"What do you mean 'quit'?" Venom laces with his words.

"Raymie. I can see how much she loves you. Don't run to me when she saved your life! She's perfect for you. Perfect for the Kingdom." I huff out, not slowing my steps.

"Corrine! I don't care if she's perfect for the Kingdom. And I know who is perfect for me. She's not the one." He clasps his hand around my shoulder and tugs me to his chest.

"You're the Prince. You need to have the Kingdom in mind when you chose your wife. She's so brave..." I drawl on.

"Stop. You're so brave. You came in with everything you had. When you realized that there was nothing left to do. You were ready to die by my side. That is devotion. That is love. I love you, Corrine. You claimed that you love me too, so show your love by marrying me." He drops to a knee and I think I might lose my stomach like Raymie did.

"But the competition. The other girls..." I stutter.

"... already know that you are the one I want. I eliminated the other girls while you and Raymie loitered in the hallway before the attack. I told Raymie just now. Marry me." He pulls out a large diamond ring, surrounded by rubies... my birth stone.

"You were supposed to drop the competition to three and then have an announcement. Isn't this against the rules?" I ramble. Obviously I want to marry him - I love him! I just don't want the anyone to criticize us on the way of our engagement. I don't want to be the first to break tradition... especially royal, old ones.

"Forget the rules, Cor! Do you love me?" He demands, grasping my hand as if it is the last bit of salvation in his life.

"Yes, of course." I breathe, tugging on his fingers.

"Do you want to spend your life with me?" His eyes shine with love and hope and fear. It pains me to see that I could destroy the life of someone I love so dearly by only a word. I want him to know I'll always be there for him.

"Yes." I answer, taking a small fraction of his fear away.

"Will you marry me, be my wife, my Queen, my love?" The final question is out and I feel time slow for me to make my decision. Well, it wasn't much of a decision anyway... I can't live without him.

"Yes!" I cry with tears of joy, embracing Hunter who finally stands up. "A thousand times yes!" Hunter slides the ring on my finger and I kiss him with more passion than ever before. He wraps his strong arms around my waist and spins me around in the midst of all of this destruction.

"I love you, Corrine." He whispers in my ear, causing me to giggle like crazy.

"I love you, Hunter." I kiss his joyful smile, embracing my future with my one true love.

~~~~ Ten Months Later ~~~~

The nation was restored to its calm glory after the rebel forces were locked up, never to be heard from again. The day of our engagement, was catastrophic for most of the palace. Two of the Elite were injured: Della, who broke over seven bones and almost died, and Bianca, who suffered from a bullet wound in her leg. The other girls were just scratched up a bit and scared, but overall okay. My maids were safe in the sewing room at the time of the attack, but not all of the maids could say the same. Roughly a dozen of the palace staff were killed, over a third were injured or maimed in some way. Despite all of these hardships, the nation rejoiced as Hunter came out of the troubles with a decision as to who the future Queen would be.

As for a celebration, King Cole and Queen Georgia invited all of the Selected, their families, and a guest of the girls' choosing to honor our engagement and celebration Halloween. Father and Jasmine came to revel in the joy with me, Mother staying far away in the estate. It was a night of true magic.

All of the guests from the Halloween ball and some diplomats and other royals were invited once again to the wedding, which should commence in mere minutes.

"Corrine! Stand still you squirming toad!" Gracelyn squealed, popping in a couple more pins to keep my curled up-do in place. She pulls down a few strands to frame my face before she nods in approval.

"Let me see the finished look!" London scampers over to see me, movement slightly difficult in her long, blush colored, bridesmaid gown. Royal tradition typically had the Elite as bridesmaids, but with Della still in casts, Queen Georgia said to just pick whomever I wanted. I asked Gracelyn to be my maid of honor, she was ecstatic and assured me that I was going to have the best wedding ever. I chose London, Raymie, Bianca (who had a bit of a limp but was recovering nicely), and Jasmine (who I promised to find a suitable match for to repay her years of serving me) as the rest of my bridesmaids.

"You look gorgeous!" London smiles brightly at me, taking in my cream wedding gown. Lace flowers create a fall off the shoulder look, leading down to a corset of embroidered lace flowers. Miles of tule explode, lace flowers randomly placed around the skirt and a long train follows. Queen Georgia lent me the late Queen America's first tiara, a simple, but gorgeous silver and diamond piece. My shoes match my gown: cream with flowers. My makeup is simple, but beautiful. Pink lips and a smoky pink eye shadow match with the blush theme.

"You're too kind! You all look lovely too!" I say to all of my bridesmaids who smile brightly.

"Ladies! Places!" Miss Jenkins shouts at us after scoping out the crowd. She was overjoyed to hear that I had been selected as the Prince's bride and has thrived in every second of the planning alongside Queen Georgia, Gracelyn, and me.

I latch onto Father's arm as he smiles widely at me. These past months have done wonders for him. I don't know if it is the fact that his business is thriving, I am safe and loved, or that Mother has tried to improve her behavior - but it is wonderful to see him happy.

"You are the most beautiful bride, darling." He complements, kissing the top of my head before the music begins and the wedding party begins the walk down the aisle.

"And you are the most handsome bride-giver-awayer." I whisper before we make our entrance.

My eyes drift around the crowd until they make their way up front where Hunter stands dashingly in a sharp, black tuxedo. His grin sends my head spinning and my heat thumping, but Father manages to keep me upright.

As my hand is finally placed into my future husband's, I tune out the crowds and the flashing pictures and focus on the man next to me. I tear up as he reads his vow to me and let lose some tears as I share mine with him. A diamond ring is slid on my finger as I put a silver ring with diamonds placed in it on Hunter's wedding finger. The 'I do's' follow after and as quickly as the wedding began, Hunter was told that he could now kiss the bride.

I hold him close and try to show him my passion in as public of a manner as possible. Our lips part only for both of us to mumble "I love you" before we lean in. Our lips mold together sweetly before we part, a large smile decorates his face and I'm sure that I'm mirroring the joy.

"To our loving union and the success of our country!" Hunter whispers in my ear, his words a promise of our happy future together.

And it is done! Thank you all for reading this story! I loved writing it! I'm so sorry it took sooooo long to finally finish, but I'm hoping that you all agree that the end result was worth it :)