Your entire life, you never believed that you’d find the “true love” that everyone so desperately looked for. You just never thought you were capable of being loved in such a manner—nor that you deserved it.

That was, until you met Julian.

He was everything you’d ever wanted. Smart, handsome, funny, sweet, charming.. he had it all.

You’d been through some ups and downs. Multiple break-ups later, you were about to be the Empress of the Meridian Empire, and he was still by your side, helping you with whatever you needed while adjusting to the role.

Today was the day of your coronation. You’d just been speaking with your sister, Donatella, when Julian decided to pay you a visit.

“I wasn’t sure you’d have time to see me today.” He says, walking over to you and scanning your appearance.

“I am very important.”

“I know,” he said solemnly.

“Julian, I’m only joking.” You swiped his arm playfully. He took the opportunity as an excuse to steal your hand.

“You look bewitching.” he said, pulling you closer. “But I think this dress is missing something.”

He lifted the coat folded over his arm to reveal a present resting in his hand.

Inside was a pair of crudely stitched gloves. The gifting of gloves from a gentleman to his lady used to be a custom when proposing, but the tradition had long since gone out of style.

“Where did you get these?” You breathed.

“I went back to the dungeon and there were a few scraps from your dress that I sewed together.”

“You sewed these yourself?”

A sheepish grin. “I didn’t trust anyone else to touch them.”

“Thank you. this is the most perfect gift.”

“I’m glad you like it.” His smile returned but it looked a little bashful again as he tugged on the back of his neck with one hand. “Gloves were once a symbolic gift.”

“Yes.” You blurted.

His eyebrows danced up. “I haven’t even asked.”

“Whatever you ask, the answer is yes.” You threw your arms around his neck. Neither of you had said it outright, but you knew what this was. A proposal.