The proposal is more anticipated than the marriage itself here in the land of Everdale where happily ever afters are just one look away.

Proposals often look like life or death situations wherein the man will either be hanging by a cliff or saving their future wife from a random villain or monster. Everdale thrives on stories like this.

Even so the most anticipated proposal is about to happen with the king readying to slay a dragon’s heart to give to his commoner future queen.

King Zenith already did a mental checklist of all his needs. The heirloom sword and shield with magic imbued in it so that each strike will hurt whatever poor creature he chooses. His royal uniform made from the finest fabrics and his royal cape even had magic imbued in it to be fire proof.

He was ready for the rest of his life. He always though he’d marry a princess from a neighboring kingdom who was under some curse or even a beautiful mythical creature who fell in love with him at first sight, wishing to become human.

Instead he fell in love with a commoner whose name he did not know but made the most impression on him. He thought Seraphina was an apt name for her since she so vehemently refused to give hers.

“Whatever you wish, I’m just a background character I’ll be out of your way soon.”

He first caught sight of her when she was wearing an odd costume for men. Tight blue colored pants, odd shoes that looked too thin to even walk in and a far too short shirt that showed her flat belly. He took off his cape and offered it to her when they met yet she shook her head saying.

“I’m not supposed to be here.” She scratched her head looking around.

“I can tell. Let me escort you back to your house.” King Zenith offered. She must be coming back from a bath to wear such little clothing. He didn’t know what women wore to bathe usually.

“I don’t live here.” She continued walking away.

King Zenith walked along with her. A foreigner? He didn’t receive any news of them arriving to Everdale. “Then where are you from?”

“New York.” The girl slapped her hand to her mouth. “Forget I said that, I mean I’m from far away.”

King Zenith smiled. What an odd girl. “Well then how did you end here with such little clothes if you are from far away?”

The girl looked down. “Oh I must be naked right now by your standards.”

King Zenith offered his cape again.

“I’m not used to this chivalry thing so you can stop.” The girl kept looking around. “Any way to get to a witch around here? Probably someone who can transport people to reality?”

King Zenith stared at her.

“Alright wrong person to ask. You probably slay witches in your sleep.”

“I have never slain anything. Especially witches.”

“You’re about to though.” The girl pointed out, as if she already knew the future.

“How do you know? Are you a witch?”

“If I were, I’d probably be drinking Coke somewhere already.” The girl slapped her hand to her mouth again. “I am not supposed to tell you pop culture things. You know what forget about me.”

“Would be hard too. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” Zenith smiled widely.

The girl shoved him. “Nice flirting but wrong recipient. Go find a princess. You’re a king for Christ’s-“

“-how do you know I’m the king?”

The girl held her hands up and bolted the next moment. He would have caught up to her if it weren’t for the dragon that picked her up.

So his rescue mission eventually turned into a proposal as no man would ever go near a dragon if not for their beloved.

He wouldn’t mind being married to someone as interesting as her with her odd vocabulary. Royal life often was boring and high pressure. Having her next to him would make it a lot more bearable.

Entering the cave of the dragon, he readied his sword and shield. Coming in strong, he went in screaming expecting a mighty beast instead he was greeted by the girl playing with other small dragons while the true beast was asleep.

It was 10 times as big as he expected and his sword looked like a tooth pick in comparison to it.

The girl looked up and frowned. “King Zenith?”

Shaking his head, King Zenith made up his mind and raised his sword opting to target the small ones surrounding his future wife.

He would have made a strike if it weren’t for Seraphina coming in front of him, defending the deadly creatures.

“They’re friends.” She said staring right at his sword, trembling as it was far too near her head.

King Zenith lowered his sword. “Who’s friends with dragons?”

“Me.” She said it so confidently as if one yawn from them wouldn’t turn her into cooked food.

“Marry me.” King Zenith went down on one knee.

So did the girl. “No. I don’t know you.”

Despite the rejection, King Zenith couldn’t help but laugh. “You already know me. I’m King Zenith.”

“Then how about me? What makes you want to marry me?”

“Cause I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met? Cause I’ll slay a dragon for you?”

“Don’t you dare hurt Elowen. Not only will I not marry you, I’ll slay you myself pretty boy.” The girl made strange punching moves.

“Then what should I do to make you marry me?” King Zenith asked. He didn’t know love yet but if it felt like this constant curiosity and willingness to do anything for someone he was near it.

Suddenly the ground shook and King Zenith tackled himself above the girl to make sure no rocks hit her. Then below them the ground started shifting turning into a portal sucking them in.

It was all dark for a moment until King Zenith felt someone hit him in the back. He opened his eyes and looked to see a crowd surrounding him.

A man glared down at him. “Go get a room. This is not an activity to be made public.”

“Sorry officer.” The girl below him said crawling out of a very awkward position to be in public.

Once she stood up, she offered a hand to King Zenith.

“Welcome to New York. I’m Camryn. Sorry for dragging you into reality with me.”

A big rat passed them by as the noise pollution of New York grew. It was night time and all the screens surrounding Times Square were all alight, hypnotizing the sheltered prince.