Flash!

I was caught as I tried to get a shoe on in the chair, flailing somewhat at Jenny, who seemed to be very happy with her new role. I was certain cameras should be banned at this moment. The only relief I got from that stupid camera was whenever she vanished to the toilet.

"Come on, that wasn't dignified!" I protested as she backed up out of my reach.

Jenny backed off, her face lit up in a playful smile, somehow graceful even whilst on heels. Eleira, by comparison, had been pacing up and down nearby in her own heels. She'd borrowed my crutches just in case she needed 'props'.

"I am simply following Prince Roberto's orders." Jenny responded as she took another photo. This one was of Eleira.

"Jenny? Can you help me get this sash on right?" Eleira bit her lip in impatience as she tried to get it to twist in the 'right' way.

Both of them looked amazing. Genuinely amazing. The bridesmaid dresses were soft warm pink, knee length, skirts ready to dance out in layers of soft fabric, with a richer pink sash that went around their waist. Of course- we hadn't really picked the dresses. Like with most things for today, colours were pre-planned, and the designer had decided 'short' dresses for bridesmaids in summer was going to be a trend.

I smiled up at them as I secretly flashed a photo of them while they were trying to adjust one another's sashes again. The designer hadn't let them down. They both looked beautiful, hair pulled back to behind their heads, with rich red and pink flowers pinned there, before their hair was allowed to cascade down over their backs.

"Do we look all right?" Eleira muttered as she caught my eye.

"She's the one getting married. I think we're supposed to reassure her." Jenny teased. She squeezed Eleira's hand as she added, "You look stunning. Sophia- stand up. I want to take a photo of you in the dress."

Eleira returned my crutches to me as I stood up slowly, gathering the crutches close, the weight of the dress adding to the effort. Somehow I managed to ignore her now as I slowly moved across the room towards the large full antique mirror. There was also a professional photographer in the room but had asked to be 'ignored' for the most part. She'd only spoken up every now and then when she wanted one of us to tilt our head in a certain direction, or look towards her, or smile.

Jenny slid the camera towards Eleira and vanished for the bathroom again. I wasn't the only queasy one today.

I sighed, tried to relax, tried to not freak out about what we were doing today.

"Sophia, you're beautiful. Don't look so worried." Eleira's voice was almost a whisper as she moved to stand beside me. I hadn't see the young bodyguard-in-training for ages but they had wanted me to have 'two women' to match Roberto's 'two men'. He'd wanted all five of the other Princes and had to accept that he could only have Prince Keith and Prince Wilifred.

"Sorry you had to go through this."

"It's good training. Besides- it'd be bad to leave you to face that circus on your own. You helped Prince Glenn. It's the least I could do." Eleira's smile softened at that. "Yu has been so happy."

I wondered if something odd was going on between those three. I wasn't going to ask though. Too much today to think about.

The past week had been nuts. We'd done our first public appearance as we'd left the hospital, which Alberto cut short the moment Roberto tried to wheel into the crowd, and I'd found myself face to face for the first time with an adoring and over-curious crowd.

From there we'd gone straight to a jeweller. It hadn't taken either of us long to explain what we wanted- we'd both more or less been picturing the same thing- and the jeweller had the rings made literally by the end of the day. Matching rose-gold bands, both with subtle diamonds that circled the ring, and an engravement with the date we'd met. Not the date the public thought either... the literal date, the day I'd tried to help them escape.

I honestly had thought that we'd have news about Father in the past week too. I did meet my lawyer, apparently I was going to be drawn into court quite a bit, but according to him this legal battle could take at least a year. Probably two. It might take longer if my brothers appealed- something he expected they might do.

What was important was that Father and the two older brothers were in prison. Geoff wasn't. He wasn't in a mental state to be here today- he was at his 'home', a little cottage in the castle grounds, with two careers who we'd hired to be long term support, and about three dogs. He was also pet sitting our pet kitten and pet puppy today.

He had only arrived yesterday- they'd put the poor kid in juvenile prison. I'd been so upset about that that Roberto had snuck the two of us to Oriens for a night.

