Yours Royally: A Cinderella Love Story (Billionaires and Brides Book 3)

by Krista Lakes

  “There's one that I really like,” she said, stepping toward the white dress that was draped over the foot of the bed. “But I wanted to get your opinion on it first.”

  She picked up the dress and held it in the air. The look on Marco's face told her everything she needed to know. His eyes widened, along with his smile. He nodded as he looked between Sabrina and the dress.

  “You'd look amazing in that,” he said. “Please, try it on.”

  Sabrina nodded and then grabbed a pair of panties and a bra from her suitcase. Then she pulled off the towel that was wrapped around her, letting it fall to the floor. She stood naked in front of the Prince, and watched as his eyes dilated.

  “If only we had more than a few minutes,” he said, his eyes moving up and down her nude body.

  “You be good, Prince Marco,” she said, flirtatiously. “We have a ball to attend.”

  She turned and walked to the bathroom. As quickly as possible, she got into the dress. She was amazed at how perfectly it conformed to her curves. It was as though the dress had been stitched just for her. She stared in the mirror for a moment. The woman in front of her was a princess, transformed by a fairy godmother.

  When she walked back into the bedroom, Marco stood up from the bed. His expression was one of complete awe as he eyed her up and down.

  “I've never seen someone so lovely,” he said. “Sabrina, you look incredible.”

  Sabrina pushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled. “Thank you. You're so sweet.”

  “Here, let me button up the back for you,” Marco said, stepping behind her.

  He pulled the back of the dress together and buttoned it up. Sabrina closed her eyes and relaxed her shoulders. Marco leaned close and kissed the back of her neck as he clasped the top button. When he pulled away, he said, “Okay, you're all set.”

  Sabrina spun around and kissed him. She let her hands wander over his shoulders and down the front of his shirt, letting her fingers bounce over the gold buttons. The smell of his cologne entered her nose and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if they could possibly fit in a bit of intimate time before the ball.

  But when she broke the kiss and looked at the clock, her eyes widened.

  “It's almost time to go,” she said. “We've only got a few minutes.”

  “Indeed,” Marco said, with a half smirk. “Are you ready?”

  “As ready as I'll ever be,” she said, with a nervous sigh.

  Dressed to perfection, Marco and Sabrina made their way downstairs and to the back of the building, where the grand hall was located. Winston had walked her by it earlier that day, but they weren't able to go inside due to preparations for the celebration that evening. But now the place was filled. Elegant people, with elegant attire, were lined up out the door. They turned to look when Marco and Sabrina walked toward them and the ones who weren't wearing a green or purple pendant on their collar stepped to the side and dropped to a knee out of respect.

  “Good evening, everyone,” Marco said, as he and Sabrina walked by.

  The two made their way into the main room and Sabrina's gaze moved toward the very back, where the King of Orsino sat on his throne. He looked regal and proud as he gazed out at the audience. Seated next to him was Queen Magdalena. She sat with a smug expression on her face, as though she was too good for even her own party.

  Surrounding the royalty were guards, but also guests. Many of them appeared to be nobles, based on their expensive dress and the elegant way that they carried themselves. Sabrina's nerves were through the roof as she walked alongside Marco toward the throne.

  I wonder how many other girls out there can say that this is how they “met the parents,” she thought, swallowing down the lump in her throat.

  She squeezed Marco's arm firmly and he looked over.

  “You're doing fine,” he said. “Just relax.”

  Sabrina didn't respond as she tried to keep her cool. She became utterly self-conscious, suddenly worrying about each step she took. The last thing she wanted to do was to trip and fall in front of the royalty, making herself look like a total fool.

  Her heart was racing and she felt like she could have thrown up from nervousness. Each inch they got closer to the throne caused another butterfly to released into her gut. Her hands were trembling and her knees were weak by the time they got to the back of the room.

  “Father,” Marco said. “I'd like to introduce you to the beautiful Sabrina.”

