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"My friend will finally wear the crown!" Freya's excitement was so intense it nearly shattered my eardrums.

Truth be told, the crown was the least of my concerns. What truly unsettled me was the wedding dress. It felt surreal—those vows, "till death do us part," suddenly held a weight I hadn’t fully grasped until now. They weren’t just poetic; they meant centuries together. I had no doubts about Hadrian’s love or mine for him, yet the vampire issue still lingered in the back of my mind.

After a month of living as a super-duper-commoner, I had learned that I didn’t need human blood—Hadrian’s was enough for me. To my relief, he only needed mine as well. Caspian explained it was a mates’ thing, a connection that would bind us for eternity and strengthen us in ways others couldn’t understand. That revelation should have eased my worries, but it only highlighted my biggest fear. Commoners like me lived forever, while nobles had extended yet ultimately finite lifespans. Would I have to face eternity without Hadrian? The mere thought twisted my stomach into knots.

As the soon-to-be queen, I had to undergo a thorough medical examination. Caspian had run countless tests and was supposed to deliver the results right before the wedding ceremony. Because, of course, nothing eases pre-wedding jitters like medical uncertainty. With just an hour left before the chaos began, Caspian was already fifteen minutes late. The longer I waited, the more anxious I became.

At last, a knock echoed at the door. My heart leaped as I rushed forward, yanking it open—only to find Penrose standing there instead.

"Here's your wedding dress, Sister-in-law!" she trilled, carrying an enormous garment bag into my room.

I managed a nervous smile. She had insisted on choosing the dress herself, refusing to let me see it until today. With a mischievous grin, she placed the oversized bag on my bed.

"Close your eyes," she commanded playfully.

Freya, ever eager to join in on the fun, quickly covered my eyes while Penrose unzipped the garment bag. I heard Freya gasp, which only heightened my nervous anticipation. A moment later, on Penrose’s cue, Freya whisked her hands away, and they both sang in unison—

"Ta-da!"

Before me hung a masterpiece of Mikado silk, its luxurious fabric cascading gracefully from a hanger suspended on the high canopy rail. The gown was breathtaking—long-sleeved with a deep V neckline, an exquisitely cinched waist, and a sweeping A-line skirt that billowed with regal elegance. The royal train extended behind it in waves, adding a touch of timeless grandeur.

"It's… white," I murmured, momentarily stunned.

Penrose placed her hands on her hips, frowning. "Well, obviously! What did you expect? That I'd let you walk out there looking like the freaking Queen of the Damned? Besides, white suits you. All you needed to leave everyone speechless was a little help from two brilliant Asians—Vera Wang and Jimmy Choo. Now, stop gawking and try it on."

Despite my initial hesitation, I couldn’t help but smile wryly. Stepping toward the gown, I brushed my fingers over the fabric. It was exquisite.

There were no excessive embellishments—no intricate lace or shimmering stones—yet that simplicity made the dress all the more regal. It was elegant, refined, and utterly perfect. The moment I slipped it on, a sense of belonging washed over me. I didn’t just wear the gown—I became the queen.

As I stepped into the sleek heels, confidence surged through me. Suddenly, all the worries that had plagued me before seemed insignificant. I was ready to stand beside Hadrian, ready to vow eternal love, ready to embrace the destiny I had once feared.

"Take it off for now," Penrose instructed. "We still need to do your makeup and share a pre-wedding toast. And if you so much as spill a drop of wine on that dress, I will kill you." A wicked grin flashed across her face.

I chuckled, grateful for my bridesmaids and their impeccable sense of timing. While they dashed off to fetch the wine, I quickly changed into an oversized shirt and sweatpants. Sitting before the vanity mirror, I let out a deep sigh. I had fought so hard to get here—to this moment.

Would things be easier from now on? I could only hope. More than anything, I just wanted to be happy. To stand beside the man destiny had chosen for me. I had once rebelled against fate, believing that fleeing Crimsonville and my father meant I was rewriting my own story. But now, I realized every step I had taken, every choice I had made, had led me here—to this palace, to this day, to him.

A sudden knock pulled me from my thoughts.

"Just come in," I called absentmindedly, assuming it was Freya and Penrose.

But when the door swung open, my breath hitched. Caspian stood there, a thick envelope in hand.

"I brought your medical results," he announced, placing the documents on my vanity.

My fingers trembled as I reached for them. "Should I be worried?" I asked, forcing an awkward chuckle.

Caspian simply smiled, tapping a specific paragraph on the first page. "Read this."

My eyes scanned the text. It was a DNA analysis of my chromosomes’ telomeres. The words hit me like a lightning bolt. My telomeres were shortening with every twentieth cell division.

My breath caught.

"I’m… aging," I whispered, then, as the reality set in, I laughed—pure, unfiltered laughter bubbling from my chest. "I’m aging!"

Caspian grinned. "Yes, you are, Thalassa. And not just that—you have every ability noble vampires possess, including fertility. I don't know how it's possible, but it seems you were made to be a vampire. A vampire perfectly suited to complement Hadrian’s strengths."

Tears welled in my eyes. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him. "Thank you! This is the best wedding gift I could ever receive!"

Caspian chuckled, patting my back. "You're welcome, my Queen."

