Page 24 of Falling for the Widowed Prince

"Are you sure?" her father asked gently.

"I am." The conviction behind the words wasn't forced. She truly believed this was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be easy at times, she knew that, but that didn't mean she shouldn't do it. Madeleine squeezed the hands of both of her parents.

Even Nessa had started to warm up to her.

The coordinator knocked lightly on the door. "We're ready, ma'am."

"Thank you." The four of them left the ante room and moved toward the entrance to the chapel. It had been determined that her parents would enter first, followed by Liana, then Madeleine would walk herself down the aisle. In her thirties, and in the 21st century, she didn't need someone to give her away.

Her bouquet was handed to her by the coordinator as they lined up.

The chapel was significantly smaller than the cathedral used for most royal weddings. Only a few hundred people compared to nearly two thousand, but Madeleine would have been okay with a smaller wedding. She definitely would have been okay without the cameras broadcasting everything to the country and to the world beyond via live streams.

Before she could think further, the door opened again, and it was her turn to start down the aisle.

At the other end, next to the steps leading to the altar, Anthony waited. The front row on one side held her family. The other held her new family. She kept her eyes on Anthony as she walked. There were no tears from either one of them, not like one might expect at most weddings. Instead, she saw encouragement and companionship.

When she reached the front, he extended his elbow. She slid her hand inside and gripped his arm tightly as they moved toward the stairs. With the hand that also held her bouquet, she lifted her skirt to allow her to climb them without tripping.

That would be bad.

Her first time on the national stage, and she'd lose her balance and be on every blooper show ever for eternity.

They made it to the top without incident. A member of the clergy waited for them. The service itself didn't last overly long. They promised the same things to each other that countless other couples had done for millenia. She did find herself grateful there would be no "you may kiss your bride" moment. There wouldn't be a kiss on a balcony either.

With the current perpetual darkness, cold temperatures, and short notice, it didn't make sense to have a balcony moment. They wouldn't be able to set up tents or heaters or take other measures to ensure the safety of those who would come. That had been made abundantly clear in the media, but Madeleine knew there would be people out there anyway. Under other circumstances, she would have been one of them.

Those gathered applauded as they turned and went back down the steps. When they reached the front row, Anthony's five children stood and joined them. Issy took Madeleine's free hand while Aaron took Anthony's. Catherine and Nessa took the hands of their younger siblings with Elijah on the other side of Nessa. The seven of them walked up the aisle together.

Once back in the ante room, Madeleine sat in one of the chairs and took the chance to hug each of the children. Anthony did the same.

"We're going to take some photos then go have lunch in the big banquet hall," Anthony told them. "You won't have to stay for the whole thing. We'll eat, have cake for dessert, then you can go back upstairs, all right?"

They all nodded their understanding. They all went to take pictures in another part of the palace then to the banquet hall to wait for Anthony and Madeleine to arrive once everyone else had moved from the chapel to the banquet hall.

"How are you?" Anthony's quiet voice reminded Madeleine that they were now alone together.

"A little overwhelmed, to be honest." She took a deep breath. "I know this is the right thing, this is the best way to ensure the security and safety not only of the country but also of your daughter. But it's still a little overwhelming."

He chuckled. "I understand. I chose this life with far more notice and understanding than you and I was overwhelmed." The look on his face turned serious. "I wish there had been another way."

Madeleine reached over and lightly grasped his hand. "I know what I'm getting into."I think."I'm glad I'm able to be here."

He covered her hand with his. "I thank you for it."

They had talked a bit about what would be expected at the luncheon banquet. Due to the time of day, there wouldn't be dancing. Madeleine suspected choosing the time of day had more to do with the circumstances surrounding the wedding than anything. By choosing that time, they didn't have to make decisions about dancing or other things that might have come with an evening wedding. The meal could be a little lighter in nature, a little shorter, and no one expected otherwise.

For the next few moments, they sat there, hands clasped, until her new stylist joined them. The woman had worked with the late queen for many years. She fussed with Madeleine's hair a bit then touched up her make up, before helping bustle the train of her wedding dress so she wouldn't have to deal with it dragging behind her.

The woman looked up with her head tilted to the side as though she heard something they couldn't. She looked back at them and smiled.

"It's time."

The best thingthat could be said about the luncheon was that it didn't last overly long. There was no dancing, no mingling, and no small talk.

For all of those reasons, and more, Anthony found himself grateful. Once several speeches had been given, including a short one by Anthony himself, they were able to take their leave. The children had left before the speeches began. They wouldn't have enjoyed them. Anthony hadn't and suspected Madeleine hadn't either.

With her hand tucked in his elbow, they left the banquet hall, and he led the way through the palace halls to the family quarters. The children were already there, changed out of their wedding clothes, and working on a bit of schoolwork despite the holiday for everyone else. He suspected it was a ploy by the nannies to keep them busy and take their focus off the other events of the day.

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