Later , I heard he became a fugitive after embezzling funds to finance the medical treatments . He could never return to Colvaria 112 * 25 BONUS That evening , Mikhail arranged a private fireworks show along the Serova River . Under a sky bursting with color , he knelt on one knee and pulled out a ring . " Emma , marry me . " I was caught off guard . " Didn't we already- " " That was a business marriage , " he said earnestly . " This time , I want a real wedding . " I stared into his sincere eyes and suddenly remembered something " Mikhail , you never told me why did you pretend to be a poor student back then ? " He stood up , looking slightly embarrassed . " Well , the truth is , my family sent me abroad to experience life . It's a Romanov tradition . Every heir must live anonymously overseas for a while to learn independence . I never expected to meet you , a woman who was kind enough to share her lunch with a broke exchange student . " You always brought me coffee , and somehow , there was always an extra cup . You used to say it was a buy - one - get - one - free- deal , but I knew you bought it for me on purpose . I kept wondering , how could someone be so kind ? " My eyes stung with emotion . " So you remembered all that ? * " I remembered everything about you . " He slipped the ring onto my finger with infinite care . " I missed my chance in our last life . I won't make the same mistake again . " I leaned into his arms , watching the fireworks reflect on the Serova River . "Mikhail " " Yes ? " " I'm glad I get to spend the rest of my life with you . " He kissed my forehead gently . " I should be the one saying that . Thank you for choosing me . Snow still fell over Droskav , but the winter no longer felt cold . Because beside me stood the person I wanted to spend forever with .