17- Acceptance

                                    

                                          
Rafael Chancellor's Point of View:
                          
She walked away from me leaving me with a heavy heart. I stared at the engagement ring that I had spent hours picking out. She just gave it back to me as if it were nothing as if it were meaningless. Taking out the ring box I set the ring back inside of it firmly shutting the box.
                          
I looked in the direction that she had walked off in but I didn't see her, she was already gone. I leaned back resting my back against the chair as I thought back to what just happened. I knew I should have told her about the ultimatum I received from the council but I didn't want her to think that I was only asking her because I needed a wife. I asked because I truly do love her. 
                          
I thought back to the conversation that I had with Lissa's brother before we left. His words still ring in my ear even now. 
                          
"What are your intentions with my sister?" I wasn't prepared for him to just outright ask me that. He looked at me as if he already knew who I was aside from dating his sister.
                          
"I love her," I told him honestly "I know I haven't known her long but I can't deny what I'm feeling"
                          
He nodded, "and this newfound love isn't because you need a bride or your cousin will be King?"
                          
My mouth dropped open, "how do you know about that?"
                          
"Your cousin told me," he shrugged "but that's not what you should be worried about?"
                          
"What should I be worried about?"
                          
"I could walk over to my sister right now and tell her about your little problem"
                          
"No please don't," I pleaded with him "I want to tell her I just I-I don't want to lose her"
                          
He looked at me blankly, "you expect me to believe that all of this isn't just a ruse so that you can become king"
                          
"I don't want to become king if she's not there beside me"
                          
"And why's that?"
                          
I felt embarrassed at what I was about to say but there was no other way that I knew how to say it, "she sees me"
                          
He looked at her causing me to do the same, "she doesn't see a prince or a future king or someone with connections, she just sees me"
                          
"I know it might not make sense-" I turned to look at him when he interrupted me.
                          
"I get it...I know the feeling"
                          
"You have my blessing but you better tell her about the whole ultimatum from the council. If she finds out from someone else she might not be as understanding as me"
                          
It was as if he knew that this was going to happen and I once again found myself regretting not telling her sooner. I felt like she would've somehow still gotten mad at me but I should've tried nonetheless instead of trying to keep it from her. 
                          
I pulled out my phone to call her but decided against it. I should at least give her some time to herself right. But if I don't call her she might think that I don't care and that I don't love her. In the end, I decided that it would be better to call her and not have her answer me than to not call her at all.
                          
When I dialed her number it kept ringing until I eventually reached her voicemail, "Hey I know you said that I should give you some space and I want to respect your wishes I just want you to know that I love you so much and I mean that with my very soul. I would do anything you want just to have you in my arms again, even giving up the throne. If that's what it'll take to prove to you that I love you and want to marry you then I'll do it. Just please call me when-"
                          
I moved the phone from my ear as the phone cut off. I just hoped that she got my message and that she actually listens to it. I couldn't bear the thought of being without her.
                          
As I thought back to the situation an entirely new emotion overcame me, it was anger. I was angry at Harry for showing up at our date, I was angry at him for telling Alissa about the ultimatum from the council and most importantly I was angry at him for putting doubts in her head about my intentions.
                          
Forget being angry I was furious at this point. I rose to my feet and walked back to the restaurants where my car was. My bodyguard was still there waiting for me and I immediately got into the car.
                          
"Where to Sir?"
                          
"Home"
                          
I stewed in my seat the entire way home. I had already spoken to my mom about Alissa and my plans to propose. She was incredibly happy for me that I found someone that I genuinely loved and wanted to spend my life with. Father on the other hand was clueless as I made it a point to keep it a secret from him. I didn't want him to make a big deal about it and overwhelm her.
                          
Karma really is something because now she's overwhelmed by something entirely different.
                          
"Harry!" My voice boomed through the mansion as I slammed the door shut behind me.
                          
"Harry son of a bitch!"
                          
"Rafael darling," my mother walked into the room "why are you yelling?"
                          
I didn't answer her, "what's wrong my son?"
                          
I sighed. I was in no mood to rehash the drama that I was just a part of but this was my mother and she wouldn't take no for an answer.
                          
"I asked Alissa to marry me and she said yes...."
                          
"Oh wow that's such great news," she screamed happily.
                          
"Until Harry showed up and told her about the council ultimatum and my urgent need for a wife....she rejected my proposal right after"
                          
"Oh honey I thought you already told her"
                          
"I was going to believe me, mother, I was but then he showed up and wouldn't stop talking and now she hates me"
                          
"Oh honey she doesn't hate you," she pulled me into a hug "love doesn't just go away like that"
                          
I scoffed pulling away from her, "there's a fine line between love and hate"
                          
She patted my cheek gently, "there's an even finer line between love and acceptance"