They rode for a while. Cece seemed to enjoy the trip as much as they did, swimming effortlessly against the waves, and listening to Ashen’s simple directions at times. The dragon would sometimes even dart its head to snatch a fish out of the water, and happily snack on it. The journey itself wasn’t that long, and neither Cessilia nor Ashen said anything at all, both keeping silent and simply looking around. It was quite a unique feeling to be riding not in a boat but on a dragon above the water surface, their feet in the water at times, and being carried away from the land. Cessilia spotted bold fish swimming close by, unaware of the predator, and even bigger creatures that appeared on the horizon, smaller than Cece but still big enough to impress. She wondered if the Dorosef fishermen got this amazing show every morning at dawn. It probably wasn’t as peaceful and relaxing, though. She kept hugging Ashen from behind, not because she needed to hold on to him, but simply for the pleasure of sharing that moment with him. She silently hoped that they would take small trips together like this even when they got busier and older...

For a while, she wondered where they were going, especially since Ashen seemed to be giving rather precise directions. Then, she finally saw a piece of land, far ahead, popping up on the horizon. Cessilia was surprised. This island was so far away, they couldn’t see it from the shore... The closer Cece got, the more she also realized that part of the reason was because the island itself was quite small. It was about the same size as the Central Plaza, so Cessilia could still see both ends as Cece reached the shore. The dragon climbed on the beach, visibly curious to explore as well. Ashen and Cessilia barely had time to get off before Cece ran away, dashing between the trees. From the way her dragon was excited, Cessilia guessed it had spotted some prey to hunt... Soon enough, they only saw a silver tail, then nothing. She chuckled. At least Cece would stay entertained while the two of them enjoyed their little date.

“Another surprise?” she asked Ashen, a smile on her lips.

“It’s a place I’ve always been curious about,” he confessed. “This island is a bit of a local legend... They say fishermen bring their lovers here.”

“Oh, really?”

Cessilia looked around the island, surprised. She could see why. This place was so beautiful and quiet. It felt different from the mainland. The beach was full of white sand, and thousands of those gorgeous seashells she loved. There weren’t enough trees to call it a forest, just a few scarce ones, but a lot of green bushes and wild plants growing everywhere. It had many varieties she had absolutely never seen before, and if she wasn’t on a date with her lover, Cessilia would have definitely wanted to explore more... However, Ashen gently grabbed her hand, and they began strolling along the beach together, a strange and shy feeling growing between them. Cessilia was curious as to why he had brought her here, but she didn’t want to rush him.

“Are you sure we’ll be alone?” she asked.

“The fishermen are all busy at this hour,” he said. “Plus, we would have seen a boat...”

Cessilia had almost forgotten they just had quite a special ride. Indeed, with the size of the island, they would have seen right away that they weren’t alone. She was a bit more surprised about the nervousness in Ashen’s voice though. What was he thinking about? She didn’t ask, and simply kept walking along with him. At times, they heard the excited dragon from the other end of the island, when Cece wasn’t suddenly jumping out of nowhere to run back into the sea chasing water prey. Cessilia was happy to see her dragon having so much fun. For sure, her Cece deserved to have all the fun possible, and catch up on everything those years in the lake had taken away...

“So it’s your first time here too?” she asked Ashen after a little while.

“Yes,” he nodded. “I just heard about this place so many times... especially when I was a child. I used to listen to the fishermen’s stories, but this was the one place they always talked about to woo the ladies. They said if a fisherman took a woman to this island, it was with the intent for her to become his wife.”

Cessilia’s heart skipped a beat. Was that why he had brought her here...? To reaffirm his feelings? They had spoken so many times about her becoming his Queen now, but hearing him say the word wife had a surprisingly different ring to it. She felt her cheeks get a bit warmer, and Ashen’s fingers tightened around hers. He suddenly stopped walking, and she heard him take a deep breath before he turned to face her, looking serious like never before.

