Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
ELENA
CHRISTMAS EVE
T he flurry of activity that surrounded Elena both excited her and set her nerves on edge. With a deep breath, she adjusted the tie on her white silk robe as she leaned closer to the mirror to study how her makeup was taking shape. She shifted one of the large rollers on her head before she settled back in her seat, allowing the makeup artist to finish her work.
Behind her, Caroline fussed with the dress, waiting to be donned for the wedding ceremony. “There is a wrinkle just here,” her ladies’ maid pointed out to one of the attendants.
The woman nodded as she steamed it away. “We’ll likely need to steam the train as well after it’s on Her Highness.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Caroline said with a nod before she twisted back to Elena and grinned. “And how are you holding up, my dear?”
“I am wondering if I should have eloped,” Elena said, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Caroline giggled as she patted Elena’s shoulder. “Your father would have had a heart attack.”
“Yes, I know. He nearly had one when I told him who I intended to marry.”
“You have come a long way, Your Highness.”
Elena stared into her emerald eyes, fond memories of those first moments in the coffee shop with Nate Kingsley dancing across her mind. From that fateful meeting to sweet dates and confessions of their true selves, Nate and Elena had fought their way to the altar, overcoming more challenges than most couples faced.
“We have,” Elena said. “And we have finally made it. A Christmas wedding.”
Caroline flicked her eyebrows up as she nodded before she pulled a curtain aside on the French door leading to Elena’s balcony. “And look, Your Highness.”
Elena’s eyes went wide as she glimpsed the garden through the frosted window. Snowflakes, delicate and relentless, dressed the palace grounds in a pristine white gown, much like her own. She rose, drawn to the balcony, and watched as the world transformed into a winter wonderland, a serene backdrop for her magical day. “Snow!”
“At this clip, it should have a nice ground cover by the ceremony. It will make for lovely pictures,” Caroline added.
“Yes, it will. And it’s also quite magical. I feel as though I live in a fairy tale.”
“Or one of those romantic movies you love so much.”
Elena offered her a coy grin. “Yes, it always snows at just the right moment, doesn’t it?”
“It does. Now, sit down and get those final touches on your make-up so we can ready you in your dress. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding.”
“I am the bride. I can be as late as I wish,” Elena answered with a grin as she settled in her seat again.
After the woman finished with her rouge, she stepped back, studying Elena’s face. “Well? Will I pass?”
“I think you make a beautiful bride,” the woman answered with a nod. “We’ll touch up the lips just before you go.”
“Thank you,” Elena said as she rose and crossed to the dress. “It is time, Caroline.”
“I am pleased to say I am not managing this alone. Ladies, let’s ready the dress.”
With the long train and princess skirt, it took three of them to wrangle the dress up and around Elena while Caroline fastened it. Another attendant scurried around her, removing rollers to finalize her hairstyle while the seamstress made the final fit checks.
Elena stared into the mirror as her look took shape. From the fitted bodice overlaid with an intricate lace pattern across the shoulders and sleeves to the subtle sweetheart neckline, her dress was a mix of contemporary elegance and tradition.
Caroline finished fastening the row of delicate, fabric-covered buttons trailing down her waist before she fluffed the full skirt that extended into a long, flowing train.
An attendant worked to steam out any last wrinkles as they opened her bedroom doors to extend it.
With her simple hairstyle complete, Caroline situated the tiara and the silk tulle veil onto her head, adjusting the lace trim that matched her dress.
“Oh, Elena,” her mother’s voice said from the hall, “you look stunning.”
Elena twisted to eye her mother, wearing an emerald green evening gown with a fur capelet. “Thank you, Mother. I only need my capelet which I am glad to have ordered given the snow.”
“It will look quite lovely in the photographs.”
“Some of which we should take now,” Caroline announced. “Your Majesty, if you would.”
After endless adjustments to the dresses, the women posed for several photographs.
“All right, Your Highness, the next ones will be with your bridal party,” Caroline announced. “They should be along any minute.”
“No, the next ones will be with you,” Elena said as she waved her over.
“That is not appropriate, Your Highness.”
Elena shook her head. “It is absolutely appropriate. I insist. Now, quickly before they must readjust again.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Caroline stepped next to her to pose with a nervous smile with the bride.
“Lovely,” Elena said. “You are an important part of my world, Caroline. You should be in my wedding photographs.”
Her mother stepped closer as the photographer fiddled with his camera, awaiting the other members of the party to arrive. “How are you feeling, darling?”
“Ready to get married,” she answered. “I told Caroline I should have eloped.”
“Royal weddings are quite a fuss. I remember mine all those years ago.”
“Was it this much fuss? I feel as though your pictures made it seem quite settled.”
Queen Sophia laughed. “Oh, it was anything but. And I had only met your father a handful of times before we married.”
“How awkward,” Elena said with a wrinkle of her nose. “You must have been ready to throw yourself from the balcony. ”
“No, he was very charming, and very handsome, which made things easier. My father, of course, did not care for him, but our arrangement had been made.”
“Grandfather did not like Father?” Elena asked, her voice incredulous.
“No, he didn’t. I could have married another royal, you know? He wondered if I would have preferred it.”
“And would you have?” Elena asked.
“No, he was quite a cad, that one. I’m very pleased with my choice to stay the course and marry your father as intended.”
Elena pressed her lips together, her features wrinkling. “Do you think I will be very pleased later in life?”
“I think after everything you’ve been through, yes. You are making a good match on all counts. And I think you will be very happy.”
