---- Chapter 13 The music began, a soft melody played on a classical guitar. The ceremony was taking place in the villa's ancient, walled garden, fragrant with roses and lavender. James Miller, David's father, offered Ellie his arm. He walked her down the petal-strewn aisle towards David, who waited under an archway ¢dined with white roses. James placed Ellie's hand in David's. He looked at David, his expression serious. "Take care of her, son. She's precious." "| will, Dad," David promised, his gaze fixed on Ellie, his eyes full of love. The officiant, a kind-faced Italian woman with fluent English, began the ceremony. The words flowed, beautiful and timeless. It came to the vows. The officiant turned to Ellie. "Elara Hayes, do you take David Miller to be your lawfully wedded husband..." Ellie looked at David. At his kind face, his loving eyes. She remembered his patience, his unwavering support during her darkest days in Florence. He was her rock, her safe harbor. A joyful "| do" was on the tip of her tongue. ---- Suddenly, a commotion at the entrance to the garden. Shouts. A struggle. Then, the archway of roses seemed to explode inwards. Marcus. Breathless, disheveled, his hair wild, his clothes rumpled from travel. He burst into the ceremony, his eyes blazing. "Ellie! Stop!" The music faltered, then died. Guests gasped, murmured, turned to stare. Marcus ignored them all. His focus was solely on Ellie. He lunged towards her, grabbing her arm. "Ellie, you can't do this! Come with me!" David stepped forward, placing himself between Ellie and Marcus. He pushed Marcus's hand away from Ellie's arm. "Who the hell are you?" David demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "And what do you think you're doing? Can't you see she doesn't want to go with you?" Marcus was forced to pause. He took in David. Tall, well-built, handsome in his wedding suit. Standing protectively in front of Ellie. They looked like a couple. A perfect couple. A surge of raw, possessive jealousy, so potent it almost choked him, ripped through Marcus. "I'm her guardian," Marcus bit out, his voice hoarse. "Ellie, tell ---- me. Do you want to leave with me?" Ellie gently disengaged her arm from where David had taken it protectively. She stepped forward slightly, facing Marcus. Her voice was calm, clear, and utterly devoid of the emotion he craved, or perhaps dreaded, to hear. "No, Marcus," she said. "| don't want to leave with you." She met his desperate gaze without flinching. "Marcus, what are you doing here? It's my wedding day." Her simple, logical question hung in the air. He couldn't answer. He couldn't say, *Because | love you. Because | can't live without you. Because | made a terrible mistake.* The words were a brand on his soul, but to speak them here, now... The societal taboo, his role as her guardian, the years of denial - they formed a gag in his mouth. He saw the judgment in the eyes of the guests, the confusion, the disapproval. Ellie took another small step back, towards David. She linked her arm through David's. A clear, public statement. "Marcus," she said, her voice polite but firm, "you can either stay as a guest and witness my marriage to David, or you can leave. The choice is yours." He stared at her, disbelieving. She was telling him to leave? Her? Ellie? ---- "Ellie..." he began, his voice cracking. "Are you... are you really marrying him?" He still couldn't fully process it. After all the years she'd loved him, adored him, looked at him with those worshipful eyes. How could she just... stop? How could she give that to someone else? Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.