Ultimately, she decided to marry the king, but not for power or riches. She didn't have the luxury of being so greedy. She didn't have the luxury of marrying for love, either. No. Ivy Devereaux was forced to marry for safety.

Now, make no mistake. King Evander Lockwood was more than well aware of the situation. Their marriage was his idea in the first place, and Ivy was endlessly grateful for it.

It didn't, however, mitigate the fact that it was a shitty situation for everyone involved. And not for nothing, but the last thing Ivy really wanted to be was the queen. She didn't want the responsibility or the publicity or the pomp and circumstance. It was the publicity as well as a whole entire team of guards and security, however, that would be her shield. Ivy would just have to learn to accept it, maybe even welcome it.

Evander was a good king and an even better man. Obviously, if he was willing to vow himself and the kingdom to Ivy just for her safety. He might even be willing to let her have some say is the way he rules the kingdom. After all, Ivy knows far more about the everyday citizen than Evander ever will. If she gets the opportunity to enact some sort of change that will save even one woman from suffering a fate similar to hers, she decided that it will all have been totally worth it.

And so there Ivy was on her wedding day, all eyes on her as she floated down the aisle in a larger-than-life-dress, the very picture of tasteful, stunning elegance. The tiara on top of her head and the bouquet in her hands completed the grandeur look as everyone in attendance was rendered speechless by the sheer beauty and grace of their soon-to-be-queen. Even in the silence, however, the wind was whispering in Ivy's ear, one simple phrase on repeat: Her Royal Majesty, Queen Ivy Devereaux Lockwood.