A: LOL! My favorite thing to do is rub my frozen feet against your calf.
T: I know, which is why I need to start wearing pajama pants to bed.
A: Tris, it’ll break my heart.
T: Oh you’re pouring it on thick now, Lia. It won’t break your heart, I promise.
A: It might.
T: I’ll never break your heart.
There he is, the man I’ve learned Tristan can be. He’s sweet in his own way, keeping me on my toes with the words he says. It may be stupid but I trust him and believe him fully.
A: I know, I can trust you with anything.
T: I can’t wait to have you with me forever, Lia.
A: Me neither. I’ll be the one in white walking toward you at the end of the aisle. Don’t forget me?
T: I’ll never forget you.
I smile, putting the phone back on the bedside table before I curl up, pulling one of the many pillows into my side. It’s a poor substitute for Tristan, but for now it’ll do. In less than twelve hours, nothing will ever be able to pull us apart.
Closing my eyes, I think of how handsome he’ll look, how happy I’ll be, and what the rest of our lives will look like.
For now, I’ll believe it’ll all be flowers and hearts, because I refuse to think of the opposite.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Amelia
“You should eat something,” Shannon points to the tray of fruit brought to me almost an hour ago.
“I don’t know that I can.”
My stomach is full of excited butterflies, has been since last night. Sleep didn’t come to me until roughly two hours before I had to wake up.
“Wouldn’t it be something if I puked my way up the aisle?”
Shannon giggles. “Could you imagine the reports? Pregnant before the wedding. The King is shocked!”
I giggle along with her. “We’re doing our best not to draw attention to ourselves.”
“I don’t think you have to try to get attention. Especially in this day and age.”
Figuring she’s got a good point, I reach over grabbing a few strawberries. They taste so good, but it’s hard to swallow. There’s a boulder lodged in my throat, and I’m worried I won’t be able to get them down.
Shannon sees what’s happening and offers me a glass of champagne. “You have to calm down Amelia. Everything is going to be fine.”
Glancing at the clock, I see we’re running slightly behind. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be late to my own wedding.”
“The wedding starts when you get there, girl,” Shannon smirks.
“You’ve got a point,” I laugh.
I know I sit in the chair for hours, but it literally feels like minutes as I wait for my hair and makeup to be done. I’m transformed from someone who had minimal sleep the night before to someone who looks like they’ve had the best night of sleep ever. My hair which had been a wreck, now looks perfect. My makeup is natural, yet dramatic at the same time. I don’t look painted on, but just a better version of myself, which is exactly what I wanted.
“It’s time for the dress,” someone says.
My hands shake and my heart pounds. Putting on the dress means it’s official. I am on my way to becoming a royal.
“Are you ready?” Shannon asks, grasping my shaking hands.
“As I’ll ever be.”
She and I walk into a dressing room off from the bed. I take off my robe, revealing the lingerie I’m wearing underneath. She’s the only person I would be comfortable sharing this with besides Tristan.
“Ohhh girl,” she whistles softly, giving me a wink. “I wondered what you’d wear underneath it.”
It’s a lace bodysuit, with an underwire bra, in the same white as my gown, allowing me to show off the small amount of cleavage I have. “Is it too much?” I ask her seriously.
“No,” she shakes her head, it’s amazing.
Her gaze goes down to the garters held in place by a white garter belt. “He’ll have so much fun taking that off of you.”
Truth be told, I can’t wait. The moment we come together as man and wife will be wort hall of the crap we’ve been through these past six months.
“Should I put my shoes on first?”
“Yes,” she nods at my question. “We’ll put the dress over your head.”
Stepping into my heels feels like a big moment. Like I’m stepping into a whole new personality, or just perhaps a whole new life. Truthfully I am, and this is one of the defining moments.
“Arms up.”
I do as Shannon asks, watching with my eyes lifted to the sky. She’s called in a few helpers and they’re putting the dress over my head. On impulse, I close my eyes, wanting to be able to feel everything about the dress being put on me. The lace softly scraps my skin, the satin makes a noise as the waist of the dress is settled into place. There’s lots of fluffing and people speaking, making sure the material has kept it’s shape. It’s got slight padding at the hips to make my waist appear smaller. One of the things I didn’t realize was an option.
“Okay Amelia, time for the tiara.”
This was maybe the hardest part of what I had to do, pick out which tiara to wear. My jewelry were either gifts from my family or Tristan, but the tiara is a gift from the royals. It’s on loan from the people, and I wanted to make sure I picked out the perfect one.
In the end, I picked the same one Tristan’s mother got married in. It’s got over a thousand diamonds and encased in a platinum finish. I know Tristan wanted her to be here, so I hope when he sees this, he knows she’s in my heart as well.
“You’re ready, my Queen,” Shannon whispers.
My eyes snap open and I can’t believe the person staring back at me in the mirror. This can’t be real life. She looks poised, elegant, and much more mature than my years. I look at Shannon who smiles.