"I don't care if he is sick!" Glenn had been so angry when we'd pleaded for him to be pardoned. He looked so tired all of a sudden, exhausted, and he'd stood up nearly knocking over piles of paperwork. "I don't care!"

"Calm down, Glenny..." Roberto held up his hands in mock-surrender. "She's got to care for her brother."

"Don't call me that!" Glenn snapped. "He was found with my parents in that situation, trying to force feed them, and you dare ask me to pardon him? The one preventing them from escaping?"

"He was just as much a prisoner!" I responded. Briefly I entertained the idea of telling Glenn about Geoff's life, like the situation with the dog, but I had a feeling it wouldn't help. "He's just a kid- he's only fourteen- and he really needs mental help. I get that he did something very wrong, okay? But every day he spends in prison is bad for his health... I'm really worried about it."

Roberto grasped my hand at that. He leaned forward slowly, voice softening, adding, "Come on. Couldn't you ask someone to confirm that he is mentally ill?"

"No!" Glenn did seem to be defusing a little but he glared at both of us. "Is that all? Shall I have my friends escorted out of the country?"

Ow. That was cold. I tried to not take it personally- he really did seem tired, his face a bit drawn, and I had to remember that they'd only just let him back into his own home now that bombs were no longer a threat.

"Of course not. Sophia wanted an Oriens designer."

"I do? Oh." I 'remembered' as Roberto nudged me. "I do. Yeah."

"I cannot help you with that."

"I know." I reassured Glenn. "Sorry. I guess you've got a lot to do."

"How is the King and Queen?" Roberto asked, refusing to budge, the teasing smile gone from his face.

"The official word is that they require a rest." Glenn responded. He was still a bit defensive now. Was that what had him so strung out? "I can handle running the country."

"I know, Glenny, I know. We're worried about you though."

"I don't think either of us think can't." Trying to defuse it a little, I spoke up, giving Roberto a nudge. "I guess I was a bit worried. I saw them before they were rescued and... I am worried for them."

"The psychiatrist said that both would be well, given time and rest, perhaps even able to resume their old duties as normal." Glenn gazed down, breathing out slowly. His warm brown eyes met mine as he added, "Nothing I tell you leaves this room. Do you understand?"

Maybe he needed to talk. I nodded, Roberto crossed his heart, and Glenn moved around his desk. He leaned against it on our side as he crossed his arms.

"I intended on discussing it with all of us- all six Princes- after your wedding. I suppose the two of you may be unavailable for some time, however." Glenn leaned against his desk and ignored the crash of paperwork. Yu appeared to gather it up as Glenn talked. "Then I will tell you both now so that you do not need to be disturbed."

"Is it that bad?" Roberto sat up straighter, voice serious now, and he frowned lightly. "Glenn?"

"I promise. Neither of us will discuss it with anyone." I added.

"It is serious. Malnutrition, amongst other things, and their state of minds are … going to need some intensive therapy. Father and Mother will not be doing any public duties or appearances for some months."

That had to be serious because Roberto shook his head, breathing out, muttering, "Sorry, Glenn. Did you need help?"

"I believe no. But I'll be taking over my Father's work unofficially." Glenn glanced at the desk behind him. "I will not have much spare time for several months."

"I'm sorry." I muttered. I meant it too. Could I have made it better? I wasn't sure.

Glenn nodded faintly. He sighed. "I can cope with it."

I believed it, as tired as he looked, and resisted the urge to pat him on the back. "I'm sure you can."

"What do I tell Alan though?"

The question made both myself and Roberto go quiet, as Glenn changed into big brother, reminding us that he too had a brother he was probably very stressed about.

"How can I tell him that I will have no time for him? Or that our parents cannot bear to see him at the moment?" Glenn's shoulders slumped.

I knew he wasn't really asking me, just venting, but I answered anyway. "Just the truth, or he'll guess, he's much too bright to not realise something is wrong." I responded automatically. "They're sick from it all and it might make them a bit weak, in the heart and mind, but that they're getting treated by a doctor and they can get better with therapy."

"Mental illness is still shameful in this country." Glenn shook his head. "I … I never thought about it. Alan will be afraid of them- they will seem very different for some months."