“Cessilia... I know we agreed for you to become my Queen and everything, but... I also wanted to let you know, I won’t just treat you like my Queen. I want you to be my wife, my one and only wife. There won’t be any more talk about concubines, favorites, and mistresses. Never again, not in my Kingdom. I will abolish the rule about the King being allowed as many women as he wants. I don’t want you to be my favorite, I want you to be my one and only woman consort.”

This time, Cessilia was properly stunned. So this was what he had been thinking about all this time? She had come here as a candidate bride, but all that fighting between women had been a race to become the King’s Queen, while most weren’t interested in anything but the position itself... In the midst of this, Cessilia had come, with her unwavering feelings for Ashen, and claimed the King’s heart for herself anyway. He was right; she had never aimed to be the first, but the only one in his heart. She wouldn’t have tolerated any other woman in his bed, and she couldn’t be like Jisel, ready to close her eyes as long as she kept the position. Cessilia cared little about becoming Queen. What she truly wanted was to be this King’s wife... and she would have wanted Ashen, nobody but Ashen, even if he had been a fisherman, a soldier, or any common man. He was no prince when she had fallen for him, and she had never seen him any other way.

Right then and there, she could tell they were really just a man and woman, a couple like any other, on a pretty island, just the two of them. Ashen suddenly took a deep breath, and put a knee down in front of her.

“Ashen, what are you…?” she gasped.

“There’s an oath knights make to a lady or a master,” he said. “I want to make an oath to you, Cessilia… I promise, from this moment on, I will never look at another woman the way I look at you. I swear I will never make another woman more important than you are to me. I swear I will never take another woman into my bed, or to be mine. I only want you. I’ve always wanted you, just you. I’ll be the most satisfied of men if you’ll make me your man too. I would do anything, absolutely anything, to make you happy as my wife. I will never let you feel jealous again, if you’ll let me take your hand. If you’ll marry me.”

Cessilia had tears in her eyes, and that terrible urge to cry. She had always been his, but Ashen’s oath was beyond all she could have hoped for. She loved him so much at this moment, it almost hurt her poor heart. She couldn’t handle the turmoil of emotions. She was happy; undoubtedly, endlessly happy.

Before she could think of an answer, Ashen took out a little box. She had no idea he was carrying this on him, or even how he’d hidden it all this time. The box was about the size of her hand, very simple and wooden, but when he opened it, Cessilia’s jaw dropped. A marvelous piece of jewelry was beautifully displayed inside. It wasn’t a ring or a bracelet, but something combining both. She immediately recognized the peculiar and beautiful shine of nacre pearls, assembled in waves and lines, shining with the most beautiful colored shades under the sunlight.

“Ashen... that’s...”

Without saying a word, looking quite emotional himself, he helped her put it on. He first put the golden bracelet on her wrist, and pulled the complex tangle of nacre pearls to cover the back of her hand, before putting the other end of the jewelry, a golden ring, on her finger. It was a beautiful, delicate piece. Cessilia realized, through the unique shape, the nacre beads were actually sculpted and expertly interlaced to replicate the appearance of dragon scales. They undulated with every movement, and were tightly bound in little waves. The nacre pearls shone iridescent, reminiscent of the beautiful columns in the Cerulean Suite. The jewelry had been beautifully crafted, looking simple, feminine, and delicate on her hand, without being too much. The contrast of the iridescent white pearls against her bronze skin was making it all even more perfect. The gold ring and bracelet seemed to be only beautiful accessories to this uniquely crafted piece. Cessilia was genuinely speechless. This jewelry seemed to be perfect, and... made for her.

At a loss for words, she glanced at Ashen, who smiled.

“You like it?”

“I absolutely love it,” she muttered. “Ashen, it’s beautiful...”

“I heard you loved nacre the most,” he smiled, relieved, “so I asked them to focus on it more than the gold.”

“But when... Just how did you...?”

She couldn’t understand. Gold was incredibly rare and valuable in the Eastern Kingdom. One piece alone would be worth so much, and he had found enough to make both a ring and a bracelet. Not only that, but the nacre piece was clearly designed for her...