“I am ready, aren’t I?”
“Yes, yes you are.”
“You look beautiful, Amelia.”
My dad’s voice always calms me in the middle of any storm I’m in. “Thank you, Daddy.” I hug him tightly.
When we pull back, he makes sure my veil doesn’t get stuck.
“We’re proud of you,” he whispers. “Proud of the woman you’ve become, and so happy with the life you’re going to build for yourself. To show you how proud we are, I brought you something.”
“Dad, you didn’t have to.”
“I know, but it’s a tradition in our family that every woman who gets married carries a piece of my great-great-great-grandmothers dress,” he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a piece of satin and lace.
“Oh my goodness, Dad, this is gorgeous.”
It’s yellowed slightly with the passage of time, but I hold it closely to me.
“It means a lot to know you’ll have it on you,” he kisses me on the cheek.
“Can you pin it into my dress,” I turn around, feeling him reach in and pin it in the back.
“Okay,” Shannon comes over to us. “I hate to interrupt you, but it’s time to get you in the car and to the venue.”
“He pinned something into the back of my dress, can you see it?” I turn around.
“You look amazing, and no one can tell what you have under this dress.”
“How are we going to get her out without people seeing her?” Dad asks.
There’s a group of women holding what looks like a blanket. “We’ll walk her out with this, around her. If we can have any luck, no one will be able to completely make out what she’s wearing.”
The plan in place, I wait for everyone to surround me. It’s amazing how they work in tandem, and no one touches my dress. I hold up the train, as we walk out to the waiting car.
It’s a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature is just right. The sun warms my body, but not at unpleasant levels. It feels good on my shoulders.
“Alright ladies,” Shannon is directing the group. “A little to the left.”
I can hear the
crowds of people who have gathered, it causes goosebumps to appear on my arms. To know there’s that many people waiting to see me. Wanting to see a part of our countries history happen.
Schools have been closed, and over ninety percent of the country have been let off work. From what I’ve heard they’ve been lining up for at least the last day. We somehow make our way into the car that’ll be taking me to the Chapel.
“Are you comfortable?” Shannon asks after I sit down.
“Yup, I’m good.”
My father gets in on the other side of me, Shannon takes a seat in the front passenger side, and off we go. A Range Rover in front of us a Range Rover behind us. It’s odd to have no other cars on the street as we navigate our way to Haldonia’s city center.
“Look at all of these people,” I smile brightly, waving to the ones who have lined the streets. I do my best to make eye contact with as many of them as I can, wanting them to know I care. They’ve taken their day off, and they’ve come to be a part of my big day.
“They’re here for you, they’re here for Tristan,” Dad reminds me.
“I just hope we can always make them proud of us.”
The responsibility is tremendous and I silently vow to always keep the people in the forefront of my mind.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tristan
“She’s on her way,” Parker’s voice cuts into my thoughts. They’re so deep, I almost don’t hear him. Then I realize what he’s said to me.
“How do you know?”
“Like she’s not on international news right now,” he quirks a brow, answering like I’m an idiot.
I didn’t even think about her being on TV. I’ve wanted to see her all day, and now I realize I have a chance to do so. “Let me see!”
“Oh no,” he grabs hold of my shoulders as I try to see around him. He holds me back from getting the glimpse I so desperately want. “It’s bad luck to see your bride before the wedding.”
“Everyone else is seeing her, why can’t I?”
I’m aware I sound like I’m pouting, but I do want to see her. I have no doubt she’s a vision in whatever dress she’s decided to wear. She’s beautiful no matter what, and I can’t wait to see her walk toward me.
“You don’t want to start your marriage off on the wrong foot, do you?”
I obviously don’t, but at the same time I want to know what she’s wearing. Not only that, but is she smiling? How is her hair? Is she as nervous as I am.
“You have a lot of questions.”
It’s then I realize I’ve asked them all aloud. “How much longer until she gets here?”
He glances at his watch. “Fifteen minutes. It’d be best if we made our way into the Chapel.”
I shake hands as I walk down the aisle to the place where I’m supposed to stand and wait for my bride. I’ve watched others do this before, and I always wondered how it felt. What it was like to have everyone stare at you. Obviously I knew this would be where I end up, but I never thought there’d be this many people here today. There are dignitaries, movie stars, child-hood friends, and music icons in the audience. Over five-hundred people have filled this Chapel to the rafters.
It’s scary for me to walk down to the front, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like for Amelia. At least I know most of these people. I’m not positive who all she knows besides my family and hers.
“Looking good, Tristan,” the head of our government holds out a hand for me to shake.
“Thank you, kind Sir,” I tip my head to him. “Thank you for being here to celebrate this day with us.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Like he wasn’t going to get one. The last thing I want to do is play host on a day like this, but it is what it is, and I’m almost always on. I give him a smile, then head further down the aisle. I lose track of the amount of people I shake hands and greet. It isn’t until Parker comes to my side, ushering me down, that I realize how long I’ve been doing this for.
