“Ladies and gentlemen, it was my intention to introduce you this evening to your new princess, Amelia. But something has happened and I have an even more exciting announcement to make.”
A hush came over the crowd.
Amy stepped forward, her limbs trembling, until Will took her hand.
“Tonight I present to you Princess Amelia,” he announced. “And my bride-to-be.”
The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts of congratulations in both German and English.
“When’s the wedding?” someone called in English.
Will looked at Amé and gave a small nod. “On Sunday the twenty-fifth of this month.”
“You will all, of course, be there,” Will said with a laugh. “Invitations or no.”
Laughter trickled across the room.
“Will you remain Prince Wilhelm?” someone asked, and the crowd quieted to hear the answer.
Will shook his head. “I do not have the bloodline for the throne of Lufthania,” he said. “But my children will.” He looked at Amé and she beamed up at him.
The cheers erupted again.
“Now, it would be traditional at this time for the princess to have the first dance and commence the ball, but she has decided she would rather stay with her hobbled fiancé while the rest of you enjoy the dance.” He indicated the crutch he was using while the bullet wound in his leg healed, then smiled at his bride. “She’s very stubborn, so we should all get used to the fact that our traditions are about to change.”
“For the better,” she added quickly.
The guests clapped and several of them called, “Welcome home, Amelia.”
At Will’s signal, the band began to play and the people crowded onto the dance floor.
“There, see?” Amé said. “You don’t have to do things a certain way just because you always have.”
“I’m learning that all the time.” He took her hand in his. “I spoke with the pilot just before we came in here. Your parents will arrive by midnight.”
She smiled broadly. “My mother is going to drive me crazy with wedding plans.”
“Would you prefer to elope?”
“She’d kill me. She wants a huge ceremony. I think she imagines it will even be televised.”
“Then a huge ceremony it will be,” he said. “Right here at the palace. Invite all of your friends and family. They can all stay at the palace with us that week.”
“Are you serious?”
“Amé, I want everyone in the world to know how I feel about you. I’ll have a wedding every week if you want.”
She laughed. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Whatever it takes,” he said, bending down to kiss her. “You are my heart, and I want the world to know it.”