After dropping off Prince Aestir at her father's office, Celeste wanted some time to think.
Alone.
Meeting the prince of Strexxa had eased many of her concerns and raised new ones that terrified her.
Rather than being an empty and unfeeling robot, her betrothed seemed wholly unaccustomed to emotion altogether. And while their breakthrough this morning made her feel like, in time, he could learn how to feel, it frightened her to marry someone who innately believed other beings were unworthy of compassion and grace.
She was also struggling with the knowledge that she'd be expected to spend half her life in Strexxa, surrounded by millions of elves that mirrored Aestir's sentiments. Celeste honestly believed that her father had handed her a task that was too much for her to bear, and she didn't know how to be a queen of two contrasting kingdoms.
She'd emulated a princess her entire life because that was who her people, her father, expected her to be. She believed that, like her mother, she would be married to a nice elf in the courts and just mimic being a queen. Her husband would do all the work of running the kingdom, and she could act as her mother did during her reign.
Observing others and behaving as they expected her to was how she got so far in life, and yet… this strategy would not work in Strexxa. Behaving as a Strexxan would compromise her innate values as an Aephisian, and she refused to part with a single tenet of her beliefs.
The princess was utterly fucked, and she didn't know how she would accomplish everything her people and father expected of her.
Lunch was the most important meal of the day for an Aephisian, and while she had no appetite this afternoon -she was too stressed- Celeste knew that she had to keep up appearances. She and her friends met for the meal every Friday in the gardens, and as she walked through the palace and back outside she wondered, not for the last time, if she could actually do this marriage.
"Celeste!"
The princess looked over at her friends and immediately morphed her face to that of joy, knowing Aelyn and Naeve would only look down on her and treat her differently if she were honest with them. Instead, she waved and walked over to the group of women, greeting them. "Ha-Yun! Naeve! Aelyn!"
The women squealed and rose to hug her, with Naeve squeezing her extra tight first. "Heavens, Celeste! Who knew the Prince of Strexxa was so handsome?! Those piercing blue eyes; I have never seen such a color!"
"I know!" Aelyn agreed, hugging Celeste next. "I thought he'd be hideous since he's from Strexxa. I couldn't imagine being in your shoes, Celeste. Everyone knows no one can cherish a woman's heart like an Aephisian."
Celeste offered her friend an unbothered smile, although hearing this comment only incited her fears about marrying Aestir. "I trust my father; as should you, Aelyn. He would never lead us astray. If he believes a Strexxan is a suitable partner for me, then I have nothing to worry about." The princess hugged Ha-Yun last before sitting at the round table and quickly trying to change the subject. "Oh, Quophea root! I have been craving this lately."
"Craving, you say?" Piped up Aelyn, raising a mischievous eyebrow at Celeste. "Don't tell us you're pregnant already; your wedding isn't for another two and a half months. Unless…"
"Oh, stop it, Aelyn." Chastised Ha-Yun, frowning at their friend. "Do not question the Princess' honor."
Celeste was extremely miffed that Aelyn would suggest such a thing, quickly thinking of how to redirect the attention from her. "Are you saying that because you have something to tell us, Aelyn? You are the only married friend of the group, after all."
Aelyn's face immediately heated up, and she scoffed, turning her head away from the group in shame. "No, I do not."
"That is odd; it has been almost a year since you've gotten married." Murmured Ha-Yun, sipping nonchalantly at her tea. "I would've expected to hear good news by now."
Aelyn became upset and furrowed her brow at Ha-Yun. "Well, it isn't always that easy to get pregnant! Look at Celeste's father! Celeste is an only child in a kingdom where children are proof of prosperity!"
Celeste narrowed her eyes at her friend dangerously, more upset than she'd been in a long time. "You dare speak of something you have no knowledge of?! Take it back!"
After a tense moment, Aelyn pursed her lips and looked away from Celeste's fearsome scowl. "...Forgive me."
Celeste was still fuming on the inside, yet she knew she was expected to forgive her friend and let this go. Holding grudges wasn't something expected of an Aephisian princess. So instead, she smiled at her friend, pretending that all was forgiven. "Thank you." She turned to her other friends next, wanting to know more about their lives than she cared to speak about her own. "How is your courtship going, Naeve?"
"It is going well; I suspect Ehyrn will officially propose to me during the Midsummer Festival." Gushed Naeve, tossing her raven-black hair behind her shoulder.
At this, the group cooed, with Aelyn speaking up. "What a shame he won't marry you then. Of course, Theodan married me on the last day of the Midsummer Festival to make it more monumental." She gazed fondly at her wedding ring now that the attention was back on her. "I guess when it's true love, it can't be stopped or planned." Her baby blue eyes met Celeste's cerulean ones then. "What a shame you'll never know what true love is, Celeste."
Before Celeste could respond in kind -her friend Aelyn was quite tricky at times- her personal attendant Mary materialized next to her, a jovial expression on her face. "Princess!" Interrupted the attendant, her hands clasped together in pride. "Oh, I've got the greatest news! Prince Aestir has officially asked your father for your hand in marriage!"