Chapter 32

Jakob

The weight of being a commoner surrounded by the trappings of royalty is a reminder of the life I was shut out from.

The stark contrast between the palace and how I grew up sows seeds of deep discomfort as I stand here, praying, wishing for this wedding to start already.

Finally, Stasi's ready. As I walk her down the aisle, I see Jo, her gown flowing around her like stardust. She's the most stunning beauty in this clearing of the woods, a most unlikely place to be full of glittering, well-heeled guests.

Jo's formal look today only underlines the elegance with which she conducts herself every day. Her gown flows around her like a cascade of stardust, complementing rather than contrasting with her down-to-earth sensibilities.

Jo is my anchor as I stand in front of all these people, about to watch one of my best friends get married.

Finally, no one's eyes are on me except Jo's.

And then another pair of wide eyes surveys me.

Princess Flora stands adjacent to the arbor, examining me for clues. She's trying to place me.

Gods, why can't this officiant get on with the vows already?

In a pink gown with green lace and a botanical crown on her red hair to match, Stasi outshines everyone except my Jo.

I hear Stasi whisper to Sigurd as she squeezes his arm, "Are you okay?"

"The gods smiled on me when they sent you my way, Stasi," Sigurd murmurs. Everyone within earshot sighs and dabs at their eyes. "What about you? Are you well?"

Stasi winces but seems overall fine.

"I'm wonderful. I'm marrying my king today."

"You're everything I didn't know I needed, Stasi."

The wedding celebrant interjects. "Save it for the vows, you two."

My laughter is cut short when my eyes lock on to those of the princess, who suddenly looks pale.

Sigurd has noticed this, too. "Flora?"

Callum Black, the best man of Sigurd, whom I met only moments ago, seems to snap into action, taking a slight step toward Flora. "It's you," Flora rasps, still gaping at me.

Callum is on the verge of outrage. "What is it, Flora?"

"It is" is all I can say.

Callum growls, "Flora, what is going on?"

She points to me. "It was him. He caught me when I fell."

The eldest prince, Torben, always the picture of decorum, hollers, "Him?!"

All eyes are on me except Callum, mine, and Uther's as Flora's eyes flutter. Her knees are going to give out. I lunge forward, but Etienne, the second-oldest prince, catches her.

Callum, Torben, Uther, and I surround the princess as Uther tries to hold me back.

"Give her room," the chief guard orders me.

"Oh gods!" Everyone's attention then shifts to Stasi due to her shouting and holding her stomach.

"Stasi!" Sigurd hollers.

"I'm sorry, but I think I just ruined everything," Stasi squeaks.

The puddle of water at her feet would indicate she didn't ruin anything, but the baby might have simply interrupted their own parents' wedding.

"The wedding is postponed, everyone!" Sigurd shouts. "My wife is having a baby."

Guards and noble guests are on their feet, crowding Stasi and the princess.

"It's you," Flora whispers to me again.

Shocked murmurs fill the clearing as the crowd of elegant guests wonder what has happened.

Amidst the commotion, Uther swiftly moves everyone aside and carries Princess Flora into a side room, with other palace staff hot on his heels to attend to her.

"Finish the vows!" the king can be heard bellowing over the gasps and murmurs of the curious guests.

Guess he's not all that concerned about his own daughter—or the safety of his future daughter-in-law or the safe delivery of his grandbaby.

But Sigurd is not focused on the ceremony or on the vows. As anyone with half a heart can understand, he's focused solely on getting his Stasi out of these woods and taking her straight to the hospital.