Free Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7) by Marianne Knightly

forward.”
    Alex staggered back a foot, as though he’d been punched in the gut. Their reception cancelled? She hadn’t spoken a word about that to him this morning.
    Would he have to deal with his fiancée making decisions for him, too?
    “Rebecca!” Genevieve cried. “We can’t do that.”
    “It’s practically done already.”
    “You should have consulted with me first. Now, you’ll need to rebook everything.”
    Rebecca’s shoulders stiffened. “Genevieve, I’m sorry, but I feel it’s for the best. It wouldn’t look right.”
    “We have thirty world leaders, not to mention almost two thousand guests coming to the ceremony.”
    “Yes, and all of the world leaders will also be at the wedding breakfast afterwards. I ran the idea by Tavin and Corrado this morning, and they both agreed it was fine.” Rebecca gently picked up Gabriel’s hand. “I thought it might be better if we did a family dinner that night, either here or at home, so that you can join us. I want you to be part of our wedding day, however you can.”
    The entire room went silent. His mother’s eyes blurred with tears and his father was also clearly moved.
    His own heart filled, irritation at his father and Rebecca washing clean away.
    God, he loved her. Was it any wonder they belonged together?
    Gabriel cleared his throat. “Thank you, Rebecca. That’s incredibly thoughtful, and we both appreciate it very much. The doctors have told me that I’ll likely be home in a day or two.”
    “Yes, we do appreciate it,” Genevieve agreed. “Cancel the reception if you feel that’s best.”
    Rebecca let out a sigh of relief. Had she been worried about this in the morning? Was Alex so wrapped up in himself that he didn’t see his love was hurting? Why didn’t she reach out to him?
    “I’ll take care of it when I leave.” She tipped her head to Alex. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to stop by and see how everyone was doing.”
    “You’re not intruding,” Alex said. “I told them about Arianna, and Papa and I just finished discussing some state business while Mama called Arianna.”
    “Gabriel,” Genevieve admonished. “You’re not supposed to be discussing work. Alexander can handle it.”
    “Of course he can, my dear. I was merely advising on a few things.”
    “Well, I could use your advice,” Rebecca interjected. “Both you and Genevieve’s. If you’ve got some time. I know Alex has to go prepare for the Council meeting.”
    “That I do, though I’d like a few minutes with you before I go.” With a quick goodbye to his parents, Alex left the room, Rebecca following. They stopped in the hall just outside the door. “How are you doing, darling?”
    She blinked. “I’m fine. Are you okay? Do you need anything? I can–”
    He kissed the words from her lips. “All I need is for you to tell me how you’re really doing. You were worried this morning and you didn’t say anything to me.”
    She slanted her head to the side, away from his eyes. “Everyone’s worried.”
    “You’re not everyone.” He took hold of her chin and shifted her face back to meet his. “You’re my fiancée. You’re the love of my life. If you can’t share things with me, and I can’t share them with you, we’re doing something wrong.”
    “You were worried this morning, too. I didn’t want to distract you with my worries or problems. I can handle them.”
    “I know you can handle them. I’m not questioning that at all.”
    “Really? Because you seemed upset about the reception.”
    He shook his head. “I was, at first, I admit it. But when you told me why you wanted to cancel it, all I could think was how much I loved you.”
    She melted against him. “Alex. I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you.”
    “I know. I suppose I haven’t been honest, either.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Alex tilted his head to the door, then back to her. “My father. He’s been making decisions for me or, more accurately, he’s