She stepped to the door, saw the eyes on her, felt her stomach quiver with nerves. Her fingers tightened around the bouquet—she’d never been in a wedding before, not even Ceci’s. On that day she’d been a special guest, but not a bridesmaid. One step on the runner, then another. Step by step up the aisle, knowing deep down that today she was simply filling in and not a first choice.
Diego was at the front, Raoul beside him, and her knees wobbled just a bit as his gaze met hers down the long expanse of aisle. He was so strong, so determined, with such a good heart. Loyal to a fault, with broad shoulders to handle the responsibility he was born to and never asked for. He was, and likely would always be, her ideal.
But not hers.
No matter how much she wished it. His loyal, loving heart had been given away years ago, and the real kicker was that the very reason she couldn’t have him was one of the reasons she loved him so much. He was the kind of man who gave himself completely—to his kingdom, yes, but to his wife, to his children. She admired the ruler, but she loved the family man.
And still she couldn’t look away. Not until she got to her place at the altar, next to Becca and facing the back of the church again.
The pipe organ swelled and Rose stood to the door, her father beside her, his chest expanded with pride. A collective “oooh” went up from the guests as she stepped forward, a picture of bridal perfection. The procession was dignified and stately until she heard Diego clear his throat beside her, and she looked over. His lower lip trembled just a bit, and his eyes were suspiciously shiny. When Stephani looked back at Rose, she saw a wide, wonderful smile and blue eyes that glittered with happy tears.
A stinging started behind her nose, but she wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t.
Rose reached the front and Stephani turned just a bit, only to encounter Raoul’s soft gaze. For a moment she wondered if he’d cry if she walked up the aisle, wondered what it would be like to meet him at the altar and take his hand.
Foolish dreams she’d held on to for too long.
The ceremony began with prayers and kneeling and blessings, moved on to vows and rings and a final kiss. Stephani held Rose’s bouquet when she took Diego’s hands in hers, then handed it back when it was over and they were preparing to leave the church and pose on the church steps before heading back to the palace for official pictures.
Rose clutched Diego’s arm and looked up at him as if he’d hung the moon and stars.
Stephani stepped down and Raoul held out his arm, waiting for her. She took it, feeling the fine, stiff cloth of his sleeve beneath her fingers.
“They’re happy.”
She nodded, tears fluttering against her eyelashes. “Very,” she replied as they began the walk back down the aisle.
Once on the cathedral steps, they stayed in the background while the press snapped pictures of Diego and Rose. After a few minutes, Raoul, Lucy, and Alexander posed as a royal family. Just for a few moments, then they would all head back to the privacy of the palace for more intimate photos.
Once the family photo op was over, Raoul returned to her side. “Are you ready to head back to the palace?”
She nodded. “I should change and check on the preparations for the rest of the day.”
He took her hand. “Let Sofia handle it. If she has questions, she’ll ask. You’ve trained her well, and this is an opportunity for her to step into a bigger role. She needs the confidence.”
“But . . .”
“But nothing. I want you to enjoy the day, Stephani. Not as my assistant but as someone who means a lot to me . . . to our family.”
She bit down on her lip. Maybe she should. Take this one day and etch it on her memory as a bit of a goodbye. If she left, there wouldn’t be any more royal invitations to balls or parties or state dinners, would there?
“As you wish,” she murmured, taking her hand out of his grasp.
He looked away and lifted his hand, signaling to Marco. Within seconds they were hidden away in the limo, sitting across from Diego and Rose who were beaming with happiness. Diego popped the cork on a bottle of champagne, making them all laugh, and poured the fizzy liquid into glasses.
“To happiness,” Diego toasted, lifting his glass. “And love.”
“To happiness and love,” they echoed.
As Stephani sipped the champagne, she wondered if it was possible for her to have happiness, since love didn’t seem to be in the cards.
CHAPTER SIX
Raoul was, for the first time in a very long time, in the background.
He sipped a second glass of champagne and watched as Diego and Rose circulated through the grand hall, speaking to guests and smiling the whole time. He was happy for his brother; it also brought back memories of his own wedding day to Ceci and how he’d been so happy and hopeful for the future. The feeling centered in his chest was oddly bittersweet.
Lucy appeared at his side, her red curls bouncing as she rose up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Everyone says a bride glows, but I think it’s the groom in this case. Diego . . . he’s completely lit up,” she remarked. “And you’re over here being a wallflower.”