Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Thirty-Three

Sophia

My grandmother was not exactly happy when I told her I would not be marrying prince Benedict, especially since she had already announced it to half the world. She would now have to take back her statement, and although I dealt with prince Benedict and he would not bother us again, it was not graceful for a princess to step away from an engagement such a short time before the wedding.

I had feared she was going to be angry at me, possibly force me to marry him regardless, but to my surprise, she seemed rather relieved. Even more so when I told her I was madly in love with someone else, someone very eager to marry me, and that's when a smile broke through.

All my life I had been chasing something better. I had gotten myself educated, then I found myself a job and I did what I could to stay upright. Then one night my entire world shifted and now here I am, the future queen of a powerful nation. I have made some... questionable decisions over the past few weeks, and I have made numerous mistakes. I would not have blamed my grandmother for simply shaking her head at me and asking if maybe I should think about marrying Benedict a little longer.

She did not, in fact, she made sure we kept the wedding date she had set for me and prince Benedict, only days away. Now here we are, behind the closed doors, her arm locked in mine. She had arranged everything, form the food to the decorations, I let her take charge of it all, and boy did she know how to amaze me. The only thing she left for me to decide was the dress, something she stated could only be chosen right by the person who was to wear it.

I chose simple, elegant, modern, and yes, shiny. A tiara had been woven into my hair and suddenly I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. This is everything 8 year old me dreamt of, it was all the younger version of me had ever wanted. I gave up on that dream, thinking it was too far out of reach, thinking I would have to accept the tough life. Now I know true love, and not just romantically. I know the love that comes with blood, and the love that comes with friendship too.

"Are you ready my dear?" Charlotte asks, adjusting her dress.

I take a deep breath, "I believe I am."

She nods and the footmen open the doors in front of us. I try not to run away when I see the many eyes looking my way. I would have preferred a smaller venue, with much less people, but as granddaughter of the queen, that had not been an option.

I spot Benedict, clearly nervous, something that for some reason, makes me feel more at ease. At least we're scared together. I walk forward, trying to keep up with the rhythm of the music, a small staircase in sight, that will lead me to the man I intend to spend the rest of my life with.

I've spent the last couple of days trying to figure out what that will be like, how many little Benedict's will be running around our house, what colour I would like to paint the walls, what kind of social events I shall host, and then of course all the changes I would like to make to this magnificent country.

But right now, as my grandmother leaves my side and it is up to me to take the last steps, I know it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how many kids we shall have, or what color the walls shall be, because I will have him and he will have me, and together, we can make anything work.

I walk up the stairs, my heart pounding. I try to remember what my grandmother instructed me and I straighten my back, looking forward and not down. Which was a mistake. Because if I had looked down indeed, I may have spotted my dress getting stuck beneath my heel. Unfortunately I did not. I can hardly suppress a yelp as I lunge forward, tumbling very unbride-like into Benedicts arms,

"Not going to faint again, are you?" He asks, grinning from ear to ear. This has happened far too many times now.

"I might, if that means we can escape to a room alone, without everyone watching." I whisper.

"Well it's shouldn't be long now, all you have to do is say the words." He shrugs.

And so, I do.

The End