The Royal Contract

She sat in the car with her parents, slightly worried about the wedding. She had learned that her car accident was not an accident but an orchestrated plot against them by an unknown mastermind. 

She could not help but fear not for her safety alone but for her family and fiance, as well. Alex and her father had tried to downplay the situation, not wanting her to worry about it, but she knew better.

"We are here," Ben, who was in the front seat behind the partition glass, spoke in the speaker, informing them of their arrival.

He was glad that they misled the enemy with their decoy. He just hoped that his associates were not injured by the ambush. He still had to check on them later.

For now, his mission was to protect their princess and bring her safely to the ceremony. Alex was depending on him. He had no plan to fail this time.

"Thanks, Ben," Ethan answered as he turned to his daughter, who appeared to be a little anxious.

He could not blame her after what she went through earlier. They had to deceive the enemy and make them believe that she rode the decoy car.

As of now, he could not let her worry about anything else. From this point onwards, all he wanted to see painted on her daughter's face was the excitement of getting married.

"I am so thrilled for you. I can already see you with a fruitful and wonderful life with Alex." Her mother, who already had tears in her eyes, said as she held her hands in hers.

She seldom cried unless there was a big reason why. But she knew, if she had to shed tears, they would be happy ones. Eventually, she smiled, controlling the tears from falling.

She knew if she started crying, chances were, her daughter would be crying too. She could not ruin her daughter's beautiful face. 

"Thanks, Mom, for everything." She tapped Laura's hands before pulling her for a hug. Then, she turned to her dad, who sported a big smile on his lips. "I love you so much. Both of you."

They ended up in a group hug, expressing not through words what they felt at the moment. Ethan was the first to pull away, followed by her mom.

"I think it is time, my princess," Ethan said, afraid that the longer they were cooped up inside the car, the more they would become emotional. 

He could see behind the tainted glass the coordinator signaling the other parties to enter the cathedral for the procession. On the other side of the fence, many spectators and press awaited her daughter's appearance.

He had dreamt of this for his daughter. For her to marry the man that would make her happy and give her a beautiful, happy life. He was glad it was Alex and not a man like Nick.

"Are you ready?" Laura squeezed her hand, showing her daughter her full support.

At least she could see that her daughter's mood had changed. Her earlier anxiety was replaced by a certain calm. Maybe it was the excitement of the wedding and the adrenaline running through her veins.

She could not help but thank God for giving her a kind and lovely daughter. Now, she was letting her go for another chapter in her life. Dani had finally grown up and now leaving their nest. 

"Yes," A single word that meant so much to her. Suddenly all she could focus on was the man waiting for her inside that massive structure. 

He had never failed to keep her safe. He had always kept his promise. He loved her with no conditions and with love that knew no bounds.

Looking outside her window, she saw all the people that came to witness their union. Comparing herself to them, she could honestly say that she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

A mild knock on the window snapped her back to reality, then the door opened. Ben stood outside waiting to assist his father, who was the first to exit the car.

"You look lovely, my princess." Laura gently touched her face, not wanting to ruin her applied makeup. 

Then, she also exited the vehicle, following her husband outside. Official cameramen and photographers allowed to cover the wedding took their pictures as they waited for their daughter's turn to join them.

Finally, Antonette gave the signal to Ben. It was time for the bride to make her public appearance to the whole world. The anticipation was killing everyone. To see the beautiful bride in her stunning wedding gown.

"Thank you, Ben," Dani mouthed to the man standing by the door, holding out his hand to assist her.

She was not only thanking him for the assistance but for his sacrifice to assure her safety. She knew that he blamed himself for the accident, but she made it clear that it was not his fault.

She carefully got out of the car, mindful not to step on the hemline of her dress. She would not want to trip on her own clothes and land on the floor on her wedding day.

"Just doing my job, Miss." He uttered in his no-nonsense voice as he continued to usher her until Antonette stood by her side.

Antonette and her assistants helped her with the dress. They fixed the creases on the gown and the veil until all were back in its place. While she held onto her bouquet made of her favorite flower, a combination of various colored roses.

On the other hand, she smiled at Ben, knowing that it was not simply a job for him. Alex had told him about the story of his men. 

They were not merely paid men to keep them safe, but a family, protecting each other. She owed him her life, not only from the previous incident but all the times he had been there to protect her.

"Miss Hamilton, can you pose for the camera." One of the official photographers requested as she stood on the red carpet.

She stopped and proudly smiled in front of the lenses. For the first time, she wanted to show the whole world how happy she was to marry the man of her dreams.

Several shots later, she was escorted by her parents towards the closed wooden doors. They waited for the signal of the beginning of the ceremony. 

A few minutes from now, it would be the start of forever for the groom and the bride.