"To tell yo u the truth- I was scared of Geoff at first. No one explained to me why he was different. I think... I think if someone had, maybe even told me how I could help, it might have been easier. But everyone was ashamed of him. Maybe that's why father never got Geoff any help."

Glenn raised his head finally and stared at me. Then he muttered, "About... about family. You're family to me. I was thinking you … well, we should make it official. A title before your wedding."

"Oh god no!" I laughed at the look n his face, the mood suddenly relaxing, "With all due respect, I'm already overwhelmed with the whole Princess of Alteria thing, you don't need to give me any titles. But... but I would like to be your cousin. Friends. I might need to ask you advice about this role that I'm getting into."

"Hey!" Roberto spoke up. "What's wrong with being Princess of Alteria?"

The mood lightened suddenly, relaxing the three of us, and Glenn smiled at that.

"I imagine you would." He smiled a small smile at that. "But you'll still receive a title, Father insists on it, and I think you'll be unable to convince him otherwise. Not will I allow you to see him, to ask him to change, and so you must obey."

"Oh well. If the King commands..."

"Oh, and not the crown Prince?" Glenn actually joked with me, ruffling my hair all of a sudden, and shook his head. "I should be working."

"We'll go." I offered.

"A few more minutes. I should have tea and lunch with my guests, should I not?"

We'd eaten after that, joking, Glenn and Roberto arguing with that familiar way they had towards each other, and even though it sounded like fighting... it relaxed Glenn and even brought some light back into his eyes.

It was only on our way to the 'royal designer' for Oriens that Glenn grasped my arm and finally gave in.

"All right. I'll see what I can do for Geoff." He said quietly. "If your Father had been treated young, for his own mental illness, who can say what may not have happened? We should not allow any child be denied treatment and support."

"Thank you."

"It may be that the Doctor my parents are under is familiar with a doctor who is an expert in children and teenagers, get them to talk to him, evaluate him, find him a lawyer used to dealing with this kind of situation. I can't do anything official though- he has to follow the same rules."

"I know."

"He may be out soon if he is mentally ill. Are you all right with being his legal guardian?"

I nodded. "Of course if it's okay with Roberto. He probably misses animals terribly."

"Of course I don't mind!" Roberto exclaimed. He'd been so quiet for so long that I'd half thought he'd fallen asleep.

"Animals?" Glenn blinked at that.

"He's good with animals- talks to them, cares for them, used to care for injured wildlife." I could see it now- if Geoff and I were the sole heirs, then I was sure that he could happily be set up with his own little mix of animals. Chickens, dogs, maybe a horse, I'd heard horses were great for this kind of thing. It would probably be much more relaxing for him than living in a strange palace with hundreds of strangers around. I'd probably loose Roberto to a farm like that weekly. But sacrifices could be made.

"I have the perfect place in mind." Roberto grinned.

"Good. Now... Go! You have a wedding to plan." He gave my chair a gentle push. "Leave this to me."

After that, while I was pinned, measured, prodded and poked, Glenn did exactly what he said he'd do. Quite literally by the time we'd found two bridesmaids, Jenny and Eleira... who basically had no say in the matter... and had a wedding dress being hastily constructed, Glenn had already had Geoff evaluated, taken into a psychiatric ward, and two carers hired for his full time support.

And yesterday, just after my final dress measurement, Geoff had arrived. A little worse for wear, but all right. We'd decided that his carers should stay with him for a while- he'd grown attached to them as if they were parents- and I knew that it might be a while before I could devote more time to my little brother.

Realistically- it might be very hard. Alberto hadn't been kidding when he'd said I'd need a schedule.

"You all right?" Jenny prodded my arm all of a sudden. She was already back from the bathroom?

I came back to reality, to the small elegant dressing room, the radio playing music in the background, the smell of flowers, perfume and 'fabric' smell, and carefully detached my armpits from the custom made crutches.

"Sorry. It's been a crazy week." I stretched each arm out. My eyes fell back onto my reflection in the mirror. Onto the dress. "Is it too simple?"

"It's perfect." Eleira responded immediately. "It's just … perfect."

"I totally agree. I'm glad you got your way with it."

