Page 79 of Bride By Coronation

Anxiety builds within me, canceling out my relief.

She exclaims, "Wow! These are stunning!"

Valentina nods, adding, "I can't believe he picked these on his own."

"Why?" I snap, suddenly feeling like I need to defend the king's ability to choose my wedding attire.

She glances at me. "No need to get upset."

"Then explain yourself."

She smirks. "Already speaking like royalty, I see."

I glare at her.

"Calm down. The king doesn't have any fashion sense. I usually have to tell him what coordinates with what," she states.

That's going to end.

I point out, "He didn't need your help picking out anything for the coronation. I guess you've been wrong all these years about his fashion sense."

"No, I haven't. You'll see," she retorts.

Zara interjects, "Stop fighting, you two. We don't have time to waste. Fiona, come get dressed." She shakes the lingerie, adding, "This is a sexy little number."

The butterflies flitter restlessly, and I take a deep breath, rising off the chair. I close the gap between us, take the delicate piece, and step into it. I pull it to my waist, untie my silk belt, and tug the rest of it up.

Zara slides my robe off my arms. "Let's see." She spins me and wiggles her eyebrows. "Wow."

"He's going to go nuts over you in that," Valentina states.

I toss her a death glare, then stare at my reflection.

Will I want him to like me in this?

What does he look like?

I'm marrying a man, and I don't even know his name.

Panic hits me, and my heart races faster. I take deep breaths.

Zara puts her hand on my arm. "Fiona, are you okay?"

I lift my chin. "Yes. Help me get into my dress, please."

She studies me.

"Dress," I utter.

Valentina carries the dress to us and unfastens it. She gathers the exquisite material and arranges it on the ground in front of me.

I carefully step into it, and she slides it up my legs and over my torso, then I secure it over my arms. She carefully closes the front, secures it, and gushes, "This dress was made for you."

"Hot damn!" Zara exclaims.

I spend a long time assessing myself.

The dove is an incredible statement.

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