"Sarah." Relief washed through Maria as they entered the room. "Thank goodness you're here." She looked up at the young man she'd met that day in the stables, and pushed away the same swirl of attraction. "You know about spells?"

"A bit, you see I'm—"

"There isn't time." Humphrey waved his hand, his eyes bleary and his perfect hair mussed from running his hands through it. "We need your help now."

Maria frowned at his rudeness. Of course the prince found this whole situation frustrating, but Master Digson came to help them after sunset and, so far, without any request for repayment.

"What's going on?" he asked, frowning between the prince and princess. Humphrey glared at Maria, and she blushed.

"Tell him," Humphrey demanded, a quiver in his voice. His tone set everyone on edge. Maria saw Sarah's brother clench his fists at his side. His loyalty emboldened her.

"I can't." Maria glared back at Humphrey. "It's all too humiliating."

"Humphrey proposed to Maria." Sarah jumped in. "But she can't say yes."

"What do you mean she can't say yes?"

"They mean she keeps refusing me and then pretending like it isn't her fault." Humphrey stared at the ground, refusing to even look at her. "It's not like I asked to come here. I didn't seek you out to have you throw my offer in my face."

Sarah stepped up beside Maria. "No, she wants to. She keeps trying, but it comes out as 'no' or 'nope' each time."

Maria winced and dropped her gaze to the ground.

"Propose to her again." Master Digson gestured to Humphrey with more authority than would be considered proper, but it made Maria want to laugh. "I need to see it happen."

Rolling his eyes, the prince turned to face her. "Princess Maria Andelle Regalla, will you marry me?" His tone and his face were in perfect harmony—he didn't want to be there.

Sucking in a steady breath, Maria opened her mouth, intent on saying yes, telling herself she could say it. "Yeeee-no." At her failure, she groaned and turned away from them all.

"One more time," Master Digson said, gesturing at Humphrey. "But this time, get down on one knee and try to mean it."

"Excuse me? Who says I didn't mean it that time?"

"We all know you didn't mean it," Maria snapped, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she bit back what she really wanted to say.

"I'm just trying to suss out a few things. I need to see a romantic proposal."

Though he sighed in aggravation, Humphrey won a few steps back into Maria's good favor as he focused his attention on the task at hand. As he drew a calming breath, the prince's demeanor changed. He slicked back his hair, smiled with stunning white teeth, and knelt down on one knee before her. Sarah let out a sigh of contentment, her hands clasped above her heart.

"Maria, I know we haven't known each other long." Humphrey held her hands in his. "I know also that we're expected to marry. We've been groomed for it. As the youngest of three sons, I'm not in line for my throne, but I would be honored to help you rule your kingdom."

Maria closed her eyes and pursed her lips to keep from scoffing. Clearly this prince leaned more toward logic than romance.

"All this is true," Humphrey continued, perhaps sensing he'd strayed from the storybook proposal. "But those aren't the reasons I want to marry you. In our short acquaintance, I've been bewitched by your beauty, ensnared by your wit, and enchanted by your—" he faltered, his gaze falling below her neckline and resting on her breasts for several awkward seconds. "Er, uh, heart. Enchanted by your heart."

Maria blushed, feeling exposed. Though she tried to tug her hands away, he clamped down harder, his sincerity returning.

"For these reasons, amongst many others, I want you to be my wife. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

This time she was certain she could say yes. She wanted to say yes. Humphrey was everything she'd ever wanted when she was a child. He was the man of her dreams—her mother had told her so.

"Prince Humphrey Reginald Degalt, it would be my honor...that is, I would love to not marry you."

Humphrey grinned and then paused, his brow furrowing. "Sorry, but did you say not marry me?"

"Did I?" Maria turned to Sarah and her brother, who nodded. "Damn! Oh, my apologies. I mean, oh dear."

"I can only take so much rejection." Humphrey stood. "Do you know what's wrong, or is this some colossal joke at my expense?"

"Princess," Master Digson fixed his gaze on Maria. "When he asks you to marry him, what do you want to say?"

"I want to say yes," she said, unable to look at Humphrey. "I want to say I can already tell we'll be close. I want to marrrr him. Marrr. I want to be his wwwwiiirrrnooo." Frustrated, Maria let out a shriek and dug her fingers into her hair. "Why can't I say it?"

"Princess, if I may." Master Digson held out his hand. Her heartrate spiked at his offer. Quieting her sudden giddiness, Maria placed her hand in his. His fingers closed over her dainty fingers, and she felt the calluses of his daily work life, so different from Humphrey's soft unworked hands.

"Your Highness." Master Digson reached his other hand out to Humphrey, who seemed unnerved by the idea of holding another man's hand. "Please, it's necessary."

Maria bit her lip to keep from giggling as Humphrey dropped his hand in Master Digson's. Sarah hovered just behind her brother, and Maria saw the concern in her maid's expression. What was he was about to do?

"Hmmm." He rubbed the top of Maria's hand, his eyes closed in concentration. "Yes. There's a block."

"Brother, dear, what are you doing?" Sarah hissed from a few steps away, but he didn't acknowledge her.

As quick as lightning, Master Digson released their hands, his eyes opening. "It's a clause."    

What's a clause? Turn the page to find out! Until then tell me, have you ever reeeeeeally wanted to say yes to something, but had to say no instead? Answer in the comments! Don't forget to show some love with that star up and to the right if you enjoyed this chapter.