I smiled at that. One thing they couldn't get me to budge on... no ruffles, no frills, no giant bows or cupcake skirts. With the designer on my side, a wonderful woman who'd designed the dress for Glenn's mother, I'd avoided all scary wedding dress styles. She'd created a work of art.

It was hard to believe it was me- the white gown clung to my body and flattered it in every way that I'd assumed would be impossible, falling away from my waist for the ground, a lightweight layered dress that just begged for movement so that the little hidden jewels in the layers could glitter and dance.

The designer had gathered fabric across the torso just perfectly to 'flatter' my curves, hand sewn little icy jewels across the high waist, neckline and straps, agreeing that we only needed 'bling' on one part of the dress, but she'd joked that if she didn't weigh down the skirt with something it might fly around too much. So she'd had a tin thin layer of heavier crystals arranged around the hem of the skirt to weigh it down in this intricate pattern of lotuses and leaves.

I hadn't been able to convince her to avoid a train, I had a fairly long one, but the designer... a slightly eccentric woman who was famous for her designs, hadn't completely ignored the issue of crutches. She'd used layers of transparent fabric for my skirt, lightweight, with only the inside layer being solid, but hadn't let it drape too far down or drag on the ground where crutches would be.

Then there were the crutches. Beautiful looking things, with white rubber stops and soft silky cushioning. The wheelchair … was the same one as ever. I hoped. We'd agreed I'd surprise Roberto by 'walking' down the aisle today and use the wheelchair later.

"Sophia? You okay?"

I realised I'd zoned out, staring at myself, and I nodded, smiling faintly. "I just … I didn't expect it to look this good on me."

"It was made for you." Eleira breathed out. "I want one."

I breathed out, picturing Roberto's face, trying to remember what today was about. Okay. Expensive dress aside. Hair aside. "I'm just not used to it." I admitted and ignored the camera. She reached out to grasp my arm gently.

She wasn't kidding though. I wasn't used to admitting I looked good... but today, I kind of did. Thanks to a team of incredible professionals … I looked incredible. They'd agreed with me- if everyone was going fancy today, dressing in their very best, then I wouldn't. I'd go classy, simple, hair braided back behind my ears and left loose down my back, a slightly more elaborate hairstyle to Jenny and Eleira's hair, with the dress having only delicate detail around the bodice and straps. They hadn't told me till this morning that this dress was a tribute to the dress the last Queen had worn. Roberto's mother.

Apparently she'd wanted 'classy and simple' too. I gazed at a photo of her, in a dress that was like a sister to this dress, a woman who'd been married almost twenty seven years earlier. She wore that beautiful necklace that I'd become so fond of.

I hadn't known it a week ago, when Roberto had put it on me, that this was his mother's necklace. I had barely seen it, barely thought about it, even forgot that I'd had it on when they took me to hospital. Alberto had rescued it before they cut the priceless thing off my neck with pliers.

I touched it now, fingering the large sapphires, loving it less for the financial value it had and more for the emotional value it had. Jenny was there, right behind with the camera, a glass of juice in one hand as she took a photo with the other.

"What are you thinking?" She asked. She sounded kind of nervous herself. Maybe my silence wasn't helping.

"Just how to get through it."

"Same!" She was so relieved that I'd said something. Jenny flopped down in a chair, adding, "I hope I don't trip. What if I make a funny face during the wedding? Or start to cry? Or throw up!"

"You can't throw up! Not in this dress!" Eleira exclaimed.

"I know!" Jenny laughed. "That just makes me feel sicker!"

"You? What about me?" I turned to her but I wasn't angry with either of them. The three of us were totally overwhelmed by this world.

"What's the one thing that helps? Study." Jenny clapped her hands together. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Uh huh. Totally." Eleira snatched the wedding schedule up from the dressing table and slapped it down onto the table in amongst the pieces of fruit, drinks and toast.

We moved for it, all three of us gathering around it, studying it like a couple of nervous students before an exam, ignoring the phone and the professional photographer for a few precious seconds.

Outside the crowds had already appeared, my 'guests' waiting in cars, I'd seen them before. That was how it was done here. Roberto led his guests to the wedding, and I led mine. I was shocked to discover how many I'd had, mostly because I was quite literally the heiress to Father's entire estate and company, which wasn't exactly the position I'd hoped for. Still. I had guests because of it and that was probably a good thing.

