A few days later, Rolando was putting the finishing touches on his date for Stella. He had spent the whole day running around and making sure that everything was perfect. He couldn't settle for anything less than the best for his beloved. 

With his connections, he was able to rent the brand new Soleil Brillant de la Rivière, a new restaurant that sat along the Seine River and wasn't even open yet. Decked out in gold and marbles, with the sun on every piece of furniture and the walls. At first glance, one would say it modeled after what most would think a temple dedicated to the Greek god Apollo would look like. It was true it was loosely inspired, but it still had the French touch.

He spared no expense for the most lavish date in his whole life. Yes, renting it was a little pricey, but he knew it was worth it since tonight he would make Stella his fiancée! He had even paid for a photographer to take pictures of certain events like him proposing to her and what followed after. 

He hummed gently as he made sure everything was perfect. He nodded toward the waiters with a smile, thanking them for their help. "Oh, Stella is going to love this. Now, I should go lick her up and by the time I get back our meal will be ready to be served, right?" He asked one of the waiters, who nodded and confirmed that everything would be ready.

Smiling, he left the restaurant and got into a carriage he had rented for the night. He gently flicked the reins and clicked his tongue, signaling the horses to begin to walk, which they did. He was sure Stella would be surprised that he was arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. He figured it would be romantic.

He smiled and waved to those being passed. He was no doubt going to be the talk of the city if the reports found out. They were bound to, but he didn't mind and he was sure Stella didn't either. It wasn't every day a duchess got married to a former military man, plus Stella was well known all over Paris.

He soon arrived at Stella's house. He could see a few lights on and he could see Éclair laying in the window, napping. He got off the carriage and grabbed the bouquet in the seat beside him. A baker's dozen white and peach roses, he paid extra to acquire since nothing was too expensive for Stella.

He straightened himself up and fixed his tie before walking over to the door. With every step, his palms grow sweaty despite it being cold out and in black gloves. His stomach felt like it was flip-flopping around, that was a feeling he hadn't had since his schoolboy age.

He knocked three times gently on Stella's door to alert her he was there. Dressed in a full-on tux with a top hat on his head, he put the bouquet behind his back so that it would be a surprise when he extended them towards her. He hoped he looked presentable since this was going to be a momentous night.

He had to admit he felt like a nervous schoolboy standing here. He was taking the love of his life on a date. Not to mention they both weren't young like Risa and Vincent, but somehow the spark of young love still stayed lit in them both. He didn't know how, but he was glad he could still feel that way.

Inside the house, minutes before Rolando's arrival, Persia was helping her sister get ready for the date. "Hold still. I can't fix your hair if you keep moving around." She scolded her sister as if she was the mother and Stella were the young children. She carefully curled the last few pieces of air and tucked the curls around the bun with bobby pins.

Stella stopped her leg from bouncing and placed her hands on the vanity. "Sorry. I'm just a little nervous. I feel like I did when I first met Rolando. I never thought I could feel like a giddy schoolgirl, but that is how Rolando makes me feel." She admitted, looking at her sister in the mirror.

Persia twisted curls to make it rose-like and pinned yet another one. "I remember that. I always teased you about your crush and your face would grow as red as an apple. I recall one time I brought it up at the dinner table and you almost choked on your turkey." She laughed at the memory. They were young then, such good times.

Stella shared a laugh with her sister. The memory of her almost choking at the dinner table. "Yes, you loved to tease me until you met Nathan then it was my turn to tease you. I know things have been rough for you since coming here, I wish you could feel the way you used to about him." She frowned when she mentioned Nathan. Things hadn't been going well, from what Cyrene said, they were fighting a lot.

Persia sighed, it did sting a little. Nathan wasn't the man she married, she didn't know who he was anymore. "He's just a stubborn man, hardly the man I married. He still critiques my every move and nothing I do is right in his eyes." She then paused as her voice grew softer. 

