Elena''s POV


    I couldn''t help butugh at his not-so-smooth attempt to change the subject. "You''re really bad at dismissing things."


    He grinned sheepishly, avoiding my gaze as he picked up a ss of wine and took a sip. "I just don''t want to talk about that anymore. It''s all in the past."


    Turning to face me, his grin widened. "I prefer talking about the present-and most importantly, the future. My future with you. Our wedding."


    Ibit the inside of my cheek, trying to suppress the grin that threatened to take over my face as he sessfully shifted my thoughts.


    Raising an eyebrow yfully, I asked, "The wedding already?"


    "Yes, already." He smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "You didn''t think I''d just sit around and not n this, did you? This is important to me. I won''t delegate the nning to anyone else."


    "Also," he continued, his eyes lighting up, "I''ve already spoken to a few nners. And trust me, Elena, no one''s as lucky as I am right now."


    His excitement was contagious, and he looked so mesmerised, like a kid with a new toy, that I couldn''t look away. "Lucky? You really think you''re the lucky one?"


    "Oh, absolutely." He leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a yful but determined tone. "Do you know how many men would dly trade ces with me right now?"


    I stared at him, wide-eyed. "You? The one who''s going to marry the infamous ''warrior princess,'' with a reputation as a second-hand good?"


    "Don''t say that." He suddenly turned serious, his gaze intense. "If there''s anything infamous about you, it''s your ability to make every man in the room turn his head when you walk in."


    I chuckled, trying to mask the blush creeping up my neck. "Well, I''ll have to


    remember that the next time we''re surrounded by jealous women."


    He leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile on his lips. "True. There are plenty of women who would love to take your ce."


    I blinked, slightly stunned by his tant boasting. A small pang tugged at my heart, though, and I wasn''t sure how to handle the feeling. But the sting was gone as quickly as it came when he leaned in closer, his tone serious.


    "But none of them will ever rece you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Because I''m marrying the best one. The most amazing, beautiful woman there is. The only woman I''ll ever need


    My expression softened at his words, and I looked away, trying to hide how flustered I was. "ttery will surely get you everywhere, Deacon."


    The air around us lightened instantly, and we both burst intoughter. The mood shifted into something intimate, but we both allowed ourselves to enjoy it, continuing to talk about the wedding ns.


    With newfound determination, Deacon became serious again. "Now, as for the wedding... I''m not settling for something simple. It''s going to be the grandest celebration anyone has ever seen. We''ll have it in the kingdom, and everyone will know that you''re my wife."


    He wiggled his brows, his eyes twinkling. "It will be the talk of the kingdom and beyond."


    I hesitated, my smile faltering as I shook my head. "I don''t know..


    "Deacon, I... I''m not really one for grand events. You know that. I don''t want all those eyes on me," I said softly, my voice betraying the unease I felt.


    at


    He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, guiding me to rx as we leaned back into our slightly reclined chairs. We both gazed


    stars, the sight calming he instantly.


    "I understand," he said quietly. "But this wedding is for us. We''re the prince and princess, after all. And besides, Elena... you deserve nothing but the best. Don''t you think you deserve to have the world see just how extraordinary you are?"


    I looked at him, but my thoughts were distant, a cloud of sadness settling if my chest. I sighed and shook my head. "I never needed the world''s approval."


    I stayed silent for a while, fiddling with my fingers, the weight of my thoughts pressing heavily on me. Finally, I looked up at him, my voice barely a whisper. "I''m not worried about what the world thinks. I''m worried about what my people think."


    He looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?"


    I sighed again, shifting slightly in my seat, the sadness I''d been holding back now threatening to spill over. "My mentor, the students at the training camp... they raised me. Taught me everything I know. They''re my family. And the thought of them looking at me like I''ve abandoned them... for something like this... It''s hard to bear."


    His expression softened, and he seemed to understand the gravity of my worry. "You''re worried they''ll think you''ve changed, aren''t you?"


    I nodded, my voice breaking slightly. "Not just that. There are so many rumours about me circting right now. I was a warrior, just like them, but then I left it all behind to be a Luna. I just returned to my original duties, and now I''m getting married again. I don''t want them to think I''m abandoning everything again."


    His hand reached for mine, squeezing it reassuringly. "You haven left anything behind. If anything, you''ve gained more. You''re still the same woman who knows how to fight, how to lead. And you always will be."


    I met his gaze, unsure of what to say next, the sadness still weighing heavily on


    me.


    His grip on my hand tightened, his voice resolute. "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure your


    trainer in Custodes and the senior warriors understand that this marriage won''t


    hold you back from the achievements that await you as a warrior."


    I shook my head in disbelief at his offer. "Deacon..."


    Today''s Bonus Offer