Chapter 4

The day of Amy and Viktor's engagement gala had arrived. Amy woke early, nerves and excitement churning as her retinue of stylists descended to primp and polish her into a royal vision.

Katerina oversaw the chaotic preparations, banishing all but the dress fitters when Amy grew overwhelmed.

"Courage, little fox," she crooned. "Tonight your destiny awaits."

Hours later when Amy beheld her finished reflection, she barely recognized herself. An ethereal goddess glittered back in the mirror, gowned in flowing silver and jewels that glowed warm against her skin. Viktor himself arrived to escort her downstairs, utterly dashing in his royal regalia.

"You take my breath away,"

he declared fervently, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder that melted Amy's lingering anxiety. No matter the external chaos, Viktor's steadying presence kept her grounded. Arm tucked protectively through his, she glided with natural grace into the spectacular candlelit ballroom.

Time blurred into a whirlwind - meeting endless dignitaries, photographers demanding pictures, swirling through dances with Viktor never leaving her side. Well-wishers raised toasts, hailing the popular couple destined to rule Valendria next.

Late in the evening Viktor drew Amy into an intimate alcove, producing a velvet box.

"I have something special for you, my dear. A memento of this magical eve." He opened it to reveal an exquisite ruby and diamond necklace glowing crimson against the black case.

"It was my grandmother's," he shared, draping the glorious creation around Amy's neck. Eyes shining, she turned to admire it in a mirror but caught only the fervent hunger now evident on Viktor's face instead. Heart suspended, she watched as if outside herself while he slowly bent his head to capture her lips in a searing kiss that marked the first true joining of their souls…

Amy melted against Viktor, swept away by the passionate tenderness in his kiss. Her arms wound around his neck, hands tangling in his hair to keep him close. She had desired this intimacy for so long but the actuality exceeded any fantasy.

When they finally broke apart, Viktor kept Amy cradled fiercely against him. "Forgive my shocking forwardness, darling," he rasped, smile turning wicked. "But I have been longing to do that properly for ages now."

Blushing, Amy traced her fingers over his muscled chest, emboldened by the undisguised yearning in his eyes. "Then whyever did you wait so long, Your Highness?"

A laugh rumbled through Viktor and he nipped her bottom lip playfully. "Must keep up appearances of propriety before the wedding night..." His smoldering gaze promised that such restraint was now abandoned.

Before passions could again ignite, the distant ballroom chime sounded midnight’s arrival. Viktor sighed regretfully, tucking Amy close beneath his shoulder. "Alas, they willmiss us at our own celebration soon. Shall we?" With her hand clasped snugly in his warm grip, he led them back towards the light and merriment.

Amy floated dreamily through the remainder of the gala, heart buoyant after privately sealing their feelings. Catching Viktor’s ardent stare across the crowd, hope swelled within her. No matter what formal vows laid ahead on their official wedding day, tonight they had privately pledged themselves in the ancient rite of lovers.

There could be no turning back now from their intended shared futures now wonderfully, irreversibly entwined...one flesh, one spirit.

Days following their engagement gala and first electrifying kiss, Amy walked on air, heart overflowing with blossoming love for her prince. Her studies accelerated as the royal wedding loomed near, but Viktor's reassuring presence during rides through the countryside or quiet meals on the veranda sustained her.

One late afternoon, Amy wandered into the palace library seeking new reading material. Rounding a corner, she stumbled onto Viktor seated stiffly across from an elegant silver-haired woman and imposing bearded man - his parents, the King and Queen Dowager.

"This Anglo girl seems pleasant enough," the Queen was saying in a bored tone, "but surely we can find a more suitable bride of proper noble lineage now that the engagement mania has died down."

"Mother, you gave your word to respect my choice of wife," Viktor bit out tersely. Dread coursed through Amy but she remained paralyzed listening.

The King raised an impatient hand. "Son, be reasonable! Binding our line to another strong European house would cement many advantageous alliances. The people admire this Cinderella story but we must consider what is best for Valendria."

