Celeste's eyes widened in disbelief as she was shocked that Prince Aestir cared about such a formality. "I-"
"And it gets even better! He asked to marry you at the Midsummer festival! During Lyphen!" Mary was in a frenzy now, urging the princess to rise. "We must start planning right away! The royal seamstress has already summoned you; we must make sure your wedding dress fits perfectly. Come, now!"
Celeste was indeed at a loss for words, her mind whirling in disbelief as she stood. Had Prince Aestir fallen in love that quickly? Her friends squealing for her reminded Celeste that she was supposed to be happy about this. She instantly plastered a fake smile onto her face, waving goodbye to her friends as she was glimmered to the halls of the royal designer.
Her attendant Mary squealed with excitement once they arrived, pulling Celeste in for a warm embrace. "Oh, Princess! You have made the kingdom so proud! I knew that the prince would not be able to resist your beautiful smile and charm! You have ensnared his heart!"
Celeste hesitantly returned Mary's embrace, replaying every interaction she'd shared with the prince in her mind. She didn't think they did anything out of the ordinary and wondered during which act he fell in love.
She honestly couldn't understand how someone could fall in love that quickly, and always believed that it would be mutual if it happened to her.
But it was not.
She barely knew the prince and was now tasked with emulating a doting, loving wife, which only compounded her stress and fear about the situation. Did the prince love her because she was perhaps the first person to speak to him with kindness and grace? Or was it because her smile was as radiant as the sun, and he fell head over heels for her from the first meeting?
"Your father tells me that the prince initially thought he would take over the throne of Aephis immediately, and when he learned he wouldn't, he professed to your father that he still wanted to marry you!" Gushed the attendant, releasing the princess and taking her hand in her own. "The prince himself begged your father to allow him to marry you during Lyphen!"
Celeste's eyes were as wide as an owl's, and she let out a dismayed laugh, stunned.
It worked out that Mary believed her laugh to be one of joy and relief rather than fear and discomfort, continuing to yammer about the event. "Your father told me he was incredibly touched, as the sun told him your divine counterpart would have that very request!"
Celeste was led to a private fitting room, where she saw dozens of seamstresses working in a flurry on ideas for her wedding dress. "...Really?"
"Yes! Oh heavens, Celeste, I have never been prouder! I always knew that you would bring this land to new heights! And when your first child is born, you will understand an even truer love! Oh heavens, I cannot wait for that moment!" Gushed Mary, her hickory eyes shining in pride.
The mere mention of children made Celeste's head whirl, and she felt herself grow lightheaded, quickly reaching out to stabilize herself on a nearby counter. "Y-Yes! I-I cannot wait…." She anxiously licked her lips, an image of her surrounded by dozens upon dozens of screaming, demonic children that were hers and the prince's, causing her heart to race in trepidation.
"And we must not forget about educating you for your wedding night!" Continued her attendant, suddenly by her side with a coy smile on her face. "Tell me; have you kissed him? You can be honest, dear; I will not tell your father."
Celeste's entire face heated up at the question, and she didn't know which statement to give rise to first. "Mary!"
"It's okay, darling, you're a woman now. You must know these things to take care of your husband adequately." Mary took Celeste's hands then, murmuring to her. "They say, happy wife, happy life, but it is truly impossible for your husband to make you happy if you cannot do the same for him. Hm?"
Celeste did not want to have this conversation with Mary -in public, no less! All she knew about sex was that it was an act meant to be carried out in marriage between two elves and that new life was conceived through it.
"Mary! We must get our measurements!" Called out the head seamstress, rushing over to the pair. "We will have to work around the clock to have the dress ready in time for her wedding."
"Certainly!" Agreed Celeste's attendant, eagerly pushing her toward the seamstress.
Celeste spent the better part of 2 hours receiving measurements and was embarrassed that she wasn't being measured just for her wedding dress; her nightgowns were also being fitted for her wedding night.
The thought of being touched by someone she didn't know and didn't love terrified Celeste, and she gulped anxiously, her palms beginning to sweat.
"Princess! A letter from Prince Aestir!"
The princess snapped her head up, her heart nearly leaping into her throat as an attendant glimmered into the room and handed her the letter.
"He says it is for your eyes only." Murmured the servant girl, a coy smile on her face as she glimmered back out of the room.
The seamstresses and Mary oohed and ahhed, calling for Celeste to read the letter.
With shaking hands, Celeste cracked open the seal, reading over the letter and feeling… confused.
Dear Celeste,
I hope this letter finds you well. I understand it is against protocol for you to meet with me without guards, yet I have something quite important to tell you. It is of the utmost importance that you come alone. Please meet me at midnight, under the Weeping Sapphire tree. Again, I cannot stress this enough; tell no one.
Sincerely,
Prince Aestir.
"What does it say?!" Pressed her attendant, her hands clasped together eagerly.
Celeste snapped her head up towards the older woman, inhaling sharply and blushing as she quickly thought of a lie. "I-It's a love letter. A private one at that."
Mary smirked at the princess, fondness in her gaze. "Oh, I remember when your father would write endless love letters to your mother. Alright; I'll let you keep this secret."
The princess sighed in relief, holding the letter close to her heart and pretending to be infatuated with the dramatic profession. In reality, her mind raced as she wondered what the prince wanted from her that was so private she couldn't tell anyone.
She froze at the thought that the prince would try to convince her to sleep with him because he loved her so much and immediately prayed to the sun, asking for guidance. To her surprise, she felt the sun tell her to meet with the prince and began to calm down, trusting that the sun would never lead her astray. If it gave her the impression of meeting with the prince, then… then she would.
And she trusted that she'd be fine.