Page 298 of Vexatious Queen

The vineyards stretched endlessly beyond the manicured gardens, thick green vines heavy with promise, curling along trellises that had stood longer than most men’s lives. La Tenuta dei Genovese rose behind us in pale stone and quiet power, its balconies draped in flowering ramblers while fountains murmured in the distance. Everything was threaded in white lights and fresh flowers.

I stood with Lilya and Ana behind a tall hedge, just out of sight of the gathered guests. Friends and family filled the seats, happy murmurs filled the air and drifted on the breeze.

Lilya was radiant. There was simply no other word to use.

Not in the fragile, porcelain way brides were often described, but in something stronger. She wore white, yes—but it wasn’t a gown meant for a church aisle. The fabric flowed around her like it had been designed just for her and would follow her wherever she chose to go. Barefoot on the grass, hair loose down her back, she looked like she belonged to the land itself. Like she’d lived here her whole life.

“You look so beautiful,” Ana said, tears already running down her face.

“Mum, don’t cry, you’re going to make me cry, too,” Lilya said.

“Okay, give me a hug, and I’ll go sit down.”

My heart was warm and full as I watched Ana and Lilya embrace. It was something that I had longed for but had given up hope long ago.

“I love you, and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’ve become,” Ana said.

“I love you, too,” Lilya said, blinking back her own tears.

Ana grabbed my hand and squeezed before she went to find our seats.

I turned to Lilya and was suddenly aware that this was one of those moments that men like me never talked about. We always spoke about how we survived wars, bloodshed, and betrayal. Or how much money we stood to make from our next deal. But loving words to a daughter on the day you gave her away…entrusted her to another…not a single word had I ever heard spoken.

It was moments like this that I deeply missed my parents and wished they could’ve been here to see Lilya on her wedding day. And to see that Ana and I had finally found our way.

“Your mother is right, you look…” I cleared my throat, then tried again. “You look extraordinary, figlia mia.”

She smiled at me, soft and emotional, and something tight eased in my chest.

“I’m proud of you,” I said quietly. “Not just for today. For everything. For surviving. For choosing your own path. For leading with your heart when it would have been easier to harden it.”

She reached for my hand and held it tight.

“How could I not, when I had you and Mum as my role models?”

That nearly undid me, but the signal came, saving me from the tears. Music drifted through the garden, gentle and warm. I offered her my arm, and together we stepped out from behind the hedge.

The guests turned, and a hush fell.

Ahead of us stood five men. Five kings in tailored suits, waiting with love written across their faces.

Nash stood at the center. His gaze locked on my daughter as if the rest of the world had ceased to exist. Beside him, Myles wore a smile that was equal parts joy and wonder. Liam stood calm and steady, hands folded, eyes warm. Theo looked ready to tackle the world with my daughter at his side. Blake’s expression was open, like he couldn’t quite believe this was real.

I walked Lilya forward and placed her hand into Nash’s.

He bowed his head to me, just slightly.

“Take care of her,” I said, nodding to each of them.

It had taken me time to understand their relationship, but what I’d come to realize was that it didn’t matter if I did. At the end of the day, the only thing that mattered was that Lilya was happy.

“With my life,” Nash replied, without hesitation. “With my life,” Liam, Myles, Theo, and Blake repeated.

I stepped back and took my seat beside Yuliana and Vicky. I grabbed Vicky’s hand, and she looked at me, surprise showing in her eyes, but then gave me a soft smile. She hadn’t done that much since her mother died. Yuliana was already dabbing at her eyes, smiling through tears. I hooked my arm on the back of her chair, and she leaned into me.

After everything—the lies, the losses, the years stolen from us—this moment felt like a miracle.

The officiant stepped forward, cords of white, red, and gold draped over their arm.