Somewhere with a Monarchy, 1837

The palace was abuzz with excitement. Everywhere you turned there was a frazzled looking maid or a worried butler.

A royal wedding was happening that day, after all.

I, myself, was in the princess chambers, struggling to stay still as Leta and Tyra put the finishing touches on my makeup and veil. The dress had been dealt with ages ago.

Cascading  white tulle drifted down indifferently as if part of a cloud from the form fitting bodice. Throughout the dress were small and hardly noticeable silver beads that caught the light in just the right way. My feet were adorned in white heels with the same small beads, and a small tiara rested on my head. That way, it was already a part of my outfit, instead of getting it at the altar. The only accessory I would be getting at the end of the aisle was the ring signifying my marriage to the man I love.

"And I think your hair is done," Tyra said, pulling on the curled tendrils that fell around my face to make sure they were perfect.

"I think so too," I agreed, "but I thought so three hours ago so you might not need my opinion."

In my opinion, I was ready when I woke up this morning. In the few minutes before my lady's maids came into my suite, I looked out the window. I could have tried to sneak out and see Damien, but I doubt he would have let me. He was traditional that way.

And he was going to be mine forever in two hours' time.

Leopold and I parted ways as friends, with him saying he should have seen it coming and left with a big grin and a side wink. He was happily married about a month ago to a wonderful woman- Lady Ivy Readson- and they're happy from what his last letter said.

Amelia and I still keep in touch, all though our telegrams were brief. From what I gathered, she's married for love now, all though her husband doesn't have very many financial assets. She seems surprisingly okay with that though, and she's turned towards a far more humble lifestyle.

After marrying Rosalie, Ethan became much more tolerable, going as far as to apologize to Damien for all of the rotten things he said and did to make their relationship so rocky. I was proud of Damien for willing to forgive him.

Rosalie visited the palace often, sometimes staying overnight to help with wedding planning. Her arm had healed long ago and the only indication it had ever been broken was the slightly different way she carried that arm.

As for Damien and I, we had been waiting two long years to become husband and wife. He had assumed most of the duties that came with being king, and I did my best to help him through some of the tougher times. As for me, I had been thrown head first into princess equitique and how to train myself to be the very best princess and wife I could be.

All of our closest friends and family will be in attendance at Damien and I's wedding. We wanted to keep our first marriage ceremony intimate and light, with no worries over appearances.

And then the palace church bells rang. The halls fell deathly quiet as Leta hurried to help me off of my pedestal and Tyra opened the door. They both carried the train down two flights of stairs and into the main antichamber near the ballroom. Where I would be married.

The music slowed and I knew it was my time to go in. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the room and turned to the back of the aisle. And I had never been so glad to see my father's proud face glowing across from me.

"Ready, princess?" my father teased, showing me an easy grin.

"To be a princess? Never." I peeked around the corner and saw Damien's nervous smile. "To be his wife? Always."

"Then let's get this show on the road, kiddo," my father slipped his arm through the loop I had made with my own and we stepped together through the door.

Through the wide, dark oak doors to my future. 

Through the doors to my happily ever after.

What better excuse to walk down the aisle?

~o0o~

Word Count: 765

And that's a wrap on Unwittingly! Thank you so much for sticking with me over these past couple weeks and reading this book. YOU are my motivation. The reason I stay up late at night to finish the 2000 word chapter I know you'll read. Some of you may not vote or comment. Maybe you just read. In any case, thank you. Thank you for being you. And though this is a messy... mess, you read it. Thank you. Also special thanks to Idony8 for your amazing comments that made me smile every single time I posted a chapter.

I love you all, thank you for sticking with this train wreck of a book.

xx
C