Page 108 of Royally Benevolent

We’d put him at the table with the other British and Norwegian attendees—Keir and his cousins. They wereverywild.

“I’ll have fun.”

He gave me another quick kiss. We followed the others to the door and filed in. I dropped him off with the wild royal attendees and took my place at the head table. Alexandra had elected not tobe introduced as she didn’t want to upstage the bride. She sat gently in her chair next to Rick. She’d nearly died in childbirth and was putting on a brave face to spare us the indignity of her lack of perfection. Alexandra was queen. She didn’t get a day to look under the weather.

“Introducing—for the first time—The Duke and Duchess of Westnedge!” The MC rang out.

Despite Parker’s protests, he and Astrid had the sweetest first dance to “At Last,” my pick in the battle for first dance songs. I’d picked their band after watching them dozens of times at Keys. The lead singer was an American transplant with a velvet voice.

“They’re so lovely,” Ingrid sighed happily.

“They are.”

I couldn’t help but imagine myself doing this someday. I loved weddings—how couples let themselves get wrapped up in the irrational, beautiful, romantic moments. I loved the idea of saying yes to forever. Still, even now, with Wyatt sitting only feet away, I couldn’t see myself getting the happily ever after. I knew somehow it would never work. I enjoyed the moments I had and focused on those. I didn’t get my hopes up. I knew Ingrid was dreaming about doing this with Keir, but I discounted my feelings. I wished I could be as brave and daring as she was. They were head-over-heels for one another. I loved Wyatt so much. I wanted to spend these moments with him and only him, but it didn’t feel like that.

The more I compared myself to Ingrid, the harder it became tobelieve anything was real. She found Keir irresistible in ways she couldn’t fight. She longed to be with him all the time, craved spending every waking hour in bed with him, and was evenpossessiveof him. He was even worse with her. We didn’t have that. Our relationship was so different. If so, was it the intense connection I thought it was?

After a nice dinner, the dancing began. The couple had what was typically a parents’ dance. Parker begrudgingly danced with his mother while Rick gracefully took Astrid around the floor. It made me tear up. He’d had the pleasure of walking her down the aisle earlier. Nothing brought her more joy. Rick loved us and didn’t deny that his role as protector and big brother brought him purpose.

The emcee asked couples to dance next. Without hesitation, Wyatt pulled me onto the floor.

“Wyatt, I thought you didn’t want to draw attention. This is drawing attention.”

We picked up a nice rhythm, moving together well. He had impressively good dance skills.

“I don’t mind. Are we not a couple?”

I melted inside for a moment. “We are. And your dancing is superb.”

“Isla loved to dance. I was always clueless, but she taught me. It’s not too bad. Ilikedancing. And Theo does, too.”

“I know,” I said. “I could spin him for days. He loves it.”

“It’s joy. Joy on two feet.”

Wyatt kissed me. I knew I shouldn’t let him. I shouldn’t be so obvious. Weak in the knees, I couldn’t protest. I never wanted this to end.

“I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity to dance with the prettiest bridesmaid,” Wyatt said. “Who knows when it will come around again.”

“You can say all the sweet nothings you want,” I said. “But I was going to take you to bed with me anyway.”

“They are the truth. You are as beautiful as I’ve ever seen you tonight. I want to lap you up, Odie. God, you’re gorgeous. And full of life. It was a beautiful day. I want to enjoy it with you.”

62

BIRTHDAY BOY

WYATT

Children rushed around the yard, chasing one another. In the mix were normies like mine and the royal brood who came with Rick to give Alex a break. He hung out with the other parents like any other, even if they were confused by his presence. Meanwhile, Odette and her sister Ingrid helped Mom prepare the cake, ensuring the falcon was on its way. When asked what he wanted as his party’s theme, Theo answered, “Dinosaurs!”

So, with that, we racked our brains. Thankfully, Alexandra knew a falconer, and he had rescue birds who would fly around and do a show. He’d come, teach the kids about the birds, and entertain everyone as they ate cake. Raptors were dinosaurs. It was the closest thing we could find to fit the bill.

“He’s here!” Odette said in French.

“I’ll go get him. You stay,” Ingrid responded in her mother tongue.

Ingrid was around following a terrible breakup that came seemingly out of nowhere. Her ex—The Prince—deployed, and he just got up and ended it. It seemed cowardly. I felt terrible for her, but dating in your twenties was rough. However, he wasn’t in his twenties and knew better. It was cruel for him to just up and leave her. She was a nice person. This party seemed to cheer the poor thing up a bit.

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