Stella frowned. She didn't understand how Nathan could treat her sister like dirt. "I'm truly sorry you have to put up with that. You don't deserve to be treated like that. I truly believe he is taking out his frustrations and feelings on you. He isn't good at expressing his feelings." She indifferently huffed.

Persia knew her sister was right. She had even flat-out said it many times. "I think he still blames me for what happened to Clarissa. Every time he looked at Marilla, Gideon, and Ariel, it was like he was angry that we were having other children. Like we were replacing her." She sadly said, picking up another hairpin and gently easing it into her sister's hair.

Stella's eyes were saddened when she heard that Nathan still blamed her. "It wasn't your fault. Nathan was the type of person to never accept his flaws or mistakes and then goes and blame it on someone else. I do think Medusa was right about something, he was a coward and all this happened because he was a fool and I'm not shy about saying it." She grumbled. 

Persia scoffed as she placed another pin into her sister's hair. "Nathan is a coward. I may not agree with what Medusa did, but what she said about him was right about that. The whole kingdom crumbled because of a choice he made!" She angrily spat.

Stella looked back at her sister in the mirror, her gaze softening. "Do you ever regret how things played out?" She had always been curious but never had the guts to ask. She knew that Persia felt betrayed by her best friend over what happened.

Persia passed, her hands hovering over Stella's hair. "I," Did she regret how things turned out? "A part of me does. Maybe my judgment was clouded and maybe Medusa was innocent," She paused and shook her head, getting those thoughts out. "That doesn't change what she did and the path she took."

She stepped back and smiled, not allowing her sister to say another word on the subject. "There you go! My, my, you came up with this style yourself? It's similar to a rococo-esque hairstyle I suppose? It's hard to describe but elegant nonetheless." She couldn't describe it but it was suited for Stella.

Stella looked at her hair and touched it carefully. "Hmm, you did wonderfully. Just like how I imagined it! I wanted to go for something romantic and who knows, I may have made a new trend: a bun with hair wrapped around it meant to look like roses. It goes well with this champagne-colored dress Risa found." She smoothed down the fridge of her dress.

Persia looked at her sister, lacing her hands together and resting them in front of her skirt with a smile. "How is Risa doing? You've spoken often about her but I never mentioned it before because of Nathan." She was curious about her, ever since the night at the ballet, she wanted to meet her but never got a chance.

Stella looked back at her sister for a brief moment before looking back in the mirror and touching up her red lipstick. "She's doing well. She's working at her job, spending time with her friends and Rolando said she is looking for an apartment of her own." She put her lipstick in her purse on her arm.

Persia was glad to hear that Risa was doing well. "That is nice -" She was cut off by the knock at the door. She smirked and looked at her sister. "Oh, Stella, I think that's Rolando. I'll be in the other room and as quiet as a mouse." She innocently replied, putting her finger up to her lips as she walked into the next room.

Stella walked to the door and opened it, beaming when she saw Rolando waiting for her, she gave a bright smile. "Oh, Rolando! I am just about ready. Just let me get my coat." She greeted, turning around and grabbing her coat off the rack. For a brief moment, she saw a glimpse of her sister throwing her a thumbs up.

Rolando held out the bouquet and took her hand in his - after she had pulled on her coat and placed it in his outstretched hand - he gently brought it up to his lips and pressed a kiss into it. "You look stunningly beautiful." He greeted, straight up and gazing into her eyes.

Stella's cheeks felt hot as she blushed just a little, the pink hue no doubt stood out against her pale skin. She took the bouquet and smiled as she admired the roses. "Thank you. These will look lovely on my table." She set them down on the little table by the door, knowing Persia would take care of it for her. You look handsome." She said, closing the door behind her.

Rolando offered his arm, which Stella accepted as he led her over to the carriage. "Why thank you, mademoiselle. I did try my best to dress for the occasion!" He grinned and motioned towards the carriage. "Call me old-fashioned, but a carriage ride to our date is quite romantic." He helped her up the steps and hoped she liked it.

