The Marriage Proposal
1009 Words
The private residence tucked away in the Hudson Valley was nothing like the grand spectacle of Ellington Mansion. It was quieter, more intimate and a modern glass-and-stone home surrounded by dense woods and rolling hills. Security was tight but discreet. This was where Prince Alexander Ellington came when he wanted to disappear from the world.
Victoria Hawthorne arrived exactly on time, her black designer coat draped over a crisp white blouse and tailored pants. No red suit today. This meeting required precision, not fireworks.
Ryan met her at the entrance, his expression professionally neutral. “His Highness is expecting you in the study. Alone.”
Sophie had offered to come along, but Victoria refused. This was something she needed to handle herself.
She followed Ryan down a hallway lined with bookshelves and subtle artwork. When the door to the study opened, Alex was standing by the large window overlooking the valley, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wore a simple black sweater and dark trousers, but the casual look did nothing to diminish his presence.
He turned when she entered. Those sharp, dark eyes studied her with open curiosity.
“Victoria Hawthorne,” he said, voice low and measured. “You were very persistent. I’m genuinely curious what could be so important that you’d request an audience as my ‘junior’ from the academy.”
Victoria didn’t sit. She stood tall, meeting his gaze directly. There was no point in wasting time with pleasantries.
“I don’t want anything complicated,” she said. “I want to marry you.”
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Alex let out a short, surprised laugh, not mocking, but genuinely taken aback.
“Straight to the point,” he murmured, setting his glass down. “Most people at least start with small talk.”
“I’m not most people.”
“No,” he agreed, stepping closer. “You’re not.”
Then the memory came rushing back to both of them in that moment.
---
Years earlier — The Inter-Academy Archery Competition.
---
The field was packed with students and spectators. Victoria, bow in hand, had fought her way to the final round. The pressure was immense. This wasn’t just a match, it was proof that she could beat the elite on their own terms.
Prince Alex was on the opposing team. He had dominated every round with effortless precision. But something had changed after their encounter at the training field. Thanks to his quiet intervention, every student now had fair access to practice time.
When it came down to the final shots, the score was razor close.
Victoria released her arrow. It landed dead center — a nine.
The crowd murmured. One more perfect shot from Alex would secure victory for his team.
He stepped up, drew the bow with perfect form… and released.
The arrow hit the outer ring. A seven.
His team still won by a narrow margin, but Victoria knew the truth. He had missed on purpose. She had seen the deliberate adjustment in his stance, the way his eyes flicked toward her right before he let go.
After the match, she found him alone near the equipment tent.
“Why?” she demanded, anger and confusion mixing in her voice. “You could have won cleanly.”
Alex looked at her, something unreadable in his expression. “Because you deserved to feel what winning feels like. Even if it wasn’t perfect.”
Victoria clutched her trophy tightly. For the first time in her life, victory tasted bitter. She hadn’t earned it. Not fully.
---
Back in the present, Alex watched her carefully, as if he too was remembering that day.
“You surprised me with a marriage proposal,” he said calmly. “Now let me surprise you. What benefits would I gain from having you as my fiancée? I have many rivals, Victoria. Many people who want this position.”
Victoria didn’t hesitate. She had prepared for this.
“Besides being beautiful, clever, and extremely rich,” she said, “I have an older brother who is too incompetent to beat me in the fight for Regal Group. I will inherit the entire conglomerate. Money will never be an issue for you again. On top of that, I’ve been criticized and attacked since the day I was born. I know how to handle it. You can use me as a shield whenever the public or the family comes for you.”
She took a step closer, her voice steady and confident.
“I’m the perfect strategic partner.”
Alex studied her for a long moment. Then he spoke softly.
“There is something I value more than wealth, skill, and beauty.”
Victoria waited.
“Love,” he said. “I will only marry someone I love… and who loves me in return.”
The words hung between them.
For a second, Victoria thought he was teasing her or playing some cruel game. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. The great Prince Regent, turning down the CEO of Regal Beauty with a fairy-tale line about 'love'.
She clenched her fists at her sides.
“If that’s how you want to play this,” she said, voice ice-cold, “fine.”
She turned on her heel and walked out of the study without another word.
---
But as the car carried her back toward the city, something shifted inside Victoria.
Humiliation turned into fuel.
Most women would have given up. Most people would have accepted the polite rejection and moved on to safer options.
Victoria Hawthorne was not most people.
By the time she reached her penthouse, her mind was already racing with new plans. She would find out exactly where Alex would be next. She would not stop. Not until he saw her value.
Sophie was waiting with a worried expression. “How did it go?”
Victoria kicked off her heels and smiled a dangerous and determined smile.
“He said no,” she replied. “But I’m just getting started.”
- Writer
