Page 59 of Royal Secret

“Aww. Your mom sent me some pictures.” Ginny holds up her phone to display images of Reya adorned in her tiny flower-girl dress. “She’s having the time of her life. She looks so excited.”

“Good,” I breathe out, enchanted by the sight of my little girl looking every bit the angel.

With my dress now hugging my frame, my bridesmaids add the finishing touches — a veil pinned gently into my hair, the light brush of blush across my cheeks, and a swipe of gloss tohighlight my lips. It feels so surreal, looking into the mirror and seeing myself as a bride.

“Ready?” Mimi asks, her hand resting on the doorknob.

“More than ever,” I answer, my resolve firm.

We step outside, the clean air greeting us with the freshness of new beginnings. The car waits for us at the head of the driveway, and we clamber into the back of it, a little wedding party composed of lace, flowers, and giggles.

The palace is swarmed today, photographers, journalists, and onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of the wedding. As the driver slows at the front gate, I roll down my window and wave to everyone. Excited well-wishes are thrown my way, and my chest swells with pride. This is my land. My people.

Everything seems to happen very quickly after that. We park close to the palace gardens, and my bridesmaids help me carry my train along the walkway. The gardens come into view, a verdant oasis meticulously cared for, not unlike the garden at our own home where I’ve spent hours nurturing life from the soil.

But today, the palace gardens are more than just a collection of flora — they are the canvas for our future.

I pause at the entrance, taking in the beauty that surrounds me. This is where Jakob and I will pledge our lives to each other, under the open sky, amidst the splendor of nature and in the middle of a country that always, even when I didn’t know it, held a piece of my heart and soul.

“Absolutely breathtaking,” I sigh, my heart full.

“Like something out of a fairy tale,” Ginny comments, her voice soft with awe.

“Yourfairy tale, Courtney,” Mimi reminds me, linking her arm with mine.

Together, we step into the garden, the murmurs of assembled guests reaching my ears like a gentle wave. It’s here, among the gentle rustle of leaves and the quiet symphony of nature, that I’ll become Jakob’s wife, solidifying a bond that feels as ancient as the earth beneath our feet and as fresh as the blooms that witness our union.

I take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and move forward, ready to embrace the destiny that unfolded the moment I booked that flight to Bergovia two years ago — the impulsive act that led me to the life I was always meant to live.

And there he is, already waiting for me, like this simple act is exactly what he was created for. Jakob stands at the altar, a vision of poise and quiet strength. His eyes, brimming with emotion, lock onto mine as I make the final steps down the aisle lined with an abundance of wildflowers. The delicate lace of my dress brushes against the petals, a soft caress that echoes the fluttering in my heart.

“Courage,” I murmur to myself, though it’s not fear that courses through me — it’s pure, unbridled joy.

I reach Jakob, and the warmth of his hand envelops mine, a silent promise that’s more powerful than any words could ever be.

The ceremony unfolds like the most tender of melodies, each vow a note strung perfectly to the next. Our voices tremble with the strength of the love we profess, and when Jakob slips thering onto my finger — a perfect fit — I know that this is the truest form of destiny.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Our lips meet, and there’s a cheer from the crowd — a sea of familiar faces all sharing in our bliss. When we part, it’s only to see the reflection of our happiness mirrored back at us, in the tears and smiles of those we hold dear. In the front row, my mom bounces Reya, who claps her hands in excitement, on her lap.

Jakob’s siblings are among the first to embrace us, their own paths to fulfillment shining in their eyes. Their pride is palpable — each one has carved out a niche where their passions and talents have flourished, yet they stand united in their support for Jakob.

“Brother, there’s no one better suited to lead,” Teddy says, clapping Jakob on the back with a broad smile.

“Absolutely,” agrees Christina. “Your heart is what will guide Bergovia to greatness.”

“Here, here!” choruses Oliver, the explorer, his adventurous spirit never dimming, even in the formality of this grand occasion.

With every word, every heartfelt congratulation, I feel like I might burst from joy. It’s not just a marriage that’s been celebrated today — it’s the binding of a family, a country, to the hope that Jakob represents.

We’re ushered forward, on to photos and cake and dances. Hugs and kisses. Speeches and gifts. Reya falls asleep halfway throughthe afternoon, exhausted from all of it, her two grandmothers fluttering over her like the little princess she is.

As twilight approaches and people lounge across the lawn, drinks in hand, I let out a contented sigh. Jakob’s hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining naturally, like the roots of the ancient oak under which we’ve just spoken our vows. The chatter of our guests fades into a gentle hum as I cast my gaze upwards, where the first stars are beginning to twinkle in the dusky sky.

“Can you believe it?” I whisper, not quite to Jakob, but to the evening itself, to the universe that spun me into this moment. “This is our life now.”

Two years ago, the impulsive click on a flight-booking app felt like tossing a pebble into an ocean — small, inconsequential. But now, here in Bergovia, with my heart full and my world expanded in ways I’d never imagined, I realize that pebble caused ripples that have shaped my very existence.

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