Chapter 22

Three years ago, Ellie attended her last Wild Hyacinth Ball. Three years ago, she'd been a very different woman than the one staring back at her from the mirror in the royal attendance room, where she waited to step out onto the grand staircase as one of the attendants announced her presence.

Her parents would enter first.

Then the Crown Prince and his wife, followed by Prince Kurt and his fiancée. Then Rosalyn, the Princess Royal.

Then Ellie.

Alone. In front of hundreds to walk down the grand staircase.

She stared back at her reflection in the mirror as the rest of the family moved to the holding room to begin their entrance into the Great Hall.

Her eyes, so large and vulnerable, stared back at her, mocking her decision.

There would be no barriers. No one else to share the attention or on whom to lean.

Only her.

She closed her eyes and breathed out a silent prayer, and Luke's words came to mind. "Embrace what God says about you."

Blessed.

Secure.

Worthy.

Rescued. Her palm pressed over her heart as she recalled Luke pulling her from the icy water.

Restored. She smiled on the thought as she considered her own story over the past three years and the significance of this evening in her royal life. And then, an hour ago, Father sent her a video of the surprise press conference Luke held. Tears warmed beneath her closed eyelids. He'd done that for her, to fight a veritable reputation dragon in the only way he could.

Why?

She pinched her eyes tighter, smile stretching against her cheeks.

Beloved.

She raised her chin as she drew in a deep breath. Those eyes staring back at her didn't look as vulnerable as they had a moment before. She turned toward the holding room as Rosalyn and her guest, Lord Devlin Westby, exited into the Great Hall.

Arran should have followed her, but in usual fashion, he failed to arrive with the family.

Collins, one of the royal attendants, dipped his head as she passed, his uniform displaying the national colors of dark green and pale blue. "Happy to have you back, Your Highness."

Ellie stood a little taller and smiled. "Happy and honored to be back, Collins. Thank you."

She stepped forward, each pronouncement drawing her closer to the top of the grand staircase until Rosalyn and her guest disappeared through the doors. A quote filtered into her mind from a childhood movie. What was it? She almost grinned. Cinderella? "This is, perhaps, the greatest risk any of us will ever take: to be seen as we truly are."

With a deep breath, she stepped out onto the grand staircase to a ballroom filled with the elegant and important. A hush fell over the room.

"Princess Elliana St.Clare, Duchess of Mara and the North Country."

She sent a look over the room, pausing for only a second longer, and then... into the fray she went. Each step gave way to more courage and confidence. Each movement forward, she reminded herself of who she was. Truly. Flaws and all.

Beloved and all.

Without one misstep, she reached the bottom of the staircase and joined her family, breathing a sigh of relief.

The hardest part was over.

At least, she hoped.

Father welcomed everyone, thanked all who helped make the evening possible, and then waved his hand for the music to begin. The sound of strings filled the space with a sense of magic. Lights glowed down on the golden floor. Pale blue banners brought a celebratory air, and slowly, led by her parents, couples filled the dance floor.

She closed her mind off to the fact that she stood alone. Other people chose not to join in and they framed the dance floor, speaking to each other and apparently enjoying the luxury and elegance of Carlstern Castle's finest.

"You look stellar, of course."

Ellie turned to find Maeve walking forward, her deep green gown a perfect complement to her dark hair and unique green eyes. A definite ten walked beside her. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Skin the color of dark bronze. Where did she find him? On a beach in Italy?

"As do you."

"And this is Marco." Maeve braided her arm through his. "We met while watching a performance of The Barber of Seville last week." Maeve leaned forward, her brows giving a little shake. "He doesn't speak a lot of English, but we've managed to communicate in other ways."

Ellie caught her laugh with her hand. "He certainly increases the visual value of the room."

"Doesn't he?" She sighed and looked up at him. Even the lost and somewhat overwhelmed look on the man's face failed to mar his near perfection. Maeve smiled. "I am so proud of you. Walking down those steps on your own with the confidence of a queen. You stole the air in the room."

"I know my ability to breathe was certainly coming in short supply."

"You were amazing. You are amazing." Maeve's expression turned uncharacteristically somber. "And you're a wonderful princess on your own too. You've proven that already."

