Chapter 83

MILA

I spent the day before the wedding putting last-minute touches on the table arrangements and bouquets for the bridesmaids. I was running around the castle, frantic, while Felix and Rowena focused on setting up the great lawn for the ceremony.

Sea and Sky had been placed in the trusty hands of my sous chef until the wedding was over, even though I went to the restaurant every morning to review the menus and help with prep. Although I was so excited for the wedding, a part of me yearned for the quiet on the other side–when Felix and I would be married and I could go back to spending every day at my restaurant.

I was in the middle of placing lilacs into a vase with Isla when someone came up behind me and wrapped their arms around my waist. I almost screamed until I heard the low, familiar voice say my name.

“Hi, Mila,” Felix said. “I’m sorry, did I scare you?”

“A bit,” I admitted, twisting in his arms so that I could give him a kiss in greeting. “How goes the great fun of setting up chairs?”

Felix laughed. “I think my mother is a little too invested in making sure all the chairs are evenly spaced. She insisted on placing each one herself.”

“Well, it’s not every day that her oldest son gets married,” I said teasingly.

Felix’s eyes darkened for a moment as he said, “This might be the only wedding for a son that she attends.”

I knew that Charles’ betrayal had been weighing heavily on his mind for the last few days. I laid my hand gently on the side of his face.

“So we will make it the best wedding she’s ever seen,” I said softly. “One for the history books.”

Felix pressed a kiss to my forehead and then turned to Isla.

“Mind if I steal her for the rest of the evening?” he asked. “We have a very important reservation that we can’t miss.”

Isla laughed. “Of course! We’ve got everything covered over here.”

I looked at Isla anxiously. “Are you sure? I can stay and help if that’s what you need.”

Isla shook her head. “Mila, it’s your wedding. I can easily finish the flowers. You deserve a night off before the big day.”

I gave her a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Have fun, you two!” Isla called out after us.

“Where are we going?” I asked as Felix led us out of the castle. “I didn’t know we had a reservation planned.”

“That’s because it’s a surprise,” Felix said. “I wanted to celebrate the last night before our marriage by taking us back to the beginning.”

I had no idea what he could possibly be talking about, until our car pulled up at that infamous bar where we had met my very first night in Fresonia.

My eyes filled with tears as I stared at the faded facade. This silly little dive bar with its mismatched tables and crabby bartenders had altered the course of my life. It was odd to return now, and see that nothing had changed for the bar.

Even though everything had changed for me.

When we walked in, it was empty. I turned to Felix in surprise.

“Why is no one here? It’s a Thursday. People should be out on the town,” I exclaimed, glancing around the empty space.

“I rented it out for us,” Felix said simply. I looked at him in shock.

“You did?!”

“I could think of no better way to spend the night before our wedding than this,” Felix murmured.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. He laughed against my mouth.

“Now, what do you want to drink? What’s your heart say?” He walked behind the bar, examining all the bottles.

“I’ll take a mojito please, bartender,” I said jokingly, plopping onto one of the barstools.

I watched Felix in awe as he mixed my drink. He was so strong and handsome, I couldn’t believe I was marrying him.

I couldn’t believe I was about to be a princess.

That was a terrifying thought.

“How are you feeling about everything?” Felix asked, as if he could read my thoughts. Well, in a way, he kind of could.

“I’m not nervous about us being married,” I said slowly. “I think I just still have some nerves about being a royal. It seems… overwhelming. Especially with everything going on in the kingdom right now, it just feels like a lot to take on.”

“Well, the good news is that you won’t be taking it on all by yourself,” Felix responded, examining me. “You have me by your side, not to mention my parents and your friends. The kingdom adores you, Mila, not because you’re a cookie-cutter princess, but because you’re different.”

“But am I too different?” I asked. Felix slid me my drink and took my hands in his.

“You’re perfect, Mila,” he said. “Never doubt that.”

I took a sip of my drink. “This is amazing. Nice work, bartender.”

Felix poured himself a whiskey and took the seat next to me. We spent the next few hours drinking, talking, and reminiscing on our journey. It had been a wild one, but we were finally about to start a new chapter.

As night dragged on and I started to yawn, Felix lifted me off the barstool.

“I thought we could spend one last night in the city apartment,” Felix said softly. “Once we get married, we’ll be living in the castle. I’ll only use the apartment when we have late nights in the city.”

I nodded, a slight jolt of sadness running through me as I thought about giving up the apartment. I loved the castle, but it had been nice to have a place all our own.

When we arrived at the apartment, I spent a few moments gazing out of the tall windows at the city below. In 24 hours, I would no longer be common Mila Benson from America. My world would be upside down.

But Felix was right: I did not have to face those changes alone.

He walked over to me and pulled me against his chest.

“It’s a beautiful view,” I said, looking up at him.

“Not as beautiful as you,” he replied.

“Shall we retire to the bedroom?” I asked softly.

Felix’s eyes lit up with a slightly devilish glow. “Why the bedroom? Why not enjoy the view?”

He lifted my shirt over my head and cupped my breasts with his hand, kissing my neck and jawline. I felt my eyes flutter shut, enjoying the sensation of being putty in his hands.

I made quick work of undoing his belt and taking off his pants, finding a secret thrill at seeing him already aroused. I ran my hands up and down his arms, feeling the ropey muscles beneath.

Felix gently lowered me to the floor, my back sinking into the cushy rug. He was so gentle with me, worshiping my body, murmuring into my ear as he made love to me.

After we both finished, we laid on the carpet, naked, staring out at the city lights below us. We’d had a hard journey, but nothing, nothing, would ever be better than this. No more secrets between us, just love and commitment.

And a future brighter than the lights of Fresia.