Page 59 of Cinder's Trial
“Can watch the replay,” snarled the woman offering her services. “Because I don’t believe you. I think you’re lying because you don’t think we’re good enough for you.” Her claim brought an ugly murmur from those standing at her back.
“Nonsense, you’re all lovely. But to get married here and now? That would be?—”
“Romantic,” someone shouted, to which many added their agreement.
“Or are you lying?” challenged the woman in the front row. “It ain’t nice to lie.”
I’m sure all the Knights noticed as some shoes came off and got held in one hand, ready to be fired.
I half expected Levi to hustle me off the stage, but a quick peek showed him standing still as a statue.
Hannah muttered, “Just do it. We can have it annulled later.”
True. It wouldn’t be a real marriage, just something to appease the rabid crowd of wannabe princesses. Still, it didn’t feel right.
Didn’t feel right to stand facing Killian, while the woman began reciting, “Dearly beloved…”
I glanced at Levi, standing rigid, stony-faced. Holding in his emotions. Not speaking up because he didn’t want to escalate the situation, even if it killed him inside. Marrying Killian, even if a sham, would hurt him. Hurt the person I loved most. Yet if I didn’t, the mob of potentials might tear me limb from limb.
His pain or mine, which mattered more?
I took a step back from the prince and shook my head. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this. It’s not right.”
At my words, once more, silence fell.
Killian cocked his head and murmured, “I understand.”
He did, but I wanted Levi to realize what I did and why.
I walked across the dais to him. Levi bristled with confusion. “What are you doing?” he murmured.
“The right thing,” I said. “I told you before I will only marry for love, and since you’re the man who holds my heart…”
“Princess.” He hissed my name as I grabbed his hand.
“You lost something.” I slid the ring he’d dropped onto his finger, a perfect fit that should have never fallen in the first place. I looked him in the eye before asking loudly and proudly, “Will you marry me?”
Levi’s cheeks turned a ruddy color, and I heard Gerome snicker, but to my pleasure—and relief—Levi nodded. “It would be my greatest honor to marry you.”
A chorus of “Aahs,” followed, and I beamed at my fiancé.
I’d done it. My love had made me brave enough to do the unthinkable.
“Guess we’re starting over,” complained Royal Blue, the volunteer minister.
“Er, what?” I whirled to ask with confusion.
“If you love him, then you shouldn’t have a problem marrying him right now,” Royal Blue taunted.
“But Levi’s mother isn’t here,” I protested.
“Nicola hates gatherings,” Levi murmured as he led me across the stage to stand in front of the self-appointed minister.
“Are you sure?” I asked him.
“More than anything in this world,” he replied.
Royal Blue, looking smug, cleared her throat and said, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in search of our prince but now bear witness to one of our Ash sisters finding love…”