Chapter 4: Proposal
"Miss Lillian, you're back-" Heather was relieved to see me but she had become confused as she saw who I had brought along.
"Let's get inside the carriage and I'll explain," I ordered and she nodded, opening the door for me and Bradley who sat down.
I seated myself next to him and he scooted away. I blinked, perplexed as to why he decided to stay away from me until I heard his explanation.
"I am too dirty, your majesty." He said and I wanted to protest but held back my tongue.
"I'll have the maids bathe you until you are sparkling clean," I said with a determined look that had Heather giggling.
I turned to her to see her usual warm expression and felt myself relax.
I wondered for a moment whether she would be against my choice of bringing a slave back home but when I began to explain to her about what had happened, she was by my side, praising me for my bravery.
It didn't take long for the carriage to return home and Heather stepped out first, holding the door for me and Bradley who remained by my side as we all walked back inside.
Bradley could feel the stares from the other workers in the castle but kept his composure and walked by my side with confidence, ignoring the fact that he had little energy to move, pushing himself so he would not make a bad image.
I could see from the corner of my eye how Bradley had taken the pressure and smiled, happy he could hold himself up.
Once we had gotten away from the judging eyes, I turned to Heather.
"Get a bath ready for Bradley and then send a few maids to help him-" I felt something tug my sleeve and looked over to Bradley in wonder.
"I don't want the other maids to help." Bradley was truthfully told.
"Do you want to bathe on your own?" I questioned and he nodded.
"That's fine but if you need anything, just call for someone and they will come."
He nodded before Heather guided Bradley to the bathroom while I walked back into my room, falling on my bed and staring up at the ceiling, exhausted by the events that had occurred.
I remembered the blue screen that had put my life in danger and sat up, staring in front of me.
"Appear, you damn screen!"
Nothing happened and I thought of a word that could make it appear.
"Come forth, blue screen!"
"I summon you!"
"Alakazam!"
I was beginning to feel embarrassed since the guards outside my room could probably hear me and sighed.
"I just wanted to see what this whole mission thing was all about."
The blue screen finally appeared which I did not expect and I was surprised, overjoyed but also confused about how I managed to do it.
"Mission?"
It disappeared and my face lit up, finally understanding what I had to say. The mission screen emerged once again and my eyes scanned the text that came up.
MISSION 1 - SUCCESS
MISSION 2 - SUCCESS
MISSION 3 - DUE TO COMPLETE IN 1 DAY.
"I'm getting another mission already?" I muttered in disbelief as I stared at the screen.
"Your majesty, Sir Bradley is ready."
I quickly dismissed the screen and focused on my bedroom door as it opened and in came Bradley, dressed up in formal black three piece suit that really suited him. Instead of wearing a blazer, he opted for a waist coat which made him look more handsome.
My gaze trailed up and I found the same mesmerising gold pair of eyes which went well with his crimson hair that had been cut and styled.
"Is this okay, your majesty?" He asked, his deep voice making my heart flutter.
"You look great!" I said in a happy tone.
I patted the empty spot next to me as a way to telling him to sit next to me and when he did so, I turned back to Heather.
"I want to talk to Bradley, alone."
Heather understood and bowed to me once more before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
"Have you eaten and taken your medicine?" I asked and he bobbed his head, indicating he had done what I had requested for him to do.
"The reason I wanted to talk to you alone was because I have something to ask." I mentioned and Bradley remained silent, waiting for me to continue.
"Will you marry me?"
Shocked by what I had asked, Bradley could only stare, not knowing how to respond back.
"B-But, I am just a slave, your majesty. Why would you want to marry someone like me?" He lowered his head, feeling a sense of shame but I caressed his cheeks and made him look back up.
"You are human and so am I. That's all that matters to me. Status does not exist in my books so don't ever make yourself seem as if you are below others. You are an amazing person, Bradley."
We both gazed into each others eyes and I could see the tears that welled up in his eyes before they trailed down his sun-kissed skin.
"Thank you."
I brought him closer towards me so we could hug and I rubbed his back in comfort.
A knock on the door had us both separate and Heather entered with a paper in her hand.
"A letter from, Sir William has arrived, your majesty." She revealed and a smile adorned my features as I took a hold of the letter, opening up to see what was written.
'From William Aston to Empress Lillian Vanguard.
I wish to invite you to the Aston Manor the day after you recieve this letter to talk further about our marriage.'
Bradley seemed to have read the letter and looked to me with perplexity, wondering why another man was offering me marriage when I had just proposed to him.
"The family line is declining so I have to marry more than one man and help increase the next generation."
I explained and Bradley made a look of understanding, a light blush painting his cheeks as he thought of us having a child.
"Do you accept?"
I placed my hand on top of his and for the first time, he smiled making my heart flutter.
"I do."
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