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Celeste left. We stood hand-in-hand watching her depart into the abyss. After she turned the corner, I turned to Rick.
“That was… the sexiest thing anyone has ever done,” I murmured.
“She can die in a fucking ditch, Lex. I mean it,” Rick said.
I wrapped him up in a great big kiss. Everything felt different. It was brighter, more authentic, and sweeter. I wanted to try and do everything. I wanted to trust him and believe he would always have my back like this. It was amazing!
Twenty-Four
Rick
For Immediate Release-
His and Her Majesty are excited to announce the engagement of His Royal Highness Prince Rikard, 29, to Her Majesty Queen Alexandra of Neandia, 21. The couple have been dating for some time, having met at an event with mutual friends. They will wed in Neandia in the autumn. We wish them many happy years together and are overjoyed to welcome Her Majesty on an upcoming state visit next month.
From the Desk of the Queen Regent-
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, 21, will wed His Royal Highness Prince Rikard of Lundhavn, 29, son of the King and Queen of Lundhavn. The pictures released this morning serve as the official engagement photos for the couple. An engagement interview will follow on Thursday evening.
The nuptials will take place at St. Veronica’s Cathedral in Ville de Neandia 2 October. A reception will follow at Neandia’s Royal Palace.
This is the first royal wedding since the marriage of the Queen’s mother and father twenty-three years prior. A request to end the Queen’s regency will be entered into parliament at a time agreeable to all. The Prime Minister will ultimately sign the dissolution of the regency into law.
It’s Official!
We have a royal wedding planned in October! Prince Rikard managed to land the young Queen Alexandra in a surprising redemption arc usually reserved for shady politicians with good senses of humour. There are few details available apart from the wedding date of October 2nd and that it will take place in Neandia City. We will be there to follow this wedding every step of the way.
Photos released by the Palace in Neandia show the couple smiling happily in front of an intricate fireplace in what is known as the Jade Room. The princess chose a red dress by Belgian designer Marie Lacroix. The prince wore a grey suit. They looked very at ease and cosy together. It was clear they enjoyed one another’s company.
Exclusive! will have the exclusive scoop and will cover this wedding, being the official Lundhavian press outlet to cover the couple’s upcoming engagement interview later this week. We are fortunate to have a front-row seat in this proceeding.
Following Celeste’s incident in the hallway, I threw my weight around more. Celeste lost power by the day. Moreover, worries about Sexy Nerd Boy faded as Alexandra became more wrapped up with me.
I am not saying I relished misleading the girl. I was sure for years I had no conscience. Now, though, I felt guilty. Alexandra and her sisters expected me to stand up for them. The little girls treated me like I was their saving grace. I was the hero of my own story—despite my shady behaviour. Alexandra trusted me. Suddenly, I prayed that she and I would get out of this unscathed and I wouldn’t break her heart. I suspected if she found out about the coverup it would wound her beyond help.
I now had strong feelings for Alexandra even if I was unsure where they came from. I wasn’t in love with her. She wasn’t the first girl I’d kissed. I’d never seen her naked or taken her to bed. And yet? I felt obligated to her. Was this labelling theory in action? Maybe since I knew Alexandra would be my wife, I treated her differently. I found myself smiling at her involuntarily. That wasn't like me!
As we prepared for our engagement interview like students cramming for a test. On this beautiful spring day, we sat on a blanket at the creek’s bank taking notes and quizzing one another over things that were bound to come up. Alexandra's distracting presence took away from my normal quick-wittedness. I found myself looking at her cleavage as she reached over to pick up a new pen. She colour-coded everything. I should have found it annoying, but I could only stare.
It was terrible. I was in puppy love with the girl I was supposed to marry. Normally, this would be fine, but our marriage was arranged. It was a joke, right? So why did I want to spend the time doing nothing but kissing her?
“Okay, so proposal. The girls were told I proposed to you,” Alexandra said.
“Huh, what?” I shook myself out of my stupor.
“Yeah, so Asti told them. She made up a whole thing because they were asking and?—”
“Shit. No. I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t?” She set her jaw defiantly.
I wanted to kiss the subtle scowl off her lips.
“I wouldn’t, no. I’d ask you properly. Maybe both could be true. You broached the subject, and I insisted I would do it properly.”
“Okay, I like that.” Alexandra scribbled notes. “But… how did you do it?”
“Maybe we were on a picnic. Cosy little day. I decided to keep it simple.”
