Looking at myself in the mirror, the image thrills me. This is it! I'm ready. An off-white dress, with a modest neckline, a voluminous skirt, completely adorned with ruffles and rhinestones, worthy of a princess like me, accompanied by a long, embroidered veil. Light makeup on my face, and my hair is delicately tied in a bun full of loose curls that frame my face. Delicate shoes to complete the entire outfit.
My maid leaves the room, informing me that she will call the King. I take three deep breaths. The nervousness of the wedding is already stressful in itself, but knowing where I'm going and who I'm marrying makes me even more tense. Everything I've done and every path I've taken to get here makes me think about how much I truly love Phillip and want to be there.
My mind wanders to the moment I saw him for the first time, on the run to the cabin. My first visit to the crypt. The beautiful sight of Phillip sleeping in the coffin. Then I remember when he killed an entire pack of wolves to keep me alive in the forest at night. I wander back to the moment I visited Phillip's palace, I remember his illness and how I was crazy enough to travel to Paris in search of a cure for him.
My thoughts are interrupted by the knock on my door.
- Who's there? - I say, being dragged out of my memories.
- Your father. - I hear the King's voice, who answers as he opens the doors and walks towards me.
When he saw me, I saw tears forming in the corner of his eyes. He walks towards me and pulls me into a tight hug.
- Daddy, you're going to crumple me. - I say, drying the tears running down his face with my handkerchief.
- My daughter, you look so much like your mother now. - He lets me go from the hug - Let's go, the ceremony is about to begin. The prince said he doesn't want to go straight to his kingdom right after, because he thinks you won't be able to handle a trip right after the ball. He asked me if you would mind staying with him here on your first night as a married couple.
- W...what do you mean? - I said, unable to think straight.
- You will spend your wedding night here. I was going to ask if my daughter would prefer to spend the night in her room or if I prepare one of the other rooms for you? - he asked me softly, gently pulling me out of the room.
- Can we stay in my room? - I said it more as a question than as a choice.
- I will have the servants prepare the room for you. - The King says as we walk through the door towards the stairs.
We continue walking to the doors of the Chapel, crossing the garden. The King calls my maid and asks her to prepare my room for the couple. I take a deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. And the King is talking to comfort me. The chapel's door is right in front of us, and my heart skips a beat. A servant hands me a large bouquet of wildflowers with a bunch of lavender in the middle. I give a slight smile, nodding my head in thanks.
I walk delicately on a carpet of petals towards the altar, next to the King. I look ahead and observe the chaplain of the kingdom.
I notice Phillip on his left.
The prince looks back at me and gives me a wide smile, which eases my nervousness a little. I smile back. I am happy, but I also start to daydream again about the moments we had together.
I remember our first kiss and all the times he protected and saved me. The fixed smile on his face makes me feel calmer. A pleasant song plays in the background as I walk. "Oh, how long this chapel is!" - I daydream as I almost reach the altar.
- Your Majesty, the King, will you allow me to continue with your princess? - Phillip approaches us and bows before my father as he asks.
The king nods and hands my hand to Phillip's.
The chaplain begins the ceremony, which, following tradition, takes hours. We say our vows, but time seems to fly by with Phillip looking at me with those eyes. Following tradition, the King goes up to the altar. The scepter and crown are brought to his hands. The chaplain says a blessing, then the King takes the scepter, hands it to Phillip, and then places the crown on his head.
- Long live King Phillip III! - my father says in a voice that echoes throughout the chapel.
After the ceremony, we walk arm in arm to the ballroom.
As we pass through the large doors of the ballroom, all adorned with beautiful wildflowers, we enter a room full of sounds, with musicians playing on a stage. There is a huge dining table, all the seats duly marked, Phillip sitting on my left, and the King in the center of the table on my right.
After the banquet, Phillip and I danced a waltz. As per protocol, the King also danced a waltz with me. The party flowed with lots of conversation, some quite boring, but others more enjoyable. Phillip invited me to dance again, and when I accepted, he took advantage of the dance to whisper in my ear:
- I think we've enjoyed the party enough and complied with all royal protocols. - he whispered as we danced, and he pulled me closer to him.
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