Chapter 179
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Chapter 180
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I was still spinning in circles, blanket–dress swooshing around me, when the strangest thing happened. Xavier, Haiden, Noah, and Levi all moved to the middle of the room. For a second, I thought maybe they were going to start dancing, because wouldn’t that be funny? but then, right in front of everyone, they all dropped down on one knee.
Like real princes.
My giggle burst out so loud it echoed against the walls. “What are you doing p>
Xavier grinned, his dark eyes twinkling. “Paying our respects to our princess. ”
Haiden smirked, though his voice came out softer than usual. “Every princess deserves her knights to kneel before
her p>
Noah tilted his head, that calm, quiet smile of his making my tummy flutter with warmth. “And every princess
deserves to hear just how loved she is p>
Levi crossed his arm over his chest, bowing his head in such a serious way I had to bite back another laugh. “So,
allow us p>
The room went still. Everyone was watching, but somehow it felt like it was just me and them. My hands clutched my tiara to keep it from slipping off as Xavier cleared his throat, speaking first.
“I love you, Macey,” Xavier said, his voice steady and proud. “Because you remind me that joy can exist, even in the darkest places. You make me laugh when I forget how. You make life lighter p>
My cheeks burned hot, but my smile wouldn’t stop.
Haiden leaned forward next, eyes locked on mine. “I love you because you’re brave. Braver than anyone I’ve ever met. You faced a world that wasn’t always kind, and instead of breaking, you became stronger. You teach me every day that strength doesn’t always look like fighting, it can look like laughter, too p>
My throat felt tight, but in the best way.
Noah’s turn came, his voice deep and gentle. “I love you because you make us a family. You stitched yourself into all our lives with that big, bright heart of yours. You remind us what we’re fighting for, what we’re living for. You are
our home, Macey p>
I sniffled and quickly wiped at my eyes, trying not to let anyone see.
Finally, Levi lifted his head, his expression fierce but full of something soft I’d never seen before. “And I love you, little one, because you deserve it. Every bit of it. Love, safety, joy, all of it. You deserve to feel like the princess you are, every single day. And I swear to you, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you do p>
By the end, my eyes were all watery, and my giggles had turned into hiccupy little half–laughs, half–sobs. I didn’t know what to do with all the feelings crowding inside my chest, so I just held my tiara tight against my heart. Then
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Chapter 180
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Envy came to stand in front of me, her smile shining brighter than the fairy lights overhead. She bent down so we were eye to eye, her hands resting gently on my shoulders.
“Macey,” she whispered, her voice carrying even in the quiet hush of the crowd, “will you be ours forever and let us officially adopt you p>
My heart leapt, and I shouted without a second thought, “YES p>
The whole room erupted into cheers, clapping and laughing. Forever. I was theirs. And they were mine. I have…a
home!
Before I could even stop sniffling, Elliot stepped forward with a smile almost as big as mine. He stuck out his hand, just like a real king would do in one of my storybooks.
“Come on, Princess,” he said, his voice so full of pride it made my heart squeeze. “Your throne is waiting p>
I slipped my hand into his, my little fingers wrapped tight around his, and he led me across the room. Everyone moved aside, giving us space, and I felt like I was walking down the grandest aisle in the world. My blanket–dress swished around my ankles, my tiara slipping dangerously low, but I held my head high. Because this was my castle, and that was my throne. When we reached it, Elliot spun me gently, like I was in a dance, and guided me onto the soft pink cushion. I sank into it, my legs swinging because they didn’t quite reach the rug, and I giggled so loud the whole room echoed. Then Elias stepped forward. He picked up a tiara from the table, not the little crooked one I’d been wearing, but a better one. Silver, with sparkly gems that caught the fairy lights and made them dance across the walls. He didn’t just plop it on my head, either. No, he bowed. A big, dramatic bow so low his forehead nearly
touched the floor.
“Your Highness,” he said, his voice deep and serious, though I could see the mischief in his eyes. “May this crown remind everyone that you are the one true princess of this realm p>
The room roared with laughter, and I squealed, clapping my hands as he set the tiara carefully on my head. It felt heavier, fancier, more real than any crown I’d ever imagined.
Nanna bustled up next, her arms warm and soft as she scooped me into a cuddle right there on the throne.
“My darling girl,” she whispered, her voice cracking just a little. “Look at you. You’ve brought so much light into all our lives p>
Pa followed, his big hands rough but gentle as he bent to kiss my forehead. “We’re proud of you, Princess,” he said, his eyes shining even though he tried to keep his face steady,
Then Aleisha and Tommy came, both looking a little shy but smiling widely, Aleisha gave me a curtsy that made me giggle all over again, and Tommy bowed so stiffly he nearly toppled sideways.
“Your Highness,” Aleisha said, straight–faced but with a twinkle in her eyes, “we pledge our loyalty p>
“And our friendship,” Tommy added quickly.
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Envy walked over, holding a piece of paper. She knelt in front of me, her eyes warm and sparkly. “This is it, Princess. You sign your name right here-” she tapped a line near the bottom “-and you’ll always and forever be ours p>
I grabbed the pen Envy held out and scribbled my name in big, swirly letters.
I giggled, bouncing a little on my throne. “Does this mean I can have some cake now p>
“Of course you can,” Noah said, stepping forward with a smile that made my tummy feel warm. He held out his hand. “Come on, Princess. You get to cut the first slice p>
I leapt down from my throne, slipping my hand into his, but before I could take a step toward the giant cake, Haiden’s voice cut through. “But there’s a rule p>
I blinked up at him. “A rule p>
He nodded with a cheeky grin. “If the knife comes out dirty, you have to kiss the closest boy p>
My jaw dropped, and then I exploded into giggles so hard I nearly tripped over.
“Better make a clean cut, Princess,” Xavier called, winking at me.
Cake and kisses and tiaras, maybe this was what happily–ever–after really looked like.
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