Chapter 234 – Happiness

3rd POV

Everyone in the auditorium was staring at the crown prince of Flousia as he declared his love to the only daughter of Luke Wilson and Alora Smith.

Alira couldn’t understand what she would feel at that moment. She was so happy that, at last, everyone knew that she wasn’t just pretending.

The reporters seemed satisfied with Caden’s answers. They now turned to Alira to ask some questions.

“Miss Alira Smith, do you share the same feelings with the crown prince? Are you not being forced to this engagement?” Someone asked from the crowd.

Alira looked at Caden and smiled. Then she turned to the gazes of the people in the auditorium.

“When I was three, I met this young boy who looked exactly like Uncle Jayden. I was curious. The first time I met him, he told me I was pretty, and he would marry me someday. I thought he was weird. Then we became friends. He was the nicest boy I had ever met.” She glanced at Caden, remembering the first time they met.

Then she continued. “When we were six, the most terrifying events happened in Flousia. I was scared. But this boy never let go of my hand. He took me somewhere safe and never left my side. That was the day I felt that he was the one I wanted to share my life with. The engagement twelve years ago was entirely our decision. It wasn’t because of our parents, but because of what we felt with each other.”

Everyone saw how Alira was glowing and how radiant she was when she told the story of her first meeting with Caden. They knew that the girl was head over heels in love with the crown prince.

“Why are you so sure that it was love? You were so young.” Another reporter asked.

“Love has no age. Everyone here felt the love towards someone even they were young. I loved my mother from the moment I felt her love for me. Indeed, it was love towards a family. But it’s still love, so you can’t tell a kid that they don’t know the meaning of love because of their age.” Caden answered.

Caden held Alira’s hand, squeezing it gently. Then to everyone’s surprise, Caden suddenly kneeled in front of Alira, showing her a red box with a ring on it.

The students were shouting and screaming. It was their first time to witness a live proposal.

Alira’s eyes widened, and her heart was pounding non-stop. She could hear her heartbeat, making her gasp for some air. She felt a different level of excitement and happiness.

“Alira, I know it’s twelve years too late. I couldn’t give you a proper proposal when we were six, but I want you to know that my feelings for you never change. I was still the boy who fell in love with you when we were three. I was weird; I know that. But I truly love you with all my heart and soul. Alira Smith, will you marry me?”

Alira bit her lips, but her tears started falling from her eyes. She nodded at Caden and smiled.

“Yes! It’s always been a yes!” She answered, then jumped into his arms. “I love you, Caden.”

Peggy was crying while looking at her son and Alira. She was happy for them.

“See? Caden didn’t change, and so did Alira.” Jayden commented while holding on to his wife’s hand.

Peggy was so anxious on the day of Caden and Alira’s engagement twelve years ago. As a parent, she felt like it was a wrong decision to tie the kids to each other at the age of six. 

Jayden told her to trust Caden and let him spread his wings. She couldn’t understand why Caden wanted to be the crown prince. She decided to talk to him and asked him about it.

“Sweetie, will you tell mommy the reason you want to be the crown prince?” She asked.

Caden looked at her with sadness.

“I want to have power so I can protect you, daddy, and Alira. I don’t want anyone to die anymore.” He answered.

Peggy cried, knowing that her son craved power because he didn’t want anyone to die like his sister. Kyle said that it was a good motivation and goal for the next king of Flousia. Caden’s desire to protect the people he cares about would be his strength as the heir to the throne.

Peggy’s mother, Princess Catherine, supported Caden and was the one who taught him about everything. Her mom was a strict teacher, and she would sometimes see Caden crying alone in his room.

She wanted Caden to have a normal life. She didn’t want him to crave for power. The life in the palace was not like in those fairy tales. It was way too different from those they read in books.

But it was Caden who chose to be the next king. She couldn’t do anything about it anymore. 

Seeing her son all grown up now, she was happy that she let him do what he wanted. He didn’t change. He was already eighteen, but he would still call and text her sometimes to greet her and Jayden.

After the press conference, Peggy walked towards Caden and Alira. She was smiling at them while the two held hands with each other.

“Congratulations! I’m happy for you both. But Caden, I will trust you to be responsible in everything you do moving forward.” She said.

A party was scheduled three weeks after and the whole school was invited. Caden and Alira’s class was excited and the girls were thinking of the dress to wear at the party.

They were on a one-hour break, but no one was actually allowed to go out. They were inside the classroom chatting about the upcoming party.

Caden was so exhausted, his head bowed on his desk.

“What happened to him?” Lea, one of her friends asked.

“He’s tired because after school he had to stay almost all night to sign some papers.” Alira whispered.

Caden wasn’t sleeping. He listened to the girls’ conversation, but he was too tired to tilt his head up.

“So Alira, have you kissed him?” Samantha asked.

She blushed and was surprised by her sudden question.

“Hey, quiet! Why do you have to ask something like that? He might hear you.” She whispered.

Caden smirked. He decided to pretend that he was sleeping and listened.

“Why? You’ve been apart for years. You missed each other. Don’t you want to do something beyond holding hands and hugging? Looking at him, I don’t think he would be satisfied with just that?” Samantha continued.

Alira bit her lips and sighed. “He kissed me a few times already. Do you think that would be enough?”

Caden was surprised by Alira’s question. He still pretended to be asleep and continued to listen.

“Just a kiss? I don’t know, but men usually wanted to do more than just kissing. Did he try to touch you?”

Alira frowned. “Touch? What do you mean?

Samantha couldn’t believe that he didn’t know what she was talking about.

“Touch you here and down there.” Samantha answered while pointing at her body parts.

“No! Why would Caden want to touch me here and here?” Alira exclaimed.

Lea and Cassy laughed. They knew that Aira was new to this kind of stuff. She never had an experience with any man because she waited for Caden for years.

“Really? Poor guy.” Lea commented.

“You know, Alira. If you’re like that, Caden might look for another girl. Someone aggressive. Did you even try to make the first move to kiss him? Or he was always the first one to initiate the kiss?” Cassy asked, curiosity piqued.

Alira didn’t answer. The girls were shocked and couldn’t believe how naive their friend was.

“Do I have to initiate it first? I mean, I’m scared that he would reject me. I honestly wanted to do more than just kiss, but what if he didn’t like it. He’s the guy, and he never asked me about it, so I assumed he didn’t like doing it with me.”

“What did you say?” Caden exclaimed.

The girls were shocked that Caden was awake and was listening to their conversation. Alira’s face flushed. She suddenly felt embarrassed by what she said.

“You really think that I don’t like to do it? I’ve been patient ever since I returned. I tried to control myself because I thought you were not yet ready. I told you that I didn’t want to force anything on you.” Caden said, pissed.

Alira’s friends felt a sudden tension and couldn’t say anything. Caden was annoyed, so he stood up and grabbed Alira’s hand, pulling her outside of the classroom.

“Caden, where are you taking me?” She asked.

She knew Caden was mad, but she didn’t feel afraid of him. 

“I just want to talk. I don’t like it when you say those things to your friends. It’s irritating..” He said while dragging her into the music room.