Everything looked amazing.

Kristin stood on her balcony and peeked around the corner of the tower, still in her nightgown. Her hair and makeup made her look like someone she had never been before, and the people of Avce wanted to see her.

She wished her mother was here to see her now. Perhaps she’d tell her that true love might not have happened for her parents, but that love was real. Kristin believed in it now that she’d met Antonio.

Horse’s hooves clapped in the distance. From what Renee told her, there was a horse-drawn carriage at the gate, just for her.

Renee came out onto the balcony, with her makeup now done, and said, "Come inside. You'll see everything soon. You're the star."

"I can't believe all of this is happening." Kristin let her best friend take her hand and lead her inside.

Valentino designers waited for her to ensure she was perfect in the dress. Before they stepped back in the room, Kristin stopped and listened to her heart beat, faster and faster.

Today was her big day. She hugged her waist, closed her eyes and let the moment sink in. Tonight she'd be a princess, even if the vote took it from her. Her life had changed and she'd be married to a man she never could have imagined on her own. Renee then said, "I can. You deserve it."

"I don't feel like any of this is real." Kristin confided and turned toward her friend. Renee was her only link to her old life, not that she had much of one. "This feels like I'm living someone else's life right now."

Renee led her toward the food tray that was outside and poured them both a glass of water. She handed her a cup. "I’ve never seen you this happy."

Antonio was why she’d stayed. Last night in his arms she felt whole in a way she never had before. With him she had no doubt that she was where she was supposed to be. "He's amazing."

Renee laughed. "Amazing is your word for when you're very, very happy." She finished her water and put the glass down. "So yes, you deserve to get a happily-ever-after."

Kristin sipped more slowly. She needed to take everything in. Then she felt her hand tremble with the glass in her hand. "Will you come and visit me? You're the closest thing I have to a sister, Renee."

Renee took the shaking water glass before Kristin dropped it. "Are you joking? My students will never believe I spent the summer here, and participated in your wedding. I don't think video evidence will get more than a “that's cool, Miss Brown” response, so yes, I'll visit whenever I can."

The blare of music from the street echoed around them. Her face heated. "Do the trumpets mean I'm late?"

Renee opened the balcony door. "Let's get you into your Cinderella dress and get going. Antonio's waiting for you."

Her thoughts returned to Antonio. His dark hair, brown eyes with those flecks of green made her ache for his strong arms to hold her again. Before they walked inside, she said, "He's handsome. How are things with Marco?"

Renee's face drained of color but then she held up her head. "He's fun, but I'm leaving in the morning when you go on your honeymoon."

Kristin's shoulders slumped. "I was hoping he would sweep you off your feet and you’d be my real sister."

"Now that sounds like a fairy tale." Renee led her to the designers. "It's time to be the bride."

The word bride rang in her ears. She never thought she'd be one and never imagined anyone in the world might care who she married. Once she walked outside she’d be streamed live for the world to see. Renee went to designers who helped her put on her maid-of-honor pink dress.

Kristin couldn't watch as designers added layers of white around her, but she peeked at her friend who looked sweet in that pink Valentino dress.

Then the doors to her bedroom opened and Queen Anna Camilla swooped in. Kristin's stomach twisted as she thought she was late. "Your Highness, they are tying me into this thing as fast as they can."

"You are to call me Anna." The queen’s gold and blue ballgown screamed that she was the most important person in the realm.

Kristin sucked in her bottom lip and shook her head. "That will take a while. You're a queen."

Anna circled her, her arms crossed as she checked out the bridal gown. She nodded at the end and met Kristin's stare. "And my son is waiting to marry you, which means soon you'll be my daughter."

"I hope I do you justice today." Kristin lowered her lashes.

The designer stepped away so nothing was between them now. Anna came closer, brushed her shoulders, and fixed the heirloom necklace that Kristin wore as something borrowed. "You already do, but you'll have to forgive me when tomorrow I start the 'when will you make me a grandmother campaign.'"

For the second time, Anna made her laugh. She wanted to go forward with her, but she stayed still as the designer adjusted the back of her dress. Kristin ignored the designer for that moment and tilted her head. "Let me marry Antonio first."

"Is she ready?" Queen Anna Camilla stated in a way that a few hundred years ago if someone answered no they’d probably lose their heads.

The designer backed away and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

The queen then looped her arm with hers and walked her to the door. Renee followed behind them holding the flowers while the queen told Kristin, "Proceed down the grand stair case alone. Don't trip—hold your dress as you go down. Every ten steps there is a level step that's elongated. Stop and wave and if you see a camera, smile brightly. Once you make it down, walk into the carriage. Then as the horses bring you forward, wave at the crowds on both sides of you. Don't favor one side."

Half the directions became jumbled in her head. Walk, stop and wave were all she processed. Kristin felt more adrenaline rushing through her, but she tried to hold still. "What if I mess up?"

"So what if you do?" Queen Anna let her arm go at the top of the stairs and stepped back. "As long as you get to the church and say I do to my son."

Kristin hugged her. Antonio's mother must be where he got his personality from because underneath all the pomp, she was caring and devoted. She let her go and asked, "Where will you be?"

"In the black limo in front. You're going to be great." Queen Anna then turned toward her friend. "Renee, you'll come with me as Kristin does her thing."

Renee nodded and then handed Kristin a small bouquet of roses that were designed for her walk down the stairs. Kristin remembered the drill. At the church she'd get her bridal bouquet. She accepted the flowers and Renee told her, "Think about Antonio and how you are about to be his. Meditate on his face. You'll be awesome."

"Thank you." Kristin looked at the huge flight of stairs she was to walk down. She admitted quietly, "This part is slightly terrifying."

"Antonio is at the end. Don't lose faith." Renee backed away.

"Got it." Kristin told her, but then the trumpets blared.

Someone outside said, "Presenting Kristin Wells, soon to be the Crown Princess of Avce. May God grant her a long life, and with our lady’s divine help, may the family continue to bless all of us."

Kristin almost tripped on the first step. No one saw, but she left the shadow and made it to the light. On the first level, she stopped and waved.

An image of Antonio's smile played in her mind and she thought about last night and the night before that. Once she made it through this, she'd be in his arms again.

She proceeded down the next flight and smiled again with a wave. Despite the bright lights, she made her way down the steps and into the carriage. With every step she went one more inch toward believing love existed.