Nicolas slips back into my thoughts, how he felt on top of me, inside me, and I can’t help but smile.
God, I am such an idiot.
“I know that dreamy smile. Don’t tell me…”
Caught, I glance at Lizzy, who’s leaning in the doorway, studying me closely. My cheeks start to burn.
“No way. Oh my God, Lia!” she exclaims, half shocked and half thrilled, and she hops onto the bed beside me. I can’t help but grin.
“You little minx. While I was turning gray from worrying about you, you were off having fun with my brother. Ugh, I really don’t want the details.” She pulls a face of exaggerated disgust, and I burst out laughing, even though her words do sting and leave me with a touch of guilt.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. I’ve been a terrible friend. How are you? Everything happened so fast yesterday, and I was so lost in my own tunnel vision that I didn’t think about anything else.” I look down at my hands, ashamed, but Lizzy just clicks her tongue.
“Oh, nonsense. Cedric and one of the security guys got me out in time. I’m fine. But you were in the thick of it. And judging by the look on your face right now, I’d say my brother did a pretty good job of making you feel better.”
“Lizzy,” I say, completely embarrassed. Judging by her wicked grin, it wasn’t just an innocent comment.
“What? It’s true. But seriously, are you okay?” She bumps my shoulder with hers, and I smile.
“Yeah. Yeah, I actually am. Your brother… he saved my butt yesterday, and after that… well, let’s just say… we agreed it might be a good idea to actually get to know each other first.”
A wide smile spreads across her face and she claps her hands.
“There we go. You two can make smart decisions after all. Now come on, we’ve got a ton of work to do. I want my brother’s jaw to hit the floor when he sees you later.”
My stomach flutters nervously at the thought of what’s coming in just a few hours.
But at the same time, I realize that this wedding might just give me the freedom I’ve been needing.
Freedom from my brother.
Lizzy stands up and holds her hand out to me.
“Come on. I can’t handle your makeover alone today. So—shower, then living room. Nicolas is banned from the apartment, so we’ve got the place to ourselves.” She grins again and shoos me toward the bathroom.
Dear God, what on earth is this day going to turn into?
Not even two hours later, the makeup artist steps aside, and I stare at myself in the mirror, hardly able to believe what I see.
My hair is tied into an intricate bun at the nape of my neck, with two soft curls falling gently around my face, giving the whole look a classic vintage touch. My eyes look huge and my cheeks have a soft glow, and my lips shine in a delicate rose tone. Diamond earrings dangle and sparkle from my ears, while a subtle shimmer graces my collarbone and décolleté.
“Oh my God.” That’s all I can say as I turn to Lizzy with teary eyes, just as she reenters the room in her vibrant blue gown. She’s changed quickly and is now beaming at me.
“Stunning, right? But just wait, we’re not done yet.” The two makeup artists she brought along exchange a conspiratorial glance, and I look at Lizzy, confused.
“Knock, knock. May I come in?” I hear the queen’s voice and instantly straighten up. A nervous flutter immediately stirs in my stomach as she enters, followed by an attendant holding the huge garment bag that contains my wedding dress. She gives me a warm smile, and I relax a little.
“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the church already?” I blurt out in surprise. Normally, protocol at court dictates everything, and she should already be at Bellington Chapel.
“Nonsense. I’m exactly where I want and need to be. Now, let me take a look at you, darling.” She smiles, walks over, cups my face in her hands, and looks at me with such love that my throat tightens and tears fill my eyes.
“Beautiful. I knew you were the right one for both my sons. You saved Philipp in your own way, and he saved you, and for that alone, I already loved you. But Nicolas, Nicolas is the one who was and is meant for you. He saves you the way you always save everyone else.”
I can’t hold back the tears. I just can’t, even if I wanted to. Her words unleash a storm inside me, because she speaks them with so much warmth, so much love, so much affection that it’s almost too much. I simply don’t know this kind of love. And that’s exactly why it means the world to me.
“Thank you,” I whisper hoarsely, and she laughs and pulls me to my feet.
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry. And don’t thank me for the truth.” She hugs me tightly, and I soak up her affection like a sponge.Lizzy stands sniffling behind her mother and, damn it, if they don’t stop soon, my makeup’s going to be ruined.
