"Why are you down on one knee?" FOR NEFARUE PLS AND THANK U
For someone who has boasted of a first-class education, Princess Melarue of the Elves of Maasli is really quite stupid, Nefarus thinks to himself. It’s not the kindest thought he could be having at this particular moment- certainly he should be full of love and hope and other emotions that could be symbolized by hues of reds and pinks and maybe even orange.
He is, oh, he is, because the racing of his heart isn’t slowed by his desire to roll his eyes at the woman he wants to marry. It is because she makes him want to roll his eyes, even in a moment like this, that he wants to marry her.
"Rue," Nef starts, taking one of her hand in both of his. He forgoes any more formality that he needs to use. Besides, he is not proposing to the princess. He is proposing to Rue, his Rue, who he traveled across the Sea to be with, who he gave up his business and came calling for, heart in hands, with nothing to offer except his ambition and intellect (which was, according to his brother, and even in part himself, all too questionable to be relied upon. Especially when the ones doing the relying were a royal family, that too of a difference race).
"You drive me crazy. Not always in the good way, but even when you drive me crazy in the bad way, I- I have these moments where I stop and I just look at you. That’s all it takes, one look at you. I don’t see what everyone else sees. You’ve always told me that people say you are the Ice Princess, strong and tall and regal. Immovable. Someone who cannot be phased. That is not what I see."
As if to prove his own words, Rue starts blinking rapidly, looking down at the ground before up at him again. Nef smiles at her, softly at first and then, suddenly, a grin. She starts giggling slightly, laughter punctuated with small sobs. Around him, she has stopped trying to hide her emotions. Rue wipes her tears freely, before gesturing for him to continue.
It’s the longest stretch of time she’s gone without talking, without interrupting him.
"I have never in my life, in all of my travels, met anyone like you. No one who feels what you do, who acts like you. You’re bold and brash and beautiful, mind and body and soul. You may live longer than me, but whatever we’ve got left, decades or centuries, I want to spend it with you. Will you marry me?”