Chapter 24
NATE
Nate shifted his weight, glancing at his watch again as his pulse quickened. The bells had rung over ten minutes ago, announcing the hour and what was meant to be the start of the wedding ceremony, yet Elena had not arrived.
He swallowed hard as sweat beaded on his brow. Stephen clapped him on the shoulder, leaning closer to whisper in his ear. “I’m sure something happened. Want me to go see what’s keeping her?”
Nate swallowed hard, wondering if it was bad news that was keeping her. Had she had a sudden change of heart? Cold feet? Had King Frederick talked her out of marrying him?
They’d been through so much in their relationship, he’d worried this day would never come, and now that he stood at the altar alone, he had a new worry. His wedding day would end with him still single .
Alexander hurried forward from the back of the church, leaning closer to whisper something to Queen Sophia. Her brow furrowed as she glanced at him, then said a few hushed words back.
He nodded before he approached Nate. Charles rose from his seat, approaching them as Alexander spoke.
“The carriage has not arrived. I’m going to go see what may be keeping them. I’m certain it’s nothing, likely just a snafu with the dress or a hairstyle.”
“Right,” Nate said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I’ll go with him, son,” Charles said with a pat on Nate’s shoulder.
“I’ll go, too,” Stephen added.
With the search party formed, they left Nate behind with Victoria to find answers.
Nate stared after them as they left, chewing his lower lip. “What do you think happened?”
“Probably something with her makeup or hair. Maybe a few extra photographs with her father. I’m sure it’s something simple.”
“What if it’s not?” he asked, his voice breaking a little as hushed whispers tore through the church.
“Honey, you two have fought hard to be here. She’s not leaving you at the altar.”
“Sure feels like that could be what’s happening.” He heaved a breath, his chest tight as he tried to force himself to remain optimistic.
“Why don’t you sit down?”
“So, it really looks like I’m being left at the altar?” He tried to laugh, but it came out as a weak sigh.
“You look a little pale. It would be better than if you collapse at the altar.”
Nate’s heart raced as each second ticked by without Elena’s arrival. Memories of their struggles and triumphs flashed through his mind, each one a reminder of what they stood to lose. He feared the worst: had Elena changed her mind? The very thought sent a cold shiver down his spine, even as he tried to suppress the rising panic.
Before Victoria could lead him away, the doors burst open. The church's atmosphere, thick with whispers and nervous glances, shifted abruptly as Stephen burst through the doors. His expression was one of urgent concern, drawing immediate attention and silencing the crowd.
Caroline scurried behind him with pinched features, heading for Queen Sophia.
“Uh-oh. Here comes the answer.” Nate said, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
“What’s going on?” Victoria asked Stephen as he approached.
Stephen sucked in a breath, trying to control his puffing from the hurried walk down the aisle as Nate’s stomach twisted into a knot, preparing to hear bad news. “The carriage broke an axel.”
“Oh, no,” Victoria said with a frown. “How long are we delayed?”
“They’re ready. Ellie detached the horses and they rode here.”
Victoria’s eyes went wide. “In her dress?”
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it, but yeah. She was literally on that horse in her wedding dress. Alexander and King Frederick are helping her down now and they’re smoothing out any wrinkles from what happened, and then we’ll begin.”
Nate puffed out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank heavens.”
“See, I told you she wasn’t leaving you at the altar,” Victoria said with a pinch of his chin. “Now, you two get in place so we can start this wedding already.”
Nate and Stephen took their places on the altar and, after a few minutes of waiting, the string quartet was given the signal to begin the wedding march. The bridal party proceeded down the aisle with a pink-cheeked Maddie grinning at her partner, Alexander, followed by Isabelle who gave Stephen a coy smile as she took her place.
The music shifted, and as the doors to the vestibule swung open, Elena entered like a burst of sunlight. She appeared just as the storm passed, streaming through the stained-glass windows and painting the pews, adorned with white roses and ivy, in a kaleidoscope of colors.
The guests turned, their faces illuminated by the soft glow, each one reflecting a mix of awe and joy at the sight of the radiant bride.
Her beauty took Nate’s breath away. He’d never have guessed she had just ridden through the snow on horseback to get here.
She grinned at him before she glanced to her father and nodded. A photographer captured the moment between father and daughter before they proceeded down the aisle.
When they reached the altar, King Frederick thrust his hand forward to shake Nate’s.
“Take care of her, Mr. Kingsley.”
“Always,” Nate answered before he offered his arm to Elena.
She accepted it and they proceeded to the altar. As the minister began the ceremony, Elena leaned closer to Nate, a grin on her lips. “Terribly sorry for the delay. We had to make some adjustments.”
“I heard,” he answered. “I thought you were leaving me at the altar.”
