DAMON'S POV

"Yes, I've heard. The share market has been down recently but don't worry, Mr. Phillips. Bad times don't last too long."

Here I was talking with my guests and being the biggest hypocrite in town. Who was I kidding?! Bad times do last long. Mine hasn't gotten over for years.

As I stood silently sulking, though, I wondered where Amelia was. She should've been here by now. Saying she was pissed off was an understatement to how upset she was. But the funny thing was that she didn't need the slightest of convincing. Granted she would've killed me on the spot if she could but not once did she ask for backing off. She, just like me, was doing this for the people.

She doesn't even realize what a great Queen she'd make. This one sacrifice says it all. I had just hoped that we'd be having this party under better conditions. I'd be getting married to her only after we truly got to know each other. Besides, the way I proposed was also crappy.

Honestly, I have no idea how is she handling me. If I was in her place, I would've walked away from myself a long time ago.

I turned to speak to Mr. Phillips again, whom I had stopped listening to a long time ago only to find his eyes wide and mouth open.
I scrunched my eyebrows, confused as to what was happening.

Only when I heard someone say, "She looks beautiful", did I turn around.
There she was.
Amelia.
Looking nothing other than a Goddess in her burgundy gown. It was a simple off shoulder gown with a little silver detailing but the way it looked on her was simply majestic.
As she descended the stairs, with her dress trailing behind her, I was momentarily too stunned to do anything. Only after Mother came and whispered in my ears to help her down did I move.

I was aware of everyone's eyes on us and I was sure so was she. Her body language said it all. While mine was relaxed being used to so much attention, hers was on edge. She didn't even know how beautiful she looked and I don't even think she cared.

I held out my hand for her at the bottom of the staircase and she took it with a forced smile.

"They're all staring," she whispered in my ear.
The hair on my body stood up as her hot breath grazed my ear but I tried acting as if I was unaffected.
"Can you blame them?" I said. "They only saw the most beautiful woman ever walk down the stairs."

She held my hand tighter as we walked through the crowds of people.
"Besides, don't worry. You'll soon get used to all the attention."

She visibly flinched and stopped walking after that.
I wondered what I said wrong while she removed her hand from mine.
She then gave that forced smile of hers again. I was about to ask her what was wrong when her parents and Mother walked towards us.

"Oh, Amelia!" said her mother as she embraced her in a hug.
"You look lovely or dare I say it?! You look like a girl!"

Amelia simply narrowed her eyes at that while I smirked looking at their exchange.
She didn't just look like a 'girl'. She looked like a woman. A ravishing, breathtaking woman.

"Oh, come on Mrs Grayson," said Mother. "Don't pull her leg now!"
She then looked at Amelia and said, "You look gorgeous, honey. I can see how difficult is it going to be for Damon to keep his eyes and hands off of you today."

Everyone simply laughed while Amelia looked at me a little embarrassed. Well, Mother was right. It was going to be REALLY difficult.

"I'm just waiting to see you in your wedding gown," said her Mother excitedly.

Amelia simply smiled and then asked to be excused after a while. Something was definitely wrong and I was going to go behind her to find out what it was but it looks like her father had the same plans. He said something about giving her a gift and went off after her. He definitely noticed it too. I didn't want to intrude so I stayed back hoping all along that everything was okay.

***

AMELIA'S POV

I stood in the balcony with my hands shivering. I held the railing for support.

"You alright there, munchkin?"

I turned around and saw dad with a worried look on his face.
I instantly smiled again.
"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be? I'm getting engaged today."

Damon and I had decided to only let the families know about the engagement in advance. The rest would come to know after the announcement.

"Honey, I'm your father. I can clearly see something's bothering you. Your mom would've seen it too if she wasn't so excited with the prospect of her daughter getting married to a Prince."

My smile faltered as I turned around and sighed.
"I don't know what I'm doing, dad. My heart is telling me to do one thing and my mind another."

He then came up and stood beside me behind the railing, looking over Aldrin in all of its beauty.

"You're a smart girl, Amelia, but I also know you love the people around you a lot. Even though you don't say it out loud. You have always thought about the happiness of others over yours but you just never like the people around you to know what sacrifices you are making for them. Don't do that, Amelia. Don't let yourself get crushed from inside just because you have to stand up tall for others. Learn to live for yourself, sweetheart. Learn to respect your own choices if you want others to respect them too. Learn to listen to your heart,  babygirl."

I turned to look at my father with tears in my eyes. I knew. Whatever choice I make, whatever decision I take, he'll always be there with me. I knew it.

So while I hugged him and stayed in his embrace for a long time I closed my eyes for sometime, forgetting all my worries.
"I love you, daddy."

***

Cling. Cling. Cling.
"Most of you here don't know the reason for this party," said Damon as he held my hand in front of everyone.
"So, without any further adieu I would like to break the suspense. You all have actually been invited to my engagement party!" he said.

There were gasps and murmurs everywhere while the mediapersons immediately began clicking pictures and writing in their notepads.

"Yes, it's true. I'm going to be marrying this wonderful woman beside me," he said as he spared me a loving glance. His eyes, for some reason, did not have the slightest hint that all of this was a pretence. He looked at me the same way anyone who was in love would look at his girl. His girl. Damn it. Ugh, my nerves are kicking in again.

But while the entire crowd burst into applause and whistles and while the two of us exchanged our rings, I saw three upset faces.
Two of King Rupert and Theodore but the third was of my father. He looked more dissapointed than upset. Dissapointed that I hadn't done what I actually should have.
So while everyone was now talking about us getting engaged, I thought to myself, 'Sorry dad. I couldn't do it. I let my mind win over my heart. Again.'