Side Story 3 - Please Marry Me

Nicholas paced restlessly around the room, which was adorned with passionate red roses.

Arriving a full hour early, his face tight with nerves, the marquis’s son was greeted by the familiar chef with a blank stare and a muttered,

“Well now… to think the day would come when young master Nicholas would wear such an expression.”

He had changed his hairstyle, slicking it back to look even a little more grown-up. His jacket, too, had been tailored especially for this day.

His fingers kept straying into his pocket, checking the small box over and over again.

If she did not accept it, there was no way he would be in the mood for dinner. And yet, he could not imagine calmly finishing the meal first as if nothing were wrong, either.

Having secured his father’s approval, Nicholas had sent Sharon an invitation.

Surely she realized that this would be the stage for a proposal.

When her reply accepting the invitation arrived, he had nearly jumped for joy.

“Lady Murese has arrived.”

At the attendant’s announcement, Nicholas hurried to the doorway and froze in astonishment.

Sharon, too, was dressed in what must have been a gown prepared for this occasion, her hair swept up in an elegant style that gave her a radiant appearance.

“…You’re beautiful.”

The words slipped out before he could even manage a proper greeting, and Sharon’s cheeks flushed. Seeing her expression made Nicholas’s chest tighten, and his own cheeks reddened in turn.

Lucien had once said that his true feelings had simply spilled out. Nicholas understood that sentiment all too well now.

Seeing Sharon so conscious of him like this, he found her unbearably dear.

All the careful plans he had made—starting with drinks to calm themselves, apologizing properly for his earlier clumsy remarks—vanished completely.

Being told to keep these feelings hidden would be asking the impossible.

Taking her hand, he guided Sharon not to the table but to the sofa, then dropped to one knee.

Before the surprised Sharon, he held out a small box.

Inside, resting on satin and a cushion, gleamed a dazzling diamond ring.

“Sharon, please marry me.”

Nicholas realized that this was all he needed to say. His name, Sharon’s name—those alone were enough to convey his feelings.

Sharon understood.

Her moist eyes narrowed softly, her lips curving into a smile like a flower in bloom, and the light in her eyes shimmered brightly.

“Yes…!”

As Nicholas slid the ring onto Sharon’s ring finger with trembling hands, he pulled her into a tight embrace.