I could hear the large crowd gathered on the other side of the doors and looked at Alex. I bit my lip and rubbed my hands together.
“You’ll do fine. You can say the words in your sleep.” He chuckled. “You do say them in your sleep.”
I snorted and ran a hand over my gown. It was a floor-length, fitted dress, and every inch of it was covered in silver sparkles. I was wearing the deep green sash of the Rousseau family over my shoulder and the tiara with emeralds. Alex picked up my hand and brought my fingers to his lips.
“Stop fidgeting. You’re breathtaking.”
“This tiara weighs eighty pounds.” I reached up and touched it gently.
“You wear it very well.” His eyes ran over my body in appreciation. “You look like a queen.”
“Please. Did you see your mother?” I patted my dress again. She was wearing a floor-length robe that trailed behind her, a sword tied around her waist, and a diadem that was older than the building we were standing in. “I’m so nervous. Where are you sitting? You never told me. Will you be up front with your mother?”
“Where would you like me to sit?” He flashed his mischievous smile.
“Where you’re supposed to.” I shook my head in exasperation.
“Now you sound like a queen.”
“Alex? You’re being weird.” I reached out and touched his cheek. “Are you okay? Are you nervous too?”
“A little.” He ducked his head.
“You just have to sit there.” I laughed.
“Yes, but I want to sit with your family.” He looked up at me and my heart stuttered. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? He wanted to be family?
“They’re pretty strict about that kind of stuff.” I bit my lip. “Very formal occasions like this have a rule book.”
“I know.” Never taking his eyes from mine, Alex moved to one knee in front of me. My heart beat so quickly I thought it would burst from my chest. There was something humbling but exciting to see him there, looking up at me. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. When he lifted the lid I thought I’d faint, but I didn’t know how I’d get up off the floor in this dress, so I managed to stay upright.
“You want to sit with my family.” My breathing had picked up so much that I started feeling dizzy. I knew Alex loved me, knew that he saw this as our future, but never in my wildest dreams had I expected him to propose today.
“Samantha Ellen Frances, Duchess of Rousseau, will you be my wife and queen?” His bright blue eyes stared up into mine. Love and devotion shone from them.
“Yes.” My voice caught. “Yes, I will.”
He slid the ring onto my finger before standing up and wrapping me in his arms. I kissed him like there was no one around. I didn’t care who saw us or what the tabloids reported later. This was the happiest moment of my life and I was going to live it.
Epilogue
The Royal Wedding Guests
—Minnesota Reports
Hours of small talk, handshaking, and the unveiling of a plaque were starting to take their toll on me. I was fidgeting with the napkin I’d picked up from one of the rotating servers when Alex managed to make his way back to me across the room.
I was getting better at these types of events, but when they were as big as this one, it was hard to not feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, Chadwick was always nearby and I could count on him to extradite me from overly enthusiastic strangers. Alex was good about not leaving my side when it could be helped; unfortunately, it was quicker for us to split up to work the room when possible. And these were all people who donated to the FBT.
“You’re looking antsy.” Alex ducked his head down to my ear. “Ready to get me back to the hotel?”
“These shoes are killing me.” Even with the heels he had me by a few inches. “And it’s after four in the morning back home.”
“So, you’re not planning on attacking me when we get back to our room?”
“I don’t know. How soon can we get out of here?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Give me five minutes and I’ll have you out of that dress.” He put a hand on the small of my back and guided me toward the exit. I smiled, remembering how much it used to amuse me when he did the same thing and now I just felt special. He dipped his head down to my ear once more. “Have I mentioned how much I like this dress?” His fingers caressed the fabric and I shivered. Even now, after all this time, I couldn’t fight the pull he seemed to have on me.
“Just don’t tear this one. I like it, too.” I looked up at him and bit my lip to try and not smile. “I’m still angry about the black dress.”
“Hm, that was an unfortunate casualty.” His eyes ran over my body. When we neared the door, Chadwick exited ahead of us to get our car while we said our goodbyes to the mayor.
When the car pulled up to the carpet, Chadwick nodded at me to let me know it was ours. Alex and I made our move to exit, smiling for the cameras that lined the ropes. I managed to trip a little on all the fabric around my legs, but Alex caught me before I went down. I laughed at my clumsiness and gave a small wave to the cameramen as they took pictures. No matter how much they annoyed me, I’d learned a lot about handling them since my father’s death. Duvall opened the door while Alex helped me slide in, and I fought with the skirts to keep them out from under my shoes.
When Alex got into the car I narrowed my eyes at him. “When I agreed to your bet all those months ago, I had no idea this is how you expected me to spend my week volunteering for the FBT.”