4. The Strange Proposal 3

At the Grandmother's Room

Afterward, she returned home dejectedly, and walked straight to her grandmother's room for succor. She threw her purse aside as though it was the cause of her problem, and laid helplessly with her back on the bed.

“Mirabel, what is the matter? You are so exhausted,” her worried grandmother looked away from her piano, and pointed out. Howbeit, she was shedding tears of anguish while her eyes were fixed on the upper interior surface of the room. 

“What? You are weeping, Mirabel,” Phoebe cried out with surprise when she got close to her. Meanwhile, the agonizing Mirabel was unable to speak because of the burden in her heart. 

“Talk to me, dear. What is the matter?” She urged, and sat beside her. 

“I goofed up today, grandma,” she sobbed, and tried to dry her tears.

“Oh my God! How serious is it?”

“So serious. I was careless to give a client the wrong bouquet, and it ruined his date.”

“That was a costly mistake. I hope she didn't walk out on him; otherwise, the loss may be irreparable,” Phoebe made clear.

“She did, and it cost him a relationship of many years. I can imagine how humiliating it could be. I have been in his shoes many times,” she bawled. Now, her grandmother could feel her pains. The occurrences in the shop had brought back the sad memories that she had pushed behind her. She recalled how she was dishonored by her numerous dates, and how she staggered out of the restaurant with her head bowed in shame. At that point, Phoebe took a deep breath, and reminded her, “You promised to forget about the things that bring us sorrow, and focus on the things that give us joy, didn't you?”

Presently, Mirabel placed her head on her lap and sobbed. Then, she rubbed her back and pacified, “It is okay for now. Don't be mad at yourself. You can propose a dialogue with him, and let's see how it goes.”

“You are right, grandma. I have done that, and he would come around by 9 AM tomorrow.”

“Wow! He must be an understanding guy.”

“Yes. He is.”

“Then, our problem is half solved. You must compose yourself. You need to be in the right state of mind to be able to handle the matter. Another mistake will discredit your business,” she educated.  After a good cry, she felt a lot better, and admitted, “I have noted that, grandma. Thank you for always being there for me. I will …”

Creak.

They were disrupted by the sound of the door, and they looked at it. The King walked in with an unreadable expression which startled them, especially Mirabel.

“Long live the King,” Mirabel genuflected after she got up suddenly from her grandmother's lap. 

“You may rise,” the King said, and took his seat beside his wife.

“Thank you, my King,” Mirabel appreciated before she got up, and went for her purse. 

“Take your seat, Mirabel, and tell me what is bothering you,” he ordered when she attempted to leave the room. Presently, she was confused. The King hardly showed concern about her. She grew up to know her grandmother as her only parent, and the Prince as a big uncle. The King had never been part of her life. Nevertheless, she looked askance at her grandmother for an approval, and she nodded.

“Thank you, my King,” she accepted, and sat down on the only couch. She looked at him, and narrated the incident at the shop, and the King, who must not show weakness, smiled softly, and said, “Your decision to have a dialogue with him is apt. Let's see how it goes. Okay?”

“Thank you for your concern, my king,” she appreciated happily, while Phoebe expressed so much delight for the King's change of attitude.

“You are welcome. You can leave,” he dismissed. The over joyous Mirabel got up happily, and bent her knees. “Thank you, my King,” she said and got up. Then, she walked happily to her grandmother, and gave her a peck on her temple, before she greeted, “Good night, grandma.”

“Good night, dear. Sleep tight.”

“I will,” she responded with glee. Now, she took a step, but the king's voice halted her, and Phoebe was astounded, “What about Grandpa? No good night for me?” He asked with a pleading tone.

In Carson's Car

After they walked out of the Flower Shop, to avoid exposing themselves, they walked briskly to the car park, and got into the car. They laughed loudly at their accomplishment, and Carson commended, “Thank you for brushing up on my entertainment skills. I will not let this remain dormant anymore.”

“Really. I thought you are a perfumer?”

“Yes, but that is just a trade, and not a skill,” he made clear.

“I see. All the same, it paid off. You acted very well. Let's see how tomorrow will be,” Alfred remarked.

“Tomorrow will be a success. You have just earned yourself free access to the woman of your dream.”

“You are right. You can take me to the hotel. At least I have seen her face, and I can sleep well tonight.”

They laughed happily while he drove on. After a few minutes, they were at the hotel, and he got out of the car.

“Thank you for making my day,” he appreciated.

“Think nothing of it. I will pick you in the morning.”

“I will be grateful. Good night.”

“It's okay. Good night.”

In Phoebe's Room

The King, waited for Mirabel's reaction while Mirabel was transfixed by the plea in his voice. He had never been part of her world, and had never been at close range, so she merely looked on.

“Come and give grandpa a good night peck too,” he urged. She looked at her grandmother again for a sign, and when she got one, she inched closer, and nervously gave him a peck on the cheek, and greeted, “Good night, my King.”

“Good night, Mirabel. Sleep tight,” he responded, and she ran out of the room.

Thereafter, the coupled looked into each other's eyes in silence. Now, the King, who wanted to get things sorted out after he quit alcoholism three years ago, had showered Phoebe with love. He wished that the hand of the clock would turn, and he would compensate her for standing by his side for forty-one years. He had observed the relationship between his wife and Mirabel, and concluded that there was more to it. She was so protective of her and showered her with much love, even more than she loved the Prince. To make her happier, he wished to be part of Mirabel's life.

“I have not supported you in raising her,” he owned up. Having understood his worries, she looked down with guilt, and said, “You have, my dear. You supported me during her coming of age party.”

“I recalled, but that isn't good enough. I must confess that I have been far away from her, and I wonder how she feels about me,” he confessed. She had kept her identity away from him, and even the Prince because she wished to save him from the scandal of rape. After he withdrew from drinking, she still kept Mirabel's identity away from him because she was uncertain about how he would take it. The fear that he may be ashamed of himself, and go into hiding, which was not good for a King, made her to stick to her decision. That day, he was desperate. He pulled her closer, and kissed her passionately, and she complied happily. Afterward, she reassured him, “I am happy to be married to the best King in the world.”