While Loriel was currently at the penthouse kitchen all by himself, he started considering the next step in his and Elise's relationship. The two of them have been living with each other for the past three months.

Those were the days, weeks, and months of bliss.

Oh, it was a little torturous first. In between the times where Loriel needed to pretend that his affections for Elise were nothing but friendship… he labored hard to keep himself from telling her that he loved her.

It was difficult to not simply adore her back then.

Every little thing that Elise did fill his heart with love for her. He missed her terribly and Loriel was almost afraid that it would take more time for Elise to open up to him.

Loriel was grateful that the necessity for a fake boyfriend came up.

That was the starting point for the change that brought them to actually be really together when he confessed and she accepted his love. Things started turning better after that.

Loriel was now free to act more loving, but even until then, it was a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship.

In Elise's eyes, the two of them had already consummated their relationship together during their holiday in Japan. She had been willing to do it with him in that short amount of time, probably because she felt a connection with him.

This was fast progress already and it was even cemented by Elise asking Loriel to go to Japan and be with her. The thought of that made him smile.

Loriel was busy once again in his food preparation and lost in his thoughts.

Sure, Elise may have not wanted to go to Europe and she even denied living under his wealth because she didn't see it as the right thing to do… but he wanted the best for Elise.

Loriel's numerous prepared expensive gifts during Christmas weren't the full extent of what he'd like to provide for his beloved wife.

If Loriel wanted to have Elise accepting that his wealth was also hers, then the next step in their relationship was marriage. Or to be more specific... a wedding proposal.

After they were in a relationship, and finally became intimate, he thought the most logical step would be to take it to the next level.

Gosh… he hoped Elise didn't think it was too early. He was dying to make her his wife again.

The two of them needed to be engaged and he knew just the right person to ask for that.

Loriel reached for his phone and contacted his grand-nephew.

[I want you to start looking into the best methods to propose and prepare them for me within the next few days.]

[Okay, grand-uncle.]

If that woman, Alex, was Marc's reliable assistant, then Marc was pretty much Loriel's. The man knew how to keep Loriel pleased and ensure that everything was taken care of.

Loriel needed to find the perfect time to propose to Elise and possibly while it was still early for others to move.

Loriel was still unsure if he liked Chef Lucy hanging around Elise, but once Loriel and Elise were married… he'd feel a little more at ease. Yes, this was the proper next step for them to take.

Once they were married again, it would be the turning point for their lives.

It was at this time that Elise stepped out of her bedroom, having just woken up. The trip to Japan really must have made her tired. This was why he thought it was proper for her to not work immediately.

"Jet lag?" Loriel asked with a kind smile as he set the table for breakfast.

"Jet lag." Elise agreed.

"Let me make chicken soup for you," said Loriel dotingly. He reached out and pulled Elise to his embrace. Then he kissed her forehead. "Come to the kitchen."

Elise smiled and nodded. She felt spoiled by the man. After they became intimate in Japan, their relationship felt like it went to the next level. She felt even more comfortable with him. They had been sharing a bed throughout the trip and sometimes they had sex, sometimes it was just an innocent cuddle.

He never acted like he was in it just for the sex. Whatever Elise wanted, whether it was to be intimate or to have her own space, he always seemed to understand what he should do to give her what she wanted.

Now that they had returned home to New York, where they had their own bedrooms, she was wondering if she and Loriel should start sleeping together in the same room.

Would it be something that he wanted? Elise was thinking about this while she watched the man got busy in the kitchen. But if she suggested they 'move in' together, it would be a big step for them.

It means they couldn't move back out if they didn't find sharing a bedroom and bed permanently to be a good thing for them, yet.

She could live in the same house with Loriel, that's for sure. They had been 'roommates' for months without a problem. Mostly it's because Elise was respectful of other people's property, clean, and considerate, while Loriel was accommodating and understanding. They seemed to be a good match.

However, sleeping together every night on the same bed…

She had to think about it.

Elise was relieved that Loriel didn't bring up the subject when they just arrived home. He seemed to gauge her feelings about the whole thing and waited for Elise to make a decision.

He acted as if nothing happened and let Elise went to her bedroom to rest after the trip. And now, he was making chicken soup for her.

"The soup is ready," said Loriel with a broad smile. He saw her deep in thoughts and was wondering what Elise could be possibly thinking. "Do you want to eat now?"

Elise was moved from her reverie and nodded with a smile. "Yes, thank you."

She received the bowl of soup from Loriel's hand and started eating. Loriel sat by her side and started eating his soup too.

.

----------------

Yes! Loriel wants to propose. Do you have any proposal ideas to help Loriel in his mission to make Elise his wife again?