  The man in the throne sat up and smiled. He appeared to be much older than the man in the picture that she had seen. He looked pale and sickly, with dark bags under his eyes. His hair, though thick in the photo, was weak-looking and sparse.

  “Marco, my son,” the king spoke, his deep and authoritative. “Bring her closer. My eyes aren't what they used to be.”

  “Of course, Father,” Marco said, leading Sabrina up the stairs toward the throne.

  Sabrina felt the room shrink as the king and queen both brought their attention toward her. Luckily, the training that Winston had given her earlier kicked in. She let go of Marco's arm and did the perfect curtsy in front of everyone.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you, your majesty,” she said, dipping down toward the ground. “It's a true honor to be on Orsino Island.”

  “And it's an honor to have you here,” the king said.

  Sabrina finished her curtsy and stood up straight. King Carlo was looking at her with curiosity, while Queen Magdalena sat in silence, her face unreadable.

  “I appreciate the formalities, but come closer still,” King Carlo said. “Let me get a look at you.”

  Sabrina stepped toe to toe with Carlo and he took her hand. Their eyes were locked as he spoke. “Where are you from, Ms. Sabrina?”

  “Memphis, Tennessee,” she said, her accent suddenly feeling more thick than usual. She usually tried to keep her accent as minimal as possible, but it often came out stronger when she was stressed.

  “I can hear it,” he replied. “It's soft, but there.”

  “Yes, I was born and raised there,” she said.

  “Welcome to Orsino.” King Carlo squeezed her hand. “I'm confident that you'll love it here once you get settled. It's a beautiful place with a lot to offer.”

  “Marco has told me a lot about it, but I'm excited to explore.” Sabrina smiled, relieved by the small talk. She glanced at the queen, still unsure because the woman had yet to say a word.

  “It really is a pleasure to meet you, King Carlo,” Sabrina continued. “It's nice to finally be able to put a face to a name.”

  “I can say the same about you,” he said, before turning toward the woman next to him. “Since we're making introductions, I'd like to officially introduce you to my wife, Queen Magdalena.”

  Sabrina curtsied again. This time a warm smile filled her face. Something about it felt off, but Sabrina couldn't place it. Perhaps it was that it didn't seem to touch her lavender colored eyes as most smiles usually did.

  “How lovely to meet you,” the queen cooed. “I'm so excited to hear of your travels with our young prince. Thank you for keeping him so entertained in his travels.”

  Sabrina did a double take. Both Marco and Winston had mentioned to her that the queen hated commoners and to expect her to be cold and cruel to her. Yet, the queen was smiling and being pleasant. Perhaps, I misunderstood them, Sabrina thought, looking at the queen's warm smile. She seems nice enough. Maybe she just speaks her mind and is considered cruel for it.

  “Father, there's something that I want to announce,” Marco said, clearing his throat.

  “By all means, Marco,” Carlo said. “Take the floor. I'm certain most everyone who will be attending tonight is present now.”

  Sabrina turned around to see that the room had filled. Most of the attention from the guests was directed toward the front, where Sabrina stood with the royal family. Marco nodded to a man in black holding a large staff. The man banged it on the floor twice. The idle chatter went quiet.<
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  “I have an announcement to make,” Marco said, his voice booming over the silent guests.

  A pin drop could have been heard. It was clear just how much respect everyone held for Marco. Sabrina stood next to him, not knowing what this announcement was about. He certainly hadn't mentioned anything to her.

  “First off, I want to thank everyone for coming,” he said. “This ball, as you may already know, is in honor of our great King. King Carlo.”

  Marco stepped to the side to give the audience a better view of the king and the crowd went crazy. They clapped and shouted, giving praise to their leader. Once they settled down, Marco continued. “For those of you who were wondering where I've been the last few weeks, I was on holiday in the United States. It's a beautiful place, but I have to say that I've never been so happy to be back. I learned something while I was there and it's that Orsino Island will always be my home.”

