The Hidden Princess: Kingdom's Fate (book three)

Chapter Twenty-Two: You Are Loved By Many

"There you are!" Isabella cried as I walked through the door. She hurried over and took my hand pulling me into the middle of the room. "I don't even know where to start!" she said.

Chloe slid up beside me and slipped her arm through mine. "I do," she said, pulling me into a hug. "Today is going to be amazing," she placed a kiss on my cheek. "Now, let's get you into a bath! You reek!"

Laughing, I nodded my head. "That's what sleeping on the tower and running an obstacle course will do to you," I said, letting myself be led to the bath.

Laughter filled the room as the preparations continued. Sparrow and Kate were watching the smaller children. While all the women that held special places in my life ran around preparing to help me into my dress. Chloe and Morgan worked on my makeup while Isabella and Ally fixed my hair.

"You are so beautiful," Diana said, placing a hand over her mouth. "Your mama and papa would be so proud of you two girls," she said, looking between Chloe and I.

"And I know that Antonio and Caroline would be over the moon at who their daughter has become," Jone said, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

I hiccupped trying to control the emotions that were pushing through. To have people that knew both sets of my parents was a blessing. To hear their words of encouragement meant more than I could imagine.

"Now for the dress!" Morgan said after a moment. She and Ally ran to the dress stand where my simple, yet elegant, light blue dress hung. They slipped it off and walked towards me. Isabella pulled me to my feet. I stood still as the women worked to get the dress on and fasten it. Yavana and Lucy brought over the satin cape that would trail behind.

Jone walked to an elegant wooden box and pulled out a jeweled headband. She walked back over and held it in front of me. "This was your mothers," she said. "She wore it on her wedding day," she added, slipping it onto my head.

"May I have a moment alone?" Chloe asked. With quick nods, the women ushered everyone out. Chloe walked to a small wooden box and then back to me. Tears already on her cheek. "You have something from your birth mother. I want you to have something from our mama," she said, opening the box. She then pulled out a white waistband with jewels forming a diamond in the middle.

Tears started down my cheeks, as I reached out and touched it. "Mama wore this on her wedding day. How did you get it?" I whispered.

Chloe ushered me to the couch and sat down beside me placing the waistband on my lap. "While you were in Nivetara I sent Morgan, James, and Kole to see if they could find it. They said it was one of the few things that had made it through," she said.

I placed the band aside and warped my arms around my sister. "Thank you," I whispered. She nodded, but didn't say anything as we held on to one another. After a few minutes, we stood. Chloe fixed my dress before slipping the waistband around me. Her hand slowly covered her mouth as she looked at me. Turning, I looked into the mirror for the first time.

Chloe's hand slipped into mine as we stared into the mirror. "You are beautiful inside and out," she said softly.

"This is really happening," I said after a few more minutes of silence.

Chloe laughed lightly as she nodded her head. "Yes, yes you are about to get married to one of your best friends," she said. She then took my hand and led me out of the room and through the halls to the courtyard where everyone would be waiting.

Before we exited the castle Erik appeared. A smile crossing his face as he approached us. He reached out and took my hands from Chloe. "You are beautiful, Sam," he said, twirling me around. "Nikolai is one lucky man to have won over the heart of the girl who vowed never to be married," he grinned, causing all of us to laugh. "I know I am not your father, but as your brother, I'd like to offer my arm to escort you to your prince?" he asked.