“Yes, yes. We’ll handle all that afterward. But first, I want to do this right.” Darragh stopped pacing. “What did proposals look like? Historically?”
Helena pulled out her reading glasses and began flipping through the ledger. “Let me check the World Council archives. There should be records, especially if your father did it...” she muttered to herself as she scanned pages, occasionally making notes.
Darragh waited, his excitement building.
Finally, Helena looked up. “According to historical records, a traditional proposal involved the offering party - that’s you - getting down on one knee.”
“On one knee?”
“That’s what it says. The offering party would kneel before the other person as a sign of respect and affection, indicating that, despite their higher rank or position, they were humbling themselves to ask for the other’s hand.” Helena adjusted her glasses. “Then you would present a ring in a box. It was called an engagement ring or promise ring, meant to symbolize your commitment and intention to marry.”
Darragh grinned. “That sounds perfect.”
“It sounds very irregular,” Helena said dryly. “A king does not get down on one knee to anyone.”
“That’s exactly why it’s perfect, and it’s not like I’d do it for just anybody. Just Finn.” Darragh could already picture it. “Can you find a suitable ring? And a box?”
“You want me to…” Helena shook her head. “Of course you do. It’s not as if you can just pop down to the jewelers and pick out something for yourself. Do you have any preferences for the ring?”
Darragh thought about it. “It can’t be too flashy. Finn wouldn’t want something ostentatious. But it has to be well-made. Solid. Like him.”
Helena made a note. “I’ll see what I can arrange. When are you planning this...proposal?”
“Tonight. After dinner.”
“Tonight?” Helena’s pen stopped mid-stroke. “Darragh, that gives me approximately six hours to find a historically appropriate engagement ring and a presentation box.”
“Is that a problem?” They had a really good jeweler in town, and surely finding a box couldn’t be that difficult.
She gave him a long look, then sighed again. “For you? Apparently not. I’ll make it happen.”
“Thank you, Helena.”
“You’re welcome.” She waved him toward the door. “Now go and find something else to do so I can work miracles.”
/~/~/~/~/
Dinner felt like it was taking forever. Darragh kept the conversation light, discussing plans for the next day and asking Finn more about his family in Winrone. The ring box felt as if it were burning a hole in his jacket pocket. Helena had delivered itan hour before dinner with a knowing look and instructions not to drop it in the fountain.
The ring had been a perfect choice for a man like Finn. It was a simple band of silver with a single blue stone, the color of Safe Harbor’s flag. It was traditional, but not fussy - just like Finn.
“You’re distracted tonight,” Finn observed, setting down his fork.
“Am I?”
“You just agreed that purple carrots would make an excellent addition to the castle menu.”
Darragh blinked. “I did?”
Finn grinned. “I was testing you, to see if you were paying attention to me. Where’s your mind at?”
“Thinking about what comes after dinner.”
“Ooh, should I be worried?”
“No.” Darragh pushed back from the table. “Actually, yes. Maybe. I’m not sure.” He stood and offered his hand. “Walk with me?”
Finn took his hand without hesitation, and that simple trust made Darragh’s heart skip a beat. They walked through the castle corridors in comfortable silence, Darragh leading them toward his mother’s garden.
