What did I do to deserve such a wonderful husband? 

Couldn't he just return to his old stuck-up and grumpy mannerisms? It was much easier to dislike and leave him. 

The lines of reality and fantasy have disappeared thanks to my father's efforts to make us spend time together. 

I couldn't complain. In fact, I have to admit, I love spending time with Kieran. 

Every moment that I'm with him stretches my heartstrings and I'm not sure how long more I can take before it snaps. 

I could keep this up for one day. I could contain my emotions just until today ends.  

I'll be fine. 

We'll be fine. 

But it didn't help that he looked amazing and hot even when he dressed down. A simple white shirt with the sleeves folded up to his elbows and a pair of ripped jeans. 

Kieran took my hand, the excitement in his eyes was adorable compared to his caveman-like stare, "Let's go." 

I was dizzy from the amount of adrenaline pumping in my veins as we went on one ride after another. Even the Haunted Mansion didn't slow our pace.  

The bastard was smiling like a loon when we stepped out of the house and I know that smile only came from me holding onto him like he was my lifeline. I wasn't scared, it was purely out of excitement. 

I shoved him in the ribs from pure frustration but he wasn't the slightest bit bothered. It only resulted in him kissing my clenched fist to ease my petty anger. 

We weren't anywhere close to done with the rides but decided to calm our nerves by doing some window shopping. At least that was my initial plan. 

Kieran grabbed every single thing I touched and paid for it with his black card. As if I would need thirty-five plush toys when I had him as my giant teddy bear. 

We stopped by the 'Pandora' charm bracelet store to give his chauffeur some time to load our purchases into the car. 

I gripped his bicep, not wanting to point to anything or he would practically buy the whole store. Side note, his muscles were really touchable. 

Almost automatically I was drawn to 'The Little Mermaid' charms. I loved swimming and the ocean in particular. 

I never understood why Ariel was interested in life on land. There weren't gangs underwater. There weren't people who would wish harm upon her family. There weren't such things as car accidents. And even sharks, the predators of the sea, were not anywhere as dangerous as the humans on land. 

"Who's your favourite Princess?" Kieran asked as I scanned the display with the many charms. 

"I don't have one. I do like Tiana and Rapunzel's personality, but I always seem to be entranced by Ariel's story." 

He was more than ready to straight up purchase every charm of each Princess I mentioned but I took his hand and kissed each of his knuckles like how he always did with me. 

"Thank you Kieran, for today. But I would appreciate it if your black card stops making an appearance." 

He looked clearly disgruntled by my decision but he nodded and held my waist, leading me out of the store. 

His phone chimed and he checked his messages, "I hope you're hungry." 

"Starving actually." 

He chuckled and kissed my forehead, "Good." 

Did she really think she could enter a jewellery store and come out empty-handed with me around? 

I texted my chauffeur to hang back and purchase a little something while I took Alina to Cinderella’s castle for lunch.  

In my defence, my diamond card made its appearance. 

The castle was booked for the night but Lucy managed to squeeze my last-minute appointment in at Cinderella’s Royal Table. It’s my last day with Alina, I’ll do anything to see that smile on her.  

The wonder on her face as we entered the Grand Hall was so beautiful and innocent. I wanted nothing more than to bundle her in my arms and kiss the life out of her. But before I could even finish that thought, the staff ushered us up the spiral staircase to the banquet hall above. 

It was so grand and overall surreal. It was like we were transported to a kingdom of some sort, stone archways, medieval flags and gorgeous stained-glass windows overlooking Fantasyland. The whole hall was cleared, leaving a table for two near a window. A romantic candle was placed on the table, waiting for us. 

I turned to Alina, she had one hand covering her mouth, the other clutching my hand loosely. Her eyes were wide, glassy. 

I reached out and held her shoulders, “Alina.” 

Her eyes flickered to me and a single tear fell down her cheeks, “I’m sorry, it’s so beautiful.” 

Good job Kieran. So much for wanting to make her smile. 

I wiped her tear away with the pad of my thumb, “No crying under my watch. My job today is for you to laugh till you’re numb remember?” 

She cracked a small smile and nodded, “Thank you.” 

I grinned, that’s all I needed. 

We settled down for our meal, Disney music playing in the background, my Queen seated in front of me. 

My heart constricted painfully and I grimaced, taking a sip of my red wine. 

What was wrong with me? 

"Are you alright?" Her soft hand caressed mine from across the table and the pain in my chest vanished almost instantly. 

I took a deep breath and smiled, "I'm fine." 

We polished off our plates, dessert included and I gave the staff a nod. They scampered off to prepare the surprise and the ache in my chest started off again. 

