Chapter 14: Doubt your decision

Caroline sat quietly on the terrace, looking at the horizon as the evening sky slowly darkened. She had been staring into the distance for nearly an hour, lost in her thoughts.

"Miss Blackwood, what are you thinking about?" the maid asked softly. "You’ve been sitting here for so long. If the Alpha Prince sees you out here in the cold, he might scold me for letting you stay outside."

Caroline finally looked away from the horizon and slowly rose from the chair, pulling the shawl more tightly around herself.

"Can I see the prince?" she asked.

The maid nodded. "Of course. I’ll inform the Alpha Prince that you want to see him."

"No," Caroline replied, shaking her head. "I want to go to him myself."

The maid hesitated, clearly concerned about Caroline walking around while she was still recovering. But she couldn’t refuse her request.

"Please follow me," the maid said.

She led Caroline through the mansion until they reached a room with its doors firmly closed. The maid stepped forward and knocked before speaking respectfully. "Your Highness, Miss Blackwood is here."

There was a brief silence from inside.

When the door finally opened, Caroline’s eyes immediately fell on Andrew. He was dressed in a black satin shirt with several buttons left undone, revealing part of his chest and a tattoo resembling a sun beneath his collarbone.

Andrew’s deep burgundy eyes met hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Leave," he ordered the maid before pulling the doors open wider for Caroline.

"Come in."

Caroline stepped inside, and Andrew closed the door behind her before following her into the room. He gestured toward one of the sofa chairs.

"Take a seat."

Caroline sat down, while Andrew took the chair across from her and studied her carefully.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "You’re walking now, so I’m hoping your condition has improved. Still, you should have called me if you wanted to see me. I would have come to you."

"I didn’t want to disturb you," Caroline replied. "I wanted to come to you myself."

Her eyes then wandered around the spacious drawing room, taking in the surroundings. As she looked around, her gaze eventually shifted toward the bedroom visible from where she was sitting.

"What are you looking at?" Andrew asked.

"Nothing," Caroline replied, quickly shifting her gaze back to him. "I couldn’t thank you enough for what you did earlier. You saved my life in the forest, and you also tried to fight for justice for me."

"I couldn’t fulfill that part," Andrew replied.

He relaxed against the chair, resting one arm along the top while crossing one leg over the other. His expression remained calm as he reached for a small phone box lying on the table beside him. He picked it up and held it out toward Caroline.

"It’s for you."

Caroline looked at the box before looking back at him. "A new phone?"

"Hmm." Andrew nodded. "How are you going to talk to me when I’m far away?" He gestured for her to take it.

Caroline leaned forward and accepted the box from him. "Thank you."

"Unbox it."

She nodded and carefully opened the box. Taking out the phone, she turned it on and was surprised to find that everything had already been set up. Several contacts were saved, including Andrew’s number and a few emergency contacts.

"You won’t have to worry about finding my number if you need me," Andrew explained.

Caroline looked at the screen for a moment before putting the phone down in her lap.

"Since you accepted my proposal and asked me to declare you as my mate, I’ve already made the announcement," Andrew stated. "The entire country knows that I’ve found my mate."

Caroline looked at him, slightly surprised.

"I want to marry you tomorrow," Andrew continued. "But you’re still recovering, so we’ll have to wait until you’re well enough."

"Thank you for your consideration," Caroline replied. "What about your fiancée?"

"I never had a fiancée. Just because my mother chose a woman for me doesn’t mean I have to accept her choice," Andrew replied calmly.

"Your family is going to be upset," Caroline added, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

"Think of yourself, not the others," Andrew stated. "You have already spent enough time worrying about everyone else."

He then stood from his chair and walked toward the cupboard. After opening it, he took out a small ring box along with a card before returning to Caroline.

Caroline was quietly fiddling with her fingers when Andrew suddenly lowered himself onto one knee in front of her. The unexpected gesture startled her, and she looked at him in confusion.

Andrew opened the ring box, revealing a rare diamond ring nestled inside. Caroline’s eyes widened as she stared at it, wondering if he intended to give it to her.

Without saying anything, Andrew gently took her left hand.

"I heard a voice that night, and it belonged to you," he said, his gaze fixed on her. "Even before I knew who you were, something about you had already reached me."

He slowly slid the diamond ring onto her fourth finger and continued, "You’re my official fiancée and my mate, Caroline."

Caroline’s breath caught in her throat as she looked into his eyes.

Andrew gently lifted her hand and brought it toward his lips before placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. His touch was surprisingly tender, making Caroline’s heart beat faster as she struggled to understand the unfamiliar feelings stirring inside her.

Caroline quickly pulled her hand back and looked at Andrew. "Andrew, I’m being selfish. I’m marrying you because—"

She couldn’t finish her sentence before Andrew gently pressed a finger against her lips, stopping her.

"I know," he said calmly. "And it’s good to be selfish sometimes."

He lowered his hand and leaned back slightly, his expression remaining composed.

"Tomorrow is going to be a very tiring day for both of us. My parents will be here because I gave them a shock they never expected." His gaze remained fixed on Caroline. "So be ready to stand firmly beside me. There may be a lot of questions, accusations, and pressure, but don’t let them make you doubt your decision."

Caroline remained silent as she listened.

"Once we’re married, getting to Nina and Victor will be much easier," Andrew continued. "As my wife and Luna, you’ll have the position and authority to stand against them. Until then, you need to stay strong and trust me."