A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Chapter 25

Despite what Damien had said, Kimbra had insisted that the wedding was still going to be planned. We set up the small details first, which was all on me. I simply had to envision my dream wedding by creating a “dream board,” as Kimbra called it. If I had an idea, I wrote it down. If I saw an image or fabric I stuck it on there. Anything was fair game for the dream board.

Because I no longer was available for a season and my main lessons were over, I had plenty of time to do whatever I desired. It was nice for a change.

I only had to train with Blithe three times a week and I had a press conference at the end. Madam Pavoni had scripted everything for me and I just had to memorize them without sounding like a robot, which was a little harder than I thought and required a lot of practice. Thanks to Aria though, I managed to make them seem genuine and smooth.

Kimbra was fussing over my hair in my room, while Aria casually sat on my bench drinking some tea. I honestly couldn’t see anything wrong with it in the mirror we were in front of, but apparently Kimbra had and I wasn’t going to add to her agitation.

With the amount of hair spray my step-mother applied was suffocating me and I felt like I was half high from it. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to get out of that small room.

Aria nudged me as we stood outside of view of the camera, waiting for our queue, “You nervous?”

I nodded glancing to her and out to the crowd of people. “A little,” I confessed, watching the people. They had to put up a fence to keep the ton of people from getting too close. There was a podium at the top of the stairs and guards stood in their formalwear at a stiff stance. Xavier was stationed at the entrance of the palace doors until it was time to guide the three of us women to the podium to meet my father.

Just before my father invited us to meet him, I wiped my sweaty palms on the sides of my royal blue fitted dress with a pencil skirt and forearm length sleeves and braced myself to walk tall and confident after Aria in my three inch nude heels. I kept my head high and casually walked behind Aria as she followed her mom.

Kimbra stood next to my father, Aria settled into her mother’s side while I quickly walked behind them and stood on the other side of the king. “As a family,” he was saying, “we know we are making the right decision for our kingdom. My family and I want the best for our people. We want you all to be safe and live in peace. Most of all,” he paused and looked at me, “as a father, I want my daughters to be happy and experience love,” he looked back at the crowd and continued, “like all children should. I know my Ellia will be happy.”

His words made me want to cry because I had never heard those words come from him... or anyone but Damien. The emotion in his voice was so clear and heartwarming that even the people in the audience muttered a few adoring ‘awe’s.

When my father stepped back and kissed my forehead before letting me take the podium, I tried to remember the words Madam Pavoni had me memorize, but I knew I couldn’t say them. Guilt had found its way inside me and I’m not sure if it was the emotion in my father’s voice or the way those people were looking at me with curiosity, I knew I couldn’t lie to them anymore. The truth had to be told.

And so I told it.

I glanced down at the podium with an unlady like sigh that I’m sure everyone heard. “My father had said that he wanted me to be happy and I’m extremely happy. My entire life I longed for good friends and a family that loved me and I finally found it. However, I wasn’t always happy here. I was still adjusting to the news and trying to mend a broken heart.” I paused to take in a long breath. “You see, I’ve been lying about King Damien.” An uproar of gasps around me began and I raised my voice. “Trust me it’s not what you think! I really love him,” the people around me quieted and I continued, “I’ve loved him since the moment he asked me out on our first date.” Questioning stares glanced back at me as I looked around. “I’ve known the Demon king for years and never knew it,” I laughed. “The day that I appeared in the throne room was the same day he broke my heart so he could return to his own kingdom. It’s what brought me here and as much as it pained me, I am so thankful I’m here.” To get the effect my words had intended, I looked at my father who was standing behind me with wide eyes and added, “I would have died if it hadn’t been for him.”

“And for some strange reason, I followed my instincts and me him on the island just a day after the attack on the palace. I found out the truth behind his actions that day and with help from my new best friend and trainer, who put a lot of trust in me, Damien and I were reunited.” I sighed again close to losing the composure I had. “Love makes you do funny things, you know. But I’m happy for so many things. For instance, I’m happy that this treaty is going to benefit my kingdom. It’s going to keep everyone safe and provide a trust that will be bound my marriage. I’m happy that we can stop this war.” I took a deep breath for the ending, “I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry I kept this from everyone. Please forgive my selfishness.”

Just before I stepped aside, an older woman called out, “Love isn’t selfish!” I almost didn’t catch her words, but she was just loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. I watched as she walked closer until the guards let her pass and she walked up to me and the podium. “Your family has sacrificed so much for us and I couldn’t be more happy for you, your highness. You are going to be a great queen.” And as she embraced me, a tear escaped my eye and I hugged her back in thanks. I wasn’t sure who the woman was, but I was thankful for her support.

When the woman broke away and kissed my cheek, the crowd clapped and continued to do so as she walked back to her husband in the crowd.

“Thank you,” I replied into the microphone before letting my father take over.

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it because he moved onto the next order of business and explained that a group of demons were against the marriage and reassured that he was working with King Damien to find the people that were putting me in danger.

Once it was over, my father and Kimbra went back inside, while Aria and I followed. When the doors closed, the king turned to me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked sounding hurt, which surprised me.

I glanced away in shame. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d listen.”

“That’s absurd,” he began before Blithe cut him off.

“You know it’s true.”

My father huffed and gave a exasperated reply, “Alright, maybe I wouldn’t have, but I’d rather have you tell me in private than in front of a crowd like that.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I wasn’t planning on saying anything, but I couldn’t lie anymore. It needed to be said.”

He sighed and ran his hand over his head, a habit I found him doing that copied my actions when I was stressed. He then looked relieved and with a smile he asked, “You’re happy then?” I nodded with a smile. “And you’re not mad with me?”

I looked at him puzzled. “Why would I be mad?”

“For giving you up to those awful people,” he replied hastily. He then looked away and added, “And not finding you. You were my only daughter and I couldn’t help you.”

Suddenly I realized why I couldn’t ever read his expression. He was sad and angry with himself and he was trying to hide it from me. Instead of saying anything, I wrapped my arms around my father in a hug.

The first hug I ever shared with my father.