  The crowd got loud again, but this time Marco held his finger in the air.

  “Please, let me finish,” he said. “Even though I love Orsino Island, I will never regret my time spent away. It's because of that time, that I was able to meet the most beautiful woman on the entire planet. In just a few short weeks, she's become my everything.”

  Sabrina's jaw dropped and her heart swelled as she faced Marco. This speech was taking her completely off guard, but in the best of ways.

  “When I met her, I knew that there was something special about her,” he said, as both Sabrina and the audience hung onto every word. “It was in the way her eyes lit up when she smiled. It was her genuine curiosity about the world. It was how she made me feel happy. But most of all, it was Sabrina's deep love of life that had me hooked from the very beginning. With all of that being said, I'd like to ask Sabrina something in front of all of you.”

  Marco faced Sabrina and took both of her hands in his. She practically melted in front of him. In that moment, she felt more loved and cared for than ever before in her life. He gazed at her for just a second and then dropped to one knee. The audience gasped and so did Sabrina.

  “Sabrina, will you marry me and become the princess of Orsino Island?” he asked, his words echoing out over the silence of the crowd.

  Sabrina's lips curled up into the widest and most uncontrollable smiled she'd ever had. His question took her breath away and tears instantly burst down her cheek. She brought her hand over her mouth and nodded, unable to speak at first. The audience stayed silent, as they waited to hear her answer.

  “Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?” Marco asked again, this time a bit quieter. He spoke the words so that only Sabrina could hear them.

  “Yes,” she managed to say, in between sobs of joy. “Yes, of course. Yes!”

  The crowd went insane and the room filled with applause. Marco pulled a beautiful single-set diamond ring out of his pocket and slipped it on over her finger, before standing up. He gave her a peck on the lips and pulled away, gazing into her eyes.

  “I love you,” he said, then paused for a moment. “Princess Sabrina.”

  Sabrina's chest was filled with excitement. Somehow, a handkerchief was pressed into her hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. She looked over the crowd of strangers, who were standing up from their chairs, still clapping in celebration.

  “I love you, too,” she said, turning back to Marco. “You never cease to surprise me, you know that?”

  “If that's true, then I've succeeded in my goal,” he said, placing his hand on Sabrina's lower back.

  They both faced the crowd and Marco waited patiently until the noise had died down and the guests had taken their seats once again.

  “Thank you for the love. And thank you for welcoming Sabrina in such a beautiful way,” Marco said to the audience. “Now please, enjoy yourselves this evening. This is a celebration of my father's reign and of Orsino Island's economic success in the previous year. We all have a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate. My only request from each and every one of you, is that you fill your bellies with drink and food, and dance like it's the last day on Earth.”

  The crowd clapped again at the traditional request and Sabrina sighed. She was overwhelmed with emotion. She glanced down at the ring that Marco had slipped on her finger and shook her head in amazement. Never in a million years could she have imagined that she'd step into the shoes of a real princess.

  Marco took Sabrina's hand and led her down the steps toward the center of the room. Music began to play from a small band in the corner. There were flute players, trumpets, trombones and violins. Sabrina recognized the sound immediately. It was the same band that Marco had played for her at the hotel in New York.

  “Will you do me the honor of a dance?” he asked Sabrina.

  The crowd made way, giving the two of them space in the room. Sabrina, not one for dancing but only because she didn't know how, decided that if there was ever a time for her to expand her horizons it was right then.

  “Yes, of course,” she said. “But you have to lead.”

  “My beautiful fiancée, I'd be honored,” he said.

  The band continued to play and Marco carefully held Sabrina's hands. He swayed back and forth with her, starting slowly. The crowd surrounded them and the music intensified. Marco began spinning her and dipping her with the rhythm. He led so well that Sabrina hardly had to think. She just went along with his movements, giggling and laughing as he expertly maneuvered both of them around the dance floor.