Reeling, Amy backed away, their rational tones more cutting than anger. She had avoided pondering hard political realities about their union in her euphoria. But she should have known their fairy tale couldn't last...she was still just the waitress imposter. A sob catching in her throat, Amy fled to the solace of the gardens to nurse her crushed hopes.

Amy stumbled blindly through the palace gardens, thick cascades of roses and vines blurring as bitter tears flowed. She sank onto a cold marble bench, Viktor's parents' pragmatic words echoing mockingly.

Of course she was inadequate to be their future Queen no matter what fantasies she and Viktor shared. The real world demanded ruthless practicality - a heartless truth that could tear them apart.

"Here you are! I have been searching everywhere." Viktor's warm voice made Amy jerk her head up through a film of tears. He crouched swiftly before her, brow creasing at her obvious distress.

"What is wrong, my love?" Calloused thumbs gently brushed the moisture from her cheeks. "You are trembling!"

"I-I overheard you with your parents," Amy forced out, a fresh sob escaping. "They want you to break our engagement...they think I'm unworthy to rule Valendria as Queen." She searched Viktor's stoic expression. "They're probably right," she finished miserably.

Viktor exhaled slow understanding then gathered her shaking hands between his. "Amy, listen to me. No one, not even the King and Queen, may dictate whom I take as my wife and Queen."

He brought their joined hands to his heart. "It is you alone I want ruling at my side the rest of my days. Please darling, never doubt that truth or where my loyalty lies."

The fervent promise in Viktor's eyes revived Amy's battered spirit. Perhaps with his steadfast devotion shielding her, she could weather any external storms their unconventional union faced...together.

Viktor gathered Amy close, letting her tears soak into his shirt. "I confess, politics and succession protocol occupy much of my parents' thoughts," he admitted ruefully. "But I swear they will come to accept you as my choice, as our people have done."  

He drew back, cradling Amy's face between his palms. "They do not yet see what I see - your lionhearted bravery through all this upheaval. Your willingness to leave everything familiar behind and join me in an unfamiliar future." Viktor wiped the lingering dampness from under her lashes. 

"You have endured every challenge with courage and grace. What more could any man desire in a Queen?" He smiled tenderly even as Amy read the banked desire now brightening his gaze. "In a wife?"

Heart swelling, Amy covered his hands with hers. "Viktor, I want nothing more than to stand strong beside you all our days, whatever storms come...as partner, lover, friend. The only title I wish to bear is 'yours.'"

The air ignited between them. Viktor hauled her against his muscular chest, capturing her lips fiercely under the weeping boughs of the concealment trees. Any lingering insecurities turned to smoke on the wind as Amy returned his fervor wholeheartedly, reaffirming her choice once and for evermore.

In the breathless aftermath, Viktor kept Amy gathered close within the fortess of his embrace. 

"You undo me, darling," he murmured, trailing kisses across her temple. "After a lifetime of isolation behind princely walls, I scarcely dared dream I might find a woman able to rule my heart as skillfully as you."

Amy thrilled at his sincere words. "I never imagined myself worthy of a king's love," she confessed against Viktor's chest. "Yet now I cannot picture a future without you as my husband and dearest companion."

Viktor tipped her chin up, eyes solemn. "Then let us make those visions reality. Marry me tomorrow, my sweet Amy! We shall stand before any who question us and declare sacred the bond between our souls now and forever."  

Caught up in reckless passion, Amy threw her arms around Viktor's neck. "Yes! Tomorrow I am yours for eternity, my love!" Their eager lips met once more to seal joyful fate.

In blissful days that followed, chaotic preparations erupted to swiftly bring the royal wedding to pass outside traditional pomp and circumstance. Only their sworn love and unity of purpose mattered now.

At last beneath a floral archway on palace grounds, Prince Viktor took commoner Amy Adams' hands in marriage before a small assembly of well-wishers. As cheers rang out, the newly pronounced husband and wife turned to greet the world anew...together.