Page 81 of Bride By Coronation

I hold it out.

"Let's go to the mirror and try it on," she suggests.

I obey, step in front of my reflection, and hold the tiara above my head.

"Let me put it on you," Zara says.

Lainey clears her throat. "May I?"

Surprised, I blurt out, "You've been so quiet, I forgot you were here!"

She smiles and closes the gap between us, repeating, "May I secure it? If you wish to change the jewels, I can do it for you."

Zara steps back. "Good idea. I'll screw up your hair. Besides, what do I know about how to secure a tiara?"

Lainey takes the headpiece, pushes it against my hair, fastens it, and says, "Valentina, grab her veil."

Valentina brings over a long, goldish-cream lace veil. She raves, "It has doves on it!"

Enthusiasm takes over as I study the intricate details, internally praising the king for his good taste.

Lainey takes it, adds it to the bottom of my hair, and grins. She spins me toward the mirror, praising, "Now you look like a queen!"

The flutters in my stomach resume. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be standing here, in a dress made for royalty, in a tiara queens have worn, about to go through my own coronation—whatever that means.

Valentina pulls a box out of her pocket. "A final gift from the king."

My adrenaline rises. I reach for the black leather box, untie the gold ribbon, and lift the lid, gaping again.

"Holy shit," Zara breathes.

"He definitely has a knack for jewelry," Valentina commends.

A pair of teardrop pearls, similar to the ones on the tiara, encased in gold with tiny emeralds in the same shape dancing around the edges shimmer in the light.

"There's a note on the lid," Zara states, holding the top upside down.

I read it.

The king's personal gift for the Irish queen.

A smile so big erupts on my face, I feel giddy.

"Aw. That's sweet," Zara coos.

My hand shakes. I pick up an earring and loop it through my ear. I put the other one on and then stare at myself.

Lainey interjects, "Did you want to see how the tiara looks with all pearls or all emeralds?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm going to wear it with just one emerald."

Zara concurs. "It does look perfect like that, especially with the earrings."

"Yes," I affirm.

There's a knock on the door, and I turn.

Valentina moves toward it and then opens it.

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