FAKING ROYALTY [rewrite]

chapter twenty eight

I can finally see everything brought to life. All my planning. All my drawings of decorations taken from the page and made into a reality.

Hundreds of invites were sent out, and hundreds of people have attended. They're sitting on either side of me while I walk down the long walkway to get to Leo.

I'm so thankful of Leo's understanding. I wouldn't be able to bare the repercussions that would arise if this scandal got out. If he would've thrown me out of the palace doors and for all to see. Perhaps marrying him isn't such a bad thing.

One step goes in front of the other as I slowly make my way. Leo looks at me, pleased with the sight. He's probably pleased to see that I'm fully dressed. Our last encounter I was indisposed.

It takes minutes to walk to him. He takes my hands as my bouquet is handed to my maid of hour. He stares me into the eyes, beyond happy at that moment. I think it's because of the fact that he's finally getting married even if it's to me.

The priest speaks for minutes on end. It all happens in a blur before I finally realize where we are. He asks for objections, and I look out to the crowd.

My eyes dart around. I can see Alex, Vylad, and Paris sitting next to Garte and Zianna. Cadenza, her husband, and their son sit with the King of Brightport's parents while Hayden sits in the middle of them all. They're in the front row. They've given me away.

Laurance stayed true to his word. He didn't show.

There was still the piece of me that wanted him to show up. To object to it all and relieve me of this lie I've become accustomed to every day more that I live it. Even after my talk with Leo I've wanted this to happen. I wanted him to see me at my wedding but instead he has forced himself in his guest chambers, refusing to come out. He hasn't even granted me a congratulations for my marriage.

The priest lets the silence linger for a bit longer than he should've before beginning to open his mouth. A small bit of his voice comes out before the door slam open and fast paced footsteps become louder and louder the more they happen.

"I object!" He yells, running closer to us. "I object to this marriage!" He stops directly in front of us, looking me in the eyes. "Y/N, I'm so sorry, but I can't let you do this anymore."

Hayden stands up from his seat, angered as his nostrils flair. "Laurance, you will not object to this marriage. Sit down at this instant."

Laurance shakes his head. "She's a fraud!" He yells out for all to hear. There's a loud gasp that fills the room, my own adding onto the volume. "She's an orphan that was hired to take the place of my sister during her disappearance. She doesn't have an ounce of royal blood to her. It was all a scandal my father came up with to make himself look let a better king."

Hayden begins to storm to Laurance. Leo calls for the guards to restrain Hayden back. He fights against their grasp, yelling to release him.

"This is all a lie Laurance has created! He's just envious that his sisters married before him and that he doesn't get the crown sooner than his coronation date!" Leo yells out 'nonsense' and calls for the guards to escort him out. Hayden continues to fight against them. Paris begins to cry as Alex holds her close to her, trying to calm her down while Cadenza was already rocking her crying child. "My daughters! Tell him the truth. How she is your sister!"

Alex begins to cry, holding tightly onto Paris while Vylad holds onto her. He glares up at Hayden.

Cadenza shakes her head, looking over to Hayden in disgust. "We are your daughters, but you insist on being selfish in order to make yourself look good. How dare you!"

Hayden is dragged away once more guards pick him up and dispose of him. Leo looks at me and squeezes him hands.

Laurance gets onto his knees, desperate. "Y/N, I love you, and I know you love me too. Please, marry me instead."

I look at Leo, biting onto my lip. I want to marry Laurance. My heart belongs to Laurance.

Leo brings my hands up to his lips and presses a soft kiss against them. "It's alright. I'll marry someone else and keep peace between our kingdoms. . . because of our friendship."

He lets me go, taking a step back and grabbing onto Laurance's hand, bringing it to hold onto mine. He takes a seat by his family. He's taking this surprisingly calmly.

The priest looks down at us, his eyes asking if this was what we wanted. I nod my head before looking at Laurance. He begins the ceremony again, replacing Leo's name with Laurance's. Then when it comes to me, he's given my real name. No title. I don't have a title.

I'm happy. I'm happier than I have ever been before. I understand it now. How much happiness that was felt when you can marry for love as a royal. I love Laurance so much, and the kiss we're sharing right now only proves it.