chest. I felt small and emotionally raw. I clutched at Alex, needing to know I wasn’t alone.
We buried Dad next to Mom on a bright Thursday morning. Chadwick managed all the arrangements, only asking for input when he needed it. Birds chirped in the trees and it was warm enough to not wear a large coat. There were a lot of people, most of them close friends of my family, people who had served in the military with my dad, and people from school. Cops kept the reporters as far from the funeral home as possible and I barely noticed the cameras. I was relieved to see that many of the people were very respectful of the event. There were so many flowers I’d eventually told the funeral home to start sending them to the hospital. Might as well let the living enjoy them. Rose flew in from Lilaria to attend the ceremony and laid wreaths on both of my parents’ graves and said a few words on behalf of the queen.
I spent a week sorting through my parents’ home. We packed away a lot of stuff to be shipped to Rousseau and got rid of things that weren’t worth keeping. I gave the house to Bert and Jess as an early wedding present. They’d never have to worry about paying rent again. I liked the idea that it wouldn’t just go to some stranger. Jess would brighten the place up and give it new life.
Alex and I had stayed in my childhood room. It amused me to see him walking around such a normal house, washing his hands in the kitchen sink or sitting in my dad’s old chair. I was glad Dad had met him before he passed and I’m not sure I would have realized how important that was to me until it happened.
The last couple of weeks had cemented the relationship between Alex and me. There were no more questions about how we felt about each other. I’d deal with the rest of it when the time came and do my very best.
“We can stay longer,” Alex told me over dinner. “Maybe we could work it out so you can finish your degree here. I could take time away and only go back for the most important functions.”
“Dr. Geller got in touch with his friend in Lilaria. They’re working out a way for me to finish my degree.” I was actually really relieved about that. When Dr. Geller approached me after the funeral with his idea, it had made my heart lighter.
“Still, we could stay.”
“No. I’m ready to go back.” I shook my head.
“You can think about it.” His eyebrows pulled together. “I know you miss your home.”
“My home is where you are.” I reached out and grabbed his hand. “Nothing else matters.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Long Live the Duchess of Rousseau
—Lilarian Post
Today was the day I would officially become the Duchess of Rousseau. In light of my father’s passing, the queen had pushed the ceremony back until the summer. It had worked out for the best. Not only had I been able to work on my schooling some, but my friends were here. Patricia, Jess, and Bert were representing my family and sitting in the front row.
I could hear the large crowd gathered on the other side of the doors and looked at Alex. I bit my lip and rubbed my hands together.
“You’ll do fine. You can say the words in your sleep.” He chuckled. “You do say them in your sleep.”
I snorted and ran a hand over my gown. It was a floor-length, fitted dress, and every inch of it was covered in silver sparkles. I was wearing the deep green sash of the Rousseau family over my shoulder and the tiara with emeralds. Alex picked up my hand and brought my fingers to his lips.
“Stop fidgeting. You’re breathtaking.”
“This tiara weighs eighty pounds.” I reached up and touched it gently.
“You wear it very well.” His eyes ran over my body in appreciation. “You look like a queen.”
“Please. Did you see your mother?” I patted my dress again. She was wearing a floor-length robe that trailed behind her, a sword tied around her waist, and a diadem that was older than the building we were standing in. “I’m so nervous. Where are you sitting? You never told me. Will you be up front with your mother?”
“Where would you like me to sit?” He flashed his mischievous smile.
“Where you’re supposed to.” I shook my head in exasperation.
“Now you sound