"Corina!"
Lazarus ran up to her and hugged her tight, causing the girl to fall onto the bed. She laughed when the two of them collided and pushed her brother off of her.
The two of them were close and always got along well. He was also the only brother who knew her secret. However, Corina didn't realize it, even after the Duke and her father found out.
Lazarus brushed his fingers through his messy blonde hair, then sat up on the bed with his legs crossed. "I hope the Duke isn't evil," he said with raised brows. "If he is, I'll kill him on your behalf."
Corina gasped, then placed her hands on her brother's shoulders. "Lazzy, please! Don't kill my husband!"
Lazarus stared at his sister and grinned. "What? Did you two already get married? I thought that's why I'm here."
"No!" Corina backed away. "But he is still my husband. It just isn't official."
"Oh," he chuckled. "Do I get to meet him?"
Corina nodded and clasped her bands together under her chin. "Oh yes. Soon. "You'll meet him first, as my best brother."
"I'm the only one who showed up," he groaned. "It doesn't count."
"You're still the best, even if all of them came."
"The carriage wouldn't have accommodated them. There's too many of us. We're like a small army of men. I don't think there's even enough room in the kingdom."
"Awww," Corina sighed in disappointment. "Why didn't the others come for the wedding?"
Lazerus explained, "They left Arden in charge. Father said it was good preparation for when he becomes king himself."
Corina nodded. "I understand, but what of the others?"
Lazerus leaned forward and said, "The others are busy helping him. However, I believe they were merely seeking a reason to remain with their spouses and work some magic to produce children."
Corina grinned wide, but the grin turned into a look of disappointment. Since leaning about her gender, she had thought of the fact that she and Alexander wouldn't be able to produce a child. It made her heart feel heavy, as she always wanted children of her own.
Her shoulders slouched over as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. She took a deep breath and looked to her lap.
"What's the matter, Corina?"
Lazarus joined her on the side of the bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Lazzy," she said as she looked at his face. "If I tell you a secret, do you promise to tell nobody?"
Lazarus was confused, but he took her hand and wrapped his pinkie around hers. "Yeah. What's on your mind?"
"I can't have children," she whispered.
"Oh, I know that."
Corina's blue eyes widened as a look of shock spread across her features. "You know?"
He grinned, "You're a boy."
"What?! You know that?! How?!"
Lazarus hummed and patted her on the back. "When we were small, Elsa left you unattended, naked, to grab something. I popped in and saw your weiner."
Corina frowned. "And you didn't tell me? Why?!"
"Mother," he muttered.
Corina placed her hand on her forehead and thought about it. It seemed her mother really was the mastermind behind everything, but why would she do that? Amelia ran out of the room before she could talk to her privately.
"Mother made me swear to secrecy," he explained. "She threatened me when I found out. She threatened to have me killed or exiled if I ever revealed the secret."
"Mama told you that?!"
Lazarus grabbed with her hands and held them in his own as he looked into her eyes. "It was wrong. I wanted to inform you, but I was scared. I didn't want to risk never being able to see you again. I'm sorry, Corina."
"No, don't say sorry," Corina said with her bottom lip stuck out.
"Please don't cry," he said as he hugged her. "It's okay now."
Corina closed her eyes and rested her face against his shoulder.
"Does the Duke know?" He asked curiously.
"He does," she confirmed. "He said he'll love me no matter who I am. I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
"I'm glad. I hope he treats you well."
Nadine entered the room, interrupting the moment. She had her hands on her hips as she glared at the young man. "Who's this guy?"
Lazarus pulled away from Corina. When he looked at the woman, his cheeks flushed bright pink. "My name is Lazarus Nightshade," he said and stood up.
Nadine approached him. Her hand was on her chin as she looked the boy up and down. "One of the brothers?" She asked. "I'm Nadine. I'm Corina's attendant."
Lazarus shook Nadine's hand then placed a kiss over the back of it. He grinned and noticed her eyes focused on his.
"Charmed," she mumbled. "Are you trying to woo me?"
Lazarus looked nervously at Corina, who offered him a bright smile. "N-No. Yes. Maybe. No!"
Nadine chuckled. She gestured toward the door, then pushed him by the back out of the room. "Go find a way to occupy your time. I need to help the princess dress for the banquet."
Lazarus nodded, a hint of pink in his cheeks as he stared at the woman. He was unable to form any coherent words, so whatever he said came out as garbled language.
Nadine shut the door in his face.
"Um, that was kind of rude," Corina giggled. "He's my brother, remember?"
Nadine crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head as she approached Corina. "I have no time for his antics," she grimaced. "Though, I do admit he's quite attractive."
"Nadine, are you single?" Corina asked curiously.
"Yes," she confirmed. "I'm not sure I'm interested in such things, though."
"Why is that?"
Nadine frowned then began to speak as she took a beautiful, green and white dress out of the wardrobe for Corina to wear to the banquet. She sighed, "Because. I was engaged to marry a noble man, but he was killed in the war between Luminairea and Crystalia right before the peace treaty was finalized."
Corina nodded as a frown tugged on her lips. She'd never guessed Nadine had been engaged and lost someone in such a horrific way. "I need to get married right now!" She exclaimed.
"What in the world?" Nadine asked.
"I mean, the peace treaty notes I must marry Alexander," Corina said. "We can't lose anyone else! War is terrible! I don't want anyone else to have to suffer or die."
Nadine gently patted the top of Corina's head, as she smiled at the girl. The princess looked up at the woman, her eyes full of sadness. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost Alexander. I'm sorry, Nadine. I'm so sorry," she said, wrapping her arms around the woman to hug her tight.
Nadine pulled back and smiled at Corina. She was appreciative of the words and gesture, but she felt sometimes the blonde was too innocent. "It's okay."
"But at least you have your memories," Corina sighed. "I know it doesn't fix anything, but he'll always be alive in your heart, right?"
"That's true," Nadine whispered in response.
The two women talked about the upcoming wedding while the princess was assisted with her clothing, hair, and makeup. She had been to a few banquets when she was young, but had never been fond of such a formal meal where nobles gathered. Even so, she was excited, as she'd be able to see Alexander and Lazarus and introduce the two men.
As she looked in the mirror, she hoped the two of them would get along. She didn't think it would be an issue. Though her brother was a little mischievous at times, she couldn't imagine the Duke not mixing well with someone.