  The audience watched the two, but only for the first few minutes. Then they all began to dance. The entire room became alive as everybody grabbed a partner and joined Marco and Sabrina. There were so many things that could have caught her attention, like Queen Magdalena still on her throne and giving her a dirty look, or Winston in the corner dancing with Marla, or King Carlo tapping his foot to the music. But she didn't really give much mind to any of these things. The only thing she was focused on was Marco. She just couldn't take her eyes off of him.

  After dancing for three full songs, Sabrina needed a break. She pulled Marco to the side of the room, walking with a new-found confidence. Not only did it turn out that she was a decent dancer, but she was also going to be getting married soon. There was an obvious spring in her step.

  “Marco, this is so much fun,” she said into his ear, having to speak loudly because of the music. “I still can't believe you asked me to marry you in front of everyone. That was the most romantic experience of my life.”

  “I was so nervous,” he admitted. “I'm unbelievably relieved that you said yes.”

  “I can't wait to tell everybody,” Sabrina said, bringing her hands to Marco's chest. “My parents are going to be so excited.”

  She took a moment and thought about her parents and how they would benefit from her new position as princess.

  I can save them from their misery, she thought. I can give them the kind of life they deserve.

  “You've made me the happiest man on earth, you know that?” Marco said, leaning closer to Sabrina.

  “You've done the same for me and more,” she replied.

  King Carlo approached Sabrina from across the room. His thick and elegant robe made him look healthier than he was. It gave the illusion that he wasn't sickly and thin, but Sabrina could see the truth in his face and neck and his slow and careful movements.

  “Congratulations, love. You and Marco will make a beautiful team. I couldn't be happier that you're part of our family now,” he said, placing a hand onto Sabrina's shoulder.

  “Thank you, your majesty,” Sabrina replied.

  “Sabrina, please,” he replied. “You're practically my daughter now. Call me Carlo.”

  “Okay,” she said, with a smile. It felt wrong after Winston's drilling earlier, but to disobey the king would be a true disgrace.

  “Now, if I can steal away your husband-to-be, just for a moment, I would be ever so grateful. I've something important to discuss with him.” Carlo placed his other hand onto Marco'
s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.

  “Of course,” Sabrina said. “I'll go get a drink and mingle while you guys talk. I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “I promise to have him back to you in just a few minutes,” Carlo promised.

  The King and Marco turned and walked away, disappearing through a door at the back of the room. Sabrina watched them until they were gone and then made her way to a nearby table that was piled with food and drinks. She intended on getting a glass of something to quench her thirst. But she hardly made it two feet before she felt someone tap her shoulder strap of her dress, stopping her in her tracks.

  “What the...” Sabrina said, spinning around.

  Standing there, with the kindest smile she'd ever seen on a person, was Queen Magdalena. “I do hope you realize what's going on..”

  Sabrina took a step back. “What are you talking about, your majesty?”

  “He's afraid his father is going to die,” the queen informed her. Her accent wasn't from Orsino. It was British, just like Aunt Fayes.

  “I don't understand,” Sabrina said, shaking her head. “Why would that have anything to do with what Marco just did.”

  “Oh, you sweet, innocent young thing.” The queen clicked her tongue and shook her head. “He is afraid is father is going to die, and so he proposed so his father would see it. He's trying to give his father something to live for.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Sabrina said, taking a step back. “Marco asked me to marry him because he loves me.”

  “You really believe that, don't you?” The queen's delicate features filled with pity. “Marco always did have a way with the ladies.”

  Sabrina had no idea what to say. Her mouth hung open and she knew that later tonight, she'd have a million smart remarks to say back, but unfortunately the only thing she managed to get out was a childish, “You're lying!”

  “I wish that I were, child,” Queen Magdalena replied. “But he can't marry you. He legally cannot marry you. I'm surprised he hasn't mentioned it, to be honest.”

  “Marco wouldn't lie to me,” she hissed. One of the guests turned and gave Sabrina a dirty look, but the queen just waved him on.