Her laughter helped his enthusiasm settle into something less forced.

And now the more he thought it over, the more startlingly relaxed he became. They were doing this, actually doing this. Well, good. It was about time he got married!

Maggie, on the other hand, had extremely flushed cheeks, for some reason Lorcan couldn't quite discern. Amusement or relief, he presumed... and her comment made the latter dreadfully clear, about being grateful. His hand leapt up to scratch the back of his neck, feeling abruptly sheepish. He didn't like to think of this as him doing her a favour, particularly; there was just something about it that didn't feel quite right. But why else would he have agreed to this? What had compelled him so?

Adventure, and nothing else, he told himself, offering her a blinding grin. "Now, don't you start getting all sentimental on me," Lorcan teased fondly, and threw her a wink before he could stop himself. "Better save that for the ceremony."

---

Maggie laughed again but shook her head slightly. She'd never been the sentimental sort so he'd be lucky there. There definitely wouldn't be any tears coming from her. Just a lot of blushing and wild nerves. A lot like how she was in that very moment. She just hoped he wouldn't regret it all later on down the line and it would surely be a thought to haunt her for quite some time.

"Well I suppose I should get back to work," she said but really wasn't all that fond of him leaving. She dipped into a little curtsy anyways. "A week from now then, Prince Charming?" she asked with a smile.

---

Lorcan couldn't imagine a ceremony designed to be much less sentimental, in truth. He suspected it would be them, an officiant and a witness, and an exceedingly rushed affair, just enough to do the legal trick. His eyes drifted to her mouth, as he wondered absently if he'd even be allowed to kiss her.

Her remark pulled him back down to reality, and his gaze snapped away, thankful that her little curtsy served as a distraction.

"I'll be there, Cinderella," he returned with a laugh. Dear Cinderella was soon to be moving up in the world. Marrying him might not make her much of a princess - but her inheritance and her castle dream bakery awaited.  

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