Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7)

by Marianne Knightly

  “We don’t know that,” Nate said as he raked a hand through his chin-length hair. Nate had dealt with his own share of loss in the past; he knew not everyone lived after a traumatic event.

  “No, but we can hope for it,” Lorenzo said, tugging at this sleeves this time. Nate nodded.

  Both Edward and Marcello pressed a hand to their ears, where an earpiece connected them to the security teams in and around the building. “Security let me know Mama’s car will be here in a few minutes,” Marcello said. “Do you want me to escort her in?”

  Alex let out a long breath. “No, I’ll do it. It should be me since Papa’s not here.”

  “Should we tell Papa about Arianna?” Nate asked.

  “Let me see if Mama spoke with him first,” Alex said as he stood and brushed the wrinkles out of his dress uniform. He attached his saber to the saber chain and guard on his uniform, and picked up his dress cap and gloves. “Lorenzo? Why don’t you walk with me?”

  Lorenzo blinked, but followed Alex from the room. “How are you doing, Lorenzo?”

  He cleared his throat and pasted his typical devilish smile on his face. “Just fine, and you?”

  Alex kept a grin on his face while he nodded to people he recognized. “You can’t fool me, brother.”

  Lorenzo’s smile faltered, but his stride remained steady. “Well, I don’t think now is the time to bring it up.”

  “I wanted to apologize.”

  “For what?”

  “I know it’s not easy for you to wear the uniform. I know you feel conflicted about it. It wasn’t my choice, just so you know, nor was it Rebecca’s.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  Alex shook his head. “Papa wanted to see us in our dress uniforms, all of us, alongside him in his.”

  “He knows–”

  “He does know what you’ve been through. He knows how you feel. He wasn’t trying to insult you or be careless with your feelings.”

  “I know that.”

  “Are you sure? Will you make it through the ceremony?”

  “Of course I will. It’s just. . .”

  “Just what?” Alex asked when Lorenzo slowed down and peered into the crowd. “You see someone you need to speak to?”

  “Hmm? Oh, no. I guess not. I thought I saw her, but I must have been mistaken.”

  “Her?”

  “It’s not important.”

  “I beg to differ. I think she is important.”

  Lorenzo gave Alex a bland look. “Matchmaking? You’ll soon be as bad as Mama. She’s trying to convince Nate to propose to Charlie.”

  Alex huffed a laugh. “Good luck to her with that. They’ll get married on their own schedule, not hers. Just a second.” Alex took a few moments to greet some world leaders, and accept their well wishes for his father, before he returned to Lorenzo. “Listen, I just wanted to check on you. Why don’t you head back and tell our brothers to start taking their places? There are some other people we need to greet before Mama takes her seat.”

  Lorenzo nodded and clapped a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Will do. And Alex? Thanks.”

  Alex clapped a hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder in return. “Anytime, brother. I mean it.”

  Lorenzo clapped once more and strode back down the aisle.

  Alex watched him go for a moment, before he continued walking up the aisle towards the church entrance, and waited, per protocol, just inside the door.

  The sleek black sedan stopped at the foot of a bold, Vallerian purple carpet, and his mother stepped out.

  Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Genevieve gave them a regal wave. William led her to the door, where Alex bowed – more formality and protocol, which was required since they were in public – then rose and his mother took his arm.

  “Did you hear about Arianna?” Alex asked, both of them speaking through smiles.

  “Yes. I called your father on the drive here. I think the press got a shot of me on the phone, but there’s nothing to do about it now.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You can answer honestly that you were speaking with Papa.”

  People rose, then bowed or curtsied as they walked by.

  “I know. He’s fine after hearing the news; I’m not concerned about that. He said he wants to come out on the balcony with you both later this morning.”

  “Mama.”

  She squeezed his arm. “I know. That is something I’m worried about. We’ll see how he feels when we arrive. There’s still another two hours until then, at least. If he comes out, we’ll keep it short.”

  Alex nodded; now was not the time to argue about it. “You look lovely, by the way.”

  “Thank you, Alexander. You’re looking quite the dashing groom. Rebecca looks better, however.”

  Alex barely restrained the growl that wanted to break free. “I’m sure she will, Mama. As I wasn’t allowed to see my bride last night, I couldn’t say.”

  Genevieve laughed. “Poor Alexander. You only need to wait a little longer.”

  “Far too long, in my opinion. You’ve seen how long this aisle is. It’ll take her an hour just to walk down it. And still, I’m not allowed to see her until she reaches the end of it.”

  “You’ll make it. You always do.”

  Alex nodded. He kissed his mother’s cheek, then took her to seat. As she sat, so did the crowd.

  His brothers and Edward exited the side room and came to greet their mother before taking a spot at the altar besides him. An empty chair symbolized their father’s place; they’d chosen to keep it there rather than remove it.

  It was the right thing to do.

  The loudest cheer of the morning resounded outside. Rebecca. She must have arrived. Alex nodded to Rebecca’s grandmothers, who he’d greeted earlier, and then took his place at the altar.

  It was time.