Stella smiled, placing her muff on her lap, stuffing her hands back into them. Although it was cold, she had dressed warmly and knew she'd endure it for his kind and romantic gesture. "I enjoy carriage rides. It isn't old-fashioned, there is just something dreamy about it." She mused as Rolando draped a thick blanket over her.

Rolando got in and sat down beside her and made a clicking noise to which the horses set off trotting down the path. "I can't remember the last time we did something like this alone. It seems like decades." He mused, figuring it had been decades since he last saw her.

Stella gave a soft giggle at his words and placed a hand on his arm. "It has been decades. At least two since we've seen each other, perhaps more for a date. We both got busy with our lives, not to mention we live across the world from each other." She didn't mind, she always knew Rolando could return when he was ready.

Rolando nodded slowly, she had a point. They both had lived far apart from each other, not to mention he had been restoring the palace. Also, he had been raising Vincent and that was time-consuming since he had got into a lot of trouble. "I am just glad we know we can be together." He smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

Stella gave a smile and soon they arrived in front of the restaurant. She thanked Rolando who had helped her out and was now leading her inside. "My, my, how did you manage to get this place all for ourselves?" She marveled with wide eyes. "It hasn't even opened yet and it's booked up for a whole year!"

Rolando smiled looking over at her, leading her to the door. "I have my ways. Let's just say I cashed in a few favors and made a few promises to get this for us." He bowed as he opened the door for her, motioning for her to go in first. "You first my darling Stella."

Stella was impressed with him, he had this whole thing planned out. Just the two of them. She smiled and walked through the doors, the warmth wrapping around her. She thanked the waiters who took her coat, hat, and muff while another one took Rolando's things.

Rolando pulled out her chair for her, being such a gentleman to the woman he thought hung the moon. "There you go, my dear." He said, watching her sit down, blushing bright red. He chuckled softly and pushed her up to the table before taking his seat.

Stella blushed at his actions. He was such a fine man and she knew she was blessed to have met him. "Thank you, Rolando. That was very sweet of you. This whole date is more than kind, it is so thoughtful and well planned. It must've taken you all day." She said looking around.

Rolando smiled, clapping his hand as two butlers came from the kitchen with a bottle of sparkling white grape juice and the other with a cart full of food. "Indeed it did take all day but nothing is working for you. It is a joy to serve you and make you happy." He spoke with the utmost pride in his voice.

Stella's eyes gleamed as she gasped at the array of food placed on the table. "Oh Rolando, all my favorites!" She smiled, pulling her eyes away from the food and up to him. "You shouldn't have. I feel so spoiled." She did feel spoiled but also very honored that he was this thoughtful.

Rolando chuckled as the main course was served to them. "You are my love, it is my duty to spoil you. I think enough time has passed and I should make up for it in every way I can. You are also a very giving person, it is about time someone spoils you and returns the favor." He smiled in return.

Stella was touched at how blessed she was to have met Rolando and he hadn't changed even after all these years. She was always helping everyone else and barely did anything for herself but on occasion. "You know me all too well. Thank you, I am blessed to have someone willing to spoil me." She slightly blushed.

Rolando loved spoiling her. She was the woman of his dreams and the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. "I'm blessed to have you in my life. I have spent too much time away from you and now I'm here, I want to savor every single moment. You may get sick of me." He joked with a wink.

Stella giggled as she took a bite out of her roasted chicken and hummed. "Delicious." She mumbled and finished what was in her mouth before she continued. "How did it go with Risa and the clockmaker?" She asked curiously, taking another bite.

Rolando sighed gently as he took a sip of his drink. "She didn't tell you?" He inquired as Stella shook her head. "Well, it seemed there was only one person who requested it since it was specially made for Beretta and Willard to give to Clarissa." He explained, knowing it was a lot to take in.

