Chapter 10: The Announcement and the Preparations

The following days were a whirlwind of activity for the royal family of Eldoria. The King's decision to marry Amaria was made public, and as soon as the royal court had been informed, the kingdom's heralds spread the news far and wide. It was a moment that sent ripples throughout Eldoria. Whispers of surprise, curiosity, and excitement filled the air, and soon, the entire kingdom was abuzz with talk of the royal wedding.

The news reached far beyond the kingdom's borders as well. Invitations were sent to important figures from nearby kingdoms—dignitaries, lords, and ladies of nobility who would come to witness the union of King Knox and Amaria. It was to be a grand occasion, not just for Eldoria, but for the surrounding lands, a celebration of new beginnings and the joining of two worlds.

As the day of the wedding drew nearer, preparations began in earnest. The palace was transformed into a hive of activity, with servants, decorators, and wedding planners working tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect. The grand halls were adorned with delicate, fragrant flowers—roses, lilies, and orchids in shades of white, cream, and pale pink—arranged with meticulous care. The royal chefs began perfecting the menu, ensuring a feast fit for royalty, while musicians practiced their instruments in the background.

Amaria, however, found herself mostly in the quiet of her thoughts. She was both overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all and comforted by the certainty of her decision. Though she had been living with her family for most of her life, this new chapter was unlike any other. Her life was about to change in ways she hadn't imagined just a few months ago, and yet, there was an undeniable sense of peace within her.

The King had shown her kindness and understanding, and Alexander had become a constant presence in her heart. She had formed a bond with him in a way she had never thought possible. And now, as she prepared to marry Knox, she found herself imagining a future that, while daunting, was full of love and the promise of a family.

Despite the excitement of the upcoming wedding, there was an undertone of quiet tenderness in her every interaction with the King. They had spent several evenings together, discussing the details of their union, their hopes for the future, and the love they were beginning to cultivate. Knox, though reserved and dignified as always, had shown a side of himself that Amaria found unexpectedly endearing. He listened to her, and when he spoke, there was an openness in his words that reflected a depth of care for her and for Alexander.

The wedding was to take place in the grand ballroom, where hundreds of guests would be seated, watching the momentous occasion unfold before them. However, Amaria's immediate concern was not the details of the ceremony itself, but rather her new life at the palace.

As the days passed, King Knox, always considerate of her comfort, suggested that Amaria move into the palace ahead of the wedding. "It will make things easier for both of us," he said one evening, his tone practical yet gentle. "You can settle in while the preparations continue, and it will give you time to adjust before the wedding day."

Amaria agreed, though she felt a bit hesitant at first. The idea of living in the palace, even temporarily, was daunting. But when she arrived at the royal residence, any lingering worries quickly faded. She was given a lovely guestroom, its large windows offering a stunning view of the lush palace gardens. The room was elegantly furnished, with soft, silken drapes that framed the sunlight in the morning, and a large canopy bed adorned with golden accents.

Though the room was meant to be temporary, Amaria felt a sense of warmth in it that she hadn't anticipated. The palace had been her home away from home for so long, and now, she would truly be part of it.

As she unpacked her belongings, the weight of the transition hit her all at once. She wasn't just preparing for a wedding. She was preparing for a life that would be full of responsibility, attention, and expectations. But amid it all, she couldn't deny the quiet excitement that simmered beneath the surface. She was about to marry a man who cared deeply for her, and she was about to become a mother figure to a little boy who needed her.

Later that evening, Amaria found herself standing by the window of her guestroom, looking out over the expansive grounds. The sun had begun to set, casting the palace in soft, golden light. The evening air was cool, and the sound of distant laughter and chatter floated in from the palace courtyard as the wedding preparations continued.

But just as she was lost in her thoughts, a gentle knock on the door pulled her from her reverie. She opened it to find one of the royal servants standing before her, a smile on his face.

"Amaria, Your Majesty," the servant greeted, bowing respectfully. "The King has requested your presence for dinner. He would like to discuss the plans for the wedding."

Amaria nodded, a smile touching her lips. She had become accustomed to these small invitations from the King, and she was always eager to spend time with him. "I'll be there shortly," she replied, her voice warm.

As she made her way to the dining hall, Amaria felt a sense of anticipation that hadn't been there before. This was more than just a wedding. It was the beginning of a new life, a new family, and a new world that she was stepping into.

And in that moment, as she walked through the grand halls of the palace, she realized that, for the first time in a long while, she was truly home.

