Chapter 125

Ella POV

The castle was even more incredible than I had imagined. Alexander and I arrived early Saturday morning, just as planned. Though it was only a twenty-minute drive from his office in the capital, it felt like we had been transported to another world.

Surrounded by dense forest and perfectly manicured gardens, the castle looked like something out of a storybook. It was majestic, with towering spires and intricate stonework that seemed to whisper secrets of a long ago time.

I stared up at the high windows, my mouth hanging open in unabashed awe. I couldn’t help it—seeing the castle in person was breathtaking.

“It is impressive,” Alexander admitted, though there was a begrudging tone in his voice. “And it’s certainly going to impress at our wedding.”

“I think it might influence my dress choice,” I said, my gaze fixed on the tallest spire. “I might need to go for a princess dress this time.”

Alexander’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “I have to admit, it’s hard to picture you in something like that.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Not so long ago, I wore nothing but frills and sparkles. It’s funny to think you can’t imagine it now—it’s a good reminder of how much I’ve changed.”

His expression softened as he regarded me, but he didn’t comment further. Instead, he extended his arm toward the grand entrance ahead. “Shall we?”

Taking a steadying breath, I said, “Lead the way,” and we started down the cobblestone path toward the towering front doors.

We didn’t even get a chance to knock before the doors swung open, revealing Christopher Slater in yet another exquisitely tailored suit. His grin was as wide and charming as ever.

“Punctual as always,” he said to Alexander before turning to me. He extended his hand, but when I reached to shake it, he bent down and kissed my knuckles instead.

I was slightly amused—it only confirmed Alexander’s earlier warning about how today would go. “It’s nice to see you again,” I said graciously. “Thank you so much for opening your home to us.”

“Yes, of course,” Christopher replied. “Now, come in, come in. There’s so much to show you.”

He stepped aside, allowing us to enter, and closed the doors behind us. The entranceway was vast and echoing, with a vaulted ceiling that seemed to stretch endlessly upward.

“So, this is where your guests will arrive,” Christopher said, gesturing grandly. “From here, they’ll be led into the main hall. I can set up a coat check here since it will be cold. Your guests will need a place for their outerwear, and I’m sure you won’t want bulky jackets cluttering up the photos of the ceremony.”

“I’ll make sure to bring staff to handle that,” Alexander said smoothly.

“There’s storage here that’s currently unused,” Christopher continued, pointing to a side door. “I can have some clothing racks and hangers brought down.”

“Perfect,” I said, smiling.

Christopher returned my smile warmly before stepping ahead to open a pair of tall oak double doors with a theatrical flourish. “Once they’ve checked their coats, your guests will enter this area,” he said, gesturing inside.

The room was breathtaking—large and elegant, with walls adorned by stunning paintings and a glittering crystal chandelier hanging overhead.

“I think this will be ideal for a cocktail hour,” Christopher explained. “People can mingle, enjoy a drink, and have some hors d'oeuvres while they wait for the ceremony to begin.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” I said, genuinely impressed.

“Yes,” Alexander agreed. “Considering you don’t typically host events here, it’s interesting how thoroughly you’ve accounted for the details.”

Christopher gave a self-assured smile. “We’ve filmed several movies here, and many of those films included elaborate party scenes. I know what looks good on camera.”

“That’s an interesting insight,” I said, intrigued.

“This will really be your chance to feel like a movie star,” Christopher said with a warm smile directed at me. “I must say, you certainly look the part. And I’m sure whatever you do with your hair and makeup will only add to that.”

“That’s kind of you to say,” I replied politely, feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze.

“Have you chosen a dress yet?” he asked, his tone curious. “I’d love a little insight into what to expect.”

“The dress will be a surprise,” I said, keeping my smile intact. “That’s the tradition, after all.”

“Are you always so traditional?” he asked, his voice turning suggestive as he looked at me in a way that made my skin prickle.

Alexander immediately stepped closer, sliding his arm around me protectively. His sharp gaze pinned Christopher with a warning look. “Is there anything else we should know? Any rules about the house? Areas that will be off-limits to us or the guests?”

Christopher chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Alexander’s tone. “Direct and to the point, as always.” He gestured vaguely toward the west of the house. “The west wing is off-limits—it’s still undergoing extensive renovations. I’ve done a lot to restore this old place, but the damage in that section was far worse than I initially thought. Don’t worry, it’ll be clearly marked so guests won’t wander in.”

“I’ll post a guard or two there anyway, just to ensure there are no safety concerns,” Alexander said firmly.

His arm tightened around me slightly, and though he said nothing more, I knew what he was thinking. It wasn’t just about keeping guests safe—it was about ensuring no one could sneak in. With David and Amanda lurking in the shadows, we couldn’t take any risks.

Christopher waved a hand dismissively. “If you insist. Now, let me show you the kitchen. It will, of course, be made available to your catering staff.” He turned and began leading the way deeper into the house.

We followed, and while Alexander’s expression remained serious—his mind clearly absorbing every word and detail—I found myself distracted.

The old house had a magnetic charm, almost casting a spell on me. Every corner, every ornate detail, felt like stepping back in time to a world of glamour and elegance.

Despite the undercurrent of tension between Alexander and Christopher, I couldn’t help but feel captivated by the castle’s beauty, its grandeur whispering promises of a fairytale wedding.

"You seem quite genuinely excited," Alexander said, drawing my attention back to him.

I blinked, realizing that Christopher was no longer in the room. We were standing in the ballroom where the reception would be held, and I had been lost in thought, picturing myself twirling in a beautiful, puffy dress under the glittering chandelier.

“I am,” I confessed. “After the way everything went down initially, I’m excited to get a do-over that might actually be enjoyable—or at least have a less shocking ending.” My expression fell at the memory of David wrapped in Amanda’s arms on our wedding night.

“Was it shocking?” Alexander asked, his tone thoughtful. “You seemed to know exactly what was going to happen.”

“That didn’t make it any easier to see,” I replied, bitterness creeping into my voice.

Alexander studied me for a moment. “I’m never quite sure what to make of you when you say things like this. Sometimes you seem heartbroken when you talk about David, and other times, there’s this coldness in your words, as if any positive feelings you had for him died long ago.”

“Should I be crying all the time? Lamenting my fate?” I asked, meeting his gaze steadily. “What good would that do me? What benefit would there be for anyone if I carried on like that? What’s happened has happened. It was a choice that David made, and as much as it hurt me, I can’t let it destroy me.”

Alexander’s eyes searched mine, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he leaned forward and kissed me.

It was firm but fleeting—a pressure that vanished almost as soon as it began. I barely had time to process it before it was over, my breath catching as I started to question him. But my words dissolved at the sound of Christopher’s voice.

“Can’t you control yourself for two minutes?” Christopher’s tone was teasing, but the annoyance in his eyes was unmistakable.

Alexander didn’t respond, his posture unbothered. I realized, with a sinking certainty, that he must have heard Christopher approaching and kissed me deliberately, as if to underscore our relationship further.

I forced down my swirling emotions about the kiss, turning my full attention to Christopher as he resumed the tour. But the sensation of Alexander’s lips lingered, an imprint I couldn’t quite shake for the rest of the morning.