"I know I'll be fine on my own, but I don't want it to remain so." Ellie pinched her hands together in front of her, wishing so hard her knight-in-fuzzy-flannel would toss all care aside and sweep her off her feet. "And right now the idea of being on my own for the next several hours isn't appealing at all, especially with a dance floor."

Maeve opened her mouth to respond when her attention fixed on something just over Ellie's shoulder. A slow smile curved her lips. "I don't think you're going to have to worry about that."

Ellie stared at Maeve for a second and then turned.

A wave of warmth rushed through her, yet her body froze to the spot.

Standing at the top of the stairs, looking every bit the part of a gentleman, stood Luke Edgewood. Gone was the flannel, and she couldn't really say she was sorry, because Luke Edgewood in a tux left her dazzled. He'd shaved his beard close, giving off more of a five-o'clock shadow look, and the cut of the suit highlighted those exemplary shoulders of his.

"Whew," Maeve muttered. "There ain't nothing wrong with that view."

Ellie gave her head a little shake in response, her attention fixed on Luke like he'd stepped right out of her daydream into reality. Because, in a manner of speaking, he had.

He tugged at the sleeve of his jacket and scanned the room, the slight movement and deep breath he took the only hints of his discomfort.

A gasp of air burst from her in disbelief and she stepped forward, drawn to him.

The motion caught his attention and his gaze flitted to hers, then held. His focus moved from the crown on her head all the way down her gown and back up, a wonderfully crooked tip to his lips spreading in time with the appreciation in those eyes. Without another moment's hesitation, he descended, his focus never wavering.

She felt like the only person in the room, and in this case, she didn't mind at all. Being the center of his attention placed her in one of the best seats in the house.

The closer he came, the more his body relaxed and his smile grew... and the more she started to believe it was actually happening.

"I think Marco and I will leave the two of you to"—Maeve waved a hand—"stare?"

Ellie spared Maeve a look as her friend moved to the dance floor, and then Luke was standing in front of her, real and smiling and wonderfully dashing.

Oh, he looked even more attractive up close.

"Hi." The word trembled out on a whisper.

He dipped his head, never breaking eye contact. "Hey." His simple response, uttered low and slow, sent a delightful tingle up her neck. Paired with his hooded look, she nearly melted to the floor in a heap of blue satin and happiness.

"You're here."

He nodded. "I can't say I fought a horde of monsters to get here, but I did see my life flash before my eyes a few times."

Her laugh burst out. No, she wasn't dreaming, because his response proved classic Luke. "Sounds like there's a story attached to that statement."

He shook his head slowly, his smile growing wider. "Let's just say I'm certainly going to need another reward after the car ride I just survived to be here."

Oh... heavens. She drew on all of her practice as a royal to keep her expression steady. "So... is this a real date?"

"I don't wear a tux for fake ones."

She pulled in a shaky breath. "I must say, Mr.Edgewood, I think we should invest in a great many real dates in the future if I can see you wear a tux on occasion."

He stepped closer, the heat from his eyes sending warmth to her cheeks. "It's not so bad to wear it if you keep looking at me like you are."

"Believe me, it is no hardship on my part at all."

"I'd say the feeling is mutual on that score." His gaze trailed down her again, leaving a lovely trail of tingles in its wake. "You're—" His breath caught. "Breathtaking."

The power it took within her not to breach every protocol and kiss him proved she'd developed a great deal of self-control in the last few years. "I'm so glad you're here."

His entire expression grew tender, except for the quirk in those lovely lips. "It seemed a shame not to get the full Skymarian experience."

And though his words teased, his eyes told her much more. He came for her. And only her.

She stepped closer to him, almost afraid to touch him for fear he might disappear. "It would be a shame to leave without a royal ball, a harrowing car ride, a snowstorm, and your name in the gossip columns."

He studied her a moment and then looked around the room, one brow rising in unison with the crook of his lips. "Well, while I was watching my life flash before my eyes on the way here, I realized there is one Skymarian opportunity I have yet to experience."

"What is that?" She barely voiced the question, her pulse beating in her ears.

He drew in a deep breath, as if preparing for some challenge, and then offered his hand. "Dancing with a princess."

"Oh, you really are dangerously charming when you put your mind to it."

"Seems I just need the proper inspiration." Her hand slipped into his, those ridges and calluses a wonderfully familiar touch.

