Page 39 of The Accidental Prince (Accidentally in Love #3)

O n the day of her wedding, the sun was shining, and it was a warm spring afternoon.

Serena’s father had arranged for the ceremony to be held within the family chapel, with only the immediate family present, along with a few witnesses.

Freiherr von Meinhardt would be waiting for her at the altar, while the bishop gave the wedding Mass.

Serena wore an ivory silk gown, embroidered with a thousand seed pearls.

Around her throat rested a choker of diamonds and more pearl teardrops hung at her ears.

Last, came the tiara that her grandmother had worn upon her wedding day.

It was heavy, but Serena hardly felt the weight of the emeralds and diamonds as her sister adjusted her veil.

Her body and mind were numb as she allowed them to dress her.

She hadn’t slept all night, worrying about Karl.

Though she’d wanted to reassure him, the fury in his voice when she’d refused to free him had silenced her.

She didn’t know if her idea would work, and if she’d released him, she doubted if he would have listened.

No, she could only hope that everything would work out as she and her mother had planned.

The queen sat in a chair watching Serena, a satisfied expression upon her face. “It’s time for the ceremony. Now, behave like the princess you are and prepare for the wedding. All will be well in time. You’ll see.”

Her mother departed, leaving her with her ladies. Anna was already dressed and awaiting her at the chapel.

As Serena walked toward the family chapel, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting, her heart turned from ice into stone. At the thought of her father’s fury, a thousand fears rippled through her. What if this didn’t work?

Anna walked down the aisle first, carrying a bouquet of spring lilacs tied with ribbons.

Serena followed, her hands clenching her own bouquet of white lilies, their deep scent choking her.

Her father walked behind her, as was the custom.

And yet, she half-wondered if he were trying to keep her from fleeing.

Her mother sat in the front row, a hopeful look in her eyes.

The bridegroom was kneeling at the altar, his back to the wedding guests. Serena was afraid to look as she knelt by his side. “You look beautiful,” he said, but his voice was not the baron’s.

She lifted her eyes, to his, fighting to keep her courage.

Don’t say a word, Karl’s eyes seemed to command.

Serena turned around to glance at the queen and saw her mother’s calm, contented smile. It was the greatest act of defiance either of them had ever enacted—to wed the man she wanted, right in front of her father’s eyes.

And as she heard Karl’s low voice speaking vows before the bishop, followed by her own, she was careful to keep anyone from seeing his face.

Rings were exchanged, for the bishop had already blessed them at the altar.

The cool band of gold was an intricate band of leaves, and it reminded her of the days they’d spent together in the abbey.

“I told you I hadn’t given up,” she murmured beneath her breath.

“Don’t be afraid of what happens next,” he answered. “I love you, Serena.”

When it came time for the kiss of peace, his mouth met hers in a slow kiss that reminded her of all the reasons why she loved him.

Then he turned to face a shocked King Ruwald, along with the rest of the palace witnesses.

“What have you done?” the king demanded. Though his words were directed toward Karl, Serena stepped forward with his hand in hers.

“I’ve married the man of my choosing,” she answered. “And you’re going to let us go.”

The king’s rage was visible on his reddened face, a vein pulsing in his throat.

With a signal to his guards, soldiers came forward.

Serena tried to grasp her train, and Karl took her by the hand, leading her out the side door of the chapel.

Outside, the sunlight nearly blinded her, but Serena ran as fast as she could.

Horses awaited them, and Karl lifted her up, before mounting his own stallion.

He sent her a roguish smile. “Any regrets?”

“None.” With that, she spurred her horse onwards and rode as fast as she dared. Karl led them down a path that trailed over the hill. When they reached the other side, he pulled his mount to a stop.

Hundreds of soldiers stood armed, with Lohenberg flags flying. She recognized Fürst Michael, while behind him was an older man with a graying beard and a shrewd look in his eyes: Konig Sweyn. She recognized the King of Lohenberg in that split moment.

The look in her husband’s eyes was one of disbelief and gratefulness. “I always imagined you’d have a more traditional marriage, Karl,” the king said, by way of greeting.

“So did I.” Karl led Serena forward, bringing her beside the king. When the Badenstein guards emerged over the hillside, the two dozen men stopped short at the sight of the army.

“I sent word to your father and brother, but I never imagined they’d come this fast,” Serena breathed.

Karl reached out and took her hand. “After I followed you back, Michael and Hannah returned to Lohenberg. He asked our father to intervene.” He pressed the back of her hand to his mouth. “I didn’t know if the king would agree.”

She managed a small smile. “I’m glad he did. And that our arrangements were successful.”

“You should have told me last night,” he said. “I thought you were planning to give up.”

“You were so angry with me, you hardly let me speak at all. And there were guards there who were loyal to my father. I couldn’t reveal our plan until my mother’s servants could free you.” She frowned a moment. “But I’m not certain what happened to the Freiherr.”

Karl took her hand in his. “After we freed his wife and son, Captain Feldmann imprisoned the baron in my place.”

