Page 129 of Happily Ever After

Wulfie folded her hand into Dieter’s, but he growled at him, “I still don’t like it.”

Dieter chuckled at him. “Sure you don’t. Now get in yourspot.”

Wulfram stepped to Dieter’s side and stood behind him, as the best man should.

Magnus Jenson stood behind Wulfram, watching Flicka with cold, blue eyes that seemed like he never blinked.

In front of them, a tiny sparrow of a judge hobbled out and stepped upon a box in front of them. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—” She squinted at the paper in her shaking hands and lookedup at Dieter. “I thought your name was Raphael Mirabaud.”

“No, ma’am,” Dieter said, looking down at her. “My legal and true name is Dieter Schwarz. That’s what is listed on the marriage license.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself. We are gathered here today to unite Princess FriederikeAugustavon Hannover—”

“It’s not ‘Princess,’ Judge Malone, your honor,” she told the judge. “I’m not a princessanymore.”

“Yes, you are,” Wulf said, leaning out from behind Dieter.

“Shush,” she told him.

Flicka’s father stood, raising one finger. “If I may state the facts—”

Judge Malone said, “No, you may not. We’re proceeding with the ceremony.” She closed one eye as she stared up at Flicka. “We are gathered here today to unite Friederike Augusta von Hannover with,” she checked the paper, “Dieter LeoSchwarz.”

Dieter cleared his throat. “Your honor, if you please, it’s‘PrinceDieter Leo Schwarz.’”

Flicka almost jumped backward. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Wulfram said, “He made a good argument.”

Judge Malone huffed and twitched her thin shoulders. “Come to order, or I’ll hold you all in contempt. We are here to jointhese two peoplein holy matrimony.”

While the judge spoke aboutlove and not ending up in a Las Vegas courtroom for a quickie divorce, Dieter asked Flicka, “How can she marry us?”

The judge fixed one beady eye on him. “I hold a degree in divinity as well as a law degree. I can marry you in nine different states, divorce you in Nevada, and do your taxes in New Mexico. Now be quiet so I can finish and we can go to lunch. I was told there would be lunch.”

“Yes, indeed,” Flicka told her. “Lunch will be held directly afterward.”

“Good. As I was saying—” Judge Malone finished her sermon and told them to say their vows.

They repeated their vows from Gibraltar but in English, and Flicka felt the nameDieter Leo Schwarzin her mouth.

And thus, Flicka and Dieter were married.

Again.