CHAPTER 36: SURPRISE!

ISLA'S POV.

I didn't want to do this anymore than I had to.

I didn't want to go out there, blessing the marriages of soon-to-be couples, but my children and my career were at stake, and I had no other option but to do what was asked of me.

I looked at myself one last time in the vanity mirror before sighing as I turned around and walked outside, where an escort was waiting to take me to the throne room.

"The lady, her highness!" The announcer shouted, and the hall went silent.

They all watched me walk towards the high table where Axel was seated, and then he, too, stood up to welcome me to his table, after which everyone dismissed my presence and continued to chatter.

I sat down and avoided all eye contact with him. He wanted someone to sit in this chair, and here I was. Anything else was beyond me.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Let the ceremony begin," Axel said, and immediately, people started to dance and whisper.

Drinks flowed like a river, and I kept quiet, the event reminding me of the