But it wasn't just them. Roberto had found people who'd known my mother, my neighbours, her co-workers, all these people who'd cared about her and … and me. Was it because I was a teenager? I guess I'd been so shocked that I hadn't thought about them. There had been people at her funeral.

They were there for me too today.

Once Roberto had left and was on his way, we'd wait fifteen minutes... which was what we were doing right now... and then I'd lead my guests with our car. They'd go in ahead of me before it was my turn.

The only reason we were still here was because Roberto was late to leave and apparently he had to arrive first. He was late because he'd made multiple attempts at sneaking into my dressing room. I wasn't sure if I was glad he hadn't managed or not... but it had made me laugh.

"Miss Sophia!"

It wasn't Alberto, he was with Roberto, but Ed had lent me Louis for the day. He knocked on the door, voice a little raised, as he called, "We've got to leave now! We're already late!" He was way too excited. It made me feel nervous and sick again.

"Already?" Oh god. Had I packed everything? Was I wearing everything? I stood up fast, grasping onto the crutches, feeling a little dizzy and overwhelmed.

"Breathe, Sophia." Jenny went straight back into Intern mode. "Remember what we agreed? You walk down the aisle. We take care of everything else." She linked arms with Eleira, who nodded, straightening her back.

The surgical intern and the bodyguard-to-be. If I couldn't depend on those two right now, who could I depend on?

I stood there a moment longer, staring at the schedule, before I gave in. Heading for the waiting wheelchair, I slid in, and handed the crutches to her. Luckily the flowers were already in the car waiting.

I hoped.

"Okay. Let's get to the car." I decided.

"Okay."

"Breathe!" Jenny added.

We reached Noble Michal in record time, partly because of the police escort ahead of the guests, partly because my nerves were certain that the car was speeding. I fingered the beautiful bouquet of red roses, white roses, and a mixture of very firmly attached rubies, garnets and diamonds. Literally. Diamonds. Apparently they'd be made into a piece of jewellery for me later. I gazed at the sparkling jewels, breathing in and out slowly, using my engagement ring as a focus for calm.

That ring may not have been made from the most precious metal, may have had very small diamonds, but we both had identical ones. We didn't need flashy. It bonded us together. Today we'd have identical gold rings as well.

I focused on that ring, instead of the crowds, and only when I was breathing normally again did I gaze up. No one could see me- the windows were tinted- but they'd wait. The next time we passed by it would be in a horse and carriage.

My car stopped some distance from the entrance, hidden away, as the guests were allowed to exit their cars.

I could see them from here, a distant show of glittery colourful people, flashes of cameras from the waiting media, this amazing parade of fashion. It really was as if today was about the event and not the wedding. Crowds of people waited along the streets, waving the Alteria flag, and there... was the orphanage we'd funded. Heading into the ceremony as well.

Just the first one. But it had been the first thing Roberto had done when we'd gotten back. He'd found an orphanage for us to sponsor. The media had already called them 'our children'... which was kind of cute, if a little worrying, given that the media was already hoping I was pregnant.

I wasn't. They'd checked in the hospital. But I suspected the media would keep guessing till I was.

Jenny opened her mouth several times during that long weight. It was like she wanted to share something, and she'd been doing this from the moment I'd seen her earlier this week, but ...she shut her mouth and gazed back out the window.

Whatever it was- she'd tell me if she was ready.

"We're going to turn around now." Louis called from the front seat, one ear on the phone, as the driver carefully swung around.

If it had been noisy before... it was ear splitting now. The media and public weren't dumb. There were bodyguards appearing, the media made to move back, and my car wasn't exactly inconspicuous. It was white compared to the guest's traditional red cars. Red and white. The colours for the wedding.

Holy cow. I wanted to pee. I didn't have to pee, that wasn't it, I just … wanted to. The shelter of a toilet stall never was so tempting as it was right now. Screw tradition. I wanted Roberto to come out for me.

