Page 92 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“In a horse-drawn carriage, like a real princess,” Maddie said.

After another round of hugs and kisses, the women left her with Caroline and her makeup attendant, who refreshed her lipstick before her father arrived.

Caroline fussed with her veil again before the king appeared in the hallway. He stopped for a moment, staring at Elena. “Well, I suppose there is no calling it off.”

“Please, Father, your dry humor is not acceptable after everything that has happened.”

“You look quite beautiful,” he answered. “My little girl all grown up.”

“And then some,” she told him. “I’m two years older than Mother when you married her.”

“She was too young to be getting married, though I’m glad she didn’t call it off.”

“Did you like her? She thought you were handsome and charming.”

He smiled at her. “I thought I got the better end of the deal. She could have had her pick. Quite a lucky stroke when my parents made that deal. Now, are you ready?”

“I am more than ready. I am ready for this to be over. I have been ready to marry Nathan Kingsley since he slipped the engagement ring onto my finger in Sterling City.”

He chuckled at her. “Then, I suppose we had better go.”

“Wait, wait, her cape,” Caroline said with a wave of her finger. “It’s quite cold.”

After situating it around her shoulders, Caroline oversaw the carrying of Elena’s train down the stairs and out the door into the waiting carriage.

With her father’s help, Elena climbed inside, and the attendants carefully piled the mounds of fabric with her before they closed the door.

With a crack of the reins, the horses tugged the carriage forward to the chapel.

“The snow has really piled up already,” Elena noted as they left the palace behind.

“Indeed. I hope the–“ King Frederick’s words cut off as a loud snap sounded. The buggy carrying them wobbled before it rolled to a stop as the coachman pulled back on the reins, slowing the horses. He twisted around, his eyes going wide before he leapt into the white powder.

“What is it?” Elena asked. “What’s happened?”

“The axel has broken, Your Highness,” he answered. “There’s no way we can move forward in this carriage.”

“You’re joking,” she said.

“I’m afraid not.”

King Frederick climbed from the carriage to assess the situation, his lips tugging back in a wince. “I’m afraid he is correct. We’re stuck here. The snow must have been too much on the wheel.”

“Stuck here? Father!” Elena cried, her voice a mix of disbelief and rising panic. “I cannot be stuck here.”

Her heart raced at the thought, each tick of her watch a reminder of the time slipping away.

“We are until we can send for a suitable replacement.” The king glanced in front of and behind them.

“I will go to the chapel, Your Majesty. Everyone will be there.”

“That’s a fairly long walk,” Elena protested. “By the time you…Father, I will be late for my own wedding.”

“Well, it cannot start without you,” he said with a lopsided grin. “I’m afraid there is no other choice.”

Elena slouched in her seat, her mind whirling. She would not show up on time for her own wedding ceremony. She wondered if she’d ever make it to marry Nate Kingsley.

CHAPTER 24

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