Page 123 - RotalTutor

the king also joined them in laughter. Still, Alexander obviously had no idea what was going on. When Louise could finally get control of herself, she pulled back and took Alexander’s hands in hers. “You see, Alexander, you are never going to be released from being my escort, because Father has given his permission for me to marry you.” The stunned look on Alexander’s face was priceless. She had sworn that she would break his composure some day, and this time she finally had. The king smiled kindly at Alexander and added to what Louise had said. “Not only my permission, Alexander, but my blessing.” “You see,” Louise said, “we decided I should marry the best man I could find, and, well, we decided I couldn’t find a better man than Alexander of Bernodia.” Tears started to pour down Alexander’s face, mixing with the sweat and dirt that was there. Louise reached up and kindly touched his face. “But there is a little problem. You see, Alexander of Bernodia has never asked me to marry him.” Alexander’s breath started coming in gasps as his tears seemed to be choking the air from his lungs. He turned and looked at the king, and the king nodded. He turned and looked at his father, and his father nodded. He turned back to Louise and smiled through his tears. He had to swallow a couple of times, but finally he was able to speak. “Princess Louise, if you will marry me, 121