Page 58 of Royal Rebel

A: I’m not sure, I just feel like we have a bullseye on our backs. Like someone is going to ruin our perfect day.

T: It’s normal. I’m sure all brides and grooms feel this way. I mean we’re on a global stage, Lia, but you have to know we’re going to be fine.

I don’t, and that’s why I’m worried. Instead of keeping him longer, I decide to end the conversation. Having a seat on the bed, I type quickly.

A: I know we will be. I have to get my beauty sleep for tomorrow. I’ll see you in a few hours. Love you, Tris.

T: Love you too!

I throw the phone to my side on a sigh.

“That doesn’t sound good.” Shannon makes her way into the room. “Not having second thoughts, are you?”

“No! I want to marry Tristan more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I’m just nervous.” I do my best to explain to her. “There will be a lot of people watching tomorrow, a lot of expectations.”

“No one else matters but his,” she reminds me.

“Now you sound like him.” I giggle. “In theory, I know that’s right, but I’m still worried.”

“Hey, he sounds super smart.” She comes over, sitting next to me. She turns to face me, her knowing gaze almostfeeling like it can see right through me. “Tell me, Amelia. What’s really wrong?”

Do I be honest with her?

Do I admit I’m not sure I’m the person everyone thinks I am?

“I feel like a fraud!” I shout, throwing my face in my hands.

“A fraud?”

It’s hard to explain, but I struggle through it, praying I can get her to understand. “You make me beautiful, you pick my clothes, do my makeup and my hair, you tell me if the jewelry I pick out matches.” I shrug, letting this insecurity out. I hadn’t planned on doing it now, but if not now, when.

She pulls my hands back. “I work with what I have, Amelia. If you weren’t already beautiful, I couldn’t make you look the way I do. Tristan loves you for who you are, and the world will love you for the same reasons he does. Don’t be nervous.”

It’s so easy for her to say, but my stomach is rolling, thinking of everyone who will see me on the screen tomorrow. There are people camped out in the royal park here, wanting to catch a glimpse of me or us as we travel through the streets. For some reason the reality of the situation is hitting me tonight, and I’m almost having a freak out.

“You’re living almost every little girl’s and some little boy’s dreams tomorrow.” Shannon laughs. “Enjoy your day. Do your best to forget about all the people watching and just focus on your husband. I mean, can you imagine how hot Tristan’s going to look in what he decides to wear?”

“I hope it’s a tux,” I blurt out. “He rocks a tux in so many ways.”

“But what about his military uniform?”

“That’s what it’s between. A tux or a military uniform. I’ve only seen pictures of him in the uniform, but I’ve seen him alive and well in a tux. Either way I won’t be able to wait for the wedding to get over, to get him out of either one.”

Shannon laughs loudly at what I’ve just said. “He is very handsome.”

“He’s hot!” I correct her. “Dark and brooding with the right amount of mystery and danger. He’s every dream I ever had of the man I was going to marry.”

I don’t realize the truth of the words until I say them. Why am I freaking out when this is truly every single thing I want?

“Then focus on that.” Shannon claps her hands. “Focus on the fact your dream is coming true. Not that you’re scared of the future. Live in the present. Mark every moment tomorrow as a memory that won’t be erased, and above all, have fun. Smile if you want, laugh if you want, cry if you want. You’re perfect, Amelia, just the way you are.”

You’re perfect just the way you are.

Those words are echoing in my brain later on when I lay down to sleep. They’re running on a loop that won’t seem to stop. I wonder if other brides have this much trouble sleeping the night before they get married.

I’m trying desperately to focus on what Shannon told me instead of worrying about falling while walking up the stairs or maybe having a wardrobe malfunction. It would be the one thing I’d never be able to get away from.

The phone on my nightstand vibrates again, and I reach over, grabbing it like it’s a lifeline.

---