Chapter 1857:

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“Why are you so set on being the one to propose?” Kyra asked, glancing toward a dim corner of the room, her tone casual but curious. “Usually it’s the guy who pops the question.”

“I want him to know he’s loved,” Nina said simply, her words carrying a quiet certainty.

Damian was different. He kept his darker feelings locked away and gave her the space to be herself. His love didn’t cage her — it set her free. But she wanted to pour that same love back into him, to show him it wasn’t one-sided. Proposing felt like the boldest way she could promise him her future.

Kyra hesitated, her lips parting without a word coming out. She wanted desperately to let it slip — Damian was already planning to propose. Just days ago, he had pulled her, Nina’s family, and a few close friends into a group chat, laid out his detailed plan, and sworn everyone to secrecy. Today, he had even flown to Alerith early to go over every last detail, determined to give Nina a moment she would never forget.

Nina, completely oblivious, leaned forward. “Maybe I can pretend to be sad and get him to drink with me. If he’s a little tipsy, I could find out his ring size somehow. But what would be a good excuse?” she said, half-joking.

𝘈d𝘥𝘪c𝗍𝗶𝘃𝗲 nо𝗏e𝗅𝘴 𝗈n 𝗴𝘢𝗹𝘯𝗈𝘃𝖾l𝗌.𝗰𝗼𝗆

Kyra shook her head. “No idea.”

Moira echoed her. “Same.”

Nick, sitting nearby, chuckled. “Doesn’t matter what excuse you use — he won’t drink. He’ll just pull you close and comfort you.”

All three turned to Nick, surprised by his insight.

Nick grinned. “If he gets drunk, who’s going to look after you?”

Kyra nodded. “He’s got a point.”

Nina frowned, feeling cornered. “So what do I do?”

Nick, never one to keep secrets — especially with Nina sitting right there — shrugged. “Just ask him.”

Nina blinked. “Ask him what?”

Nick tilted his head toward a corner of the room. “Look over there.”

Nina’s eyes followed. Damian sat quietly, half-hidden by a pillar, dressed in his usual understated way.

Her heart skipped. She was on her feet in an instant, joy breaking across her face as she crossed the room toward him.

She didn’t stop to wonder whether he had overheard them — the distance made it unlikely. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his cheek, indifferent to the curious glances around them. “What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me!”

Damian’s cool composure softened into a warm smile. “I wanted to surprise you.”

He had heard everything — not because of sharp ears, but because he had been on a call with Nick the entire time.

Nina’s smile could have lit up the room.

A moment later, Damian reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his eyes full of warmth. “You don’t need to plan a proposal. I’ve got that covered.”

“Proposal?” Nina played dumb, her cheeks flushing.

“I heard you talking,” Damian said, his voice steady and honest.

Nina was taken aback. She glanced quickly at Kyra and Nick. How had Damian heard their conversation from that far away?

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