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"Is it okay if I go out there barefoot?" I ask, realizing I was outside without shoes this whole time.
He puts his mouth against my ear. "It's one of my favorite ways to have you."
I laugh, and then we’re stepping out onto the stage in front of all of our people. Together.
I let their applause wash over me and take a few deep breaths. Then I look up at Torin. "How quickly can we put a royal wedding together?"
His eyes actually twinkle as he smiles down at me. "You’re the princess. All you have to do is say the word and it'll be done."
I give a happy sigh. "I think I might be okay at this royal thing after all.”
He slips his arm around me, resting his hand on my hip. “I never had any doubt of it, Abi.”
Epilogue
WAIT ’TIL I TELL YE
EPISODE 850 TRANSCRIPT
Lindsey: Well, the big day has come and gone. And um…wow. Just…wow. Jen, do you have any better words for it?
Jen: I do not. And I know that’s not super helpful for people who listen to a podcast! But just, okay, imagine everything you love about weddings… the gorgeous dresses, the flowers, the beautiful location right? But then…make it meaningful.
Lindsey: Right. So most of you might have read about this because a lot of this got written up ahead of time, but let’s do a rundown.
Jen: I’m ready!
Lindsey: Okay, so first, they got married at the palace. Out in the flower gardens, of course, because this is Abigail, our own personal farmer-princess. Which means they just used the flowers and trees that are already there. Nothing was cut, so nothing is going to dry up and die.
Jen: Exactly, though Torin insisted she and her bridesmaids—who we’ll talk about in a minute—carry bouquets that were a combination of clover and lavender. Those have a special meaning for the couple, we’re told. Now, the lavender from her bouquet is going to be dried and used for handmade sachets that will be sold and the money is going to be the first deposit into a new fund that Abigail has tagged as a scholarship for any Cara citizen who is interested in studying botany or agri-business in the US or Europe.
Lindsey: Not just any Cara citizen. Specifically women.
Jen: Yes, that’s right. Women who want to go into those fields will have access to this scholarship fund.
Lindsey: So then next, we’ll talk dresses.
Jen: Yes, all of the dresses—the princess’ wedding gown as well as her bridesmaids’ dresses—were all sown by women here on the island. Each was different and this not only gave business to local seamstresses but also gave them a world stage to show off their designs.
Lindsey: I know the ladies were so nervous, but so delighted! In addition, their hair and makeup were done in town. So again, local business was supported and highlighted. The entire thing was wonderful, involving all of us. Everyone was invited to the palace grounds to witness the ceremony and enjoy the reception afterwards. Those who couldn’t make it could watch the whole thing live online. And I understand cakes and chocolates and champagne were delivered to all the villages so that people could partake in local parties and feel included in the entire celebration no matter where they were.
Jen: It was lovely. Everything was specially thought out and had Prince Torin and Princess Abigail’s touch. It felt very much like they were friends getting married and we were all a part of it.
Lindsey: I agree. You know I'm the more cynical one, and I thought maybe Princess Abigail would talk everyone into keeping it small and intimate and maybe even keep cameras away. But our new princess really embraced her wedding day.
Jen: She did. I understand from palace insiders that the procession through the middle of town up to the castle was her idea.
Lindsey: I was stunned by that. It was so lovely to see them and their wedding party and even the esteemed guests up close like that. Her sisters and Lady Linnea were her attendants. Prince Cian and Prince Torin’s long-time bodyguard and friend, Jonah Greene, along with Cian’s bodyguard, Henry Dean, were Torin’s groomsmen. Interestingly, disappointingly, Prince Declan was not even in attendance. But Iris Kim, his long-time friend, assistant, and often-rumored girlfriend, was here.
Lindsey: Yes. I did make a note of her as well. That is interesting. I would have died if Declan had showed, and yet I was also disappointed that he didn’t.
Jen: Same.
Lindsey: So, when I asked about the bodyguards, I was told that their time in the US really made all the men very close and they’re much more friends than anything else. Then the rest of the procession was made up of Abigail’s parents, grandparents, brothers-in-law, and seemingly dozens of cousins who all made the trip. They were grinning and waving and seemed to be having a great time. It was quite charming.
Jen: And can I just say that speech she gave from the king’s balcony was…just perfection? I nearly swooned.
Lindsey: I did too… from shock. I knew that Prince Torin would say something amazing. And, of course, he did. The man is head over heels, to the moon and back. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone as in love as he is. And the best part is he wants the entire world to know. So, of course, he gave an amazing, romantic, heartfelt speech. But then… much to everyone's surprise… so did Princess Abigail.
