I took Kaufman with me to the palace, his presence a silent reassurance as I walked through the grand halls.  Harton, oblivious to the proposal that hung heavy in the air, greeted me with a warm smile.  "Come in, Zerah," he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth.  "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?  I had some food prepared for you."
"Oh, I'm with Kaufman," I replied, my voice a little shaky.  "He's waiting in the garden."
"So, what brings you here with such a surprise?" he asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity.
I took a deep breath, summoning all my strength.  "Harton, about the proposal... I've thought about it carefully, and I'm willing to accept.  It doesn't matter if it's not for love.  This is an opportunity to help those in need, to make a difference."
He grabbed my hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.  "Zerah, that's amazing!  Thank you so much.  It means the world to me.  You are truly deserving to be a queen."
"I know," I said, a smile tugging at my lips.  "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."  My heart was pounding, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through me.
Suddenly, Harton cupped my face in his hands, his thumb gently stroking my cheek.  And then, his lips met mine in a kiss.  The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of his lips against mine, the soft pressure of his hands, the taste of his kiss.  It was a kiss that surprised me, a kiss that sent a jolt of unexpected feeling through me.  I was stunned, caught off guard by the intensity of the moment.
Harton's forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my skin.  "Zerah," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion, "I've been waiting for this moment.  You don't know how much it means to me, how happy I am."
I held onto his hand, my fingers intertwined with his, his warmth radiating through me.  I hugged him tightly, feeling a sense of belonging, a connection that was both unexpected and undeniable.
In that moment, amidst the grand halls of the palace, a new chapter began.  A chapter filled with the promise of a shared destiny, a love that was blossoming in the most unexpected way, and a future that held the potential for a love story that defied all expectations.
Harton reached into his pocket, pulling out the same velvet box he had presented to me a week ago.  He opened it, revealing the stunning diamond ring, its facets catching the light and sparkling like a thousand stars.  He gently took my hand, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.  He slipped the ring onto my finger, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his touch. 
"It suits you," he said, his voice a low murmur, his eyes filled with adoration.  He leaned down, pressing his lips against my hand, sending a wave of warmth through me.  I felt like I was going to melt, his touch so sweet, his affection so overwhelming.
"Let's have lunch together," he said, a smile lighting up his features.  "I'll call Kaufman to join us."  He opened the door for me, his arm extending towards me, a silent invitation.  We walked through the hall, a hush falling over the crowd as we passed.  I couldn't hear their whispers, couldn't decipher their expressions, but I felt their eyes on me, their curiosity burning like a thousand tiny flames.
We reached the dining area, and Harton pulled out a chair for me, his chivalry a testament to his gentle nature.  "Do you like the food?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"Ah, yes, thank you," I replied, trying to mask the growing sense of unease that had settled over me. 
"Your Majesty," Connor announced, his voice interrupting my thoughts, "Mr. Kaufman is no longer here.  The servants said he left a while ago."
My thoughts were consumed by Kaufman's absence.  Why had he left so suddenly?  He had promised me a day of laughter and companionship, a chance to celebrate this new chapter in my life. 
My heart sank.  Why had Kaufman left?  Had something happened?  He had seemed so happy when we arrived, so eager to share this moment with us.  Was he ill?  Or had something else transpired? 
A wave of sadness washed over me, a cold, heavy feeling that settled in my stomach.  I couldn't understand why he had left so abruptly, leaving me with a nagging sense of incompleteness.  My joy, the excitement that had filled me moments ago, was replaced by a deep, unsettling worry.
The next day, the palace buzzed with activity.  It was time to begin the arrangements for my wedding to Harton.  I called for Connor, his loyalty and efficiency a source of comfort in the midst of the whirlwind of preparations.  "Connor, I need your help," I said, my voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
He bowed, his face radiating eagerness.  "Anything for you, Your Majesty."
"Mrs. Elodie is here to measure you for a dress, your majesty" he announced, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Mrs. Elodie said, her voice a gentle murmur.  "Permission to measure your body for a dress?"
"Of course, please come in," I replied, my heart pounding with anticipation.
Mrs. Elodie, a renowned seamstress known for her exquisite creations, carefully measured my form, her hands gentle and precise.  She promised a gown that would be both elegant and timeless, a reflection of my newfound role as a queen.
After the fitting, Connor and I ventured out to the flower shop, a riot of color and fragrance.  "We need a thousand roses, Connor," I said, my voice filled with excitement.  "White roses, to symbolize purity and new beginnings."
Connor nodded, his eyes wide with admiration.  "It will be a truly magnificent display, Your Majesty."
The next task was to deliver the invitations, a delicate dance of etiquette and diplomacy.  Each invitation was meticulously crafted, a testament to the grandeur of the occasion. 
The day was exhausting, a whirlwind of activity, but it was also exhilarating.  I had never felt so alive, so filled with purpose.  I was creating something beautiful, something meaningful, something that would last a lifetime.
"Tomorrow is the final arrangement, and the next day is the wedding," I said to Connor, my voice filled with excitement.  "I can't believe it's finally here, the moment I've dreamed of."
And as I looked out at the bustling palace, at the preparations underway, at the anticipation in the air, I knew that this was more than just a wedding.  It was the culmination of a journey, a turning point in my life, a new beginning.  And I was ready, my heart filled with a mix of excitement, trepidation, and a deep, abiding sense of purpose.