Chapter 3. The Strange Proposal 2

Thereafter, the couple looked into each other's eyes in silence. The King, who wanted to get things sorted out after he quit alcoholism three years ago, had showered Phoebe with love. He wished that the hand of the clock would turn, and he would compensate her for standing by his side for forty-one years. He had observed the relationship between her and Mirabel and concluded that there was more to it. She was so protective of her and showered her with much love, even more than she loved the Prince. To make her happier, he wished to be part of Mirabel's life.

“I have not supported you in raising her,” he owned up.

Having understood his worries, she looked down with guilt, and said, “You have, my dear. You supported me during her coming-of-age party.”

“I recalled that but it wasn't good enough. I must confess that I have been far away from her, and I wonder how she feels about me,” he confessed.

She had kept her identity away from him, and even the Prince because she wished to save him from the scandal of rape. After he withdrew from drinking, she still kept Mirabel's identity away from him because she was uncertain about how he would take it. The fear that he may be ashamed of himself and go into hiding, which was not good for a King, made her stick to her decision.

That day, he was desperate. He pulled her closer and kissed her passionately, and she complied happily. Afterward, she reassured him, “I am happy to be married to the best King in the world.”

Such accolades often leave the King confused because he believed that he was not as good as she claimed, but it made him horny whenever she said it.

“Am I?” He asked her, as he regularly did.

To reassure him, she confirmed it, “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you, My King.”

“I love you so much, My Queen. If I may ask, can you tell me more about Mirabel?”

At that moment, Phoebe was overwrought, 'What if he chose to take the slave as his second wife?' Phoebe mulled over.

The Next Day – At Mirabel's Chambers

Before she went to sleep the previous day, she had instructed her servants that she would leave for work earlier than usual, and they were aware of what to do.

“We got it, Your Majesty,” they responded and served her with her light dinner.

She went to bed very relieved. To her delight, she was not worried as she expected. Her grandmother's encouraging words calmed her fears. Then, the King's recognition of her and interest in her business was the icing on the cake. Therefore, she had a peaceful sleep.

To her pleasure, she woke up very energetic and walked to the parlor. She sipped the Chrysanthemum tea that the chef had brewed for her.

“Wow!” She exclaimed after taking her tea and walked to her grandmother's chamber to greet her.

Afterward, she returned to her chamber and prepared for work.

“I have a meeting with high-profile clients this morning,” she informed her make-up artist and fashion designer.

“It is noted, Your Majesty.”

Thereafter, the fashion designer selected the right wears for the meeting, while the make-up artist gave her good office make-up. She was delighted when she looked at herself in the mirror.

“Wow! This is interesting,” she complimented them and the servants were pleased with themselves.

“We are glad that you love it, Your Majesty,” they acknowledged one after the other.

“Yes. I like it,” she responded.

Soon, she was out of the house, and her Knight and drivers were set.

“Shall we move?” She inquired after she sat in the back seat while her Knight sat in the passenger's seat.

“Yes, your Majesty,” he announced, and they drove off.

At The Office

She arrived with her team with the gait of an accomplished Lady Boss and walked straight to her office. She looked at the wall clock and it was a few minutes past 8 AM.

“I have enough time to prepare for them,” she assured herself.

Meanwhile, she had many orders for bouquets to attend to and she began to work on them. Soon, the two love seekers arrived. The front desk officer, who witnessed the scuffles the previous day was able to recognize them at once. To her surprise, Alfred was dressed to the nines and she thought, “Maybe he would leave for his date from here.”

“Good morning, Sirs,” she greeted them cheerfully immediately after they walked in.

“Good morning, Young lady. We are here to see your boss as discussed,” Carson informed her.

She looked at Alfred who maintained an indecipherable expression with shoulders back and head held up.

“She is expecting you. I will inform her of your presence at once,” the officer said and picked up the intercom.

The moment it connected, Mirabel announced, “Kindly let them in.”

“Okay, Boss,” she acknowledged and led them to her office.

She opened the door and held it for them to walk in. Afterward, she excused herself and left.

“Good morning, Gentlemen,” Mirabel got up and greeted them with a beautiful smile.

Alfred just realized that she was more beautiful than he had imagined. His first desire was to kiss her beautiful lips, but he restrained himself, and answered curtly, “Good morning to you.”

Nevertheless, Carson was more polite, and he responded with a broad smile, “A good morning to you. We are here as agreed.”

“Yes. You are most welcome. Kindly take your seats,” she acknowledged and signaled them to the visitors' seat.

Alfred smiled softly and took his seat, and Carson did the same. Then, she sat down and began, “Once again, I apologize for my oversight.”

Subsequently, she got up from her office chair and picked up two bouquets from the shelf. She walked back to them and asked, “Which of these appeals to you? They are engagement bouquets. You can have any at no cost.”

“This wasn't our agreement. You promised to educate us on how to make a meaningful proposal with your flowers, and get a desired result,” Alfred, who was more anxious, pointed out.

“Oh, gosh. I missed it again. But never mind, we will get it right,” she declared, walked back to the shelf, and dropped the bouquets before she returned to her seat.

Meanwhile, Alfred admired her as she walked and relished every movement. Likewise, she faced him and began her lecture, “Foremost, you have to make up your mind on what to tell the lady after you have chosen the appropriate day and location. If I may ask, what do you intend to tell her?”

Now, Alfred ran his hand over his head in dismay and blurted out, “If I knew what to tell her, would I be here for a tutorial? It's like your organization cares less about her clients.”

To remedy the awkward situation, Carson declared, “Young Lady, he needs a complete package. He goofed up yesterday because he was a novice. I expected you to give him tips."

She furrowed her brow and asked him, “Tips?”

"Yes. What would a man tell a lady at an engagement date and she would be delighted to accept his proposal.”

“Simple. Instead of beating around the bush,” Alfred concurred.

“I got it, but you only paid for the bouquet and not the complete proposal package,” she strengthened things out.

Now, Alfred's love for her increased because of her business acumen and smartness, but he argued, “Was that the reason you messed up my date? I can see that you were intentional.”

Now, he got up, looked at Carson, and said, “Guy, I think we should be on our way. She would hear from us.”

Nevertheless, Carson understood his bravado and calmed him down, “Guy, take your seat. You don't have to be hard on her. As you can see, she is doing her best.”

Instantly, Alfred sat back, while she fixed her eyes on him. “What a handsome, repulsive guy,” she thought.