“Not a chance, darling. Not after what we’ve been through.”
They exchanged vows and rings before the officiant motioned for King Frederick to step forward. The king rose with an attendant hurrying behind him.
Elena offered Nate a grin and a nod as the king spoke to the guests gathered in the chapel.
“In recognition of this union and by the power vested in me as sovereign of Eldoria, I hereby bestow upon Nathan Kingsley the title of Prince of Eldoria. Prince Nathan, welcome to our family.”
The attendant passed over the purple sash, and King Frederick placed it over his head. A wave of applause swept through the chapel, and guests smiled warmly, some nodding as they recognized the significance of the moment–not just a union of hearts, but a welcoming of a new member into the royal fold.
“Thank you,” Nate answered, “Your Majesty.”
The king bobbed his head toward the officiant before he took his seat again.
The man stepped forward as the couple turned to face the crowd. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Elena beamed at him as they turned to each other, leaning closer for their first married kiss.
When they parted, Nate grinned at her before they paraded down the aisle to applause.
As the ceremony concluded and they walked down the aisle, arm in arm, Nate felt a surge of relief and accomplishment. They had faced public scrutiny, familial opposition, and personal doubts, yet here they were, stronger and more united. He knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, with the same courage and love that had brought them to this joyous day.
After the receiving line and dozens of best wishes and congratulations, the endless parade of photographs took place both inside and outside of the chapel before they were whisked away to the reception.
Music floated from within as they waited to be announced to the hundreds of people in attendance.
Nate’s heart soared at the words, “Ladies and gentlemen, Prince Nathan and Princess Elena.”
As they took the floor for their first dance, a perfectly crafted waltz that Nate had practiced for weeks, he grinned at her.
She flicked her eyes to the side as the bridal party joined in with them. “I think your brother may be the next in line for a wedding.”
“He seems to be getting along famously with Isabelle.”
“Yes,” Elena said with a giggle. “She is just the right amount of danger for him without being quite as…vulgar as Chloe.”
“Deep down, she’s nice, right?”
Elena wrinkled her nose. “Nice may be an overstatement of her personality, however, she does have a good bit of decorum.”
“I notice your cousin, Prince Julian, is missing from our big day,” Nate said.
“Urgent business that he could not get out of. And he is simply Julian to you now, darling. You outrank him.”
“Do I?” Nate’s features crinkled. “How does this work?”
“Yes, you do. You are to be a king consort.”
“I’ll bet he’s thrilled about that.” Nate eyed his sister dancing with Alexander. “And Alexander is definitely not interested in Maddie, right? I feel like she’s really into him, but he’s way too old for her.”
“Alexander is not planning on robbing any cradles. I don’t think he has his sights set on anyone right now. He’s simply thrilled with the fact that his parents have eased their burning desire to see him marry Lady Margaret. ”
“What changed their minds? Was it the royal decree that allows you to take the throne even if you marry a commoner?”
“From my understanding, it was your impassioned speech. It apparently not only moved several of the legislators to vote our way, but also convinced my aunt and uncle that love is vital and worth fighting for.”
“Wow, and here I thought I’d be the final nail in your coffin.”
“Hardly. And by the way, don’t worry so much about Maddie’s interest in Alexander. I think that’s about to wane.” Elena slid her gaze sideways offering a slight nod of her head toward the teen.
Another teen, bedecked in a royal uniform complete with medals and epaulettes interrupted her waltz with Alexander to cut in.
“Who is that?” Nate asked.
“That is Duke Gregory von Anhalt of Alpenberg. A distant cousin of Mother’s. He is second in line to the throne there, and quite a bit more age appropriate for your sister.”
“Looks like he’s sweeping her off her feet. I’m not sure she remembers who Alexander is with the way she’s grinning at him.”
“I thought it would be quite nice to introduce her to someone her own age,” Elena said with a grin.
They spun around the floor again as Nate stared down at her. “I didn’t think we’d ever get to this point.”
“Neither did I. When I think of our chance meeting in that coffee shop…”
“I think I fell in love with you that day, Ellie Greenfield.”
“And I with you as you desperately tried to save my blouse from the coffee stain, Nathan Parker.”
“We have definitely come a long way from that.”
She leaned forward to sneak a kiss from him. “Yes, we have. And I am so pleased to have the rest of the way to go with you.”
“I feel the same way. We made it, Ellie. From here on out, nothing but happiness.”
“I am so looking forward to that,” she answered with a grin.
“So am I.”
He grinned down at her, a smile beaming from his face as he glanced at the wedding ring on his finger. He’d married the woman of his dreams. After all the struggles and battles, they’d finally made it. Together.
And he looked forward to a lifetime of happiness with the woman he loved.
THE END