Almost by magic, Jenny's phone buzzed, and she shook her head as she held it up for me. Roberto. Taking a selfie in the church. There he was, right now, full military uniform, and yet... he was exactly as I'd seen him last night. It was just Roberto. Seconds later Eleira got a second photo, a second later, Roberto making sure I saw him.

I was sure I saw Alberto in the background trying to snatch the phone away in the second photo. It was either him or Prince Keith.

"It's just Roberto." I breathed out, shutting my eyes a moment, trying to relax. "That's it. They get a circus and we get … we marry."

"Weddings aren't usually about the couple anyway. People just want a good time." Jenny said softly. "You marry your love."

"Yeah. You aren't responsible for their good time. Apparently the wedding planners are responsible for that." Eleira added.

"I suppose so."

"Haven't you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Jenny asked.

"No..." I hesitated.

"It's exactly what you need right now."

"Oh, I love that movie!" Eleira exclaimed.

"Ladies, please."

It suddenly occurred to me that Jenny and Eleira were delaying as much as I was. They both sighed, as Louis gave us a gentle verbal prod, realising the car had stopped outside the long red and white carpet.

It was our turn.

"Remember to breathe." Jenny said again. She took a deep breath, bumping fists with Eleira, as the door was opened, grasping her bundle of white flowers, and the two of them vanished outside into the light.

They were both kind of cute, the way they both stood there a little stunned by the media, and I felt a sudden rush of amusement as a very stiff Prince Keith appeared. The two of them touched and I saw them both flinch, this obvious flinch, which made Prince Keith's face stiffen even more.

Hang on a second.

Was it me? Or were they behaving kind of odd side by side? Had Roberto already said something to Prince Keith?

Oh yeah. Roberto had arranged for that. Prince Keith would walk Jenny in, as he was Roberto's best man, Prince Wilifred would walk Eleira in, and Ed would walk me in. Acting as my 'Father'.

I suddenly yearned for a face covering veil. Woops. Why had I said I didn't want one?

I slid the crutches around, remembering the practised 'getting out of car' that Alberto had us practice every day for the past week, and carefully slid out as Edward appeared to give me a hand. His gloved hand grasped mine, gently pulling me to my feet in a flood of flashes and light, and I was … exposed.

People cheered, screamed, sang, called things and Ed's hand held mine right up till the moment I got the crutches into place. I couldn't help it... I stared at my feet, totally shy, even with the friendly presence.

"It's all right, Sophia." Ed said softly, squeezing my hand, adding, "Never have I seen a lovelier bride. Never look down, Princess."

"Thanks, dad." I joked, lightly, and saw Ed's smile grow.

"I would be blessed to have a daughter as lovely and as sweet as you." He breathed out slowly. "If the stars and moon are kind- one day I will. But for now- look at them. They love you as much as we do."

I gazed up, slowly, staring around.

My sense came back to me. I heard the bells, bells announcing my arrival, flower petals raining down from above, the sound of thousands of people cheering, hands waving madly from the tightly packed crowds, and my own fast breathing. I heard cameras, voices, and the sound of music from inside.

It took some real bravery to look properly- at the media gathered, at the public, and the orphans who were gathered together in a safe huddle near the front of the crowd. Almost by instinct I raised my hand to wave, feeling totally bewildered by the amount of love and joy I saw, cheeks growing flustered as I found total strangers staring at me with the kind of proud affection I only really remembered getting from family. Like mum.

I was going to cry. Holy cow. How come they got so emotional and caring for me?

Ed gave me a gentle nudge and I snapped out of it, flustered, before I let him 'escort' me up the stairs and into the building. It got my attention just for a brief moment, the ornate gold leaf decorations, rich red walls, large stained glass windows, crowds of people, this ancient building that must have been home to hundreds of royal weddings...

Still, it was second to the person waiting for me.

Roberto and I stared at each other for a very long time, as I walked towards him, drawn to each other. People vanished. The hall vanished. Photographers and music vanished. It was us. Roberto almost broke tradition, his entire body shuddering as if he was going to come get me, and he seemed to have enough self control just to stay put. He could barely stand still, shuffling from one crutch to the other. The uniform looked incredible on him. I might have seen Roberto like this before on TV, perfectly groomed, but … I couldn't ever prepare myself for the way he looked. It made me freeze a moment at the entrance.