"I feel as though you're showering me with your particular brand of chivalry, Luke. A press conference, showing up to a royal ball, and now you offer to dance with me?" She stepped into his arms, and the warm scent of spice and coffee filled her senses. "I could get used to this."

"I'd do about anything, Princess Elliana, if it meant one more date with you."

***

Luke almost turned around three times once he crossed the threshold into the castle. Every step on the plush carpet or glistening marble, every glimpse of the ornate chandeliers and intricate tapestries, practically screamed how out of place this country boy was.

But then he saw Ellie, looking every bit the part of a princess in her silky blue gown that fell to the floor. One of her shoulders showcased a bow of some sort and the other side revealed her beautiful bare shoulder.

He promised himself right then and there that he'd embrace this night like the fairy tale it felt like, complete with a midnight curfew.

With her in his arms on the dance floor, he didn't care how ridiculous he looked in a tux or how much the guys back home would tease him about attending a royal ball. In fact, nothing outside the look Ellie gave him mattered.

Being with her mattered.

Maybe the royal gig wasn't so bad.

Parts of it, anyway.

The Ellie parts.

And the service parts.

And the ability to plan for good change as well as the power to make it happen.

"I had no idea you knew how to dance." She smiled up at him, the blue of her gown making her eyes almost glow. "But from what you've told me about your sisters, this sounds as if it may be a Penelope adventure of some sort."

"Our dad couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, so I was volunteered to be her dance partner."

"The dancing carpenter?" She blinked up at him with faux innocence. "Your friends must stand in awe."

He narrowed his eyes in a mock glare. "Now why would you go and ruin a perfectly fine conversation with an image like that? It's almost as bad as mentioning certain Christmas chime movies."

Her quiet laugh inspired his smile. He loved her laugh. "How did you get here? It's a rather exclusive invitation list."

Exclusive list? Luke paused on the thought. "Your dad sent an invitation by way of the Frasiers, and they sort of... encouraged me to accept."

Her dad had invited him. Could that mean he made an even more exclusive list? A list grand enough to win Ellie's heart for good? Or was it just a "thanks for the press conference" kind of list?

He didn't even know how to process this possible change in his plans.

He'd set his mind and his heart on having to end things with her forever.

"I'm so glad they did." She searched his face, her smile softening. "So very glad." She squeezed his hand. "It seems you are more adept at performing in the public eye when necessary than even you realize. The press conference was remarkable, Luke."

"‘When necessary' being the key phrase," Luke said with a shudder. "But I wanted to disappear from the world for a good week after that. It was exhausting."

"It's not my favorite either, unless I can point the attention to someone else."

She looked at him with such admiration, he felt pretty sure his chest expanded to Superman proportions. "And I must say, you certainly know how to enter a room like a royal, catching everyone's attention."

He tipped his head a little closer, gathering in a deep breath of oranges and Ellie. "I wasn't here for anyone else but you."

The dance blended into a second and a third before Ellie, thankfully, offered to have them take a break. The muscles used in dancing and in building weren't the same. Both hard work in their own way, but one was much less familiar to him than the other.

Gratefully.

"Luke!"

Luke looked over, wondering who in the world would know him in a place like this, and found Lewis Gray approaching. The older man personified class from his gray tux and matching streaks in his hair to his excellent posture.

"Mr.Gray." Luke took his outstretched hand. "A pleasure to see you here, sir."

"Lewis, lad." Lewis Gray shook his head. "Call me Lewis. We are on friendship terms now, I believe."

Luke always had a hard time calling older men by their first names. Maybe it stemmed from the "respect your elders" mantra of his youth or just the fact he felt they usually knew a whole lot more than him, but he would try to comply with Lewis's request. At least in his head.

Lewis offered a bow to Ellie. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"Thank you, Mr.Gray. I'm so glad to have you here this year."

"It is an honor to be invited." His eyes lit. "And I am especially glad for your return as a working royal. My hope is that your courage and hard work toward a second chance will inspire many other people to incorporate such virtues within their daily lives."

"I haven't thought about it that way, but I like the idea of inspiring people in a positive direction instead of how I am often portrayed."

He chuckled, sending Luke a wink. "I think we have the news duly pointed in a positive direction from what I hear about a certain press conference today. You may very well fall out of the tabloids altogether if you stay as wholesome as this."

