"Hang that up there...yes, that goes there…..what do you mean we ran out of red cloth?! I specifically ordered for extra...Sebastian took everything…..find me that bastard!....you know what, never mind. This is messing with my head," she sighed, holding her head. Count Umel appeared by her side out of nowhere, taking the list in her hand.
"You haven't slept in three days. Please, for the love of the gods, you need to rest, even if it's for a few minutes. I know you won't be attending the wedding publicly but you haven't even taken a bath or worn your ceremonial clothes. We are NOT letting you miss the royal wedding."
"Fine. Where's Marvis and Amaika?"
"Sir Jane is with the royal guards supervising the events and Sir Amaika is helping Lord Sebastian get ready. The red cloth he took was necessary, you know?"
"If there's not enough red at the event, people would talk. You need to get more so we can decorate. The brighter the scarlet, the better."
"Need any help?" Duchess Everon asked from behind. She was already in her party outfit and there was no need for her to be there that early but she was anyway, most likely to watch the drama.
"If you can get me an absurd amount of red cloth in a pinch, then you'd be helping me out a lot."
"I can make the order. Anything else?"
"I need someone to check the brigade, the carriages and the doves. I went to the kitchen this morning so everything's fine on that front. I always feel like I'm forgetting something. If you remember, can you tell me?"
"Perhaps the thing you're forgetting is some sleep and a shower. Give the list to this fine gentleman and go take care of yourself before the wedding. It's only going to be a few hours so you can sleep all you want then."
"Oh! I finally remembered. Count Umel, can you check on my mother? I haven't done that at all today."
"I will. Just go!"
After they succeeded in making her go away, they took over from her. Because the both of them were moderately well rested with clear heads, they were able to handle the final wedding preparations. However, Amaika was facing a problem of their own.
"What do you mean, you don't want to go through with the wedding?!"
"Lower your voice! I just….. I'm feeling very uncertain right now."
"If you didn't like the arrangement, you should've said so several months ago. You can't just chicken out now!"
"I'm not saying I won't go through with it. I just suddenly realized that I might not want to do it at all. I don't want to admit it but…..I'm scared."
"How do you think the Princess would react if she hears your careless words?"
".....that's why I didn't want to say anything. You're the one that kept pestering me and asking why my face looks more rigid today. I'm not stupid enough to not want to go through with the wedding. I just realized that I'm getting married out of obligation and I was asking myself if I could do it. I know the implications but do you think I can stop my own feelings?"
"Sebastian, this is and has always been a politicial marriage. Your sister chose a suitable marriage partner to save both of you. You knew that, you've always known that. You also knew that if you didn't want this marriage, your sister wouldn't have gone through with it. You can't say something that irresponsible or you're going to become someone like the Grand Duke. You want to be what he was to your sister?!"
"Of course not! I would never!"
"It's too late for fears or regrets. Even if you're scared, you have the gift to turn everything in your favour so I'm sure a marriage won't be something extremely difficult for you. You are the one and only Lord Sebastian."
"Yes, I definitely am. I really needed to hear that. Thank you Amaika."
"I didn't do it for you. My master is already stressed out as it is. If you told her you wanted to pull out of the marriage, she would definitely do it for you, even at the cost of her life."
"Yes, you're right. Is it time to greet the parents yet?"
The first part of the wedding was the traditional parent greeting by the groom and bride. They would share a traditional tea that the groom has to drink without flinching. It was one of the most sour things in the kingdom of Polivia so it was almost impossible. If he was able to do it successfully, it would increase his likeability with the bride's parent, an in the case of a royal wedding, the whole kingdom.
The bride's wedding rites usually starts by midnight. The bride would stay with her mother-in-law and go through seven baths of different fragrances and purification treatment. Every single piece of her jewelry and her outfit would be worn on her by the mother-in-law and other female members of her husband's family present. After the treatment, they would send someone out to the wedding hall to know if it was time for the bride to come out.
The groom comes out first with the bride's parent after taking the tea. He walks down the aisle in front of them and stands in front of the officiating priest. The bride then comes out with the mother-in-law and walks to the aisle where the vows are exchanged and the union is blessed.
After the ceremony, the new couple are taken to a separate room to finally eat and rest while the reception was handled by the wedding planner until the new couple were ready to come out and greet their guests.
Before it was time for either of the couple to come out, Natalia was having a nap in her bath. She had fallen asleep while bathing so the servants kept the heat of the bath constant with magic so she could rest. She only had an hour before she had to put on her dress and leave for her seat in the wedding hall.
The trumpets and brigade signified the start of the wedding. The guests were led to their seats by the palace stewards while the commoners rushed to the boundaries of the palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal wedding. It took place in an open place on the palace grounds with designated seats for nobles and foreign dignitaries. The commoners spectated from outside, waiting with baited breath for the couple to come out.
"I wish my wedding was as elaborate as this. Perhaps it would have made me a little happy," Natalia said as she walked to the venue with Duchess Everon by her side.
"It is quite elaborate. I'm just amazed at how you managed to merge our traditions together. I'm sure there would be an influx of noble ladies asking you to plan their weddings for them. You are quite the artist, Lady Natalia."
"Thank you," Natalia replied gracefully. The one hour of rest she got was better than no rest at all in her situation. With makeup, they were able to make it look like she was moderately healthy. With the large white hat that covered her face, she was able to blend in with the rest of the nobles. The celebration music became somber which meant it was time for the groom and the bride's parent to enter.
All the guests rose and bowed as the Queen and King made their way to their thrones with the groom in front of them. The groom stopped in front of the priest from the church of Ducroft waiting in front of the guests. A short while later, the bride made her way to where the husband stood with Natalia's mother right beside her. It had been a while since Lady Adamantine showed her face in society so it surprised people with her much better she looked and her close resemblance with her children. After escorting the bride, she took her seat beside the foreign dignitaries at the front of the seats.
"I used to hate weddings but now, I'm thinking they might not be so bad," Duchess Everon commented as the couple exchanged vows.
"Did you like working with my brother's assistant?"
"The Count? He's an observant fellow. He's also very efficient, a trait that is admirable in a loyal Steward but not a husband."
"Your standards are just as high, or perhaps higher than my brother's."
"I have to say, I love your disguise, Lady Natalia. It's making me excited," Lady Lorelei commented, seated on Natalia's left side.
"I'm glad you're excited. I'm hoping my plans won't fall apart," Natalia responded.
"Don't worry, Lady Natalia. I am perfect at stopping gentlemen from approaching young ladies. It's a skill one picks up after a while," Lady Lorelei boasted.
".....okay," the two ladies replied.
The exchange of vows and marriage blessings soon ended and the couple began making their way inside the palace for their period of rest. Just as she rose to enter the palace as well to rest, she felt a piercing stare at her. Once she turned to look, she saw Crown Prince Reagan staring very intently at her.