Wedding

Harlyn

After getting to my room last night, I inspected the damage to my ankle. Princess Diandra had kicked me with her heel, and the pain is still there now. I couldn't go to the med ward and ask for help.

It's another thing my father would blame me for. So instead, I've wrapped my ankle, and I'm hoping no one notices it.

As I stand beside Lucy, her nerves are visible. I can’t help but try to ease her worry. My and finds hers, offering silent reassurance.

“Do I look okay?” Her voice trembles with uncertainty as she steals a glance at me.

“You look astounding! Truly amazing, Your Highness,” I reply, offering her a warm smile. The dress is truly breathtaking.

“I’m so scared,” she confesses, and I nod. I can understand her worry. Most people are scared on the day they marry.

“Don’t be. You’re marrying a man who loves you. He’s waiting for you,” I assure her.

“He loves me?” Her words come out almost as a desperate plea.

“Yes! I spoke to him this morning, and it was abundantly clear,” I confirm, wondering why she doubts his love for her.

“Sorry, I’m a fool. I thought Samuel had just accepted me for the bond,” she murmurs, her anxiety building. She is wrong. Samuel loves her more than anything else in the entire world.

“He isn’t marrying you because of the bond, Your Highness. He’s marrying you because he truly loves you,” I insist, leaning in to kiss her cheek reassuringly.

“Okay, let’s go,” she says, mustering a small smile as she wraps her arm around mine. I guide her toward one of the manor’s grand halls. The former King and the King await her, and as we approach, I step back, allowing her to take centre stage.

“Your Majesty,” I say, giving courtesy. “Your Grace.”

I trail behind them, my gaze fixed on Samuel, who stands at the altar, his eyes filled with love at seeing Lucy. Suddenly, Lucy halts, and I notice her dress snagging on the floor. Without hesitation, I rush forward to free her dress from whatever it’s caught on.

Stefan glares at me as if I caused it and rushes to help. Our bodies collide briefly, and I stumble back. His hand reaches out to steady me.

“Careful! It’s a wedding,” Stefan’s disapproving eyes pierce through me as if I’m somehow to blame for the mishap.

As the ceremony unfolds, I watch the love shared between Samuel and Lucy, and a genuine smile graces my lips. The joyous cheers of the guests fill the air as the newlyweds are pronounced husband and wife.

Samuel turns to me. Concern etched in his features.

“Are you okay?” he inquires softly. I nod.

“Don’t worry about me,” I urge him not to worry about me. Not today. It’s their day.

“You fell,” he points out, his voice filled with concern.

“Did you get hurt?” Lucy chimes in, her eyes reflecting genuine worry.

“I’m fine, really. Stop fretting over me. Just enjoy your day,” I reassure them with a smile, stepping back to allow them to pass.

I wait as Stefan walks past with his parents. My ankle is hurting too much and I feel like I need to strengthen the cloth I have wrapped around it.

As the guests flood into the reception hall, I’m struck by the sheer number of people to celebrate the union. There are far more people here than I had expected. Lucy approaches me, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

“I’m married,” she whispers, still awestruck by the reality of it all. Chuckling, I nod.

“You are, congratulations, Your Highness. You both deserve all the happiness in the world,” I respond, wiping away the tears that shimmer in her eyes.

“I’m glad you found someone, Harlyn. After everything, you deserve real love,” she says, her words touching my heart. And indeed, I do love Wayne. I’m eager to embrace it fully once I return.

I watch her leave me and go back to Samuel. I walk out of the room into a quieter one and look at my damaged ankle. The pain seems to be worsening. Walking through, I go to my room and find something thicker to wrap my ankle with before returning to the party.

The pups will be at the party. Samuel told me they were invited and that they wouldn’t be the only ones there. This reassures me that Father will be far enough away from them.

He won’t know who they are, and I highly doubt he would approach any of them in public anyway, which means letting people know that I had them.

I stand by the door and look around the room. Samuel is dancing with Lucy, his arms wrapped around her in a loving embrace. My eyes find my mother; she is looking far healthier now. I watch as she laughs with my father; it’s a rare image I almost want to save, but his presence makes me resent it.

“Mummy,” I smile when I hear Lotta. Kneeling, I look at her. “We’re going to the palace soon,” she gleams at me.

“What?” I look at her, confused. “Darling, we can’t just go to the palace.” Not when Stefan is likely there.

“Uncle Samuel said. We’re all going after this party.” She grins at me, and my eyes go to where he is. If she said it, he must have.

“Mummy.” Thorin appears and hugs me.

“Did you have fun with Grandmother and Colton today?” I ask, watching as Isaac joins us. I look around but can’t see my father, Stefan, or the former king.

Shaking the thought from my mind, I look at the pups.

“We learned to bake the special cookies,” Isaac smiles at me. I move my hand to wipe away the evidence from his mouth. He looks at me sheepishly.

“And where are these special cookies?” I ask. “Sweet Isaac, how many do you have in your pockets?” I look at him, waiting, and he giggles.

“Just one left now, Mummy, for you.” He moves and holds it out.

“Thank you, but you keep it or share it with your brother and sister.”

“I’m good. Share it with Lotta,” Thorin says, and I watch them rush off.

“Can I have this dance?” Thorin looks at me; nodding, I laugh.

“Of course, like I would object.” I reach out my hand, and we dance together, his eyes on my foot.

“Are you hurt, Mummy?” He asks, looking at it.

“I tripped; Mummy was clumsy,” I say while laughing. I don’t want to cause trouble, and Thorin, well, he will.