EPILOGUE
Diana
One Year Later…
Another ball, the same daunting staircase!!
I smiled as I leaned over the railing and saw the mass of tuxedo and formally clad men and women below.
It was the same, yet so very different.
There were no masks, and this wouldn’t be a roomful of strangers.
It was my family and friends.
Nic and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary, and my husband had been determined to make the festivities grand. He said he was trying to make up for the fact that I’d never had a proper wedding, and the fact that I’d needed to give up so much for him.
In truth, I hadn’t really sacrificed at all. I’d come to love Rubare Virgina, and Nic and I did travel quite a bit. Although I might never be the perfect princess, I’d become quite comfortable being royalty, and in my role of Princess Diana.
I fingered the heavily gemmed bracelet I was wearing, one of many gifts from Nic. I was wearing the sapphire necklace that matched, and I’d had to leave my favorite necklace from my father at home. Nic had given it back to me, but only after he’d added a heart of his own to rest beside the one from my father. I wore it almost all the time. But tonight was a night of indulges.
I saw Princess Jessica and Prince Ballasare below, and Nic’s father was having a conversation with an important business contact. I hadn’t seen Nic yet, but I knew he was present.
Dressed in a deep blue gown, I didn’t feel the slightest bit intimated as I gazed down at the guests for the ball. I’d lost much of my previous fear and displeasure for formal gatherings. Who wouldn’t if they always had an escort like my husband? Nic made any event fun, and I’d become more and more skilled and relaxed when I attended with him.
I marched to the top of the stairs.
As usual, Theo was there, and I smiled at the royal advisor.
“I don’t think I need your invitation, Your Highness,” Theo said as he bowed.
I nodded. “I thought not,” I said, trying not to smile.
“Her Highness, Princess Diana of Rubare Virgina,” Theo bellowed.
I didn’t grip the banister too tightly, and my head was up as I coasted down the same stairway I’d descended a year ago.
What a difference a year makes!
When I neared the bottom, I finally caught a glimpse of Nic at the bottom of the stairs, grinning broadly.
When I got to the second-to-the-last step, I didn’t exactly fall. I pitched myself from the slick step and landed squarely in my husband’s arms. Not once had I doubted that he’d catch me. He always did. Although I’d gotten good at slowing down, which kept me from tripping over my own feet, my husband had never failed to wrap his arms around me and keep me from hitting the ground when I stumbled.
He kissed me, and held me up off the floor as I wrapped my arms around his neck. When he lifted his mouth, I was breathless as he let my body slide down the front of his until my feet touched the ground.
“Good evening, Prince Nic,” I teased as I looked up at him.
He was grinning, the mischievous smile I loved so much as he answered. “Princess. You look beautiful. So beautiful that I might need a room in the hotel. I’m not sure I’ll make it home before I run out of patience,” he said huskily.
“I’m sure they have something available,” I said, playing along.
Unfortunately, Nic still hadn’t talked his father into doing a tourist business in Rubare Virgina, but we were hopeful that King Heinrich would eventually relent. If not, we’d keep trying.
However, he had agreed to grow and distribute the berries if the research proved it could help people.
“Happy Anniversary, love,” Nic said, lifting my hand so he could kiss the palm. “Once again, I’m the luckiest guy at the ball.”
“I love you,” I told him earnestly.
“I love you,” he countered. “Would you like a drink?”
He held out his arm, and I took it. I was already intoxicated just from being with my husband, but I wouldn’t turn down a drink. I just didn’t need a double shot of tequila…thank God.
“Where’s my mother?” I asked curiously.
My mom had been a regular guest to Rubare Virgina, and I was pretty sure she’d found herself a handsome Rubarean to keep her busy. She’d mellowed out considerably since I’d married Nic, and was actually pleasant when we spent time together.
“I saw her a while ago with my father, but she seems to have gone to talk to someone else,” Nic answered, seemingly unconcerned.
I sipped my drink slowly, looking around at the guests while my husband held me protectively by his side.
After a few minutes, I turned my head to look at Nic, only to find him staring at me with an intense expression on his face.
“Is something wrong?” I questioned.
He shook his head slowly. “No. Absolutely nothing is wrong. Sometimes I just can’t believe we’ve been married for over a year. I can’t believe you stayed.”
I smiled at him. As usual, he threw me off-guard with the simplest of statements. “Where else would I go? You’re here,” I told him.
“Come dance with me, Diana,” he requested.
He took our drinks and set them aside. Then he swept me up in his arms and twirled me onto the dance floor.
I laughed. “Okay, I’ll dance with you,” I joked, reminding him that he hadn’t waited for my answer.
“Good thing because we’re already on the dance floor,” Nic said in low voice near my ear.
“I noticed, Prince Charming.” I waited for a moment before I added, “Thank you for the most amazing year of my life.”
“I told you I’d make sure you never regretted marrying me,” he replied arrogantly.
“And I never have,” I admitted.
Nic had taken me everywhere, and he’d spoiled me rotten. Every trip had been an adventure, even when we’d stayed on Rubare Virgina just to explore another new place that was further away from the capital city. But we’d also been around the world, and both of us had enjoyed every minute we’d spent together.
He had his duties, and I had a book to write. It had already been accepted by a publisher. I just needed to finish the book. But, for the most part, we were able to do a lot of things together.
He waltzed me around the floor until I was dizzy with happiness, then he held out his arm to lead me into the formal dinner.
“Are you happy, love?” he asked in a husky voice, leaning down to ask his question for my ears only.
My heartbeat fluttered as I caught my breath, thinking about how much I’d changed in the last year. Once, I’d been a lonely virgin who couldn’t find a man who would love me. Now, I had the love and acceptance of the royal family that I’ve embraced as my own. I also had Nic, my very own, very handsome Prince Charming.
Is there any doubt that a woman with bad hair, bad plans, and creepy eyes could actually live happily ever after?
Believe me, it happens.
“There are no words for how happy I am right now,” I answered my husband, my lips close to his ear.
I shot Nic a mischievous smile as he seated me at the table, and then winked at me as he sat, taking the place beside me.
Maybe I’d had to adjust to being a princess, but because Nic had come along with the deal, there was no place else I’d rather be.
At the moment, my life was perfect.
It was, after all, the way every fairy tale about marrying a handsome prince was is supposed to end.
Happily ever after?
I couldn’t predict the future, but it was certainly looking like that would be my destiny, and I wasn’t about to argue with my fate.
~ The End ~