Page 73 of His Runaway Princess

The whispers that began a moment earlier gained momentum as he finished the pronouncement.

He said a few other things followed by a couple of other people and then she and her family left before the rest of the room emptied.

Vehicles whisked them back to the palace with few words being spoken between any of them. When they arrived, she didn’t know where they were going but followed her grandparents.

It wasn’t lost on her that her parents as well as Ginny and Ollie had taken places behind her.

In just a few moments, they reached her grandfather’s office.

The one that would be hers in less the two months.

The enormity of it all threatened to overwhelm her. Ryker pulled her to the side and took her hands.

“I have a proposal for you.” He sounded nervous. “Your parents and grandparents know, and we have their approval.”

She blinked. “For what?”

“For your grandfather to marry us legally right now.”

Amalia stared at him. “What?”

“The lawyers all decided we’ve probably been legally married since sometime before we left Ravenzario, but since there’s no paperwork, they thought it would be best to have a legal ceremony.” The earnest look on his face didn’t detract from the love she could see there. “We’d planned to use the big wedding in a few months, but, if you’ll have me, I’d like to marry you now. To be legally by your side as you take on the greatest challenge you’ll ever face.”

She searched his eyes, to be certain.

He meant every word.

Amalia nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I want to be your wife.”

To have a few weeks together before the responsibilities of being queen rested on her shoulders.

How could she say no?

In mere moments, they stood in front of the windows in her grandfather’s office with her family around them and spoke the time-honored vows.

The dinner and celebration in her grandfather’s quarters lasted hours.

And later, as she lay with her eyes closed listening to and feeling her husband breathe, Amalia knew the most reckless decision she’d ever made had served a greater purpose. It led to the most valuable title change she would ever have, even greater than when she became queen.

She’d gone from runaway princess to beloved wife.

And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

* * *