As Amaria made her way to the dining hall, her mind swirled with thoughts of the wedding preparations and the future ahead. Though the grand occasion was just days away, she still couldn't shake her desire for simplicity. She had always been someone who found joy in the quiet moments, the intimate gatherings. The idea of a grand, lavish wedding with so many eyes upon her felt overwhelming, yet she knew it was what was expected of a royal union.

When she entered the dining hall, King Knox was already seated at the head of the long, polished table. The room was warmly lit by candelabras, and the scent of roasted meats and fresh herbs filled the air. The royal advisors were present, discussing various aspects of the wedding, but when they saw Amaria, they fell silent, their gazes shifting to her.

Knox stood to greet her, his usual formal demeanor softened by the slight warmth in his eyes. "Amaria," he said, his voice calm, yet filled with a hint of affection. "Come, sit. We were just discussing some final details for the wedding."

Amaria smiled and nodded, taking her seat beside the King. The advisors resumed their chatter, going over the guest list, the menu, and the ceremony arrangements. But through it all, Amaria found herself lost in her own thoughts, thinking of the simple wedding she had always imagined for herself.

After a few moments, she gathered her courage. "Your Majesty," she began, her voice steady but gentle. "I... I know the wedding will be grand, but I'd prefer something simpler. Something that feels personal, more intimate, despite the many guests."

Knox turned to her, his expression softening, and the room quieted. He studied her for a moment, as if considering her words. "I understand, Amaria," he replied, his voice thoughtful. "You've always valued simplicity, haven't you?"

Amaria nodded, her fingers gently clasping each other. "I've never been one for lavish displays, Your Majesty. I want the wedding to be special, but I don't want to lose sight of what's truly important—what this union means. It's not the size of the event that matters to me, but the love and commitment behind it."

The advisors exchanged glances, their murmurs soft in the background, but Knox remained focused on Amaria. "I agree with you," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "We can still honor the occasion and the kingdom's traditions without losing the essence of what it should be."

Amaria's heart fluttered with a mixture of relief and gratitude. It was important to her that her marriage to the King was not just a political arrangement or a grand spectacle. She wanted it to be a meaningful, heartfelt moment for the two of them, for Alexander, and for the new family they would create together.

"We'll keep the ceremony simple then," Knox continued, his gaze unwavering. "Perhaps a smaller, more intimate gathering of friends and family. The essentials, without the excess."

Amaria's smile grew, her eyes meeting his with unspoken understanding. She was grateful for his willingness to honor her wishes. Though she had once believed that she would never find herself in this position—marrying a king, becoming part of a royal family—she felt a deep sense of peace with her decision. She could tell that Knox, despite his reserved nature, was equally committed to making this work, to making their union meaningful.

"We'll keep it elegant, but personal," Amaria said, her voice warm with certainty.

"I'll trust your judgment," Knox replied, his gaze softening. "This is our day, after all."

For the next few hours, they discussed the finer details of the wedding—how they would balance tradition with simplicity, which guests were essential to the ceremony, and how to make sure Prince Alexander felt included in every step. Amaria's heart swelled when they spoke of Alexander, her thoughts shifting to the little boy she had grown so close to in the past few months.

In the quiet moments, as the discussions continued around her, Amaria couldn't help but feel the weight of what was coming. The wedding wasn't just a formality; it was the beginning of a new chapter, not only for her but for the entire family. She was about to marry King Knox, a man who was kind, strong, and dedicated to his kingdom—and who had a son she already thought of as her own.

When the meeting finally concluded, and the advisors filed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone, Knox looked at her, a quiet smile on his lips.

"Thank you for speaking your heart, Amaria," he said softly. "I know it's not easy to make such decisions, especially when the whole kingdom has its eyes on us."

Amaria met his gaze, her heart full. "I know, but I believe we can make it our own. A wedding is about more than just ceremony. It's about the future we build together."

Knox's eyes held a mixture of gratitude and respect. "Together, then."

As they sat there in the quiet of the grand dining hall, Amaria felt a sense of clarity she hadn't felt before. Yes, the wedding would be grand, as royal weddings often were. But it would also be theirs. And in that, she found the peace she had longed for.

It wasn't the lavish decorations or the endless guests that would make their marriage special. It would be the love they shared—the quiet moments between them, the connection they had built, and the family they were about to create. And, for the first time, Amaria felt truly ready for the life that awaited her.