He stood there on his own crutches, back straight, his messy light brown hair tamed. The uniform of Alteria made Roberto look older, more mature, but the look on his face as we both tried our best not to cry... it made it clear he was still clearly my Robbie.

I barely saw Prince Keith or Prince Wilifred beside him, or the ornate church, the Priest, barely saw flower girls already half bounding down the aisle, or the flocks of brightly coloured guests. At the moment they could have just been brightly coloured birds for all I cared.

Jenny and Eleira were already waiting for me too.

Right. Couldn't let my friends or my best friend slash lover down, could I?

I didn't know how I managed to get down that wedding aisle, past the guests who'd stood, how I managed to walk in time to the music, because all of that stuff was being processed in a different part of my brain.

I was aware that sunshine was sending stained glass patterns across my path at one moment, partly aware of the petals the flower girls had left in red, white and pink patterns all over the floor, and of Prince Edward being this steady calming presence right beside me.

Mostly though it was Robbie. Just Robbie. He was crying now- he had to keep wiping his eyes and I wanted to laugh. Silly man. He'd make me cry if he kept that up. Roberto tried to wipe the dampness out of his face, his smile so wide it threatened to crack his face in two.

I barely heard Ed give me away. The moment Roberto grasped my hand and we sat down side by side... apparently they'd agreed kneeling was a bad idea for us... I found any lost strength returning.

All we were here for today was each other.

The smell of roses filled my head, the sound of the Priest chanting, his voice almost identical to the fast beating of my heart. I didn't understand what he was saying, it was an ancient language, but I'd memorised the translation and could match it word for word to the musical chant. It was about love, about duty, respect, faith, and faithfulness. Something old that had been passed on from royal wedding to royal wedding.

Roberto's hand trembled in mine, his thigh pressed against my leg, and the dampness from his tears were still on the fingers he entwined around mine.

I reached up to brush my eyes, finding my own eyes damp, and we met gazes almost at the perfect time as it came time for us to vow. I didn't even have to hesitate. Somehow I remembered every last word. Roberto couldn't stop smiling, couldn't stop his tears from leaking, but he was so damn happy that I didn't care.

We exchanged rings, both of our hands surprisingly steady, the heavy gold bands as identical as the engagement rings, Roberto's fingers caressing my hand and mine doing the same to him. Our hands were bound gently in soft cloth, symbolising the binding of two lives, and …

Well, wedding schedule or not, it was still a shock when we were informed we were now husband and wife. Suddenly we were invited to turn and face everyone as a married couple.

Roberto wanted to kiss me, I could see it in his face, but Prince Keith was quick to appear. I was helped to my feet, as was Roberto, the two of us on crutches. Traditionally... we'd kiss first on the balcony.

We gazed out into the church in Nobel Michal, the crowds of strangers and near-strangers on their feet clapping, and I had to remind myself to breathe. Roberto's hand snuck into mine as we stood there before everyone and were announced.

"Presenting- Crown Prince Roberto and Crown Princess Sophia of Alteria!"

Woah.

I gazed at Roberto for a moment, stunned by what we'd done, and it took a moment before Roberto met my gaze. He grinned at me and suddenly lunged forward, kissing me, which I had no problems with. Screw tradition. I had a husband.

We heard laughter, real genuine laughter, from the crowd. The King seemed pretty pleased as well. I went red, giving Roberto a bit of a shove back, a shove that Prince Keith was quick to rescue Roberto from- he nearly fell backwards on his crutches.

Still, it kind of broke the tension we'd been feeling. Same old us.

The guests were still standing and it was only now that I saw that there were two empty seats on either side of the aisle with two photos on each seat. His Mother and my Mother. I felt the dampness reappear in my eyes at that, legs a little weak, and stood there until we were allowed to move down the aisle.

As soon as we were out of the room Roberto grabbed me. Or tried to.

"Uh huh. The next one is at the balcony." Prince Keith muttered. He held onto Roberto's sash. "Or I shove you over."

"Phia, you're giving him bad habits!" Roberto complained. He paused, suddenly, adding, "Wife."

"Husband." I laughed, stunned by this, staring at him. "Wow. We really are, aren't we?"