I swallowed hard, willing the sickening feeling to go away. 

Alina sipped on her wine and looked out the window, a peaceful look on her face. 

I cleared my throat and she turned to me, giving me a good hard look. 

The feisty side of her. 

I took her hands and she eyed me, "What is it? I'm barely over this meal honey, the look you're giving me is a I-have-something-up-my-sleeves look." 

I chuckled and leaned across the table, "Lucy had to pull a few strings for this meal. I'll need you to act surprised for the next minute or so." 

"What are you-" 

The whole hall went dark, the windows shut automatically and a luminous glow entered the room. 

The glass slippers on a tray, exactly like in the movie. Except we had the full pair here. 

I couldn't see her expression, but from the lack of sound, she must be holding her breath. 

When the staff reached us, our two silver wedding bands were placed on the red velvet cushion that the slippers were on. 

Lucy picked the rings up from my drawer in the office and called in for this surprise.  

"She's out of the restroom, thank you Lucy." 

This wasn't real. 

This gesture of proposing to her yet again, wasn't real. 

But I wanted it to be. 

Deep down, in my cold dark heart, I wanted this to be real. 

I stood up and she shifted in her seat to face me. I knelt down, took her ring and looked into her eyes. 

They were strong yet gentle, a wistful look in them. 

"Alina darling, I've not known you long but it feels like I've waited my whole life for you. I'm not good with words, considering how you always refer to me as a caveman. I'll never want anyone else as much as I want you. Will never need anything but you. You're my other half, my Queen in this lonely kingdom. You complete me and I want you to know how much it means to me. Miss Alina Simmons, will you marry me?" 

The whole room was silent other than the soft tune of 'Kiss the Girl' playing in the background. The staff, as professional as they were, waited with bated breaths for her answer. 

She held my face in her hand, her thumb stroking my cheek gently before pressing her lips to my forehead, "Of course I will marry you." 

The nerves evaporated and the happiness I felt was like no other. 

I knew it right then, I may never be her King but she'll always and forever be my Queen. 

- Alina - 

I did it, I gave all of me to him. 

And I'll never have it back. 

I felt incredibly cold and it wasn't from the chill of the night. 

I was exhausted from all the shows, rides and walking but mostly from the emotional turmoil of the day. 

We stood in the crowd, in front of the castle we had our amazing lunch in, before the fireworks showcase. I was at peace with myself, knowing that I was in love with him but would never want to go through what I did with Connor again. 

I may love someone again, but I didn't have it in me to go through the pain of heartbreak.  

Kieran stood behind me, wrapping his arms around me, his warmth keeping me from shivering. 

The way he phrased each word during the proposal was fantastic, full of emotion but without saying he loved me. He didn't give me an inkling of commitment at all. 

It was bittersweet, how I wanted and didn't want him to love me. 

No strings attached. 

"Are they uncomfortable?"  

I could only guess that he was talking about the Swarovski crystal heels I was wearing. 

They looked beautiful, fit for a Disney princess. Was that how Cinderella felt when the slippers were presented to her? 

Because this was some messed up kind of fairy-tale I didn't need. 

"They're quite the opposite actually," I mumbled. 

The castle darkened, the music played, Kieran's hold around me tightened. 

Animations played on the castle with the nostalgic Disney tunes. Mystical, magical, beautiful and absolutely romantic. 

He littered kisses down my neck and bare shoulders, his hands linked with mine. 

Tasting. 

Memorising. 

The ring and gorgeous heels weighed almost nothing as I lost myself to the feel of him, fully accepting that my very own fairy-tale was ending. 

Could I even keep these once the night was over?  

The fireworks exploded in a majestic display and Kieran turned me round to face him. The light that reflected in his eyes made him look painfully handsome. 

He cracked a small smile, "This is it." 

My heart twisted, "It is." 

"I really enjoyed my time with you Alina." 

"Likewise." 

"Your future husband is a really lucky man." 

I stroked his cheek, "I can say the same for your future wife." 

He chuckled and shook his head, "Thank you darling and before you even start, everything that I give you is for you to keep." 

I let out a horribly painful breath, "You kept the rings from Hawaii." 

He shrugged, "I told you, we had an agreement. Besides, I think it matches you perfectly." 

He brushed his thumb over the ring on my finger and in that split second, my heart stalled.  

There it was, in those dark eyes of his. 

A flash of vulnerability, a pinch of longing, a hint of love. 

My mind whirled and my lungs contracted. 

I barely know this man, I can't possibly read him that way.  

Before the realisation could set in, he pulled me in, a hand behind my head, angling his lips to effectively kiss the breath out of me.