“Thanks for rescuing me.”
“If I hadn’t, Amelia would be making her way into the Chapel with you not even wanting on her yet.”
The thought makes me chuckle, but I appreciate the fact he’s gotten me away from everyone who wanted to speak to me. My back is to the entrance.
“Good luck today, Tristan,” the officiant pats me on the shoulder.
“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate you being here and performing the service for us.”
This gesture I’m thankful for. He christened me, and the fact he’s here to marry me means a lot.
“She’s coming in,” he tells me.
And that’s when I hear the sharp intake of breath as everyone gets a look at her.
“How does she look?” I ask him, because I’m not supposed to turn around yet.
“Absolutely beautiful. Your bride is gorgeous.”
I ache to turn around, to get a look at her, but I know it’s against custom, and honestly I don’t want to start this marriage off with breaking custom.
So I wait.
The long, agonizing minutes it seems to take her to come to where I am. Finally the officiant gives me the go ahead, and I turn to face her.
I gasp.
She’s beautiful.
Lace cups the top part of her body, flushing down into satin. She looks like a doll I saw as a child, and I’m worried I may break her. She’s fragile like a flower, but strong as a tree against the wind. She’s not shrinking away from any of the pomp and circumstance happening today. If I had to walk down the aisle the way she did, I’m not even sure I could do it. She’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.
She’s even more beautiful than I imagined she would be, imagined she ever could be. Her father gives me her hand, to start the ceremony, and as I try to remember my part in this, I do my best not to get lost in her eyes.
“Do you Tristan, take Amelia to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The rest of what he says seems to drag on in slow motion. I’m not stupid, I know the vows, I know them by heart. In this moment, I feel like I’ve been waiting to say them my entire life.
“I do,” the words come out on a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding.
“Do you Amelia…?” He repeats the words.
My eyes meet hers and I can see the depth of her feelings. While we’re both in this moment together, I can tell by the look in them she’s ready for this to be over. Ready to get me by myself, and celebrate the fact we’ve actually become man and wife. I’m sure there were many who thought this day would never happen.
But it has.
Here in front of the entire world.
Finally the words I’ve been waiting to hear are the words spoken.
“You may kiss your bride.”
And kiss her I do.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Amelia
The amount of people who have gathered in front of the balcony is impressive. As far back as I can see, there are bodies. They’re moving this way and that, like a crowd at a huge concert. They’re making so much noise, I almost can’t here what’s going on in front of me.
Planes have been going overhead here and there, each carrying a banner welcoming me to the Royal family and telling Tristan congratulations.
Tristan and I are standing in front of the people gathered, looking down at our countrymen and women. “Shall we kiss?” He asks when he can finally make out what they’ve been chanting.
“Kiss!”
“Kiss!”
“Kiss!”
I giggle loudly. This is the best part of everything that’s gone on for me. Their excitement is mine. “I think we definitely should.”
Instead of it being proper, he bring me in, bends me over his arm, and dramatically locks our lips together. The crowd goes wild, and even though I probably shouldn’t, I hope that picture is the one on the cover of all the magazines.
Tristan
This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.
Abdicat
ion.
Wearing a crown I’ve meant to wear since I was born.
There’s a lot of pomp and circumstance going on, a lot of it I don’t even understand. I figure I’ll understand why it matters certain dignitaries are here right now, while others aren’t.
“I’m pleased,” my father starts, turning to me. “To give the crown to my son. I hope for him to have a healthy life and a great marriage. We should all by so blessed to have a love like he does.”
The crowd goes wild when he puts the crown on my head. I look out at them, wondering what they are seeing when they look up at us. Can they see a son and father who have struggled to hold it together? Can they see how close we were to falling completely apart?
Or rather do they see the future of the their country? Do they see me as the person whose going to fight for them, to do what’s right? I hope so.
“Thank you,” I speak into the microphone. “Thank you for allowing me the honor of taking the throne.”
The applause is deafening.
“My Queen and I promise to make sure we take Haldonia into the next decade in the most honest way possible. We promise to keep your interests at the forefront of each thing we do. We will make the hard decisions, and we hope to grow with you. Thank you so much for participating in our big day with us. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
The chants begin again.
“Kiss!”
“Kiss!”
“Kiss!”
I chuckle as I pull her into me with my arm around her waist. We kiss again, each laughing as then exuberance of the crowd washes over us.
Hours later we’re in a horse-drawn carriage driving through the streets of Haldonia. So many flowers are being thrown at us. My cheeks hurt from smiling and my hand aches from waving. It’s worth it though, to show the people of the country how much we appreciate what they’ve done. Including them into our day has always been important to the both of us.
Royal Rebel: A Royal Romance (The Haldonia Monarchy Book 1) Page 18