Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alice
On Ethan's full moon celebration, Cedric quietly pulled me into the castle's garden.
"What's wrong?" I asked, confused. "The banquet's about to start. The nobles are waiting for us."
"Just wait a moment." He gripped my hand, leading me deeper into the garden.
His palm felt damp. He seemed nervous. "Cedric, what are you—"
Before I could finish, he dropped to one knee.
Moonlight spilled over him. His eyes reflected my image. His hands trembled slightly as he pulled a velvet box from his coat.
"Alice." His voice was low and tender. "Will you marry me?"
He opened the box. Inside lay an exquisite ring—a silver band set with a moonstone, surrounded by tiny diamonds that sparkled like dreams in the moonlight.
I froze. My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Aren't we already mates?" I couldn't help but laugh, though emotion swelled in my chest. "We even have a child..."
"That wedding was always my greatest regret." He looked up at me, eyes serious. "Alice, I want to make you the happiest person in the world. I want to make up for everything. I want your family to witness this, everyone to bless us. I want the whole world to know how much I love you."
His voice dropped lower, uncertain. "I've already started planning the wedding. A month from now. Every detail will be exactly how you like it. I'll make it everything you've ever dreamed of. I swear you won't have a single regret."
"And if I say no?" I teased, though tears already stung my eyes.
He stilled, then looked at me even more seriously.
"Then I'll wait." His voice was firm. "Until the day you're ready. A year. Ten years. A hundred years... As long as you eventually say yes, I'll wait forever."
"You idiot." I reached out my hand, eyes wet. "You make it sound like I'd refuse."
"So..." His eyes lit up instantly, voice rising with excitement. "You're saying yes?"
"I'm saying yes." I held back tears, smiling. "Put it on."
He shot to his feet, carefully sliding the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
"Is it okay? Not too tight?"
"Perfect." I looked at the ring. The moonstone glowed softly in the moonlight. "It's beautiful. I love it."
"Good." He exhaled in relief, then pulled me tight against him. "Thank you, Alice. Thank you for agreeing to marry me."
"Idiot." I wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. "I should be thanking you."
Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for giving me a complete family.
Three days before the wedding, Father, Mother, and Adrian arrived in Hilphia.
I stood at the castle entrance, watching that familiar carriage roll into the courtyard. My heart was about to burst.
"My baby!" Mother called out before even stepping down. The moment the carriage stopped, she rushed over and squeezed me tight. "Let me look at you. God, you've lost weight! Are you exhausted from taking care of the baby? Have you been eating properly?"
"Mother, I'm fine." I laughed, hugging her back. "Really."
"You call it fine? You're a skeleton!" Mother touched my face, distressed. "That jerk must not be taking care of you properly."
"Mother." Cedric stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "I'll remember your criticism. I'll take better care of Alice from now on."
Mother glared at him but dropped the subject.
Father and Adrian came forward too, each giving me a hug.
"Where's Ethan?" Mother asked eagerly. "I need to see him right now."
"Sleeping in his room." I smiled. "I'll take you to him."
I led them to Ethan. Mother held him and couldn't get enough, saying he looked exactly like I did as a baby. Even when it got dark, she didn't want to let go.
Finally, Cedric suggested I stay with Mother until the wedding so we could spend time together. Only then did she look satisfied.
I'd never felt time move so fast. In a blink, it was the day before the wedding.
"Alice, my darling." Mother brushed my hair, eyes red. "I haven't even had enough time to spoil you, and now you're getting married. I can't bear it."
"Mother, I'm his mate." I reminded her. "We already have a child."
"That's different." She insisted. "To me, tomorrow is the real wedding. Tomorrow I'm truly placing you in his hands. Thank the Goddess she blessed me, let me find you again, let me watch you marry your mate."
I squeezed her hand. "Mother, he'll be good to me."
"I know." She wiped her tears. "I can see he truly loves you. But I still can't let you go..."
"I'm not disappearing." I felt tears coming too. "I'll visit often. With Ethan."
"Yes."
Mother and I talked late into the night. I thought she'd stay with me through it, but suddenly she said she had to go comfort Father. Ever since learning Cedric and I would have a proper wedding, Father had been distraught.
He'd even briefly entertained the idea of making Cedric marry into Rhine. Tonight he was probably crying somewhere.
Mother's words lightened my heavy mood. I walked her to the door, watched her leave, sighed softly.
