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Music began. Chad held on to Hope’s hand as they sat, then he slid his arm around her. It was the most natural thing in the world to cuddle into him and rest her hand on his muscled thigh. He gave her a smile that radiated through her body.
The double doors to the castle opened, and Hope felt like she was in a fairytale as she watched the picture perfect wedding procession glide down the steps. Cameras were of course snapping like mad.
The long staircase was framed by water features and flowers that must’ve been planted this morning or they would’ve frozen in the cold. She should’ve been cold, but with Chad’s arm around her she was warm—sizzling, truly.
Princess Sunny led the way. The child was endearing. She took her role of scattering rose petals and bequeathing kind smiles on her loyal subjects very seriously.
Kiera was next, and then the rest of Prince Malik’s family came down the steps, each powerful, beautiful, and successful in their own right. An extraordinary family. Even if they weren’t the monarchs of this magical kingdom.
The preacher asked that the audience stand, and Prince Malik’s face broke into a huge grin. Hope looked back to the steps and saw future-princess Sophie standing at the top between the king and a smaller man who must’ve been her father. Hope had never seen both dads escort the bride, but she loved it. How lucky Sophie was to have two dads who each beamed proudly and shadowed her protectively as they eased down the huge staircase.
She sized the bride up. Not as competition, per se, but Sophie was the closest thing to a girlfriend Chad had ever had. Was he still heartbroken over her? Sophie was gorgeous, radiant, and obviously in love with her princely fiancé.
The two dads, one of them the distinguished king, walked Sophie to her future husband. Prince Malik stared at her as if the sun couldn’t possibly shine without her in his life.
The wedding proceeded, and it was ideal in every way. At times Hope felt like she was in a fairy tale, not real life.
Hope tried to notice if Chad got stiff or uncomfortable with the woman he’d loved marrying his friend. His warm body sometimes stiffened against her, but every time that happened he was casting glances at the man whose arm was around his mother’s shoulders. He seemed happy and at ease with the bride and groom. Why did he dislike Roger Pitcher?
As the wedding finished with an Oscar-worthy kiss from the prince and his new princess, they all cheered. The media’s cameras were going insane. Hope savored every second of the whole fairy-tale princess story. It was truly magical. The setting, the flowers, the décor, the picture perfect yet benevolent royals, the very air seemed to sparkle.
The bride and groom didn’t walk back down the wedding aisle but stayed where they were and accepted hugs and congratulations from Prince Malik’s large family and Princess Sophie’s parents. Princess Sunny leaped into her new dad’s arms, and Hope wished she could hear what they were saying. She saw the king hugging Princess Sophie and wished she could feel a dad hug like that. King Nolan and his wife had raised all of these royals. She could only imagine how heartbroken the king and his family were over the queen’s death but they were all smiles today.
Chad helped her up. She stretched, never one to sit for long.
“That was the most beautiful wedding ever,” Faith said.
“Wait until ours,” Chad murmured in Hope’s ear.
Hope straightened away from him. How could he possibly take their teasing that far? The girlfriend thing was a lot, and the love of his life or only woman in the world for him was over the top, but claiming they would marry? Ridiculous and inconceivable. She would never follow in her mom’s footsteps and marry a man who couldn’t be faithful. It wouldn’t only destroy her; it would destroy her future children as well. The way Faith already loved Chad, she’d be almost as devastated as Hope was when he cheated on her.
Him saying a line like that was unacceptable.
She stepped away from his touch and clasped her hands together. Chad’s gaze focused on her, but before he could say anything, Roger said, “Excuse me, Madeline. I’ll be right back.”
“See you soon.” Madeline smiled at him.
He hadn’t gone a few steps when Chad turned to his mother. “Mum, what are you thinking? The man’s a slime and his son is worse.”
Madeline’s emerald eyes looked injured and very feisty. “I don’t demand you quit your philandering lifestyle.” Her tone softened. “I know how overprotective you are of me, my precious boy, but I would expect you could be happy for me if I found someone.”
Chad looked as if she’d slapped him. Hope felt sick to her stomach. Even his mother admitted he was a playboy.
“Mum … I apologize.”
“I love you and all the times you’ve protected me,” she said softly. “But please trust my judgment as well.”
“I love you too, Mum.”
“I know you do. It was nice to meet you, Hope and Faith. I pray I’ll see you both soon.” She gave Chad one last searching look, spun on her heel, and walked away.
Chad’s fists clenched. He watched his mother go and then zeroed in on Roger, who was speaking to one of the royal guards.
“Is everything okay?” Hope asked, touching his arm.
Chad turned back to her. His face was filled with frustration, but he softened as he focused on her. “My apologies. I have been overprotective at times as you wouldn’t believe the number of men who have chased her over the years, some not taking no for an answer. I do want her to find someone and be happy.”
Hope could see he meant his words, and she loved that he’d protected his mom.
