Page 39 of Forbidden Crown

"The cheering crowd empowering you to get better, Father?" Antonio asked, pressing his hands on both arms of the wheelchair. Kristin stayed nexttohim.

His father then told him, and reporters, "Your mother is a good woman. She's the best reason to keep onliving."

A loud sigh erupted from the onlookers. Antonio took Kristin's hand and led her to stand in front. "Father, I'd like for you to formally meet Kristin Wells. This is mybride."

His mother than came beside Kristin and tugged on the wedding dress she still wore from the interrupted fitting and said with a smirk on her face. "As I told you son, Americans under or overdress for everything. I hope your Kristin is ready formyhelp."

Oh no—the last thing he needed was for Kristin to feel insulted. "Mother..."

"I'm joking." Queen Anna Camilla smiled and strokedKristin'sarm.

Kristin took the queen’s hand in hers. "I hope you aren't. I need all the help Icanget."

Finally he could breathe. His family was safe. Kristin was not in any danger and they had a genuine chance to be happy. But first he needed to speak to her, just the two of them. His heart beat as he remembered her words of love. He prayed those weren't an in-the-moment declaration and that she truly meant whatshesaid.

If she did, he'd have everything in the world. And he could accept being a future king with Kristin athisside.

Chapter17

Kristin wokeup in a pink nightgown that went to her ankles. She turned and pressed against the warmth of Antonio's back, covered in a cotton t-shirt. She kept her eyes closed, listening to the birds chirpingoutside.

Last night she’d intended to stay awake and wait for him. She blinked and realized her plan went wrong as it was morning. She rolled away from him andstretched.

His hand went around her waist and he squeezed her for a hug. "Kristin?"

He kissed her cheek. Somehow she’d hit the lottery when Antonio found her—she shouldn't have been angry at how. She sighed and said, "Sorry, I fell asleep last night. I know you wanted to talk. After all the excitement I must’ve been beat. But it feels good waking up inyourarms."

"I agree." He sat up, not noticing the gorgeous day or the green forest in the distance. He kept his gaze on her as he said, "And it's okay. Let's eat breakfasttogether."

Tomorrow was their wedding, the reception, the vote tally and it all changed her life. There was so much to do. "I’ll have to eat fast. Your mother has a packed schedule for me, including picking a dress style." They both climbed out of the bed as she said, "One of the designers will then whip up something in a factory and have it here by midnight. I'm fascinated to see how thatworks."

But first, the bathroom and a toothbrush. Once finished, she walked out and saw the small breakfast table on her balcony now had eggs, toast, coffee, and her favorite prince sitting there drinking a cup. When she approached, he kissed her forehead and then took his turn in thebathroom.

The normalcy between them was sweet. She wasn't worried about anything. She sat down and poured herselfcoffee.

A few minutes later, Antonio came out in his green t-shirt and blue boxer briefs, clearly not caring if anyone saw him. He sat down and picked up hiscoffee.

She nodded, "Thisisgood."

He finished his cup and then rose to his feet. She put her cup down when he stood in front of her. Her pulse beat a little faster and he knelt down. Her skin jolted. This seemed like a proposal, but she’d already said yes. She trembled and he reached for her hand. "Tomorrow is our wedding. I went out and bought thisforyou."

Her breath caught in her throat and she saw the specks of green again in his gaze. He pulled out a jewelry box and her heart stirred. Was this his surprise from last night? She opened the square black box and a huge smile grew on her face at the twinkling jewel inside. "It'saring!"

"I promised." He gave her that look, slightly arrogant, sexy as hell, that made every woman in the world swoon. He took the box back, then removed the ring from the blackvelvet.

The classic gold band and solitaire diamond shone brightly in the morning sun. Kristin reached out and gripped his shoulder. "You didn'thaveto."

He scooted closer and hugged her. Then he let her go and stared into her eyes again while kneeling. "After what happened with Sophia, Ireallydid."

Why was he still on his knees? She already had the ring. She swallowed, unsure of what was happening now. She leaned forward and asked, "What are youdoing?"

He folded both of her hands in his, the ring between them, and pressed his forehead to hers. "In the heat of the moment, you told me youlovedme."

"Yes?" The patter in her heart grew and her breaths were shorter. She hadn't even thought about that moment. She had blurted out her feelings and then ran forherlife.

He caressed the back of her hand. His gaze made her forget where she was because all she could see was him as he said, "I wanted that to be true and not just because wecoulddie..."

"I love you, Antonio." She brushed his scruffy jaw and it scratched againstherpalm.

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