Later, I heard he became a fugitive after embezzling funds to finance the medical treatments. He could never return to
Colvaria
112
*25 BONUS
That evening, Mikhail arranged a private fireworks show along the Serova River.
Under a sky bursting with color, he knelt on one knee and pulled out a ring.
“Emma, marry me.”
I was caught off guard. “Didn’t we already-”
“That was a business marriage,” he said earnestly. “This time, I want a real wedding.”
I stared into his sincere eyes and suddenly remembered something
“Mikhail, you never told me why did you pretend to be a poor student back then?”
He stood up, looking slightly embarrassed.
“Well, the truth is, my family sent me abroad to experience life. It’s a Romanov tradition. Every heir must live anonymously overseas for a while to learn independence.
I never expected to meet you, a woman who was kind enough to share her lunch with a broke exchange student.
“You always brought me coffee, and somehow, there was always an extra cup. You used to say it was a buy–one–get–one–free- deal, but I knew you bought it for me on purpose.
I kept wondering, how could someone be so kind?”
My eyes stung with emotion. “So you remembered all that?*
“I remembered everything about you.” He slipped the ring onto my finger with infinite care. “I missed my chance in our last life. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
I leaned into his arms, watching the fireworks reflect on the Serova River.
“Mikhail”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He kissed my forehead gently. “I should be the one saying that. Thank you for choosing me.
Snow still fell over Droskav, but the winter no longer felt cold.
Because beside me stood the person I wanted to spend forever with.
