“That sounds like a worthy goal,” Scott said. “But where do I fit into this?”

Elizabeth looked straight at him. “I need you to marry me.”

Scott blinked in surprise. “What?”

“I told my father I’d marry the first man I saw. That’s you,” she said. “And thank heavens, you’re not homeless.”

Scott paused. “I might be soon.”

Elizabeth’s face fell. “So you need money? I’ll pay you whatever you want once my father releases my inheritance.”

Scott nodded. “Yeah, but I’m not for sale.”

“Damn!” Elizabeth muttered, burying her face in her hands. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

After a moment of silence, Elizabeth studied Scott’s face. There was something familiar about him—his eyes, his smile. She squinted, trying to place him. “I know you, don’t I?” she asked, feeling certain now.

Scott grinned. “Didn’t think a princess would remember me that fast.”

Elizabeth frowned, still unsure. “I can’t figure out where I know you from.”

Scott leaned back in his chair. “I’m the gardener’s son. I used to work for your father.”

Her eyes widened in recognition. “That’s it!” she said, her voice brightening. “I remember now.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “What would it take for you to agree to my plan?”

Scott’s expression grew serious. “My father’s in debt. They’re going to take our house if we don’t pay. I need the money, but I don’t want to sell myself. But maybe, I don’t have any other options.”

Elizabeth gave him a soft smile. “Think of it as helping an old friend,” she said, extending her hand.

Scott hesitated, then took her hand and shook it. “Deal,” he said.

In the days leading up to the wedding, Elizabeth and Scott were together constantly. She took him shopping, buying him new clothes to fit his new role, and even insisted on a visit to the salon for a proper haircut.

Scott, a bit uncomfortable with all the attention, would smile and tell her about the plants and flowers he loved so much.

He explained how each flower had its own needs, like the way roses needed careful pruning or how sunflowers always turned toward the light.

As their wedding day approached, Elizabeth felt a growing weight in her chest. The more time she spent with Scott, the harder it became to go through with their plan.

She couldn’t deny it anymore—she was falling in love with him. What had started as a scheme to escape her father was now something much more complicated.

The night before the wedding, Elizabeth couldn’t take it any longer. She had to tell Scott the truth. Maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. Maybe they could marry for love instead of for her father’s money. With that hope, Elizabeth went to his house.

When she arrived, the door was slightly open. She hesitated before peeking inside—and there, to her shock, was her father talking to Scott.

“I’ll give you $250 thousand if you call off this wedding,” Richard said, his voice firm as he handed Scott a thick envelope. “I don’t want my daughter marrying a simple gardener,” he added, disdain clear in his tone.

Elizabeth, hidden outside the door, felt her heart race. She wanted Scott to reject the offer, to throw the money back in Richard’s face and defend their plan. But, to her shock, Scott took the envelope without a word.

She couldn’t watch any longer. The hurt was too much. Elizabeth quietly closed the door and ran, her heels clicking on the old wooden steps. One of the steps gave way beneath her, but she didn’t stop, quickly pulling her leg free and continuing down the road.

“Elizabeth!” Scott’s voice called out behind her. She kept running, tears blurring her vision, but he was faster. Soon, he grabbed her arm, gently pulling her to a stop.

“Elizabeth,” Scott said softly, his face full of concern as he looked at her tear-streaked cheeks.

She yanked her arm back, anger mixing with her hurt. “I can’t believe you. You took the money. You betrayed me!” Her voice shook with bitterness. “Turns out you do have a price.”

Scott frowned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the envelope. “This isn’t for me,” he said, holding it out to her. “It’s for you.”

Elizabeth stared at him, confused. “What? And your father’s debts? You were going to sell yourself for them, right?”

Scott shook his head. “We don’t have to pay for what our parents did. I’ll figure something out. But I don’t want you to marry me just because you promised your father. You should marry the man you love.”

“Then you’ll have to marry me,” Elizabeth said, her voice soft but determined.

“What? No, I’m giving you the money,” Scott insisted, offering the envelope again.

“No, Scott. If I’m going to marry for love, then it has to be you. With or without the money.”

Scott looked at her, stunned. For a few moments, he didn’t move, just staring into her eyes, trying to make sense of what she’d said. Then, without a word, he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. His lips met hers in a kiss, soft and full of emotion.

Elizabeth felt her heart soar. She had said the words that had been building inside her, and now everything seemed clear.

“So, is that a yes?” Elizabeth asked breathlessly.

Scott grinned, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “Yes,” he said simply, before leaning in and kissing her again, sealing their promise.

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