I renamed Riley to Jaina Johnson.
The plot is almost completly canon compliant up to The Royal Romance Book 2 Ch 14. The whole thought process behind this story revolves around the question 'How would my MC act if she were in a situation where she felt compelled to accept the offer of the Cordonian Arrangement? And how would that change the actual storyline of TRR?'. My MC has never been fond of the Cordonian Arrangement. Accordingly, I had to add a few circumstances which differ from the original plot so that the moment they realized they wouldn't find Tariq in time, she wouldn't run off to New York like she originally planned. Hence the "almost".
Since this story will at times deal with the impact of these new circumstances on the original storyline, a few chapters will contain passages from the original story. These as well as the well-known characters of TRR belong to pb and not to me. Only the few OC's I added are mine.
English is not my mother tongue, please keep that in mind while reading.
I am writing in a foreign language to become more familiar with it. It can therefore happen that older chapters are also revised during updates in order to correct spelling mistakes.
It was a small chapel. Drake was standing at the altar right next to the officiant.
Maxwell, on the other hand, was sidelined as her best man.
Savannah walked down the aisle with Bartie in her arms and helped him toss some flower petals down the aisle. Arriving at the end, she placed the basket of petals in one of the front seats and, with Bartie in her arms, went to Drake's side to perform her duties as his maid of honor.
The music started.
And then she entered the chapel.
She wore a plain white dress. Her hair was pinned up in a large wavy bun to which a white veil was also attached. For him she was the symbol of beauty.
Alone she walked the aisle to the altar.
He gulped when she reached the altar. She was even more beautiful up close.
„Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion." The leader of the ceremony paused for a moment, embarrassed, unsure whether he had upset anyone with his standard phrases; after all, apart from the bridal couple, only the two best man and a child were present. However, when he received no complaints, he continued undeterred. „Today we are gathered here to unite Mister Drake Walker and Lady Jaina Johnson in marriage."
„Do you Drake Walker, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
„I do." Drake replied with a smile.
„Do you Lady Jaina Johnson, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
„I do.", she replied, and Drake's heart leaped in delight.
„Mister Drake Walker and Lady Jaina Johnson have chosen rings to exchange with each other as a symbol of their unending love. Lady Jaina, as you place this ring on Drake's finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever."
Maxwell presented Jaina with Drake's ring. „With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.", Jaina repeated the officient's words, putting the gold ring on Drake's finger.
„Drake, as you place this ring on Jaina's finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever."
Bartie, with Savannah's help, presented Jaina's ring to Drake. „With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.", Drake did the same to Jaina and put the gold ring on her finger.
„If there is any among us here who has a valid reason that these two should not be bound in marriage, let him speak now or keep silent forever."
Savannah looked worriedly at Drake. Her words from the day he told her about his wedding plans echoed in his head. I think you're playing with fire.
But she said nothing. Nobody said anything.
The officient nodded in satisfaction. „Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."
Pure joy rushed through Drake as he slowly leaned down and kissed his wife. His happiness was only trumped at that moment when she actually kissed him back.
Everything was perfect.
Or rather it could have been perfect.
If the marriage hadn't been arranged.
If they had found Tariq in time.
If she had chosen him.
If only it were him and not his best friend who would go on their honeymoon with her.
If he were more to her than her public figure husband.