“The gold is actually... something I took with me, when I left the Empire,” he confessed. “It bothered me for a while. It was a simple gold bracelet your mother had given me. I think back then, she already knew it was worth a lot for an orphan of the Eastern Kingdom. I took it, but I could never sell it. A part of me felt like I didn’t deserve to use it. At the same time, I kept it as a memento, and just in case I would need it someday. When it became clear that you’d stay, I figured it would be a good way to give it back. So, when I heard your friend mention you loved nacre from the Cerulean Suite, I secretly asked the daughter of the Sehsan Tribe to help me with it.”

“Lady Bastat?”

He nodded.

“I asked her when we were busy with the flood, not knowing how long it would take, but to my surprise, it was finished quickly last night... I went to get it this morning, right before I joined you and Lady Kareen.”

Cessilia could barely believe her own ears. This had been in the making for so long already? She glanced at the piece of jewelry again, trying to repress her urge to cry. She absolutely loved it. It was unique, and looked both beautiful and strong, like her.

“Get up,” she muttered.

He obeyed, a bit surprised, and Cessilia immediately jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. Ashen chuckled, and hugged her back.

“I’m happy you like it.”

“Of course I like it... You had it made just for me. Thank you...”

She raised her head to kiss him, and they exchanged a long, deep kiss. Cessilia felt the salty taste of her tears in their kiss, once she couldn’t hold them back anymore. She had never realized it was possible to cry this much out of happiness. She felt like her emotions were physically overflowing, pouring everything into that kiss with Ashen. She had never felt so complete, so confident and happy. Whatever came their way, she knew she’d be able to face it with Ashen by her side. It didn’t matter how many injuries and scars the two of them carried, as long as they’d stick together. That was all she really needed.

After a little while, their lips parted, leaving Cessilia almost dizzy, her cheeks red and hot.

“So... that’s why you brought me here?” she asked, trying a bit shyly to change the topic.

“Not exactly.”

She frowned at his answer. Then, to her surprise, Ashen gently pulled her toward the calm waves. Cessilia followed his lead, until they were both in the water up to their knees.

“What are we doing?” she chuckled.

“Don’t you love swimming the most?” He smiled. “I thought you’d like it here...”

“But the water’s cold.”

“Not for you.”

To her surprise, he suddenly took off his cloak, tossing it onto the beach, and walked deeper into the water. Perhaps because it was a bit cold, his abs seemed tighter than usual, and more than satisfying to the eye. Soon enough, he turned around, water up to his bare waist, and gave her a devilish smile, running his hand through his now short white hair. The sight of the seawater running down his body, the sun behind him, was one vision Cessilia never, ever wanted to forget.

Cessilia stepped further into the water, a smile on her lips, dying to join him. The waves gently grazed her thighs, and higher up her legs as she slowly walked up to her man. Ashen was standing there, handsome as ever and calmly waiting for her. In fact, he seemed more serene and handsome as always, his dark eyes riveted on her with a faint smile on his lips. He was stunning with the sunlight coming from behind him, sending gorgeous shimmers throughout his shiny white hair. Cessilia was happy to join him in this peaceful setting. The water reached up to her waist when she finally took his hand. He pulled her against him, with a playful expression, his naked, wet torso against her. Cessilia smiled, putting a hand around his nape. He was even more handsome up close... Without the two of them exchanging a word, she slowly brought her fingers, a bit of seawater dripping from them, to caress the lines of his torso. His skin and muscles reacted to her cool touch, but he didn’t try to move away from it. Cessilia smiled. That skin was marbled with countless scars, but there was a complex beauty in those imperfections. She loved the touch of the irregular skin under her fingers... She was almost sure that even blind, she would have recognized that pattern by heart.

Ashen gently grabbed her hand, pulling her fingers away from his skin. Cessilia chuckled. Was he getting a bit ticklish? His ears were slightly red...

“This reminds me of when we were younger,” he whispered. “We would always sneak out, away from your siblings and parents, to just be the two of us.”

“It was hard to be alone,” she nodded. “...We barely ever got any time to ourselves during the day.”