Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(66)

“I know marrying Luca is the right thing to do. He’s been so busy lately, I’ve barely seen him, and it’s just that...”

“Yes?” she encouraged.

“I’ve not really missed him. Is that terrible.”

“Oh, honey. You’ve had a lot on your plate. This last year has been pretty terrible. You’ve still seen him every day even if it’s only been at dinner. Once you are married, things will change.”

“Will they?” I wasn’t so sure.

“You’ll not have to worry about flowers and dresses for a start. I know how boring you’ve found all this wedding planning stuff. You and Luca will be running the kingdom together. It will be wonderful.”

“Hmmm,” I sighed non-commitedly.

“Is this about Cynder?”

“No,” I lied. I’d not seen him for months and had given up scouring the newspapers for information. Just as he had done last year, he’d completely disappeared. I’d thought about hiring private investigators to search for him, but it was kinder on all of us to just let him go.

“Good,” Jenny said, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “I’ll see you in the dressing room in half an hour.”

When I finally got down there, Xavi had double the number of beauticians lined up to make me beautiful for my big day. My mother and Elise were already sitting at a couple of stations having their hair done.

“You all know the wedding isn’t until two and it’s only eight in the morning right?” I asked Xavi, who rolled her eyes.

“This is the biggest day of your life. Everyone in the land will be watching on TV unless they’ve come to the capital to catch a glimpse of you in the flesh.”

“But six hours...”

“Should be enough to get everything done. Now go into the marble room to get a good scrub down.”

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. I did as she asked and entered the room where I’d be loofahed and scrubbed until my skin shined.

Five hours later and I was transformed. I had to admit that the crew had done an amazing job with me. I let the dressers carefully lower the dress over my head. It was perfect. Simple, flowing, and white. It was beautiful. A simple golden sash matching Elise’s dress was wrapped around my middle, and a simple diamond tiara was placed upon my head. Of all the looks Xavi had dressed me in, this was my all-time favorite. I looked elegant but not over the top.

“You look stunning!” Elise came over to me and gazed at my reflection in the huge mirror. My mother took up my other side. We did look beautiful. My mother filled with grace and the pride of every mother on her daughter’s wedding day, Elise with her swollen tummy that she managed to make look elegant, and me in the center looking every inch the bride.

“Time to go!” yelled Xavi.

I gave my mother and sister a shy smile and headed out the door.

There were so many people accompanying me to the palace’s main door, that I could barely tell who was who. My mother and sister kept to my side the whole way, and Daniel, whom I’d asked to walk me down the aisle, was waiting for me at the door.

Behind us, were all the beauticians plus a great number of guards who would be keeping me safe all day.

Leo came bounding up just as the main doors opened. I noticed the worried look on his face straight away.

“What is it? Is it Luca?” Luca had chosen Leo to be his best man, so they should both already be at the cathedral waiting for my entrance.

“I need to talk to you,” he whispered.

“You three go on ahead,” I said to Daniel, Mother, and Elise. “I’ll meet you in the carriage in a minute.”

I noticed a worried look pass between them, but they did as I asked. I could already hear the crowds screaming and cheering at the gates at the end of the driveway.

“Luca is fine. He’s already gone to the cathedral,” assured Leo, keeping his voice low so only I could hear.

“So what is it?”

“We’ve had a tip-off that The Regent is in town. We think the MDS are planning something huge today, but we don’t know what.”

“We have so many guards, and the cathedral and palace have been checked thoroughly. Luca has been doing a great job of keeping everything safe.”

“He has. I’m sure everything will be fine, I just want you to be alert. We know The Regent is after you. I want the window of your carriage closed at all times along with the curtains.”

“But I’m expected to wave to the people. You’ve seen them. There must be ten thousand people out there.”

“Any one of whom could kill you if they got a chance. I’m doing what I can. I know Luca has made sure you have plenty of guards here and with you, and I’ve got all the officers I can spare on duty too.”

“With all the people looking out for me, I’m sure I’ll be fine, but I’ll keep the carriage window shut as you ask. Thank you for your help with everything. You’ve been amazing.”

“Just looking out for my queen,” he said, kissing my cheek.

“Shouldn’t you be looking out for the Prince right now? You are his best man.”

“Gotcha!”

He gave me a final peck and left me alone in the grand entrance hall.

Two guards stood by the door and quickly escorted me to the carriage.