Just what the Baron deserved , Serena thought to herself.

“He may need to leave Badenstein after this,” Karl continued. “Else your father will punish him for the betrayal.”

As if in response to Karl’s prediction, the King of Badenstein appeared with his men. Though her father was still dressed in his wedding finery, he looked like a man bent upon revenge. His face was beaded with perspiration, while his ruddy face revealed his fury.

When he moved forward to Serena, he ordered, “We will have this marriage annulled. I did not give my consent.”

The King of Lohenberg rode forward, his expression calm. “Ruwald, shall we go somewhere else to discuss this in private?”

“That—that bastard just married my daughter!”

“Karl may not be of legitimate birth, but I have recognized him as my son. He and the princess Serena were betrothed before this, and you agreed to the marriage then.”

With a sudden shift in mood, the King of Lohenberg’s voice grew angry. “But when my son was no longer the heir to the throne, instead of discussing a new negotiation with me, you turned your back on the agreement.”

“I will not have my daughter wedded to a commoner.” Ruwald reached for a handkerchief and swabbed at his forehead. It was as if his rage had manifested itself physically, and he stumbled.

Serena urged her horse forward. “I am proud to be married to Karl. Whether he is a commoner or a prince, it doesn’t matter to me.

” She bowed to Konig Sweyn, since she could not curtsy on horseback.

“I consider it an honor, and I will gladly pass on my claim to the Badenstein throne into Anna’s hands. ”

“There will be no need for that,” Konig Sweyn responded. “I have made a different arrangement within my kingdom. Karl will still hold a role of leadership.”

But Serena didn’t trust her father to relent. He was clutching his heart, rubbing his arm as if it had gone numb. “I will not agree to it.”

“Then I will consider your country cut off from mine,” the King of Lohenberg countered. “We will cease trade between our people. What do you think will happen to your economy? Badenstein is smaller than our country and I assure you, it will have little impact upon us.”

Konig Sweyn’s words seemed to break through to her father. His expression turned pale. “We will discuss this further. Perhaps…an arrangement may be made.”

“Indeed.” With that, the king directed his soldiers to close in around them as they departed.

Serena held for a moment, as she caught sight of her mother, standing amidst her ladies. “Wait for me,” she pleaded to Karl.

Instead, he escorted her back, helping her down from her horse in front of the queen. He dropped to one knee and Clara smiled, raising him up. “Regardless of what my husband believes, I knew you would make a good husband for Serena.”

“I cannot thank you enough,” Serena whispered, embracing her mother. “You’ve given me the most precious gift.”

“And perhaps you’ll give me the gift of a grandchild within another year or two,” her mother replied. “If God grants me that time to live.”

After Serena drew back from her mother, Anna hurried forward and flung herself into her arms. Happy tears filled up her eyes. “I’m so glad for you, Serena. Truly, I am.”

Serena hugged her sister and promised that she would send for her to visit soon enough. After she finished saying her goodbyes, she cast another look back at her father. His men were supporting him as he walked back to the palace, and defeat did not suit him.

She was so overwhelmed at everything that had happened, she didn’t care where Karl was taking her. She was with the man she loved. And that was all that mattered.

They continued riding for the remainder of the day, until at last they passed the borders of Lohenberg. There, Karl offered his father the hospitality of his home.

“No, thank you,” the king responded. “We’re only a few hours away from the palace. Stay with your bride, and enjoy your wedding night.”

Serena moved forward and dropped into a curtsy before the king, pressing her forehead to his hand. “I will forever be grateful to you, Your Majesty.”

Konig Sweyn appeared pleased. “I shall expect to see both of you at the nuptials of Michael and Hannah within a few days.” He shook his head as if in disbelief.

“Two weddings within a week. A pity you didn’t consult with me sooner, Karl.

” A gleam appeared in the king’s eyes. “Or should I say, Fürst Karl?”

Serena sent him a startled look. “I don’t understand.”

“I have granted the kingdom of Vertraumen to both of you, as a wedding gift,” Konig Sweyn answered.

“It will still remain a province of Lohenberg, but Karl will rule over the island as their prince. When Michael becomes king, he has agreed to grant Vertraumen its independence, once the province is restored to its previous condition.”

The heaviness in his throat constricted, and Karl bowed before his father. “Sir. I don’t deserve the honor.”

“No, I don’t suppose you do. But she does.“ The king smiled. “Any woman who can tolerate marriage to you deserves her own kingdom.”

I would lay the world at her feet, if I could. It seemed impossible, that after losing everything, he now possessed wealth beyond price.

“We’ll leave you now,” the king pronounced. “And in the morning, you will bring the princess to the palace. We’ll finish the arrangements for Vertraumen at that time.”

After his father had left, Karl embraced his wife. Serena’s eyes were shining with joy. “Even if your father had not restored your title, I would still be happier than any woman in the world. I don’t need a prince to know how much I love you.”

“You’re everything to me,” he breathed, crushing her close. “More than any kingdom.”