The Extra's Rise-Chapter 772: Six Engagements (2)

Three days had passed since my proposal to Rachel in the Windward sacred grove, and I continued to be impressed by her discretion in keeping our engagement private. Despite her overwhelming joy—which I caught glimpses of whenever she thought no one was looking—she had maintained perfect secrecy about the ring now hidden beneath her formal gloves and the promise that had transformed her entire outlook on our future together.

’She hasn’t told anyone,’ I mused to myself as I made final preparations for this evening’s proposal to Cecilia. ’Not even a hint to the other girls, despite how excited she must be to share the news.’

Rachel’s ability to maintain such discipline while practically glowing with happiness demonstrated the kind of strategic thinking that made her such an effective Saintess. She understood instinctively that each proposal needed to feel special and individual, rather than being overshadowed by knowledge of previous engagements. Her gift of preserving the surprise factor for the others was yet another reason why I had fallen for her so completely.

But tonight belonged to Cecilia, and the setting I had chosen reflected both her royal status and the unique nature of our relationship.

The Imperial Palace’s highest balcony was normally restricted to the Emperor and his immediate family, but my position as Guild Grandmaster had made it possible to arrange private access for what I had described to Emperor Quinn as "a matter of significant political and personal importance." The location offered an unobstructed view of the entire Slatemark Empire spread out below, with the capital city’s lights beginning to twinkle as sunset approached.

"Arthur," Cecilia’s voice came from behind me as she arrived at the appointed time, "this is quite the dramatic setting you’ve chosen for our evening together. Should I be expecting something particularly momentous?"

I turned to see her silhouetted against the palace’s elegant architecture, wearing a sophisticated dress in deep crimson that complemented her blonde hair and made her eyes appear to glow like rubies in the fading sunlight. She moved with the natural grace that had been trained into her since childhood, but there was something in her expression that suggested she had suspicions about this evening’s true purpose.

"You could say that," I replied with carefully controlled casualness, gesturing toward the breathtaking vista spread below us. "I wanted to share this view with you because it represents something important about our relationship."

Cecilia stepped closer to the balcony’s edge, her crimson eyes surveying the Empire with obvious appreciation for both its beauty and its significance. "The view from the top," she observed with characteristic insight. "Very symbolic, Arthur. Are you making some kind of point about power and perspective?"

"Among other things," I confirmed, moving to stand beside her as the sunset painted the sky in shades of gold and crimson that seemed designed to complement her appearance. "Cecilia, when I look at this Empire, I see not just what it is now, but what it could become. And increasingly, I find it impossible to imagine that future without you as part of it."

Her breath caught slightly at the seriousness in my tone, though she maintained the composed exterior that characterized her public persona. "Arthur, what exactly are you saying?"

"I’m saying that over the past few years, you’ve shown me what true partnership looks like," I replied, studying her profile as she gazed out over her future domain. "Not just in our personal relationship, but in how we approach the challenges facing the Empire. Your political instincts, your magical abilities, your understanding of what leadership actually requires—they complement my own strengths in ways that could reshape this entire continent."

Cecilia turned to face me fully, her crimson eyes reflecting the sunset’s glow as she recognized the direction this conversation was taking. "You’re talking about more than just romance, aren’t you?"

"I’m talking about building something together that neither of us could achieve alone," I confirmed, reaching into my coat to withdraw the ring case that had been crafted specifically for this moment. "A partnership that combines political power with genuine affection, strategic alliance with personal devotion."

The case was made from imperial crimson crystal that had been enchanted to capture and hold flame within its crystalline structure, creating an effect that made it appear to burn with internal fire. As I opened it to reveal the ring inside, the sunset light seemed to ignite the entire contents in brilliant display.

"Cecilia Slatemark," I said, dropping to one knee on the balcony as the Empire spread out below us like a map of our potential future, "would you do me the honor of becoming not just my wife, but my partner in reshaping this world?"

The ring was a masterpiece of magical craftsmanship that had required the finest artisans in the Empire working with materials that cost more than most nobles’ annual income. The band was forged from pure aetherite that had been infused with imperial flame magic, creating a foundation that would amplify Cecilia’s natural magical authority while providing protection against any attempts to undermine her political power.

Set into the band was a single, perfect crimson gem that seemed to contain actual fire within its crystalline structure. The stone had been cut in a pattern that would focus and enhance her emerging Archwitch abilities, while also creating a visual representation of the imperial crown she would one day wear.

But it was the magical properties embedded within the aetherite that made this ring truly worthy of a future Empress. The enchantments woven into its structure would allow Cecilia to channel her political and magical authority with unprecedented effectiveness, while also creating a bond between us that would enable perfect coordination during any crisis that might threaten the Empire.

Cecilia’s reaction was immediate but characteristically controlled. Her crimson eyes widened as she took in the ring’s magnificence, and I saw her quick mind immediately grasping both its symbolic significance and its practical implications.

"Arthur," she breathed, her usual composure finally cracking to reveal the genuine emotion beneath, "it’s absolutely perfect. How did you know exactly what I would want?"

"Because I’ve been paying attention to who you really are," I replied, slipping the ring onto her finger and watching as the aetherite immediately began to resonate with her natural magical energy. "Not just the Crown Princess everyone sees in public, but the woman who dreams of building an Empire worthy of its people’s trust and devotion."

The ring settled onto her finger as if it had been made specifically for her—which, of course, it had. The crimson gem caught the sunset light and reflected it back in patterns that made her hand appear to be wreathed in controlled flame, while the aetherite band pulsed with magical energy that seemed to enhance her natural aura of authority.

"Yes," Cecilia said clearly, her voice carrying the kind of decisive certainty that characterized all her most important decisions. "Yes, Arthur, absolutely yes. I’ve been hoping for this moment longer than you probably realize."

She pulled me to my feet and kissed me with the kind of passionate intensity that she rarely allowed herself to display, her usual political control giving way to genuine emotional expression. The sunset continued to paint the sky in brilliant colors around us, creating a backdrop that seemed designed for exactly this kind of momentous occasion.

"I love you," she murmured against my lips, "but more than that, I respect you. I admire your vision for what we could accomplish together. This isn’t just about marriage—it’s about partnership in the truest sense."

"Exactly," I agreed, holding her close as the lights of the capital city began to twinkle below us like earthbound stars. "Together, we can build something that will benefit not just ourselves, but everyone who depends on the Empire for stability and prosperity."

"The others don’t know yet, do they?" Cecilia asked with characteristic perceptiveness, noting the careful timing of this proposal. "You’re doing this individually so each of us gets our own special moment."

"Rachel has been remarkably discrete," I confirmed with obvious admiration for both women. "She understands that each relationship deserves its own recognition."

"Smart woman," Cecilia replied with genuine respect. "Though I imagine she’s practically vibrating with excitement about finally getting engaged to you."

As we stood together on the Imperial balcony, looking out over the Empire that would one day be partially hers to govern, I felt the profound satisfaction that came from building something meaningful with someone who truly understood the scope of what we were attempting to achieve.

"When this becomes public," Cecilia said thoughtfully, "it’s going to change everything about how people perceive both of us politically."

"Are you ready for that level of scrutiny?" I asked, wanting to ensure she understood the full implications.

"Arthur," Cecilia replied with a smile that combined affection with steel-hard determination, "I’ve been preparing for this my entire life. The only difference now is that I won’t be facing the challenges alone."

The second proposal was complete, and it had established exactly the kind of partnership that could reshape the political landscape of the entire continent.

Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)