Erika's POV:

"Done…what do you think?" I lifted the gown off the white marbled table, admiring my art piece. I spun around to showcase the finished product of an hour of anticipated stitching to Anneliese.

As well as the hundreds of royal maids, royal scheduler, royal whatever.

They all gasped.

Anneliese in delight. The rest in horror.

"My Queen, you do not have to sew your own gown!"

"My Queen, the gown looks absolutely gorgeous but you could have just leave it to the royal seamstress!"

"My Queen, please put the needle down!"

"Erika, that's just amazing! It fits you perfectly. Now I'm tempted to make my own as well, can you teach me?"

"NO!"

Anneliese and I stared at the horrified looks on the faces of all the royal servants. But they didn't give us any time to do anything. Before we know it, the needle was snatched from my hand, the both of us ushered to the podium, the gowns thrown over us, and the royal seamstresses were poking us in the front and back, adjusting the gowns.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as things continued as per usual.

And by per usual, I meant rushing around the room like headless chickens.

"We're late, late, late! We have 20, maximum 22, minutes for your royal fitting! Then it's move, move, move! To the royal wedding rehearsal…"

I looked at Anneliese, raising my eyebrow in incredulousness. She offered me a sheepish smile and with a shrug of her shoulders, proceeded to stand still like a porcelain doll. Which I tried to imitate but failed miserably when the seamstress yanked at my corset. I let out a cough.

Okay, I let out a series of coughs. That were all very un-royal-like. Well, at least it would be over soon, in maximum 22 minutes right?

Not.

I stared at the priest in front of me, blinking profusely as he continued reading from a book. A book of lines that I was supposed to remember.

Between remembering lines and being poked by needles? I'd pick the needles any day. Hey, at least all you have to do is stand still. Basically, to remove all your thoughts. While this, wedding vows memorization requires you to think. Quite the opposite. So yes, I'd rather choose the option of not thinking. But who am I kidding? My mind obviously couldn't stay quiet since right now, judging on the looks of the priest, Anneliese, Julian and Dominick's face, I was supposed to say my vows. Not thinking about thinking or not thinking.

If you get that.

"Uh…I…Erika ? Take thee, Dominick, to my wedded husband…to have and to hold from this day toward, I mean forward, for…uh…for worse, for bett—"

"For better, for worse." The priest interrupted.

"Uh, right!" I gave a small chuckle before continuing, "For better, for worse; in sickness…" A sight shake of his head. "For richer…?" A nod. "For richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish," yes, finally, "till death do us apart!" I was so excited, and slightly proud, of myself when done. I heard a low, rich chuckle and a gentle encouraging squeeze of my hand.

"My Queen, I'm afraid that you have forgotten one more line…" The poor priest informed me quietly, in understanding. I sighed, I knew it was too good to be true.

We decided to let Anneliese and Julian rehearse their vows first while Dominick and I took a break on one of the chairs, Dominick's request. He must had noticed my distress. We sat in silence, me twisting my fingers in frustration, him watching me with concern.

My loud sigh broke the silence. Followed by my rant.

"I can't do this. I know I've spent the last few days acting as a Princess, but I'm not one. I'm a pauper. And now that my head isn't one the line anymore, I'm back to being a pauper. I can't wake up and stretch gracefully in bed while I wait for my breakfast to arrive instead of wandering the halls in an attempt to satisfy my growling stomach. I can't watch the seamstress design my wedding dress while my fingers itch to design and create them in exactly what I want them to look like knowing that I could do exactly that. I can't walk down the long aisle in a heavy gown and unbelievably high heels while the guy I want to impress so much stares at me, making my head, stomach and heart flutter without tripping and falling flat on my face. I can't—" I stopped myself, realizing that I had just said all that in front of Dominick.

I dared myself to peak at his expression. He was embarrassed of me, I was sure. But he simply stared at me. Blankly. Then, at twitch lifted his lips. Amusement glinted in his eyes.

It was my turn to stare at him, blankly.

Seeing my blank expression, he finally let out a laugh that I knew he was holding in. It wasn't of mockery, but of adoration. But I still glared at him anyway.

He finally sobered up and took my hand in his in encouragement. I sighed once more, not feeling very encouraged. "I think I'll never get this done. What do you think?"

"I think…" He looked at me reproachfully, that Kingly look, then he broke out into a playful grin, "that you need a break."

"Hmmm, I think that what you think may be right." I replied, equally playfully.

That was how we ended strolling down the grounds of the little town of Rosenville. Disguising as common folks. Well, not so much of disguising for me.

I looked at Dominick who was purchasing a drink for us. The way he spoke, stood, smiled—casual. I guessed, it wasn't so much of a disguise for him as well.

"You seem use to it." I stated, though it was more of a question really.

"Well, can't say this is my first time in disguise." He answered with a grin, handling me my drink.

I took a sip. Delicious. "So, how many times now?" I teased.

He took a sip. His lips looked equally…delicious. "Since young." His grin widened cheekily. I shook my head. Why am I not surprised?

