The lights were soft at the entrance.
Not too bright. Not too dim.
Just enough to make the path glow.
Aria Vale stood there for a moment, holding her breath.
The garden stretched ahead of her like something out of a dream. Small lanterns lined the walkway. White roses climbed over golden arches. Music floated gently in the air, low and sweet.
She blinked.
"What is all this?" she whispered to herself.
Her heels touched the marble floor carefully as she stepped forward.
The first turn came quickly.
As she turned the corner, fairy lights wrapped around tall hedges. Hanging from thin silver strings were small glass frames. Inside each frame was a picture.
Her and Felix.
Her lips parted.
The first note was written in his handwriting.
"You were twelve when you beat me in math and refused to let me win. That was the day I knew you would never belong behind anyone."
Aria covered her mouth.
"Oh my God"
She remembered.
They had been children then. Two powerful families. Two heirs. Everyone expected rivalry.
Instead, she had corrected his mistake on the board in front of everyone.
He had looked at her like she had just conquered the world.
She felt heat rush to her cheeks.
She continued walking.
Her heart was beating too fast now.
The second turn came with soft music growing louder.
There were more photos.
Her in university.
Him holding an umbrella over her during a storm.
Her sleeping on a pile of documents.
His jacket around her shoulders.
The second note read:
"You work harder than anyone I know. You never ask for help. But I have always wanted to stand beside you."
Her eyes watered.
"Felix" she breathed.
She touched the glass lightly.
She had worked hard.
Too hard sometimes.
As the real daughter of the Vale family, she had grown up carrying heavy expectations. From childhood, she had been trained to take over. Every lesson, every meeting, every dinner was preparation. She was not allowed to fail.
Felix had been the only one who never made her feel like she needed to prove anything.
She turned again.
The third path opened to the terrace.
This one made her stop completely.
There were candles everywhere. White roses shaped into a circle. A small stage in the center.
And above the stage
Drones.
Hundreds of them.
They were hovering in the night sky, forming words slowly.
But before she could read them, her eyes dropped to the final note hanging alone.
"You are not my choice because of our families. You are my choice because I love you."
Her knees felt weak.
She laughed softly, nervous, overwhelmed.
"You idiot" she muttered affectionately.
Then she stepped fully onto the terrace.
Everyone was there.
Her father.
Her mother.
Elena, the adopted daughter of the Vale family, stood slightly behind them, smiling sweetly.
Board members from both families.
Close friends.
Business partners.
The Vale family and the Laurent family stood proudly, two of the most prominent and powerful families in the city. Their names controlled half the market. Their signatures moved industries.
And in the center.
Felix Laurent.
He wore a dark tailored suit. His eyes were locked on her.
He looked calm.
But she knew him.
His fingers were trembling slightly.
"Aria," he called gently.
Her father leaned toward her and whispered, "Go."
She walked forward slowly.
Each step felt unreal.
When she reached him, Felix exhaled sharply.
"You look beautiful," he told her, voice thick.
She laughed shyly. "You planned all this?"
He nodded. "Every detail."
Suddenly he dropped to one knee.
Gasps filled the terrace.
Aria froze.
"Felix"
He lifted his head, looking straight at her.
"I am not asking," he began firmly.
She blinked in shock.
He continued, voice steady but emotional.
"I am not asking because I already know my answer. I am telling you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to build everything with you. I want to fight with you, win with you, lose with you. I don't want a single day without you in it."
Her chest tightened.
The drones above suddenly shifted.
She looked up.
The sky lit up.
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
The words glowed brightly above them.
Aria let out a loud scream.
"Yes!" she cried. "Yes, Felix!"
She threw herself toward him.
He stood quickly and caught her in his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly.
He held her just as tight.
"I love you," he murmured into her hair.
"I love you too," she replied breathlessly.
Applause exploded around them.
People cheered.
Her mother wiped tears.
Board members clapped proudly.
Her father stepped forward, smiling wider than she had ever seen.
Felix slowly released her but kept one arm around her waist.
Her father cleared his throat.
"Aria," he began, voice strong, carrying across the terrace. "You deserve this."
She looked at him, surprised by the softness in his tone.
"You have worked harder than anyone in this family," he continued. "You earned your position. You earned our respect. You are disciplined. You are intelligent. And you are a good person."
Aria felt tears rise again.
"You deserve happiness," her father finished. "Nothing less."
She bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Father."
Felix squeezed her hand gently.
Her mother stepped forward next, embracing her tightly.
"I'm proud of you," she whispered into her ear.
Aria hugged her back.
Elena stepped forward gracefully after them.
"I'm so happy for you, sister," she expressed warmly, her smile gentle and controlled.
Aria smiled back without hesitation. "Thank you, Elena."
Felix lifted his hand, signaling for attention.
The terrace quieted again.
"Everyone," he announced confidently, "as the future head of the Laurent family and with the full support of both our families"
He glanced at Aria and smiled.
"Aria Vale and I are officially engaged."
Cheers erupted once more.
"And," he added, voice rising slightly, "our engagement party will be held tomorrow evening at the Laurent estate."
There were murmurs of excitement.
"Both the Vale family and the Laurent family will host together," he continued. "It will be a celebration not just of our union, but of the alliance between our two families."
Business leaders nodded approvingly.
Investors smiled.
This was more than romance.
This was power.
This was influence.
This was the joining of two empires.
Felix turned back to Aria.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" he asked softly.
She laughed lightly. "I don't think I have a choice."
He smirked. "You don't."
She nudged him gently. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," he shot back playfully.
She smiled warmly.
Her father placed a hand on Felix's shoulder.
"Take care of her," he warned firmly.
Felix straightened immediately. "With my life."
Aria looked between them.
For the first time in her life, she felt completely secure.
Loved.
Chosen.
The night sky glowed above them.
Music started again.
People gathered around to congratulate them.
Felix leaned close and whispered near her ear, "This is just the beginning."
She looked at him, eyes shining.
"Yes," she answered softly.
Just the beginning.