I'm so sorry guys, I haven't uploaded in like a month. Long story short, I'm back, kinda. I haven't had any motivation to write. I have a ton of ideas but no motivation. Anyways, I'm back.

Also, we've reached over 2k reads, thanks so much, everyone. All of your comments have made me laugh and have been an encouragement for me to continue writing so thank you.

When I get over my lack of motivation I will try to upload more frequently! Enjoy!

"My lady, let me help you with that."

I scrunch my nose in dissatisfaction, "Talk normally as you usually would. You know I hate it when you treat me like a princess."

"Ah, but you are."

I glare at him, "Whatever. You're my closest friend. I've known you since before we found out who my birth parents were. No need for formalities. Plus, it doesn't suit you."

I giggle and push away his hand, standing up on my own and wiping the dust off my hands.

He laughs and relaxes a bit, "Why do you insist on playing in the dirt and weeds? If your mother knew she might have a heart attack."

I laugh and loop my arm through his as we stroll down the garden, "They're not weeds! They're beautiful roses!"

"Your mother finds them quite peculiar, if she had it her way, she would have your garden burned."

"There is nothing wrong with liking black roses! They're divine! Red roses are quite boring."

He lets out a fake wounded gasp and places his hand over his chest, "Oh how you wound me! I wore this rose just for you and you're here to tell me they're boring! Does that mean that you think that I am quite boring?"

I giggle and nod, "Quite." I start taking off running towards the house with him running in tow to catch up.

Before I can make it back to the house, I suddenly stop in front of my scowling mother who then looks back at Diluc and scrunched her nose.

"Honestly, how can you hang around that brute? He's nothing less than a stable boy."

I gasp, "He is not! Just because he does not wish to become the next Duke, does not mean that he is, as you say, "wild" and "unhinged". Status is not everything."

My mothers' frown deepens, "Why can't you marry his brother, Kaeya, he's rather a gentleman and he accepts the position as the next Duke?"

At that moment Diluc catches up and politely bows to my mother who is undeserving of it, "Good evening duchess." My mother gives him a curt nod and turns back to me.

"Think about what I said. You will have to make a decision soon. It is almost time for you to wed."

She turns and walks back into the house promptly.

I sigh and turn to Diluc, "Come in for some tea?" He nods but I can feel his slight unease.

"Let's take this tea to my room shall we?"

He looks at me uneasily and he tenses up a little, "Wouldn't that be improper, especially since I am of a lower status than your family? It would be improper for me to be seen alone in your bedroom."

I smirk at him, "Then don't get caught." I turn away quickly and start heading up the stairs to my room.

I close and lock the door when we are settled with the tea, "I don't think I've ever been in your room. I like it, it's very you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I sip on my tea as he inspects his room.

"As I've expected, it smells like roses. Black curtains do really capture the color of the roses. The rose quilt is a unique touch with the black petals sewn within it. Quite lovely. Just like you."

I blush and he smirks, laughing lightly. He takes off his heavy coat and lays it neatly on my dresser.

"Seems that you now are the one who is rather tense."

I divert my eyes away from his gaze and sit down on my bed, leaving the tea behind on my desk. He sits next to me on my bed and I sigh into my hands.

"What am I going to do? My mom wants me to marry someone of high status soon, like your brother."

He seems to cringe at the thought, "That idiot is so immature, he's not good enough for you."

I stare up at my ceiling in defeat, "I don't want to marry him. I don't love him, not like that anyway, he's like a brother to me. I don't want to marry unless I really love them."

"You could marry me."

I shoot up and my eyes widen, "You?!"

He grimaces at my response, "Don't say it like that. It's not such a bad idea. Marrying me would save you the trouble of having to marry someone you don't care for."

"Who says I care about you?"

He smirks and whispers close to my ear, "You know you love me. It's written all over your face."

I blush and push him away, "Shut up!"

He laughs and for a few moments, the room is silent.

"I'm being serious though. My offer still stands...I care about you. As much as I hate to admit it,"

I pout, upset at his backhanded confession.

"I love you (y/n). We could try this out. We could make this work."

As awkward as this conversation is, I have to admit that I love him too. I've had a crush on him forever but I never wanted to ruin our friendship.

"I love you too but what about my mother?"

He smiles, "Who cares? You'll be mine." He pulls me close to his chest and kisses me passionately.

I gasp but I don't pull away, instead, I lean in closer. He catches his breath and rests his forehead against mine.

"So? Will you marry me?"

I don't hesitate when I say, "Yes!"

He smiles and kisses my forehead.

Diluc decides to spend the night over, of course, my mom doesn't know but he stays in my room. We cuddle for the rest of the night, happy with our newly-established relationship status.

If my mom found out he stayed, especially in my room, she would kill him and then me. My dad might give him a head start but eventually kill him too.

He turns over and gently smiles at me, "Good morning my lady." He kisses my forehead and pulls me close to his chest, my face flushes, "I've wanted to do this to you for so long."

I bury my head into his chest, hoping he didn't see my flustered face. He kisses the top of my hair and holds me tightly in his arms.

"Ready to tell everyone the great news?"

I nod.

"Your mom is going to hate it," He pauses, "and I'm going to love every moment of it."

I giggle and smile, kissing under his chin, "Where will we live after we get married?"

"Hmm, where do you want to live?"

"Far away from here. Maybe a small cottage? Somewhere scenic."

"No mansion with 50 servants?" He teases.

"No. Just you and me and possibly a dog?"

He smiles and lets out a light laugh, "We'll see about that. Maybe. There's a good chance of that."

"We have to have a garden."

"Of course, we will have plenty of petals and roses."