Three days had passed since my proposal to Rachel in the Windward sacred grove, and I continued to be impressed by her discretion in keeping our engagement private. Despite her overwhelming joy—which I caught glimpses of whenever she thought no one was looking—she had maintained perfect secrecy about the ring now hidden beneath her formal gloves and the promise that had transformed her entire outlook on our future together.
'She hasn't told anyone,' I mused to myself as I made final preparations for this evening's proposal to Cecilia. 'Not even a hint to the other girls, despite how excited she must be to share the news.'
