Page 92 of The Reluctant Wife

There’s a knock on the door and one of the waitstaff pops her head around. "The car is here, Your Highness."

"Ready?" Zoey studies me closely.

I nod, then take a deep breath. My heart is racing in my ribcage. My pulse is galloping at what feels like a million miles a second.I can do this. I can.I’ve prepared for this event my entire life. And at least, I’m going to marry the man I’ve fallen for, even if he doesn't completely reciprocate my feelings. And the chemistry between us is so strong, there’s no need to pretend the attraction. Things could be way worse in a marriage of convenience.

I clutch at my wedding bouquet, which is a simple collection of Jasmine—a tribute to the flowers in my mother’s bouquet—Peonies, which are the national flower of Verenza—and roses. Because they begin with the same initial as Ryot’s name.

The flowers are white, matching my ivory wedding dress.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom comes to a stop in front of the cathedral. The liveried driver opens Zoey’s door. She walks around and waits for me to get in first.

One of the security guards holds my door open.

The pealing of the cathedral’s bells washes over me, along with the cheering of the crowds. People lined the streets on the short drive from the palace, driving home the gravity of this event.

I struggle to slide out, and someone—I assume the guard—holds out a hand. I place my free hand in his gloved one and step out. He leads me a few steps forward, so my train fans out behind me.

Zoey smooths it out. When I pull at my hand, the man holding mine refuses to let go.

That’s when I look up and gasp. "Viktor!" I want to throw my arms about him, but the cheering of the crowd reminds me we are very much in the public eye.

It wasn’t mentioned in the protocol that he’d be the one helping me out of the car, but I’m not complaining. Having Viktor here is a huge support, even if it is breaking etiquette.

He grins down at me. "You look beautiful, sis."

“You look dashing yourself.” I smile.

He’s dressed in a fitted morning suit with a tailcoat and a blue tie. At six-feet-four-inches and with his wide shoulders, swept-back hair and brooding good looks, he looks amazing.

His gaze seems to shine with what looks suspiciously like tears. Then, he uses his thumb to wipe the underside of his eye, and I know, he’s as moved by this moment as I am. "Oh, Vik, you’re going to make me blubber."

"Don’t you dare." He places his hand on mine, so the warmth of his hand engulfs mine, and squeezes. "You look so much like her."

I know, he means my mother. "I feel her presence so strongly today." Tears well up, and I, once more, manage to swallow them down.This is a happy occasion, so why does my heart feel sad?

"She’d be so proud of you." He smiles.

The cheers from the crowds around us rise.

"Your audience awaits."

"They might be here to see you as much as me," I tease. He releases my hand, and I wave. The noise from the crowd rises. Flashbulbs pop from the press enclosure. Then, Viktor takes my hand and leads me up the steps of the cathedral to the entrance. Zoey follows, holding my train.

My father greets me at the top. He’s wearing his formal dress uniform of a Royal Navy Admiral. He served in Verenza’s navy before he took on the role of crown prince, and then king.

His face lights up; there’s a soft smile playing around his mouth. And his eyes fill with tears. "My dear, Aura." He takes my hand in his and lowers his head to kiss my forehead.

He takes in my dress, and a flicker of recognition dawns in his eyes. He looks both stricken and happy. A bit like how I feel inside. "You look absolutely breathtaking." He looks into my eyes, and his own are filled with pain. "I miss your mother so much today, but I realize now, she lives on through you."

"Oh, Papa." My chest tightens. My throat hurts. I have a tough time controlling my tears.

"There, there—" He pats my hand. "Crying is not a good look for the press, dear." He winks at me through his own tears.

"I’ll see you on the other side, sis." Viktor touches my hand, then walks away.

The wedding planner arranges the veil over my head, while Zoey places my train down carefully, so it stretches out behind me.

The prelate of the cathedral comes over to speak with me, and I become aware of the fact that the cathedral is full.

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