"You look so beautiful in your dress, my lady," her handmaid said as she clasped a string of pearls around Lily's neck. "If I may say so, you look every bit a princess."
"Oh, thank you so much! I feel like a real-life fairy tale princess today. Can you believe it's my birthday too? It's like double the magic and happiness!" Lily beamed with delight, placing her hand on her cheek as a rosy blush painted her face. "Pinch me; I must be the happiest girl alive!" she chuckled, swaying from side to side, still staring at her reflection.
"I am afraid I can't pinch you, my lady. But please let me wish you a very happy birthday instead. May all your wishes come true," the handmaid said with a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you. You are too sweet..." Lily began but her expression shifted for a moment as she realized she didn't know the maid's name.
Noticing her hesitation, Rachel quickly introduced herself. "Rachel... my name is Rachel, my lady," she said, offering a small bow.
"Rachel, that is such a lovely name. It suits your pretty countenance," Lily said, feeling a little shy at the compliment.
"Oh, thank you! You are too kind," Rachel replied, blushing a little. She lowered her head even further, trying to hide her flushed face. "And your gown is absolutely stunning. I have never seen a dress as beautiful as this one."
"Do you think so?" Lily asked, a little giddily. Her eyes lit up. "I am so glad you like it. To be honest, I was worried it was too much, but now I am glad I chose it."
"Nothing is too much when it comes to you, my lady," Rachel said, smiling widely. "And besides, it's your wedding day. It should be special and as beautiful as possible. I can tell you that you are truly the most beautiful girl alive today." She scolded herself internally as soon as the words left her lips for saying too much than she had intended to. But the woman in front of her seemed kind, kinder than other nobles she had served in the past.
"You are right, it is my special day. And I want to look my best for the crown prince," Lily said, a little worried about meeting him. "I hope he is nice. Do you know him well?"
Rachel nodded. "I have seen the Prince on several occasions but never actually got too close to him to know him personally. However, from what I was told, he seems like a kind and gentle man, and he always treats everyone with respect. He is well-liked by everyone and the nobles at the palace. So I am sure he will be a wonderful husband to you."
Her words were enough to put Lilyana at ease for a moment; her worries began to melt away. "What does he look like?" For years Lily had spent most of her time in the confined space of her father's estate, surrounded by the same people. She had never seen any pictures of the prince before.
A confused expression crossed Rachel's face, finding the request rather odd. "You have not seen the prince?" She inquired, staring back at Lily looking surprised. The blank look on Lily's face was enough to tell her what her response was and that was strange, given he was her husband-to-be. Perhaps it was a way for the nobles to maintain an illusion of power and mystery. Something she would never understand.
As she was about to describe what the prince looked like to Lily, the door behind them opened, and Duke Nolan, together with his wife Duchess Evadne, entered the room.
The moment his eyes fell on his daughter, "Lily?" he called her name, and she turned to look at him.
"Yes, father?" she responded.
"Oh, you look so beautiful." Tears of joy streamed down his eyes, and he began to sob before he even realized it. He still couldn't believe his little girl was getting married. "Now I can die in peace. Don't cry, dear." He hugged his wife, more tears falling down his eyes.
"You are the one who is crying," Evadne said with a chuckle, gently patting her husband's back. "We did it."
The Duke's face immediately turned serious; he wiped a tear from his cheek and straightened his shoulders as soon as he spotted the maid who seemed to be hiding her flushed face in the pretense of adjusting the hem of Lily's dress. "If the Prince or anyone ever mistreats you, tell us immediately, and we will be there to protect you." The Duke's voice was stern; his eyes were fixed on the maid, who straightened her back upon feeling his intense stare, but she didn't dare look up.
"Yes, my love! We will make sure you return back home if such were to occur. Although the king wouldn't let that happen, it doesn't seem impossible." Eleanor added, placing one hand on her husband's shoulder.
"I do not think that would happen. You said it yourself that the prince was kind, so I doubt he would let that happen. Besides, I am confident I can take care of myself. Two years of preparing for this day wouldn't be for naught." She said, feeling determined, a warmth spreading across her face.
A knock was heard on the other side of the door, and immediately the guard stepped in. He bowed respectfully to the Duke and Duchess before announcing, "Your Grace, the carriage is ready. The King awaits you at the main palace."
"Thank you, Edmund. We shall be there shortly." The Duke replied. He turned to his daughter and held out his arm. "Ready to go, my dear?" he asked, a proud smile on his face.
Lily felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, but she took a deep breath and smiled back at her father. "I am ready, father." She took his arm. Rachel handed her a bouquet of red roses, and she held them to her chest, breathing in the sweet scent. With a final nod to the guard, the door opened again, and the Duke and Duchess stepped out into the corridor.