"Wife. Wife. Wiiifeey. I'll never get tired of that." Roberto slid closer, trying to edge free of Prince Keith, and wrapped an arm around my arm. "Keithy. We're heading off on our honeymoon. Have fun at the reception." Of course he was just teasing, I knew that, and Prince Keith probably knew that... but he reacted anyway.

"No!"

"Please refrain from teasing Keith." Wilifred gently cut in.

"The public await your presence." Edward agreed.

They were both the voice of reason that neither of us wanted to argue with.

Roberto grinned, ruffling Prince Keith's hair, and then started forward again on crutches. I followed close behind. Through the halls of Noble Michal we were escorted, though luckily they'd not skimped on the lifts, and up to the top floor. Everyone else was there already on the balcony- The King, Lord Michal... I think that was his name... and Prince Roberto's closest family.

I hesitated outside the door, watching Prince Keith and Jenny go ahead through the doors, and Roberto paused beside me. He hobbled sideways, closer, managing to avoid getting his crutches tangled up in wedding dress, and leaned close.

I knew what he was asking for without him saying it out loud. We pressed our foreheads together, eyes in one another, so close that my eyes went a bit cross eyed and made him laugh. To my relief no one came back inside this room to get us. They stayed outside on the balcony as we stood there, leaning against each other, completely absorbed in one another.

"I'd hug you if I could... but this will do." Roberto balanced himself on his crutches a moment as he reached up with both arms to cup my face and kiss my forehead. "I'll kiss you properly soon. I love you, Phia."

"I love you too." I reached up, crutches in armpits, stroking his face with my fingers as I held it.

"Do you mind? That we didn't do the wedding how you probably planned it?" Roberto checked softly, gazing down at me, as he stood up a little straighter. Maybe that had worried him. "Or that it's so big?"

"Bit late to escape now, huh?" I joked. Then I added, "No." I shook my head as I gazed up. Today was a totally surreal experience, okay, but I didn't regret that at all. "I never really thought about how my wedding would go."

"How would it go?"

"Probably just you and me on a beach, maybe with your Dad and someone else, and a priest. I don't know." I admitted softly and he slid his hands down my bare arms, squeezing them gently, as I leaned down to adjust my weight back onto my hands rather than my arms.

"I like that. We could do that in a year." Roberto glanced towards the French doors as they parted a little way. The sounds of the crowds reappeared as the doors were open, his Dad glancing in at us, but he vanished back outside when he saw us standing close together.

"Should we go outside?"

"Not yet." Roberto shook his head. "We need a drink. Do you need to go to the bathroom? Cause I do." Roberto raised an eyebrow as I reluctantly nodded. I did actually. He grinned as I flushed. "You're so transparent, Phia."

"I wanted to go at the start. Just to hide." I admitted. "Did you see how many fancy people were there?"

"I saw!" Roberto exclaimed and he held a hand to his heart, teasing me a little. "I thought you were going to pass out!"

"I didn't look that bad!" I protested. I hoped I didn't! How embarrassing. "I didn't vomit once."

"That's my Princess." He laughed. "You were …" Roberto leaned forward, grasping my face, and there was soft tenderness. "You were perfect. The look on your face. I never want to forget that face and now I never will. So many cameras." Roberto's teasing smile faded into a loving one, as he leaned forward slowly to hug me against him, crutches or not. I melted into his chest and found that between us, so long as we both used our good legs, we didn't need crutches. We could just stand there and balance.

As soon as we'd gone to the bathroom, had a drink, and finally relaxed a little, Roberto led me out to the balcony, his hand squeezing mine tightly. Our last public appearance.

The moment we were out, I was embraced, kissed, and the world cheered. We did this again and again, as we were taken on the long carriage ride back to Alteria, sitting side by side as we passed crowds. Into a car briefly- we weren't going the whole way back- but the moment we got to the Alterian border we were back into a carriage.

Hands grasped tight, we let them take us back to the waiting guests and castle, and I finally relaxed. I knew it'd be okay.

I was home.

A/N And that's it for Sophia! For now. :)

Three guesses who's next. Hehehehe. It's already partly written!