We continued walking through the bustling down. I had always dream of getting out of this town, running away to sing at everywhere! But maybe now that I did, there wasn't a place that felt like home than here. It saddened me to know that I would have to let this all go once I got married. To a King. Even though he was a really good, nice, honest, amazing, handsome, smart, playful, kind King. I smiled at that thought. There really wasn't any place I would rather be than with him.

I was just worried that I'd disappoint him. Ruin his reputation. As if announcing that he was marrying a pauper didn't ruin it enough. I sighed again. How many times already?

"That's the 23rd time I've heard you sigh since meeting you today." There, I got my answer.

I lifted my face to look at him sheepishly. It was all I could offer him. I mean, what could I say? That I think I won't do well as a Queen, as his bride, as his wife?

"You'll be a wonderful Queen, bride and wife." He said, startling me. I raised an eyebrow at him. He simply chuckled. "It's written all over your face." Was his answer to my un-asked question.

"Dominick, I'm glad you think so highly of me. But how would I ever be a good Queen, bride and wife if I couldn't even go through one full day of being royalty without making a fool out of myself?"

"Well, for starters you don't have to worry about being a good bride." He smiled, reaching for my hand. I let him hold it, needing to feel him. "You're already one."

I couldn't help but smile as I shook my head. "As for being a good wife, I think that trusting your future husband's words as a start should do the trick." This time, I allowed the laugh to bubble through me and out.

"And what about being a good Queen?"

"Being a good King's wife is good enough, no?" He smirked.

I laughed, "No!"

He clutched his heart in mock hurt. I shook my head, "I mean you are a good King but being your wife doesn't make one a good Queen!"

"Why not? A good King's judgement." I rolled my eyes. He chuckled but his eyes turned serious as he stopped and turned me so that I was facing him. "Erika, you're kind, loving, brave, independent and most of all, understanding. If all this doesn't make you a good Queen then I really don't know what would. My father always said that a good King doesn't wear his crown on his head, but in his heart. I think you of all people, will be able to do your duty as a good, if not splendid, Queen."

I understood what he was trying to get across. A kingdom isn't a kingdom without its people. As a former pauper, I would understand the needs of the people. But what about all the royal…stuff? I looked at Dominick. He was staring at me, determined. Not to mention, stubbornly. I sighed. For the last time today, I promised myself. All that stuff, I can learn. I have Dominick and Anneliese.

And if that doesn't work, then I'd just have to leave all to the King to sort it out.

I told him just that. He bowed and said, "Leave all to him."

"By the way," Dominick said as we made our way back to the castle. "Did you really sew the wedding gown by yourself?" I nodded. He smiled. "Seems like I might have to dismiss the royal seamstresses of Dulcinea."

I laughed. "No way, I am not marrying you just to become a seamstress again."

"Even though you'll do much better than them?"

"Yes! I mean, no! I mean, yes I would not become your seamstress but, I am not better than them."

"Of course you're better than them. No one's better than you. The gown's beautiful."

"…Thank you."

"And so are you."

"Dominick!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The organ started to play. People rose from their seats. Applause could be heard. I gulped.

Anneliese gave my hand a small squeeze. The flower girls began walking. Heels were clicking on the ground. I clutched the flowers.

We were halfway there. Cheers could be heard. Anneliese was still beside me. I hadn't tripped yet.

A few more steps. The song was still playing. The applause rang louder. I saw him.

He stood, tall and confident. His smile gentle and warm. His eyes bright with happiness. I gravitated towards him.

Again.

I always do that. Gravitate. Him, his eyes, his music. It happened the first time we met. Not when he was a page, although even then I found his eyes mesmerizing. But when we first met, as bride and groom to be. I had gravitated towards him. Making, what I thought then, the mistake to sing with him. We met again, he proposed. I gravitated towards him once more, wanting to be with him. We met when I escaped, but I refrained myself from gravitating towards him. I was sure it was a mistake then. And then I was singing. He wasn't with me. But still, I gravitated towards him. His music. And now.

Now, I was sure. It wasn't a mistake.

When you live your dream
You'll find destiny
Is written in your heart

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And that's a wrap! The final chapter! It's all in Erika's POV, I know, but she is the main character hehe

But before I end, I'd like to thank everyone who have read this story. As while as...

7sinsofpurgatory

Decembra1998

MusicAngel98

theatrephantom24601

for favorit-ing

7sinsofpurgatory

Decembra1998

HeWasNeverMineToLose

Marianne 16

MusicAngel98

Not-a-nerd-still-a-bookworm

Valentinella

for following and

Decembra1998

Imangee

March98

7sinsofpurgatory

for reviewing

And lastly, special thanks to Decembra1998 and Imangee for the constant reviews!

Thank you everyone, you guys are the best! I really hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing!

As for the epilogue mentioned, I still haven't decided if I would be writing, much less what I would be writing about, but there is a higher chance of me writing then not so keep a watch out!

And of course, r&r please!