Page 118 of Mermaid on Heels

They were on their way to the palace in the Garbian carriage. Luke’s uncle and his group were just behind them in another one, Gezer with them.

The streets and cities were bustling with activities for the celebration and preparing to go up to the castle gates in the next hour when the royal couple would come out to greet them after the ceremony.

Liriya was a bundle of nerves. She kept fiddling with the silver mask that Aeira had given her yesterday. She would wear it when they reached the castle, so no one would see her and spoil the element of surprise for the imposter bride. Although, Liriya was sure that Faelina would’ve already guessed something was up, given how clever she was, even if she wouldn’t be able to figure out all their moves.

If everything went as exactly as they planned, then it meant this was Liriya’s big day.

Her heart fluttered at the thought. It felt so sudden to her parents and they were still trying to accept that one of their daughters had chosen to spend her life on land and chosen to marry. But Liriya was ready with her whole heart. In fact, she had never felt so ready in her life before, as if this was what she had been born for.

To be Luke’s.

Every flick of her tail from the ocean depths to the surface, every tiny step she took from the shore, each step was towards him.

Now, it was time to claim back her stolen identity.

They reached the castle gates and showed the invitation letter as a pass. When the carriage stopped at the foot of the grand stairs, Liriya put on her mask. She disembarked after Bianca and Kitty, followed by her parents, and pulled the cloak close around her to keep from revealing her white gown.

When King Alton’s group joined, together, they walked up to the castle, ignoring the baffled glances the guards were throwing at the party disembarking from aGarbianroyal carriage.

Prince Dyran met them at the foyer as planned and led them to a secluded hallway where Aeira was supposed to wait with Ella and Sessa. However, when they reached there, only Aeira and a pacing Cedric were present.

“Oh great, you’re here!” Aeira approached them. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get your sisters as I promised, Liriya. They’re both fine, though. Apparently, Faelina is keeping them close to her. Every chance I thought I had just slipped away. You were right; she had impersonated me in a nasty way so your sisters are keeping their distance from me now. Dyran has been trying to confront Luke and Cedric since yesterday too, but didn’t get the chance until just fifteen minutes ago—and that’s only Cedric, though. I practically whisked him away at the last minute, but Luke is at the altar. I’m sorry it didn’t go as planned, but our surprise for the imposter-bride is going to go perfectly. I’m confident.”

Aeira caught her breath after her venting, and Papa and Mama assured her it was alright.

Liriya glanced at Cedric.

He was staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face, as if trying to figure her out. Liriya felt immense warmth filling her heart and overtaking her. She took off her mask and slipped away from her group, taking a step towards him.

Ced…She mouthed with profound elation.

An unrecognizable emotion flickered in Cedric’s eyes and his facial expression shifted from unreadable into a pained one. He took long, purposeful strides towards Liriya and crashed her into him in a hug.

In complete appreciation, Liriya returned the hug from the man who had become one of the most valuable people in her life. Luke’s brother,herbrother. She closed her eyes as they watered. She was touched to know how much he valued her too.

“You’re okay,” Cedric whispered, and there was a crack in his voice. “I-I don’t know what to—I didn’t know—I didn’t believe it. Oh, Liriya…”

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled away to look at her. Though he was older than she was by three years, Cedric had been like a same-aged best friend to her. However, as he looked down at her now, she felt for the first time that maybe,justmaybe, he could be the big brother she had always wanted.

The thought made Liriya smile.I missed you.She mouthed to him.

“You missed me?” A small smile cracked onto his face, eyes shining with unshed tears. “How about I say, I missed you more?”

Liriya laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder—something she had learned from Luke—as if to say,you did not even know I was gone until fifteen minutes ago.

Cedric opened his mouth to say something when a blast of trumpets reached them. He clenched his jaw. “I’m going to make that wicked siren pay.”

“We all are,” Aeira agreed from behind. “Isn’t that blast announcing Faelina’s entrance into the ceremony hall?”

“Precisely.”

“Then you should go, Ced. Luke will be wondering where you went. You’re the best man.”

“The best man for his andLiriya’swedding, not Faelina’s,” Cedric retorted firmly, so unlike Liriya had ever heard him before, leaving no room for argument. “And I’m not leaving Liriya’s side.”

Liriya’s heart melted.

“We’re going to win.” Cedric turned to her, and a mischievous glint entered his eyes. “I told you that day at the ball that I was looking at my future sister-in-law, didn’t I? You didn’t believe it then, and I told you that I would remind you when it happens. So, here we are.”

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