  The cheers were almost deafening to Rebecca. Thousands of cameras watched her smiling brightly as she carefully exited the car, her father assisting her first, then her mother.

  Rebecca walked a few steps onto the Vallerian purple carpet, just long enough for Cat – who’d arrived in a second car – to adjust her train.

  She’d wondered how people would react to her dress. It wasn’t new. It wasn’t made by a famous designer. Yet, it was hers.

  Since the famous – now infamous – Vallerian designer Alberto Bocci had ripped her original dress to shreds only a few months before the wedding, her mother had suggested using her wedding dress, a family heirloom that brides had worn for generations. Cat had declared the dress acceptable for a royal wedding with some minor alterations and, since it miraculously fit Rebecca, she was wearing it now.

  It was perfect.

  Though the white silk gown originated from a Vallerian designer in the early nineteen hundreds, it had been updated over the years. She wore a modern corset under her dress – rather than the original S-shaped corset – that pushed up her breasts and pressed in her stomach. The original gigot sleeves had been replaced with silk lace sleeves, which extended over her shoulders and covered the rounded neck of the bodice, replacing the original high collar. The long train was original, though now it contained an embroidered version of the Vallerian Royal Crest. A Vallerian purple sash had also been added to the waist.

  Instead of the original veiled hat, a new, long, shimmering veil took its place, also vintage. The veil was attached to the tiara that Genevieve had lent her, which matched the earrings she wore, another loan from the royal jewels. Her torturous purple shoes completed her outfit.

  Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something purple.

  Perfect.

  Cat and the other women – Grace, Charlie, and Sarah – helped her get in position. Sarah handed her the bouquet. Edward’s two eldest nieces, Marina and Samantha, were flower girls and were lined up behind Rebecca, as it was decided no one should precede Rebecca down the aisle. Cat and the other women lined up behind the girls, to help them down the aisle, if needed.

  They all gave a
nother wave to the crowd, which erupted.

  They walked inside the church and, away from the crowds and cameras, Francine arranged the veil over her face.

  Her father signaled to someone in the church.

  It was time.

  The music bloomed, filling the cavernous halls.

  And they stepped forward.

  In the bright light of morning, knowing she was already tied to her husband, Rebecca was relaxed on her way down the aisle.

  Her smile wasn’t forced.

  Her steps were sure and graceful.

  She didn’t think of her shoes, not once.

  And the walk down the aisle seemed the shortest walk of her life.

  Her father squeezed her arm, and she remembered to curtsy to Genevieve.

  Then she was ten feet away from him, ten feet from the love of her life, and her heart began thumping furiously.

  Nate touched Alex’s elbow, and Alex finally turned. His body stilled as he took her in.

  Hers stilled as it took him in.

  She’d never seen him in his full dress uniform before; he’d never worn it in public before they became a couple, and he’d had no need to wear it after that until today.

  She had one hot, handsome husband.

  Her face split into a broad grin, and his lips did, too.

  She disengaged from her parents, and Alex stepped forward.

  Electricity seemed to spark when their hands touched. Did he feel it, too? Was it just her?

  They stepped forward, and stopped in front of William. Cat took her bouquet, and her bridesmaids and flower girls took their places as well.

  William began his speech, a fuller version of the one he’d done in their private ceremony.

  He asked if anyone objected to the union. If they did, it would be too late.

  No one did.

  He asked who stood with the bride.

  Her parents answered, then took their seat.

  Music swelled once more.

  Alex turned and lifted her veil. Forgetting there were almost two thousand people in the church, forgetting everything but each other, he leaned forward, and cupped her cheek.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. And you make quite the ravishing bride.”

  Rebecca held back a giggle. “You’re looking quite dapper yourself.”

  “Allow me, my bride.” Alex helped her up the few steps to the altar, and the ceremony began.

  As soon as they’d said their ‘I wills’ and their vows – the classic ones without the personal touches they’d used last time – they were escorted to a side room, where the marriage documents were located. Tavin and Mara were there waiting.

  Tavin bowed. “Congratulations, Your Highnesses.” Mara curtsied, then congratulated them as well.

  Rebecca pressed a hand to her stomach.

  “What is it, darling?” Alex asked with furrowed brows. Usually a hand to her stomach meant stress and agitation.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something. What is it?”

  “I’m a ‘Highness’ now. I knew it was coming, I knew what marrying you meant, but now it real. It’s really real.”

  “Darling.”

  “I’m okay. It’s just going to take getting used to, that’s all.”

  Alex cupped her face. “You’re still you. I’m still me. We’re still us.”

  “I know. I know.”

  The door opened and in walked Genevieve, along with Rebecca’s parents. “Have you signed?” Genevieve asked.

  Alex shook his head as his hands dropped from Rebecca’s face. “We were waiting for you.”

  “Then let’s get started. I’m going to call and check on Arianna before we head back out to the altar.”

  “Arianna?” Rebecca asked. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

  Alex updated her on Arianna’s C-section. “Did no one tell you?”

  “There’s no place to carry my phone with this dress. I didn’t know. Oh my God.”

  Alex drew her into his arms. “Let’s not worry about it right now, okay? We still have to get through the rest of the ceremony, and the carriage ride back to the palace. Let the family worry about it until then.”

