have a request,” Torin says. His eyes are on me and Cian now.

“Anything we can do,” Cian says.

“Would you consider having the king bless your marriage?” Torin asks. “Once he turns the crown over, he could do it ceremonially, of course. But it wouldn’t be the same. While itwould be an honor for it to be one of my first official acts, I think it would be nice that Diarmuid would have blessed all four of his grandchildren’s marriages.”

My heart thuds against my ribs. Marriage. Wedding. The king.

This is all getting official.

But I feel Cian squeeze my leg and I take a breath and I justknow… this is what I want. All of it.

“It’s just a blessing?” I ask. “I thought he performed Declan and Astrid’s wedding.”

Torin nods. “Yes. He can do that. A lot like a judge. Both Fiona and I chose to also have a representative from the church. Our grandfather was there and offered the family’s blessing though.”

Cian shifts underneath me, the hand that’s on my leg squeezing again. “Scarlett and I?—”

“Oh, well, let’s do that,” I say. “Let’s have the king do the whole thing like he did for Declan and Astrid.”

I know that Cian is about to say that he wants to give me more time or that we’re not quite ready. But the truth is, I am. And I know he is. We’re going to get married. And if this is something meaningful to his family, to his grandfather, there’s no reason to wait.

Cian’s hand tightens on my leg. “Scarlett.”

I look down at him and give him a smile. “Will you marry me?”

His eyes are filled with a myriad of emotions. Love is absolutely front and center. But possessiveness, heat, relief, and overwhelming happiness are all very clear.

“Anything you want, Scarlett. Always.”

“You,” I say simply. “That’s what I want. Always.”

His hand squeezes again. Then he looks at Torin and Linnea. “Let’s plan a wedding.”

Suddenly Mariah is throwing her arms around both of us, and I hear a little sniffle. I hug her tightly and when she pulls back, I see tears tracking down her cheeks.

I lift my hands and wipe them away with my thumbs. “You’re happy?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“So happy. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you?” I ask. “For what?”

---