Affairs of the heart. A Harry hook fanfic

Chapter 33

Sunshine washed over Auradon as the day of the big royal wedding dawned upon the great kingdom. People from all over had travelled to  Triton's Bay and the streets were flooded with people hoping to get a look at the soon to be Duke and Duchess. Shop keepers had set up screens with spare seating for people to watch who couldn't get in to the actual event. It was a day that brought everyone together.

Back at the castle everyone's attention was on the young princess and her bridal party which consisted of princesses from all over the kingdoms. Belle had hired the best makeup artists to fawn over the girls while Alex had refused to settle for anyone other than Evie. The two barely spoke as they got ready, sadness lingered in the air and no one in the group quite knew what to say to each other.  

"I'm sorry Alex," Evie whispered, "I tried, we all tried. I'm sorry we failed you." A tear threatened to slip down her pale cheek but Alex brushed it away with her thumb.

"E, it's okay, you didn't fail. This sucks, but it's no ones fault. I have to do this, I've always known. I'm a princess it's what we do." She smiled sadly at her best friend, managing to glean a fragile smile back. 

They continued getting ready in silence. Evie buttoned Alex into her dress and instructed her to stand completely still while she made some final touches to make sure it was perfect. She fiddled with the lace and fluffed the skirt so many times that even Alex was a loss for what to do. By the time her hair and make-up was done and she had slipped her feet into her gold heels, she was so nervous she thought she might be sick. Her mind strayed to Harry and her heart gave such a painful lurch that she had to grab Evie for support. If she got through this day without any tears it would be a miracle. 

*Harry's Point of View*

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

The blade buried itself in the trunk of the tree over and over but still Harry didn't feel satisfied. Nothing would make this feeling go away. Nothing but her. And she was about to marry someone else. All for duty. Duty, duty, duty. It sucked. Who in their right mind makes their daughter marry someone she doesn't even love? Who would actually think that's okay? Oh yeah, the entire kingdom of course. It may have been awful on the isle but at least you could be with the people you loved. 

He was getting angry again so he swung for the tree but someone caught the blade before he could hit it, "I happen to like that tree." 

"No offense, but I'd rather be alone Ben, I mean your majesty," Harry groaned. 

"Harry, I came to talk to you. I know you're hurting as much as Alex is." Ben sat on the grass and gestured for Harry to join him.

Reluctantly, Harry sat down, staring wistfully into the distance. 

"I know things didn't work out. I wish they had. I wish there was something I could have done, but this isn't my fight. It's yours. I want you to promise that no matter what, you'll never stop fighting for her, you'll never stop loving her. Because she'll never stop loving you." 

For a moment Harry was speechless but then a thousand arguments rose inside him. Ben held up his hand before he could voice any of them, "Promise me Harry. If you love her, then promise me." 

"I... I promise." 

*Alex's Point of View*

The aisle stretched out before her. It wasn't overly long, but it had never felt longer. She knew Harry was there but she refused to look his way. She focused on Ethan, on making it down the aisle without tripping. Her bridesmaids were ahead of her, walking gracefully towards the alter and while she followed dutifully, all she felt like doing was running in the opposite direction. Her mum gave her an encouraging smile and it gave her enough strength to take the final steps towards Ethan. 

He smiled nervously at her, "You look beautiful by the way," He whispered, taking her hands. 

"Thanks, not so bad yourself." She managed to crack a smile. Maybe this wouldn't be a completely disaster. 

The minister turned to face them, a huge smile on his face, "Before we begin, if anyone here should object to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." 

For the first time since their goodbye, Alex looked towards Harry. She could see him rising out of his seat in slow motion and her heart soared but sadness took over and ever so slightly she shook her head. He slumped back into his seat in defeat. 

"Yes. I do. I object!" Ben half shouted, rising from his seat without warning. 

The entire wedding party gasped in unison. 

"Ben what are you doing?" Belle hissed. 

"The right thing mum," Ben silenced her, "They shouldn't get married because they don't love each other. This is wrong." 

"Is this true?" The minister looked towards both Alex and Ethan who looked away sheepishly.

The room was filled with stunned silence until one by one people stood up. Mal was first, followed by Evie, Carlos and Jay. Soon Jane, Audrey, CJ, Lonnie, Doug, Chad, Wren, and countless others were on their feet. 

"This whole thing is based off some archaic rule that says you have to sell of your children to unite kingdoms well no more. As King of Auradon, I hereby announce that everyone should be free to marry whomever they wish, be they royal, commoner, or Villain kid." 

Cheers rose from the younger generation but soon the whole crowd was cheering. Alex was prepared to run to Harry and pull him into her arms but Ethan was already moving back down the aisle towards Wren. He jumped from his seat and before anyone could say a word the two of them were locked in a passionate embrace that made Alex blush with happiness and pride. Ethan's parents gasped but every one of Alex's friends were cheering and clapping at the two of them. She couldn't hear from this distance but she could read their lips as they whispered their first I love yous. 

"Alex?" Harry tapped her on the shoulder.

Turning to face him, Alex's faced split into the most genuine grin of the day. She could see that he was ready to say something but she no longer needed the words. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him so fiercely that she thought she would fall apart. This was it. This was what she wanted. He kissed her back and soon the room had exploded in celebration. She knew she would have to explain things to her parents, and to Ethan's parents but it didn't matter in that moment she had Harry. She had the love of her life in her arms and she was never letting go again.