  Rebecca pursed her lips, but nodded. “It doesn’t feel right to do it, but I understand.”

  “Alex is right,” Genevieve said. “You’ll only have this one wedding day, and the whole world is watching. Be happy, and show the world how happy you are with each other.”

  Rebecca nodded. “Shall we sign the papers, then? Everything in order, Mara?”

  “Yes, Your Highness. We’ve marked where you need to sign.”

  Rebecca walked carefully across the room. “Did you test the pen?” The last thing she needed was black ink all over her hands or white wedding dress.

  “Yes, it’s all set.”

  Rebecca picked it up and, for the last time, signed her maiden name: Rebecca Frances Campo. She signed their Royal Marriage Certificate, required as she married into the royal family, the Vallerian Marriage Certificate, which was required by all commoners entering into marriage, and her name change documents.

  Finally, she signed her new full name – Rebecca Frances Santoro di Valleria – on the Royal Marriage Decree, to be sent to the Royal Council not for approval, but merely for historical recordkeeping purposes.

  Alex signed the documents after her, then Genevieve signed as Alex’s witness, and her parents signed as her own witnesses.

  It was done.

  They were married.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to kiss you, Mrs. Santoro.”

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you.”

  He grinned, then gave her a long, semi-chaste kiss.

  When he pulled back, Rebecca said, “I hope you have a different kiss planned for the balcony.”

  “Why? What was wrong with that one?”

  “It’s a little, er, much for the public, don’t you think?”

  He blinked, then burst out laughing. “No, my wife, I don’t think so, but I’ll restrain myself even further, if you wish.”

  “I wish.”

  “Then your wish is my command.” He kissed her hand.

  While Genevieve made a quick call to Ethan – Arianna was still in surgery, and there was no new news – Rebecca touched up her makeup. Francine was carrying Rebecca’s lipstick in her purse for her.

  Then they exited the room, just as the last strings of the song played. They took their position in front of William, and waited until their parents found their seats again.

  A famed Vallerian poet did a reading of her poem about love. Then, William concluded the service with a few words blessing the union.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Please rise and congratulate Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Alexander and Princess Rebecca!”

  Princess.

  Rebecca was a full-fledged princess.

  Alex squeezed her hand and she gazed up at him. Just one touch, just one look from him could calm her, center her.

  She’d be lost without him.

  “I love you.”

  He smiled broadly. “I love you, darling.” He brought their joined hands to his lips, and pressed a soft, sigh-inducing kiss to her hand.

  Then, they walked down the aisle together, towards their new life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She was perfect. Ten little fingers. Ten little toes. She had a tuft of dark hair on her head and green eyes.

  Just like her father.

  Arianna was in her hospital recovery room, finally able to hold her little girl, who was swaddled in a soft, Brazenbourg green blanket.

  Finn was tucked behind her in bed, holding them both in his arms.

  “She’s amazing,” Finn whispered, as his daughter’s eyes fluttered closed again. “You’re amazing.” Finn kissed her neck, and Arianna nuzzled him back.

  Her body was ravaged, pain latent in every muscle and bone in her body.

&n
bsp; Yet, she felt none of it.

  Not with their daughter nestled safe, whole, and healthy in her arms.

  “The doctor said she’s fine, but they want to keep her in the hospital a few days to be sure.”

  Finn gave them a squeeze. “Since you’re not leaving the hospital for at least a few days yourself – though I think a week would be better – that timing works out.”

  “Don’t you want us all home?”

  “Absolutely. But I need you both healthy first.” Finn shuddered. “I almost lost you, baby.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “I can’t lose you.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Either of you.”

  “Finn.”

  “I love you, baby.” He tilted her face to his and gave her a long, sweet kiss. If she hadn’t just given birth, she was sure parts of her body would be tingling.

  “And I love you, too, little Eloisa Santoro de Bara.” Finn leaned around Arianna and pressed a kiss to the baby’s head. A soft click came from nearby and their heads shot up.

  Carolina stood in the doorway with a camera in her hands and a big smile on her face. “Eloisa, huh?”

  Finn smiled. “It was my mother’s name. I thought we could call her Ellie.” Finn greatly missed both of his parents, who had been killed in a car accident some years ago.

  “She’s got our family name, too,” Ethan said as he walked over and stroked the baby’s cheek with the back of his index finger.

  “Since she looks just like Finn, I thought there should be some of me in there somewhere.”

  Finn smiled. “Baby, she may look like me, but she’s all you in personality.”

  “How do you figure that? She’s only an hour old.”

  “I can tell. Just you wait and see.”

  Arianna rolled her eyes and Finn chuckled.

  “So? Is Auntie Carolina allowed to hold little Ellie?”

  “Of course.” Arianna carefully passed the baby over. “Don’t forget to support her head.”

  “Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ve been an aunt in training for years already.”

  Arianna chuckled, then gripped her stomach; her body couldn’t take laughing quite yet. “I know what you mean. I thought for sure one of our brothers would have knocked someone up by now.” She gave Ethan a pointed glance.