"From your lips to the heavens, Mr.Gray." Ellie smiled, slowly entwining her arm around Luke's. Nice feeling. Good fit. Right beside him.

"And, Luke, your work on my cabin has been remarkable. I hope you'll consider coming back to Skymar for a few more jobs." Lewis's attention flitted to Ellie and back. "I'm sure we can provide plenty of inducements for your return."

Ellie straightened by his side. "Will you excuse me a moment? Father is calling for me." She gave Luke's arm a squeeze, sending him another smile before moving across the room to meet other members of the royal family.

The gown she wore fell over her body like water, and he had to reexamine his thoughts about sweaters and leggings as her sexiest fashion. Satin and heels worked really well for her too. His throat tightened. Really well.

"Would you be interested in coming back to Skymar, Luke?"

Luke pulled his attention back to Lewis Gray, the amusement on the man's face as apparent as the twinkle in his eyes. "I think I'm warming up to the idea." Luke's gaze moved back across the room.

Definitely.

***

"Your Mr.Edgewood proved himself quite capable today during the press conference, didn't he?"

Ellie smiled up at her father, the memory of Luke's defense of her still fresh and sweet and wonderful. "Diplomatic, even."

"I think his quaintness may have charmed a few of the reporters in the process." A sudden glint in her father's eyes caused Ellie to study him more thoroughly. "An excellent skill to have for anyone special in your life."

"Anyone special in my life?" she repeated slowly, attempting to sort out his meaning.

"Showing up tonight proved the final test, really." Her father's grin turned apologetic. "More of a final answer I needed to enact a plan your mother and I have been composing."

"A plan?" Her pulse took a steady upswing and she looked nearby to find her mother watching them, as if she knew exactly what sort of conversation they were having. "Involving Luke?"

"Aye. And I'd like to meet with the both of you this week to discuss it further. Something with more of a happily-ever-after ring to it, I believe." He tipped his head and studied her face. "Would you speak with him about the meeting? I think it may come off better from you than me."

Happily ever after? For her and Luke? Was it even possible? What would she have to give up? What would he?

"Y-yes. Of course." For the first time in this entire scenario, hope swirled to life in her chest. Was there a way to have both her royal life and her private one... with Luke? Nothing came to mind. No real solution to meet all the requirements from both sides, but a king often had a much greater vision.

And power.

"Though I'm not certain how free his time will be this week, Father." Her smile fell a little. "He's flying back to the States next Wednesday, and this week is filled with responsibilities related to his work for Lewis Gray and in preparation for his cousin's wedding on Friday evening."

Father nodded, his grin never faltering. "I think once you hear of the plan, we can sort out something. The decision will ultimately be his."

Ellie's gaze flew back to Luke, who now conversed with a small crowd of men, his newfound popularity and everyone's natural curiosity leading them toward him. If he despised it all, she couldn't tell from his welcome smile and poise, but this was only one night. A few hours of "royal life." Luke wouldn't want this forever, even for her.

Father's confident grin brimmed as the music stopped. How could her parents' proposal solve the very real problem of two people shouldering two separate responsibilities and living in two very different worlds?

Father winked. "We are in need of a liaison to the United States, you know. To build our relationship with them and encourage more tourism."

Her eyes widened. "What... what do you mean?"

The guards took their position for Father's entrance, so he merely shrugged and offered his hand to her. "Are you ready for the announcement of your return as a working royal?" He gestured with his head toward the crowd. "It's what they are all waiting for."

Ellie smiled up at her father, his question giving her one last chance to step back away from it all and embrace a life out of the spotlight. Even with the promise of some kind of future with Luke glimmering in the recesses of her mind, she knew her father wouldn't have encouraged her to go through with her reinstatement if that hadn't been considered.

She belonged here and she had to embrace it all—the good and the bad.

And maybe even... the impossible.

"I am."

Father dipped his head in assent and took his place on the grand staircase. Luke came to her side, his presence the perfect pinnacle to this night and her new life.

The announcement began and her smile widened with her deep certainty of her choice. Despite her past and even her present stumblings, she still possessed the heart of a princess.

She gave Luke's arm a quick squeeze before stepping forward to Father's summons.

And perhaps she'd found her prince too.