Stella paused, pulling the fork away from her mouth. Her eyes widened as she mulled over what he had said. "Oh, so I take it she doesn't believe she is Clarissa no matter how many flags wave around?" She inquired, knowing that she saw the similarities and had a feeling deep down she was Clarissa.

Rolando simply nodded, taking a sip from his drink. "Yes. She did deny it and tried to come up with another reason why. I suggested she try and find a way to speak about her memories with the Rosenbergs to see if they match, which I am sure they will." He confidently replied.

Stella took a sip of her drink then pursed her lips. "Do you think that's a good idea? Nathan wouldn't be too happy about it and I'm afraid that he might say something to hurt her or dismiss the whole thing. I do hope she realizes that she is Clarissa no matter how cliche she may think it is. Fate brought her here and is just trying to tell her she found her family." She wondered, sighing softly.

Rolando knew she was right, there was a reason Risa was brought to Paris with Vincent and himself. It seemed like fate had made it all happen. "I hope so. However, I am not sure how Nathan is going to take it. He wouldn't believe that even if there was proof." He sighed, cutting into his good.

Stella did understand why Nathan was the way he was, but she didn't condone his actions. "It is the only way to cope with what happened. His actions caused Clarissa to be separated from them because he - forgive me - was too much of a coward to stay and fight." She bluntly spoke, knowing she had no problem with calling out her brother-in-law.

Rolando was surprised she had said such a thing about her brother-in-law but she was right. He was a coward and even as his friend, he couldn't dismiss the fact he lied to him about coming back. "I expected him to get Persia, Clarissa, and Cyrene to safety and come back to aid me. Alas, he never did. That was when it was rumored they were killed and I believed it for the most part." He explained. "There was a part of me that truly believed they were alive."

Stella continued to eat her food. "I truly didn't know what was happening. Persia never told me until she showed up on the doorstep of my house looking like a wreck with everyone but Clarissa. I had never seen her so heartbroken. She is normally a strong person but that broke her." It still hurt her to see her younger sister like that.

Rolando could only imagine what that was like for Stella. "On top of you having to keep it a secret, even from me. I'm shocked no one made the connection!" He mused, then continued. "It did happen in Canada and you're in France. What exactly happened?" He asked, wanting to know the full story.

Stella set her fork and knife down on her plate and placed her hands on her lap. "They didn't leave my place for five years. They wanted to make sure no one made the connection and a lot can change in that time. The rumors had died out and it was a forgotten tale that no one ever spoke of. They did go by my sister's maiden name, my name, instead of Rosenberg so that perhaps covered their tracks."

Rolando could understand why they chose to lay low for all these years. "Not to mention, Medusa is still a variable threat to them. I'm worried that the reward has brought her here as well, also searching for Clarissa. Heaven knows what she plans to do if she finds out they're all still alive." He did not want to even think about it.

Stella nodded slowly. She too felt that sense of foreboding, knowing any given time Medusa could strike. "I tend to try and not think about it too much." She picked up her glass. "If I did, I would be stressed to the point of sickness." She took a sip and set it back down on the table.

Stella moved on back to the subject they were speaking about before. "Anyways, Persia still holds resentment towards Nathan. Three times had tried to let it go and make amends with him, and they resulted in her finding out she is pregnant." She remembered the scene all too well. 

She sighed softly before continuing. "She wasn't happy as a mother would. She was in tears asking me what she ought to do. She was afraid to tell Nathan for fear of his reaction and after losing Clarissa, only having Cyrene, she felt afraid to bring another child into the world that could end up like her eldest." 

Rolando reached over and took her hand, gently squeezing it. "Ah, that probably made her feel like she was trying to replace Clarissa even if she had no control over getting pregnant. I feel so awful, knowing I missed out on the chance to help you all. I could have knocked some sense into Nathan long before and maybe things would have gone differently." He sadly said, setting down his fork.

Stella gently squeezed his hand back, offering a soft smile. "It's never too late to knock some sense into that insufferable man." She joked, giving a small laugh. "I don't think anything anyone would have done would have changed anything." She didn't want Rolando to feel bad.

