July 20th, 1805
It had been only one season since Corin had met Arista at the sister school across from his academy. Since their meeting two months prior, they had grown quite attached. Corin would often have letters dropped beneath Arista’s dorm doors, filled with petals from fragrant flowers from across the world. Today, he would be dropping off a letter in person. It read,
“My dearest Arista,
With a heart as earnest as a suitor’s first bow, I pen these words, hoping they might reach you amidst the whirlwind of others who wish to win your favor. From the moment our eyes did meet, it was as if the heavens themselves had conspired to grace me with a glimpse of true beauty.
As I wander through the halls of our esteemed academies, it is your image that lingers, enchanting my thoughts with each step. Like the delicate petals of the rare bloom I have encased here, your grace and poise are unmatched, setting you apart from all others in this bleak state.
With each passing day, my thoughts are consumed by your enchanting presence. Your laughter, like the sweetest serenade, echoes in my ears, and your every gesture becomes a sonnet, etched upon my heart. How I yearn to be the wind that caresses your cheek or the stars that bear witness to your beauty in the tranquil night sky.
Though words may falter in their attempt to capture the depth of my affection, know that my devotion remains steadfast and unwavering. Should you be willing to consider a suitor whose soul is tethered to yours, I would count myself amongst the most fortunate men in all of France.
However a man of my word, I find action speaks volumes over the pen. If you would grant me the honor of your presence, I shall be waiting for you in the school’s gardens tonight. I hope to see the brilliance of your beauty under the moonlight.
With earnest hope and an ardent heart,
~ Corin Blackwood”
Corin has spent the entirety of the afternoon preparing for a moonlit picnic in the garden. Attempting to avoid watchful eyes of the professors, he had stolen a blanket from the bed chamber of an unsuspecting younger boy and many candles from the dining hall. After setting the scene, he traveled to Viola, a trusted cook within the academy to help him prepare an assortment of fruits, creams, pastries, and wines for the night.
With two baskets in hand, brimming with provisions, Corin headed back to the garden to wait. He pulled the matchbox from his pocket and slowly lit the candles around the blanket. He stood, pacing, his knuckles whitening around the stems of a bouquet he had arranged earlier in the day. The brilliant smell of tulips filled the air.
With his eyes cast upon the ground, he had not noticed Arista standing there, hands clasped over her mouth, a slight giggle in her chest as she watched Corin pace.
“You set all this for me?” Arista asked, moving closer. Corin nearly jumped at the sound of her voice.
“You came?” Corin asked, quickly running to her to ensure it was indeed her features that graced his presence.
“Well, you wrote,” Arista smirked, taking the bouquet from his hands. “How could I refuse?” She moved past him onto the grass, sitting atop the blanket with such grace it nearly left Corin speechless.
“I-here-I-uh-“ Corin stuttered, quickly pulling items out of the basket and arranging them on the blanket.
“I suppose you aren’t as eloquent in person as you are in your letters.” Arista giggled, plopping a small green grape into her mouth.
“No…” He blushed, catching himself, “I am! No, I am! I just…you’re different.” He stumbled, gulping down a large glass of wine. Although Corin had planned this very moment a thousand times in his head, he was not prepared for the reality of entertaining a lady at night.
“You know, I do enjoy the many fragrances the petals you send bring to my room. The blossoms from Japan being one of my favorites. However, dandelions are just as beautiful, are they not?” Arista spoke as she plucked a fluffy white weed from the ground.
“I believe any flower you can make a wish on to be far superior.” Arista giggled and blew the seeds of the dandelion all around into the night sky, the tiny pieces floating about in the air around her.
Corin could not help but stare, mouth open. Bathed in moonlight, surrounded by soft flowers and wines, she looked like a goddess. It was as if Aphrodite herself had blessed the image before him.
“You’re beautiful…” Corin muttered, trying desperately not to blink out of fear she would disappear.
Arista blushed, looking down at the pastries and fiddling with a stray strawberry.
Corin stood abruptly, extending his hand downward.
“I am a man of no legitimate ranking nor family name to give you. I hold nothing for you, but the purest of loves in my heart. I may never dance with you at the grand parties society might sway you toward, and others may never approve of an engagement between us, I am well aware. Yet, if you will have me, I would be honored to dance beneath the heavens with you tonight. Even if it is just for tonight…” Corin glanced into her eyes, her soft blonde hair flowing in gentle curls around her face.
He did not want to dance, in fact he never enjoyed dancing, not until he met her. In fact, he found he never enjoyed a dance until it was with her, he never appreciated the fragrant petals of flowers until she smiled at her bouquet, and he never imagined he could love someone more than his own until he witnessed her tonight. She had touched every aspect of his life and somehow made even the most mundane, beautiful.
Arista took his hand slowly and raised from the ground without a word. They stood, staring into each other, uncaring of the world around them.
The moon and stars reflected inside her eyes, and Corin caught his breath in his chest.
He would not be dancing beneath the heavens, he would be dancing with the heavens.
Corin began slowly, leading her around in a simple step. Their bodies leaned far too close together as they moved into a graceful waltz.
Corin couldn’t help the small grin that broke across his face as he finished the dance and bowed deeply in front of her. This was a night he had not even imagined in his dreams. He had found the woman he was set to marry, that much he could feel.
Suddenly Arista spoke up, her eyes cast upon Corin’s feet, “I do not care for title nor name…” Her voice was filled with a deep longing. “I care for you.” She whispered, her eyes slowly moving to meeting Corin’s own. “I believe I shall always care for you…” Suddenly, Arista reached forward, wrapping her hand behind Corin’s neck and pressing her lips to his. Corin stood, eyes wide, unsure of what to do.
He had asked her to dance to avoid stealing a kiss and risking her reputation. Although, he supposed, perhaps an unchaperoned meeting had already done that…
He leaned into her embrace, placing a hand on the small of her back to pull her even closer. She smelled of flowers. Not one discernible type, but that of a garden filled with flowers. The smell intoxicated him, and Corin melted within her arms.
Just as quickly as he had lost himself in her, he pulled away sharply at the realization of what she had done. His eyes confused and wild, he dropped his hold of her and backed away.
Arista stood confused, waiting for a response. Corin turned from her, pacing along the garden floor. Arista’s heart sank in her chest. Perhaps he did not feel the same.
Corin paced back and forth for what seemed like hours, his hands fidgeting with the matchbox in his pocket, until he came to a stop in front of her. His once wild and confused eyes now stern and determined as he uttered,
“Marry me.”