Page 35 of Forbidden Crown

"We will do everything we can," Kristinpromised.

The queen then motioned for both of them to follow her onto the patio. "Antonio, can I talk to you and Kristin for aminute?"

"Yes, Mother." Antonio offered Kristin his arm. They both followed the queen outside. "What'sgoingon?"

She crossed her arms and stared at both of them. "The people will need to see us united this evening. The wedding is in two days and so is the vote. I'll need you ready so it is imperative that Kristin try on dresses so she's gowned as aroyal."

Kristin wasn't born into politics but his mother worked endlessly. Would this be expected of her too? By signing the contract, she agreed to do whatever Antonio needed fromhiswife.

"Mother,” Antonio said, dropping his voice, “what if the people vote to end our constitutional monarchy and return to the communist ways that wereimplemented?"

His mother quickly answered, "Don't be defeatist, Antonio. It's not going tohappen."

If they lost the vote, this might mean that Antonio was free to live his life with or without her. Kristin turned to him in concern. He wouldn't have to get married in two days, right? "Mother, beprepared."

Queen Anna Camilla brushed her hand against her son’s cheek, letting the other fall to the side. "That's what I'm telling you both." She turned toward Kristin and smiled. "Pick a dress. I'll handleeverythingelse."

"I will at once." What else could she say? Right now she was picking the style. Then the rest of the design wouldfollow.

The queen hugged them and they returned to the room with the group of designers and the racks of dresses. Kristin immediately walked over to the group and called for her friends. "Renee, Greg, I have to go change but let me know if anythinghappens."

"Can I watch the fashion show then while we wait to hear?" Greg sounded like he hated every word he said. If she had loved ones, other than those here already, it would be hard to be anywhere else but withthemtoo.

“Sure.” Renee offered a sympathetic pat on Greg’s shoulder that he turned away from as she said, "Why don’t you sit with thedesigners?"

Antonio kissed her forehead, but then his phone rang. She saw it was his brother Lucio again. They spoke so fast that she had no idea what they discussed. As she walked toward the racks, Antonio grabbed her wrist to hold her. "Kristin."

There must be news. Her heart spedup. "What?"

He then leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Keep your phone on you at all times. I added a tracer, which was how I found you thismorning."

She sighed and hugged him. He truly knew how to protect everyone. "So you received my call? I was pressing buttons andhoping."

“Yes.” He pushed her hair out of her face and nodded. He then kissed her cheek and kept his voice low so the group waiting for her couldn’t hear them. "I heard every word. We'll need to stay sharp and onourtoes."

"Yes." Her heart beat for him and she wished she could wrap her arms around him, hold tight and kiss him. However, there were probably rules against public displays like that. She hugged him and thenletgo.

He spoke in a more normal tone. "Tonight, after the announcement my mother needs us to make, I still want time alone with you. I plannedsomething."

She felt her cheeks warm as she nodded. "Then I'm allyours."

"I like that,alot."

He walked to the door. Being Antonio’s wife meant becoming a princess, so Kristen went toward her friends and asked, "Renee, the mermaid dress was the firststyle?"

"Yes. I put them in order," her bestfriendsaid.

Kristin saw Antonio leave, though he winked at her before closing the door. Once he was gone, she picked up the first dress and said, "Good.Helpme?"

She put it on and gasped for air as the zipper constricted her waist. Yes, it was shimmery white, satin and lace, but she couldn’t breathe! “No,thanks.”

“But look at your figure!”Renee said, turning Kristin toward the full-length mirror set up in theanteroom.

Absolutely not. Renee pulled her out to show everyone, and Kristin ignored the gasps of excitement from thedesigners.

So what if she had the perfect hourglass figure? This dress style was a no—she’d never make it down theaisle.

Suddenly, Antonio dashed into the room with his hand covering the phone speaker, gaining everyone’s attention. "Greg, your mother boarded a flight to Vegas. FBI isinterceptingnow."

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