Chapter 185

Chapter 185
Renée's POV

It felt unreal. 
I had decided deep within myself that there was only one way out of this. 
He was going to survive and I was going to die. 
I had accepted it, embraced it and I went through with it. 

I just didn't know how to handle the fact that we both made it. 
The fact that I was sitting right next to him, staring at him. 
It all felt unreal. 
We cried in each other's arms like we had been apart for hundreds of years. 
And since then, we’ve been going almost everywhere together. Almost.

It's been a few days since things have returned back to normal. 
Alex slowly settled into his role as a King at the same time juggling wedding preparations. 
Sasha was even more eager for us to get married so we decided to make the date closer than before. 

So, it's absolute chaos but… the beautiful kind. 

I was currently at my dress fitting with Sasha and Valerie. 
And of course, Vivi.
I mean, obviously, since she's the one that made it. 

I stared at the large mirror in front of me as Vivi and her girls adjusted the dress on my body. I had lost some weight due to the whole overusing my powers thing. 
But it was okay since I was slowly gaining it back. 
But for now, they had to hold it together with some pins. 

I couldn't recognize the girl in the mirror staring at me. 
The gown was a masterpiece. It looked like it was woven from light itself. The bodice clung to me perfectly in a storm of crystal and silver thread, every bead and sequin catching the faintest flicker of light until it seemed like the stars themselves had been stitched into the fabric. 
The neckline dipped gracefully, framing my collarbones like a crown within a crown, while the skirt spilled out in soft, endless waves of ivory and gold, so wide and grand it felt like it could swallow the whole room. 
And somehow, the entire piece didn't weigh me down. 

I gave the tiniest turn and the fabric seemed to shimmer like moonlight caught in water.

And then there was the cape. That was probably my favourite part. It was long, sheer and edged in glitter that made me look less like a bride and more like a queen. Sweeping from my shoulders to the floor, it trailed behind me like a waterfall of silver. It cocooned me yet left me standing tall, like I actually belonged to the crown waiting for me.

A makeshift tiara glimmered atop my head, nestled against the veil, and at that moment, it felt like I finally understood the weight of what this all meant.

I was beyond stunned by my reflection in the mirror. 
The way the dress portrayed a perfect mix of a wedding and a coronation was absolutely brilliant. 
I wasn't surprised. I mean, this was Vivi's work. But I was still stunned. 

“So?” Vivi asked as my eyes finally tore from my reflection to the artist herself. 

“What do you think?” She asked, her eyes shining in anticipation. 

I couldn't help the tears that slowly filled my eyes, threatening to spill as I smiled brightly. 

“I love it,” I whispered softly. 
“I love it so much, Vivi. It's stunning” I added and the brightest smile ever popped up on her face. 

At that moment, I was so glad I allowed her to have creative freedom. She was absolutely amazing. 

“Did you name her?” I asked, knowing she named every masterpiece she created. 

She nodded but then hesitated. 

“With your permission?” she asked and I giggled. 

“Of course!” I said and she smiled. 

“She's called ‘Queen Renée’” she said and my eyes widened in surprise. 

“You're naming her after me?” I asked and she nodded. 

“It's only right. She's yours. You inspired this dress, Renée” she stated and I smiled brightly. 

“Thank you Vivi,” I said as I pulled her into a hug. 
She swatted my arm “Oh stop it”

A beat of silence and admiration passed.

“Are you ready to show them?” She asked, referring to Sasha and Valerie, who were currently waiting for us to get done. 

I sucked in a deep breath before nodding. 

Yes” I answered. 
I was. I couldn't wait to see their reactions.

“Okay then, one second” she said, as they helped me climb the fitting platform. 

Then she slipped to the other side, likely to inform them I was ready. 

“3, 2, 1…” Vivi called out and oh her count, two ladies pulled the curtains aside, revealing me to the two women sitting on the couch opposite. 

For a heartbeat, the room was silent.

Then Sasha gasped, sharp and genuine, her hand flying to her mouth as she shot up from the couch. 

“Oh, my moon…” she breathed, eyes wide. She took a step closer, almost as if she couldn’t help herself, her gaze sweeping over every inch of the gown.

Valerie rose too, slower, her hand pressed to her chest, her eyes locked on me with an expression that made my throat tighten. 

“Renée…” she breathed, her voice thick with something she couldn’t quite swallow. 

“Look at you.” There was no stopping the emotion in her eyes, though her smile kept it gentle, steady. 
“You look… like everything your mother ever dreamed you’d be. She would have been so proud.”

The lump in my throat tightened instantly, and I had to look away before I completely lost it.

“Well,” Sasha said, breaking the heavy air with a dramatic sigh, “I don’t know how my son is supposed to survive seeing you in this. He’s not going to survive this. Not a chance.”

I laughed, genuinely amused by her statement.

Valerie laughed too, watery but real, and shook her head. “She’s right. You’ll have him on his knees before the ceremony even begins.”

Valerie hugged Vivi. 
“You did so well, sweetie,” she said.

“So amazingly well. To think I only have a few of your pieces is criminal!” Sasha said, a silent promise that she was going to overload her wardrobe with Vivi’s work. 

We laughed and at that moment, I was so grateful for them.
They were all still staring at me, like they’d watched me stumble and grow and fight to stand here, and seeing me in this dress was proof that I’d made it.