Read Online Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7) by Marianne Knightly - Free Book Online

was so worried about him.
    Not to mention the worry she had for Gabriel and for Arianna.
    And for herself.
    How could she be a blushing bride with two people she loved in the hospital?
    Would she even get to be a bride at all with everything going on around them?
    She took a deep breath and decided to take her own advice. She’d eat a little, then get started on her day.
    An hour later, she was seated in her small dining room with Mara, a cooled cup of coffee next to her, and lists and binders surrounding her. Weddings were usually full of a thousand little details; a royal wedding must have at least two-point-five million.
    Rebecca scrolled through her checklist, Mara updating her as they went along. “Did you contact the vendors for the wedding reception?”
    Mara shifted through some papers, stopping on a neatly clipped stack. “Yes. I contacted them just this morning to let them know a final decision would be made today regarding the wedding. They’re all on standby. Further, all but one agreed to honor the contracts at a later date, should the wedding be postponed.”
    “Which one didn’t?”
    “The linen company. They hired quite a few temporary workers to assist with the wedding, and they won’t be able to do that again if there’s a postponement. Unfortunately, they are currently the only royal-approved linen vendor.”
    Another linen company had been complicit in a plot to ruin Cat and take down the monarchy in the process, so they were blacklisted by the royal palace. Other companies were making their way through the approval process, but it was now lengthier and more stringent. None would make it through before the wedding.
    If there was a wedding.
    Rebecca closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, Mara was waiting patiently for her. “I think we should plan for the reception to be cancelled, even if the wedding goes forward.”
    Mara’s mouth fell open. “Are you sure?”
    “Positive. We’ve still got the traditional wedding breakfast after the ceremony. All of the world leaders will still be able to attend that, so we should be all right politically.” Rebecca shook her head. “I know it seems a bit drastic, but we can’t be seen partying all day with two of the family in the hospital.”
    Mara sagged in her chair. “Of course. It’s just, well, it’s your wedding day. You deserve the chance to enjoy it.”
    “Thank you for that. That’s very sweet. I’ll still want to run the idea by Alex. Actually, could you speak to Tavin about it? See what he thinks? We can loop Corrado in as well.”
    Mara cleared her throat. “Er, yes, of course. I can speak to Tavin.”
    Mara was flustered. She was never flustered. She was often hurried, sometimes high-strung, but rarely flustered. Come to think of it, she was only ever flustered when Tavin was near, or his name was mentioned.
    Interesting.
    Too bad she didn’t have time to focus on anything interesting at the moment.
    Rebecca patted Mara’s hand. “Thank you so much for your help the last few days, really the last few months. I’d be totally lost without your help.”
    “You’re more than welcome. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
    Rebecca smiled. “Anyway, let me know what Tavin and Corrado think. I’m fine with cancelling the reception. I think a smaller family dinner – one that the king can attend – is best. We can even do it at the hospital, if he hasn’t been discharged by then.”
    “That’s a lovely idea.”
    Both Rebecca and Mara shifted towards the voice. Cat entered wearing a comfortable yet stylish dress; Rebecca hadn’t heard her come into the apartment.
    “Not cancelling the reception – I don’t think Mama will like that – but the family reception with Papa. I’m sure he’ll love it. I know he’s sad he won’t see the two of you walk down the aisle in person.”
    So was she.
    “Should we run the idea by the queen’s chief of staff?” Mara asked.
    “No”, Rebecca said, at the