Chapter 478 Nicholas' Proposal (1)
After Sophie read the bedtime story for Anne and Jack, she realized her son was already sleeping on the bed with his mouth wide open. His big body dominated the bed that was meant for one person and pushed the petite Anne almost to the edge of the bed. This sight made Sophie shake her head.
She thought Jack was adorable. His personality came out more prominently now that he could express his feelings with facial expressions and words.
"Gosh, Jack... you shouldn't have taken that much space. Now your sister can't sleep," said Sophie with a click of her tongue. She wanted to nudge Jack to wake up and move to his own bedroom, but Anne opened her eyes and sleepily held Sophie's hand.
Sophie was surprised to see her daughter awake. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
Anne yawned and said softly, "I was sleeping, but I felt squeezed."
"I'll wake him up so you can have the space to sleep," said Sophie.
"I am awake," Anne replied. "I will just move to his room. Let's not wake him up."
"Oh, that can work too," said Sophie, admiring her daughter's wisdom.
Anne was serious, intelligent, and wise. What Jack had better than other children in physical appearance, Anne kept up with her intelligence. Sophie believed they both complement each other perfectly.
Sophie helped Anne get down from her bed and took her to Jack's bedroom. After she made sure both Anne and Jack were sleeping well, she went to Luciel's and Jan's rooms, respectively. Both boys were sleeping soundly. They looked tired after the long day and the exams.
She kissed them all in the forehead before she left their rooms and went to find Nicholas. The king was standing in front of Anne's door when Sophie found him.
"I thought you were still inside," Nicholas commented when he saw Sophie.
"I was reading them bedtime stories, and then Jack fell asleep," said Sophie. "He took all the space on Anne's bed, and so I had to move Anne to his room."
"Ah, I see..." Nicholas' face was decorated with a relieved smile. "I thought you wanted to avoid me since I was asking you to have a drink with me tonight. I would understand that."
Sophie rolled her eyes when she heard him and hit him on the shoulder. "Of course not. I was actually looking for you to ask for that drink."
"It's in my study. Come," said Nicholas, reaching out his hand to Sophie.
The woman looked at his hand and thought about what she should do. This was the first time Nicholas openly wanted to hold her hand. His expression and his gesture all looked casual and carefree. He didn't seem awkward or have any particular thoughts when he reached out his hand to her.
So, Sophie decided to do the same thing. She took his hand and held it. They had been living together as a family for many years now, and all this time, Nicholas had always been respectful and polite. He never hid his feelings and affection for her, but he was careful not to make things awkward or make her feel uncomfortable. Sophie really appreciated him for that.
Nicholas grinned when he and Sophie walked hand in hand toward his study. It had the best view of the palace compound, and he loved spending his personal time there. Having Sophie there with a glass of wine would make his night perfect.
"How was Leia?" Sophie asked. She forgot to check her youngest child because her mind was distracted by Nicholas' appearance in front of Anne's room.
"Oh, she is fine. She made me sing her lullaby five times before she slept," said Nicholas lightheartedly. "She is sleeping well now. Don't worry."
"Ah, I see." Sophie chuckled. "Sorry for bothering you. Leia can be demanding."
"That's not demanding," said Nicholas. "I love spending time with her. Ever since she was born, she has been like a daughter to me."
Nicholas wanted to remind Sophie that Leia called him 'daddy', but he realized it was not necessary. Sophie had nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I can see that."
They had arrived in his study, and Nicholas opened the door for Sophie. He moved a chair for her and motioned her to sit. He opened the floor-to-ceiling windows and let the night breeze enter. From this side, they could see the garden that was showered with moonlight outside.
"Wine?" Nicholas raised a jug from his cabinet and two glasses. Sophie nodded. So the king poured wine for both of them and gave one glass to Sophie. "This is to celebrate Jack's and Anne's transformations."
"Cheers!" said Sophie, raising her glass. Even though it was really late, she was not sleepy. Her mind was filled with excitement after witnessing all her children now had their human forms. So, she welcomed Nicholas' invitation to celebrate it in private.
She still didn't have other friends. Other than Lily Moonchester, who would visit the capital several times a year, Sophie didn't have female friends. She also was not close to any males... except Nicholas, of course.
Max was the only other male who was kind of close to her because Max worked for her. Sophie already considered the lycan like her younger brother, but even so, she couldn't share personal thoughts with him. They were not that close.
Only with Nicholas, could she have a connection where she felt comfortable sharing her plans and wants and also her feelings. Nicholas would do the same. After they refined their co-parenting relationship, friendship came naturally to them.
Now, Sophie could confidently say that Nicholas was her best friend. She felt comfortable being around him, and everyone knew it. That's why Sophie didn't feel awkward being here, in the king's study, at 1.30 in the morning, talking with him over a glass of wine.
"Sophie..."
Nicholas put down his glass and looked at Sophie seriously.
"Hm?" Sophie looked at the man, still holding her glass in her hand. She realized Nicholas' tone sounded quite serious. "Yes?"
Nicholas took a deep breath to gather his courage. And then he told her what he had been thinking all these years.
"It's been four years," he said. His eyes were fixed on hers. "Are you still waiting for Leland?"
"Huh?" Sophie furrowed her brows. "Why did you ask that? I am not waiting for Leland."
"I asked that question because I wanted to know the answer," said Nicholas truthfully. "Do you still think about him?"
Sophie looked at Nicholas deeply. She could see so much love fill his eyes every time they looked at her.
She lowered her head. Then she answered him honestly, "Sometimes."
"It's understandable." Nicholas nodded. "He is the father of your children. You are bound to think about him whenever you see your kids with him."
Sophie didn't say anything. Nicholas was right. However, she didn't want to discuss Leland and her feelings for him. Four years had passed and more, and there were still no signs of Leland anywhere. The last news she heard about him actually made her upset, and she cried for days in silence.
She only found out two years ago that Leland and Eloise had a child together. It was a male lycan pup who would inherit the throne of Armeria as well as the Obsidian Sand Pack. Everyone said the pup looked so much like Leland.
After she heard about the news, Sophie didn't want to think about Leland even one bit, and she managed to numb her feelings by keeping herself busy. So, after two years, if Nicholas asked her if she still had a love for Leland, Sophie could say she didn't.
She just wanted to get over everything and focus on her children and their new life together.
"I don't think of him whenever I see my kids," said Sophie firmly. "It's not like that."
Nicholas was very happy to hear that. That's what he expected too. After four years of carefully watching Sophie and trying to get close to her in ways that she wouldn't feel uncomfortable with, he could now feel confident that his relationship with Sophie was solid. They were good friends, and they cared a lot about each other.
Now, after four years... he finally felt that it was time.
"Sophie, marry me," Nicholas said suddenly. He looked at her with a glint in his eyes, and his expression was very serious. "Unless you still love Leland and want to wait for him forever... I want you to think about us and the children. I promise to do whatever is within my power to make you happy, to protect you, to put your happiness over everything, and to love and care for you until my dying breath."
Nicholas wanted to be romantic and took her somewhere beautiful and waited to pop the question. However, he was touched by the wonderful family moment they had shared together earlier, and he couldn't wait any longer. If Sophie truly didn't have any objection, why not formalize their relationship in marriage again?
"Huh?" Sophie was surprised by the sudden proposal. "What did you say?"
"Marry me," Nicholas repeated his words.
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