She smiled as a thought popped into her head. "Say, didn't you look over every orphanage back in Frontrance to see if Clarissa had been found?" She asked, knowing he had mentioned he had looked everywhere but he came up empty-handed.

Rolando sighed while taking a drink from his glass. "I did, however, the orphanage Risa was I didn't even know existed. Mrs. Hemmingworth did her best to keep it that way. She hadn't heard about the reward money being offered. Not sure why, but I get the gist it was for shady reasons." He explained with a frown.

Stella ate some of the vegetables in her place as she listened to him. "Even if she did, I think it was best to find her the way it happened, with her coming to the palace. Otherwise, you wouldn't have met Risa and you wouldn't be here now with me. All things worked out in the end." She was glad things happened how they did.

Rolando smiled as he finished up his food. "That is true. Vincent also wouldn't have turned over a new leaf, met with his father and his mother." He then cleared his throat, on cue one butler began to let the graphophone play a classical waltzing tune. "May I have this dance?" He asked, extending a hand out to her.

Stella smiled, placing her hand in his, giving a small curtsey. It brought back many memories as she took his hand. "You may have this dance." She replied, turning to him and placing her other hand on his shoulder as they began a slow waltz around. 

Rolando and Stella danced around the empty restaurant. The grace they held as they waltzed around the room. It seemed like they had practiced for weeks, but they hadn't practiced at all. It was just the two of them alone in each other's embrace, recalling the dances they did in the past.

Rolando stopped and stepped back. He smiled as he knelt on his knee as sweat began to collect on the nape of his neck. "Stella, for as long as I can remember I have always loved you, and every moment I spend with you makes me the happiest man on earth. It's been too long and I am ready to settle down here in France, with you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a rose. "Will you marry me?"

Stella had tears running down her cheeks as she looked at the rose. Her heart pounded against her rib cage as she felt overwhelmed, in a good way. He had remembered how she had said she didn't want a ring since she had never been a fan. "Oui, OUI!" She exclaimed, taking the rose. Throwing her arms around his neck after he had stood up, she planted a kiss on his lips.

Rolando was thrilled she had said yes. He returned the kiss wrapping his arms around her waist. He knew she would have but it was a relief to know his timing was perfect. "Now I suppose we should throw an engagement party?" He wasn't one to get ahead of himself, but he did know Stella enjoyed parties.

Stella nodded with a smile, sitting back down in her chair. "Oui, we should. We can invite all we know, close friends and family only that is. I have been planning the engagement party for some time now. Persia has helped me majorly with the plans since she had her engagement party. I knew this day would come, just not as soon." She beamed, feeling like a schoolgirl.

Rolando smiled as he looked at Stella, recalling their time when they were younger and he didn't think she changed much since then. She was still as beautiful and radiant as ever. "I can not wait to know what you have planned." 

He knew that it was going to be one joyous day for everyone. Both the engagement party and wedding would go down in history. He wanted to spend the rest of his days with Stella and finally make her his wife. He had waited for so long and it was finally happening.

❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅~❅

A/N: 
I should probably post more than once a week however it is just when I can get the next chapter finished to save it in the drafts. It doesn't help that I have been busy and haven't been able to write a lot.

Chapter Talk: 
I loved writing this little chapter. It was so cute. I am so glad they are finally engaged, it is about time. I didn't have this really planned out before in the original draft of the full story. So. This was new and recently added. I felt like adding in the engagement would be good in helping with the climax of the rest of the story leading up to the end.

It may be shorter than most of my other chapters but like I said, these aren't the final drafts, these are just chapters I am publishing to get it completed and stop procrastinating on writing. So, when I do have more ideas on how to expand I am able too.

And lastly, anything else I forgot to ask my pals. I am happy to answer anything!

In closing, all rude, impolite and mean comments will be replied to in a diplomatic way, reported or deleted if I feel like it is attacking me personally.

Thanks for reading!