As I wiped away my happy tears, Penrose and Freya burst back in, carrying a bottle of Pinot Noir. They immediately shooed Caspian out, and moments later, we were raising our glasses in celebration.

Freya giggled between sips. "I have a confession…" she admitted, her cheeks flushed with wine. "Varen asked me out on a date."

"Finally!" Penrose burst into laughter. "I was starting to think this sugar-pie would be single forever! Thank the heavens, he finally grew a spine!"

Freya flushed as Penrose and I raised our glasses in celebration of her and Varen’s "fruitful" first date. Seeing my friend this happy filled me with genuine joy.

"What about you, Penrose? You don’t plan on staying single for the rest of your life, do you?" I arched a knowing brow at her.

She let out a dramatic sigh. "I've been in a love-hate entanglement for two decades now. The problem is, I don’t like to share, and he still keeps his little harem at that damn mansion of his..."

"Lucian?" I asked, taken aback. I had never imagined she truly cared for him.

Penrose downed the rest of her wine in one go before flashing a wicked grin. "Yes. That son of a bitch is the fool I gave my heart to." Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "But I have patience. I’ll wait for his blood bags to wither away, and then I’ll show up, looking younger and hotter than ever."

"You do that, girl!" Freya cheered, her enthusiasm infectious.

I chuckled, though somewhat awkwardly. "But… isn’t he your cousin?"

"A distant one," she corrected effortlessly. "Besides, noble vampires have always married within their own bloodlines. We were even engaged once—until he cheated on me with a girl named Ava. I was furious, so I seduced her instead. Turns out, she decided I was the better lover." She shrugged as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

"You are absolutely wicked, Penrose," I said, clinking my glass against hers in appreciation of her audacity.

She smirked. "Oh, darling, you have no idea."

The three of us erupted into laughter, savoring the rare moment of girl time before the wedding preparations began.

The ceremony was scheduled for after sundown, allowing even those sensitive to sunlight to attend. Once I was dressed in my breathtaking gown, my glass slippers catching the candlelight, Nanny Ashley arrived to walk me down the aisle. Since she had known my mother, it felt only right for her to take on this role, honoring my mother’s presence in spirit. She agreed without hesitation.

The moment she laid eyes on me in my gown, tears welled up in hers, and I had to fight back my own. When she whispered that my mother would have been proud, my throat tightened. I forced myself to take a deep breath, swallowing the emotion before it could ruin my carefully done makeup.

Finally, I stepped into the grand throne hall, ready to meet my destiny.

With each step down the aisle, I took in the faces of those gathered—vampires and werewolves standing side by side. My mother’s former pack was there, along with members of the Blue Moon Pack. Alpha Kenzo had come, Bopha at his side. I acknowledged them with a small nod, and they bowed respectfully in return.

As I moved forward, I caught sight of Icarus standing beside a striking black-haired woman with porcelain skin. When he noticed me, he stepped forward and knelt.

I leaned down slightly, amusement flickering in my eyes. "Get up, Icarus, you’re slowing my procession," I teased.

He looked up at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Your Emily is beautiful," I whispered. "Make sure you take good care of her."

"I will," he promised before hastily returning to his wife’s side.

Then, my gaze found the man waiting for me.

Hadrian stood tall, dressed in a black tuxedo with satin lapels and buttons, a black vest over his crisp white shirt, and a perfectly tied black bow tie. He was breathtaking. Every inch of him radiated power and elegance.

As he extended his hand, Ashley gently placed mine in his. He guided me onto the podium before signaling Gareth, who carried a velvet pillow bearing the Queen’s crown.

A gasp escaped me as I beheld it—white gold, adorned with diamonds and luminous emeralds. My crown.

Hadrian smiled, lifting it with reverence before placing it atop my head.

"You see, my Queen?" he murmured against my ear. "This was always meant to be yours. It shines as brilliantly as your eyes."

The rest of the ceremony blurred around me. I barely registered the vows or the hundreds of guests. All I saw was Hadrian, his gaze fixed on mine with such devotion that the world around us faded into insignificance.

Only when our vows were complete and we took our thrones did I regret having to turn my attention away from him. My heart belonged to him, entirely and irrevocably.

With the official ceremony concluded, the grand celebration began. As King and Queen, we were seated at the head of the main table, surrounded by guests who reveled in the joyous occasion. But despite the festivities, all I truly wanted was to steal away with my King, to have him all to myself.

At last, when a moment of commotion provided the perfect distraction, I leaned toward Hadrian, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Caspian gave me my test results today," I breathed against his ear. "We can have a child."

Hadrian lifted his glass, draining the wine in one swift motion before setting it aside. Without warning, he cupped my face and kissed me—slow, deep, and possessive. A chorus of whistles and cheers erupted around us.

"You’d better prepare yourself, my Queen," he murmured against my lips, his voice laced with promise. "Because you’re in for many sleepless nights."

And he kept his word.

A month later, I carried our first child.

In Hadrian’s arms, I learned what it meant to be truly loved, to be cherished without condition. I discovered the warmth of family, the joy of belonging. And for the first time, I realized that my lineage was not a curse—it had led me to my destiny.

I had never considered myself a romantic, but standing here, wrapped in the love of my King, I knew one thing to be true.

Love truly does conquer all.

THE END.