Elena smiled, some of the tension in her shoulders releasing at her mother’s approval.
A knock at the door brought the rest of the wedding party inside.
“Oh, Ellie, you look so beautiful!” Maddie said.
Elena grinned at her, studying the navy gown she wore. “As do you. This turned out rather well, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, I really love the dress,” Maddie said with a smile as she ruffled the tulle skirt and smoothed a hand over the silky bodice.
“I’m so pleased. I know you thought the color a bit dull, but…”
“No, it’s really pretty. I’m glad we picked it.”
Isabelle sauntered closer in her unique dress that matched Maddie’s in color. “Never underestimate the power of a subtle color. You look lovely, cousin.”
“Thank you. I’m so pleased to have you standing at my side. And…if I’m not mistaken, I could be standing at yours one day soon?”
Isabelle offered her a smirky smile as she took her place at her side for pictures. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet.”
“Are you saying you aren’t madly in love with Stephen Kingsley?”
“I’m saying I’ll reserve my opinion for after I see how your marriage goes,” she answered.
Elena clicked her tongue in mock teasing. “Honestly, Isabelle.”
Maddie frowned at them. “I can’t believe you both are into my brothers, but Alexander won’t look twice at me.”
“What can I say?” Isabelle answered. “My brother is a fool.”
“He’s a bit old for you, Maddie,” Elena answered. “You don’t want someone that old. When you’re in your prime, he’ll be an old man.”
Maddie pouted. “He’s a really cute older guy, though.”
Elena chuckled. “He won’t be when he has hair growing from his ears and walks with a cane and you’re only thirty.”
“He’s not that much older than me,” Maddie protested.
“You’ll find the right one, darling, when the time is right,” Elena answered as Victoria hurried into the room.
“I’m so sorry to be late. I had to tie Nate’s tie one last time. And it made me cry.”
Queen Sophia offered her a consoling smile. “Elena has told you about the in-law residence, hasn’t she?”
“She has,” Victoria answered, “but it just won’t be the same as seeing him every morning over breakfast.”
Queen Sophia nodded. “I understand. We’re quite lucky to be able to see Elena so frequently. If you’d like to stay in the palace instead…”
“We’ll work all of that out,” Victoria answered with a dismissive wave. “I don’t want to take anything away from Nate and Ellie’s day.”
She flicked her gaze to Elena, finally taking in her look and pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh, Ellie, you look exquisite.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you think so. Now, I believe we need pictures together.”
Victoria hurried to stand next to her as the photographer snapped photographs.
“Well,” Caroline said as they finished with the various shots the photographer recommended, “ladies, it is time for you to take your leave. Only King Frederick will travel to the chapel with Her Highness.”
“In a horse-drawn carriage, like a real princess,” Maddie said.
After another round of hugs and kisses, the women left her with Caroline and her makeup attendant, who refreshed her lipstick before her father arrived.
Caroline fussed with her veil again before the king appeared in the hallway. He stopped for a moment, staring at Elena. “Well, I suppose there is no calling it off.”
“Please, Father, your dry humor is not acceptable after everything that has happened.”
“You look quite beautiful,” he answered. “My little girl all grown up.”
“And then some,” she told him. “I’m two years older than Mother when you married her.”
“She was too young to be getting married, though I’m glad she didn’t call it off.”
“Did you like her? She thought you were handsome and charming.”
He smiled at her. “I thought I got the better end of the deal. She could have had her pick. Quite a lucky stroke when my parents made that deal. Now, are you ready? ”
“I am more than ready. I am ready for this to be over. I have been ready to marry Nathan Kingsley since he slipped the engagement ring onto my finger in Sterling City.”
He chuckled at her. “Then, I suppose we had better go.”
“Wait, wait, her cape,” Caroline said with a wave of her finger. “It’s quite cold.”
After situating it around her shoulders, Caroline oversaw the carrying of Elena’s train down the stairs and out the door into the waiting carriage.
With her father’s help, Elena climbed inside, and the attendants carefully piled the mounds of fabric with her before they closed the door.
With a crack of the reins, the horses tugged the carriage forward to the chapel.
“The snow has really piled up already,” Elena noted as they left the palace behind.
“Indeed. I hope the–“ King Frederick’s words cut off as a loud snap sounded. The buggy carrying them wobbled before it rolled to a stop as the coachman pulled back on the reins, slowing the horses. He twisted around, his eyes going wide before he leapt into the white powder.
“What is it?” Elena asked. “What’s happened?”
“The axel has broken, Your Highness,” he answered. “There’s no way we can move forward in this carriage.”
“You’re joking,” she said.
“I’m afraid not.”
King Frederick climbed from the carriage to assess the situation, his lips tugging back in a wince. “I’m afraid he is correct. We’re stuck here. The snow must have been too much on the wheel.”
“Stuck here? Father!” Elena cried, her voice a mix of disbelief and rising panic. “I cannot be stuck here.”
Her heart raced at the thought, each tick of her watch a reminder of the time slipping away .
“We are until we can send for a suitable replacement.” The king glanced in front of and behind them.
“I will go to the chapel, Your Majesty. Everyone will be there.”
“That’s a fairly long walk,” Elena protested. “By the time you…Father, I will be late for my own wedding.”
“Well, it cannot start without you,” he said with a lopsided grin. “I’m afraid there is no other choice.”
Elena slouched in her seat, her mind whirling. She would not show up on time for her own wedding ceremony. She wondered if she’d ever make it to marry Nate Kingsley.