"The dress fitting didn't go as planned," Alexander told his parents after they had briefly spoken on how excited they were not the upcoming wedding, "but invitations were sent out to both the most important nobles of Crystalia and Luminairea before Corina had even arrived."
Corina's hands trembled from the mention of the fitting day. It had been the worst day of her life thus far, and she really didn't want to see Matilda again, but knew it would be impossible to avoid.
"Oh dear," Charlotte sighed. "What happened? She must be fitted immediately!"
"It's personal," Alexander replied. "Neither I nor Corina wish to deluge the information about it, but rest assured, I will have Lady Nadine measure Corina and personally deliver the measurements for the dress," he said as he looked to the princess. "If that's alright with you?"
Corina nodded. "Y-Yes. Please. I don't care to pick the fabrics. I want Nadine to make the choice."
"Certainly, that should work," George said. "I see no issue with it."
"T-Thank you," Corina muttered.
"What about cake?" King George asked. "Is there a talented baker nearby? I've heard of a few. A wedding reception needs a glorious cake to top it off!"
Corina's face lit up when she heard the mention of cake. It was the forbidden fruit her mother had rarely allowed her to indulge in. She was excited to have the wedding as soon as possible, if there would be cake. In her mind, nothing was as great as the taste and texture of cake.
"Would you like to speak to the baker?" Alexander questioned her as soon as he noticed her face brighten. "You seem interested in it."
"Please!" Corina nodded enthusiastically to the question. "I'd like to pick a cake! It's the most important part!"
Alexander chuckled in response. "Sure. Though, I see the cake is more important than your groom."
"N-No!" Corina protested.
"I'm sure you're the second most important," George told his son. "Let the girl be excited for cake."
With a smug grin over her face, Corina nodded in agreement. "That's right. He's a wise man."
"Whatever," Alexander sighed.
"Get used to it, dear," Queen Charlotte leaned forward and glared at her son. "The woman has all the power in the relationship," she said, then looked toward George. "Right, dear?"
King George swallowed hard, then slouched in his seat. "It's true."
Corina clasped her hands together in front of her body and smiled. "I want a tasty cake. I can't wait."
Alexander nodded with a frown on his lips. "Sure, it's fine. I see how it is!"
Corina timidly placed her hand over his. "You're most important still," she assured him. "I just really enjoy cake. That's all. Growing up, Mama refused to allow me to eat certain foods."
Alexander nodded, but he now was frowning for a different reason. He couldn't say it aloud in front of his parents, but if he could speak to the woman again, he would have a few choice words with her.
His men had been searching the area for signs of the Queen, but she hadn't returned since she had stormed out. He knew her two children in the palace were probably worried along with the King of Crystalia, but he had no clue where she could have run off to.
In Alexander's mind, the woman seemed like a storybook villan.
"That's unfortunate," King George commented. "But there will not be just cake, but all types of food! It's your special day, so you can eat whatever you desire!"
With his words, Corina's smile widened. "I can't wait! Let's get married tomorrow!"
All three of the others laughed in response to her excitement. "We can't," Alexander said. "There's a lot of planning involved."
Alexander very much wished he could just marry the princess the next day. It would be agonizing waiting a week to claim her as his own. He didn't care if she were physically male—she was as real as any woman to him. Her differing features made her even more special in his mind.
Corina sighed. "I know. It was just a wish!"
"I'm glad you're so enthusiastic," Charlotte said to her. "I'm sure you'll be hard at work to produce a child," Charlotte said.
"Oh my goodness, I can't wait for a baby!" King George's eyes sparkled as he spoke. "A lovely bundle. It'll be the cutest. A grandson."
Both Corina and Alexander looked at him with weak smiles. They both knew it was something that wasn't possible. Corina's heart sank at the thought of not being able to provide a grandchild to such a sweet King. Though, she knew she couldn't reveal the secret to him or a reason in which she couldn't have children of her own flesh and blood. She wouldn't be accepted if he knew who she really was.
"We've kept the two for long enough," Charlotte spoke. "I wish to rest," she said, then stood, offering the two a smile. "Let's speak again later at dinner."
"Already? All you do is sleep!" George had a wicked grin as he teased his wife.
As Charlotte walked to the connected bedroom, she spun around to glare at her husband. "You shut your trap!" She snapped, then disappeared behind the door.
George shook his head and sighed. "I've made her mad again," he chuckled.
"You're far too casual about it," Alexander said as he stood.
"I'm used to it."
Alexander walked up to stand in front of Corina. He held out her hand and watched as she took it. A smile spread across his lips as she stood, nearly falling into him from tripping on the hem of her dress. He caught her against himself, then helped her steady her gait. She looked up and blushed. "Thank you."
King George nearly had tears in his eyes as he observed the young couple. "Perfect," he grinned.
"Father," Alexander groaned.
"What? I'm just stating a fact."
Corina grabbed Alexander's arm and looked back toward King George. "It was wonderful meeting you."
"Likewise."
Alexander waved goodbye to his father, then sighed once the two of them made it out of the room. He led Corina down the hall and noticed resistance when she stopped in her tracks. He paused with her and looked down.
"I was wondering..." she began, her voice trailing off.
"Wondering?"
"About Helga," Corina frowned, then looked up at the duke. She was determined to uncover the truth about the Helga woman, regardless of Alexander's reluctance to discuss it.
"It's nothing," Alexander sighed. "It's a joke."
"Is that so?" Corina asked, still frowning.
"Seriously," he chuckled.
Corina grabbed his hand and led him all the way to the palace gardens. She sat down on the bench and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Alexander took a seat next to her and smiled, resting an arm around her shoulders.
He placed a hand under her chin, tilted it up, and slowly brought his lips together with hers. Corina's eyes closed as they kissed. It was sweet, gentle, and full of affection.
"I could never get tired of this," Corina whispered against his lips.
"There's many more to come," Alexander told her, then pulled back, his eyes still gazing into hers. "As many as you want."
Corina expressed her desire with a flutter in her heart. "I want all your kisses."
"And then they will be yours."
As Alexander was about to kiss her again, he felt two small palms blocking him from moving forward. He looked at her with concern as her action contradicted her words.
"Tell me about Helga first."