Page 62 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
Several passersby had stopped to stare, their expressions ranging from curiosity to alarm. Then, I saw a flash of movement in an upstairs window of The Sconery. A moment later, Rosalyn appeared, her red hair catching the morning sunlight.
She looked down at me, her eyes widening in surprise.
Opening her window, she looked out. “Bjorn?” she called, her voice carrying a note of confusion. “What are you doing?”
“The wind may howl, the sea may rise,
“But still we stand through storm and tide.
“By flame and frost, by oath and steel,
“Our hearts hold fast, our strength our guide.”
A wide smile crossed Rosalyn’s face as she took in the scene.
“Though far we roam on wind and wave,
“The northern lights shall guide us home.
“In every fjord, our name resounds.
“The Runeheart blood, the sea’s true throne.”
“Bjorn…”
Now or never.
I abandoned my mangled attempt at the royal anthem and stepped forward, clutching the flowers so tightly I was probably crushing their stems.
“Rosalyn,” I called up to her. “I came to tell you the truth. All of it.”
Her expression softened slightly, and she sat on the windowsill, her wings catching the light. “I’m listening.”
“My name is Bjorn Runeheart, third son of King Ramr and Queen Maren of Frostfjord.” The formality of the introduction felt strange after weeks of being just Bjorn, but I forced myself to continue. “I came to Moonshine Hollow because I was tired of being seen only as a prince, never as myself. I wanted to know if I could be something more than my title.”
I paused, gathering my courage. “And then I met you. You saw me…justme. Not a prince, not a royal treasury, not a pawn, just Bjorn. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.”
Rosalyn’s expression was unreadable from this distance, but she hadn’t slammed the window shut, which I chose to take as an encouraging sign.
“I should have told you who I was. I wanted to, especially after…after the cabin,” I said, making the crowd around me whisper, but I continued. “But I was afraid of losing what we had. In trying to protect myself, I hurt you. For that, I am truly, deeply sorry.
“If you can find it in your heart to forgive me,” I continued, my voice growing stronger, “I promise I will never lie to you again. I promise to be worthy of your trust. Because the truth is, Rosalyn Hartwood, I love you. I love your kindness, your laughter, your talent for making everyone around you feel special. I love that you can make magic with flour and butter. I love that you have a glitter-sneezing caticorn as your best friend. I love you. I love you, Rosalyn.”
A smile tugged at her lips, and her eyes looked glossy with unshed tears.
“I understand if you can’t forgive me. I understand if this is goodbye. But maybe…maybe not. Maybe this is a beginninginstead. Maybe…” I took a deep breath, then went for it. “Rosalyn Hartwood, will you be my princess?”
There was a moment of absolute silence. Even the crowd that had gathered seemed to hold its breath.
Rosalyn gave me a soft smile. “No, Bjorn,” she called.
My heart plummeted until she continued.
“I don’t need to be yourprincess, but I would be thrilled to be your wife, your partner, married to Bjorn of Frostfjord. I love you. I don’t care if you are a prince or not.”
The crowd let out a collective cheer.
Smoke barked excitedly.