I returned to my room, sat by the window, looked at the moon. Suddenly, the memory of my last life's wedding surfaced.
Back then, Victoria faked illness. Cedric abandoned me to see her. Those adoptive parents mocked and sneered, treating me like a social-climbing tool. The whole wedding, I stood alone. No one truly cared.
Now I had parents who loved me. A brother who protected me. A husband who cherished me. An adorable child.
I finally had a whole family of my own.
On the wedding day, all of Hilphia came alive. I stood in the dressing room, staring at my reflection.
The pure white gown was embroidered with silver and pale blue thread. The hem was dotted with tiny moonstones and pearls that shimmered with soft, dreamlike light as they caught the angles of illumination. The design was clever, perfectly tracing my curves.
On my head sat a crown set with sapphires. My long hair was braided into an elegant updo, with a few strands falling naturally by my ears. The whole look was both dignified and soft.
The birthmark on my face had long since vanished, revealing smooth skin. I lightly touched that spot that had made me ashamed for so many years. An indescribable feeling welled up.
"Beautiful." Mother stood behind me, voice full of admiration. The next moment, her eyes reddened again. "My daughter, you're so beautiful..."
"Mother, don't cry." I turned and hugged her, heart aching. She'd cried for me every day since arriving. "If you cry, your makeup will run. You should be happy for me."
"Yes, you're right. I shouldn't be crying. This is your big day." She patted my back, forcing a smile.
The door opened.
"It's time," Father said. He walked in, saw me, and smiled with pride. "Alice, you look beautiful today."
"Father." I walked over and took his arm.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
Adrian stepped to my other side, holding out his hand. "Don't be nervous. Father and I are with you."
I took his hand. Deep breath.
The hall doors slowly opened.
A red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the throne. Guests lined both sides—Hilphia nobles, Rhine envoys, delegates from friendly kingdoms. Everyone turned to look at me, eyes full of wonder.
I walked into the hall on Father and Adrian's arms.
Each step steady. Composed. I was no longer that humble, pleading, cautious Alice.
I was Hilphia's Queen. Rhine's Princess. Cedric's willing choice.
Cedric stood at the end of the carpet in a black formal suit embroidered with silver wolf totems, the Hilphia crest pinned to his chest.
His hair was immaculately groomed. Those golden eyes never left me, filled with devotion and awe.
When I reached him, Father released my hand and placed mine in Cedric's.
"Take care of her." Father's voice was low and solemn. "As Alice's father, I will always bless your marriage with happiness."
"I swear." Cedric's voice was serious. "I will guard her with my life."
Father nodded and stepped aside.
Adrian said nothing, just clapped Cedric's shoulder hard enough to make him stagger, then stepped back too.
"You're stunning," Cedric murmured, voice trembling. "So stunning I can barely believe this is real."
"Silly." I gripped his hand tight. "Of course it's real."
The priest stepped forward and began the ceremony.
"Honored guests, we gather here today to witness the sacred union of King Cedric Hilphia and Princess Alice. This is not only the union of Their Majesties, but a testament to the friendship between Hilphia and Rhine..."
I listened but couldn't help stealing glances at Cedric.
He was watching me too, tenderness practically spilling from his eyes, a happy smile on his lips.
"King Cedric Hilphia, do you take Princess Alice as your wife, to love her, cherish her, honor her, in poverty or wealth, sickness or health, until forever?"
"I do." His voice rang firm through the hall. "I swear I will love her, protect her, make her happy for the rest of my life."
"Princess Alice, do you take King Cedric Hilphia as your husband, to love him, cherish him, honor him, in poverty or wealth, sickness or health, until forever?"
I looked at him, thinking of everything we'd been through these past months. From my initial wariness and hatred, to gradually being won over, to watching him nearly die for me.
This time, I meant it with my whole heart.
"I do." My voice was clear and firm. "I swear I will love him, support him, stand by him for the rest of my life."
Applause thundered. Cheers erupted.
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife!" the priest declared. "Your Majesty, you may kiss your bride!"
Cedric immediately pulled me into his arms, one hand cradling my head, the other around my waist, and kissed me deeply.
Unlike those earlier kisses full of possession and anger, this one was tender and devoted, as if pouring all his love into it.
I closed my eyes, kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck.
The applause and cheers seemed to fade. In that moment, only the two of us existed.
Finally, he pulled back, forehead pressed to mine.
"I love you." He whispered hoarsely in my ear.
"I love you too."