Chapter 270 270

Chapter 270 270
TARA

I was talking about Cenric Wollf, Mykel Creed, Striker Cade-Braddson, of course, Gabe Linden, Lake Winston, with the new member, Spade Kolby-Kross, and the only absent member was Rome Langston, the husband of Princess Carlott of Capria.
“I’m not gonna ask how you learn about that.” Mad laughed, side-glancing at me. “But yup, and the club has an additional member.”
I smiled. “Good to know.”
The next hours passed in a blur of introductions, various congratulations in different accents, and then dinner came.
Tables draped with white cloth, complemented by flower arrangements for the eight-course menu from special salmon salad, two-course selected seafood, to lamb and spring vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, and potatoes, followed by a quartet of desserts of chocolate mousse, classic Italian tiramisu, tropical fruit ice cream, and Mariana’s upgraded pavlova bombs.
After dinner, some important guests began leaving with my parents to probably talk about politics or the world economy.
Then we cut the cake and shared it with our guests. More photos were taken, which began to blind me.
Finally, I met familiar faces like my ex-boss in his dark suit and bowtie. Jerome and Beverly were also the attendees who finally stopped eyeing me suspiciously, as if I were after Mad’s pocket.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, Mr. Shanewood.”
After my short introduction, he said, “I didn’t know you were a princess.”
I smiled. “That was the whole point, and thank you for coming. How’s the accommodation?”
“It’s great. I wasn’t sure you’d invite me to your wedding.”
“You were a part of my three-year life in New York as my boss, Mr. Brown.”
Keith and Eva came next. They looked happy together. 
“Damn.” Keith looked around and at us. “So, this is you, a royal princess married to a billionaire.”
Mad chuckled beside me. “Why does it sound like a bad combination?”
“I’m the same as the woman who lived across the room in that apartment, Keith.”
“You look beautiful. The gown you wore earlier was absolutely stunning,” Eva said.
“Thank you. And I’m glad you found each other.”
Keith looked at Olive and Lynx. “She’s happy, and I’m happy for her.”
Mad grinned. “They’re getting married.”
“I heard,” Keith said while Eva was watching him. I heard no regret in his voice, nor saw jealousy from her.
“Congratulations to both of you.” Lori joined us. “And your promise.”
I rolled my eyes. “Really? On my wedding day.”
“Suck it up.” She sipped the champagne. “I’m gonna hook up with Damian again while I’m here.”
“Oh, my God. Did—” I didn’t finish my words. She was saved by our favorite and chosen song sang by our guest singer, which would be our first dance as husband and wife. “Your lucky day.”
Mad took me to the center. We didn’t rehearse our dance. Just like how we met at that masquerade, we went with the flow. He took my hand, the other on my lower back. 
I placed mine over his shoulder. “Why are you smiling?”
His eyes flickered with humor. “Just like the first dance about months ago, and now, I’m dancing with you as my wife.”
“I’m glad I went to the gala. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met my soulmate. I love you, Romeo.”
He beamed. “Just for the record, I recognized your voice the moment I heard you talking with Vysper.”
I stole a glance and smiled at Vysper, talking with Valentine. I was glad she came to our wedding. The only person who was missing today was Alessia, but I sent her flowers and a gift as gratitude.
“I was actually hurt. Just slight.” I gestured with my fingers. “I thought, asshole. He kissed me last night and didn’t even remember me today. And he’s getting married to another woman.”
“You can’t hide these eyes, baby. In my defense, you insulted me. I thought, okay. This is how you wanna play this, then by all means, let’s have some fun.”
“Really?” I faked my anger. “You danced with me, called me Juliet, stole the flower from my mask, and then kissed me after. And then you pretended you didn’t recognize me. You deserved it.”
He laughed, leaning down to whisper into my ear. “You’re mine now, Duchess. Remember my promise?” He spun me and caught me flawlessly.
“No. What’s your promise?”
“Not the right place to say it out loud.”
My cheeks flushed as he looked at me with his blazing gaze. “We can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
Before I could reply, Dad came over for the father-daughter dance. We already began dancing, Mad’s stare was still pinned on me.
“I love you, Dad.” What else could I say? He knew how grateful I was for the love, the life, and everything he gave me.
“I love you, too, my moon.”
We had decided to cut the usual traditional wedding reception and focus on the food and entertainment, since the speech and toasts happened at the rehearsal dinner. 
After the dance, the party began. The DJ played the music. 
“Sit down, beautiful bride,” Olive said, taking me to the chair.
“We’re not gonna dance?” I looked at her and Mad as I took a seat. “My feet are also killing me.”
“I need to check on Logan. Give me a minute.” He kissed me on the cheek.
When he left, Olive joined to sit next to me, taking selfies with me. “You’re trending, Duchess.”
All of a sudden, the music changed into a popular pop rock band, and then Mad came out with a guitar, his best man, and groomsmen, and began singing, hitting every note with perfect choreography. He sang the song I used to listen to in my playlist.
My heart melted. My eyes welled with tears as I covered my face in shock. “How?”
“I told him he’s still American. So, he came up with this idea,” Olive said, squeezing me into a hug.
When the song ended, he took off his suit jacket and gave it to me. Simultaneously, another song played, and the crowd went nuts. They started dancing.
“And here I thought he didn’t play piano. Now, he doesn’t only play guitar, he can also sing and dance.”
And then the brief drone show began with our faces and names, congratulating us. After that, fireworks came simultaneously. The first high-pitched whistle and crackling noise startled me, followed by different dazzling, shimmering colors lighting up the sky.
It was perfect— the wedding I’d dreamed of as a little princess came true.