A few hours before dressing up for grand feast~~~~
As the sun reached its zenith, the procession for the ceremony began. Accompanied by my family and a retinue of noble ladies and gentlemen, we traveled from our family's palace to the ancient oak grove where the ceremony would take place. The grove, a sacred site, was chosen for its timeless beauty and deep connection to our family's heritage.
At the grove, a large ceremony archway of intertwined branches and flowers stood at the entrance. Guided by Meredia's closest companions, her brother and mother, I walked beneath the arch. This act symbolized my passage from the innocence of childhood into the responsibilities and expectations of adulthood.
After that, I took the Oath of Fidelity, standing before the assembled nobility and guests.
After completing the Oath of Fidelity, I received the blessing of the priest. Sacred chants and prayers were offered, and I was given a delicate silver locket, said to hold the protection and wisdom of my forebears. Trying not to look too relieved, I accepted it with a smile.
Then, we all headed back to the East Gate for a grand feast. I got ready in a flurry, ensuring I looked my best, and made my way into the grand hall, where the festivities were about to begin.
And here I am, teetering on my trembling feet, which feel like they're about to give way under this ridiculously heavy gown.
Not because of the weight-though I'm sure I'II need a crane to get out of this thing-but because of the name that just dropped from some noble's lips.
"Crown Prince Kairan will be attending the ceremony too."
Oh, great! Just what I need to make this day perfect. Why didn't just wear my running shoes instead of these medieval torture devices they call heels?
I would've bolted faster than a hare in a foxhunt if he Duchess hadn't nabbed me for her personal show-and-tell session with her friends.
Her friends kept talking, but my brain was too busy plotting my escape route.
Can I dig a hole and hide in it? Maybe sneak back to my room? Or just jump through a portal back to my old world... Oh, wait, that's a one-way ticket to organ failure.
So here I am, praying that someone, anyone, will give me a reason to make a break for it.
If anyone dares to say "please marry me," they'd better be ready for a swift kick where the sun doesn't shine.
I need to get out somehow. No matter how and when.
I'm not meeting that scoundrel prince. I'm not seeing him. I'II pretend I'm blind if he sees me.
Maybe I can fake a sudden illness? I mean, who's going to question a dramatic fainting spell? Or I could claim I left the oven on at home-wait, do we even have ovens here? Whatever, it's worth a shot.
I scanned the room for possible exits, trying to look casual and not like a prisoner plotting an escape.
If he comes near me, I'II just squint and say, "Who's there? I can't see anything!" Then I'II stumble around like a blindfolded pinata and hope someone steers me far, far away.
Yeah, that's the plan. A brilliant, foolproof plan.
I approached my father, who was engrossed in a deep conversation with other noblemen.
"Father?" I said, trying to sound as fragile and naive as possible, though neither word truly existed.
All the noblemen turned their attention toward me, clearly sizing up whether the rumored "Dame Dazzle" was as clueless as they'd heard.
My father beamed at me and then at the crowd. "This is Meredia. She was quite the naive and carefree one before, but look at her now. She's really mature."
One of the noblemen chimed in, "So, she's not Lady Lush anymore?"
A chuckle rippled through the group, but I saw the shame behind the laughter of Duke. I couldn't let that pass without comment.
I replied, "Ah, 'Lady Lush' was merely a chapter in a book that's now closed. I assure you, the current edition of me is far more captivating and infinitely less frivolous."
His face turned a shade of red that would make a lobster jealous, his mouth a thin line as he tried to laugh off the burn.
My father gave me hearty part on the back, and for a moment, I almost forgot why I was here.
"Father, can I step outside for a bit? I'm feeling rather tried."
My father sighed, "Ah, Mery, you can't go anywhere just yet. The prince is about to arrive."
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Now I'm trapped here. Just my luck!
I turned to my father with my best I'm on the verge of collapsing" face.
"Father, I really feel like I might faint any second now. Maybe, just maybe, the fresh air outside could save me from a royal meltdown."
My father's eyes softened, but he shook his head. "Sorry, Mery. The prince's arrival is a big deal. You have to stay put."
Oh, great. I'm going to have a full-blown meltdown in front of everyone instead. Should I start practicing my fainting technique now?
I sighed dramatically, threw in a few deep breaths, and tried to remind myself that this too shall pass. Meanwhile, I was mentally preparing to face the prince with all the grace of a flustered pigeon.
As I stood there, fuming quietly, a few young ladies from my age group sauntered over. Their smiles were as sharp as a broken glass.
One of them smirked, "I see you've managed to make yourself look like a royal princess. Too bad that's the only thing you've got going for you."
Another piped up, "Yes, everyone knows you're all beauty and no brains. How do you even manage to walk around without tripping over your own ignorance?"
Oh, they're throwing shade, are they? Time for some epic comebacks.
With a mischievous glint in my eyes, I said, "Well, it's a talent, really. It takes skill to look this good while you're busy being stuck in your own little gossip bubble. I'd offer you some tips, but I wouldn't want to take away your only source of entertainment.
The girl blinked in surprise. One of them tried to recover her composure. "Oh, really? And what exactly do you do with all your 'beauty'? Any grand plans beyond just looking pretty?"
I put on my most innocent face. "Well, I'd love to have grand plans, but my schedule is packed with saving the world from dullness and keeping up with fashion. It's a full-time job!"
Another girl snorted. "That sounds like a lot of nonsense. I bet you wouldn't last a minute if you had to actually use your brains."
I feigned deep thought. "True. But if brain were a requirement for every conversation, then I guess I'd be perfectly fine while you'd be busy looking up how to spell 'nonsense.'
One of the girls gasped, clearly taken aback. "Are you implying we're dumb?"
"Not at all," I said with a grin. "I'm just suggesting that you might want to try adding a little sparkle to your conversations, just like I've added to my outfit. It's called making an effort!"
The girls looked at each other, unsure how to respond. Finally, one managed, "Well, you certainly know how to hold your own."
I shrugged. "Of course. When you're as beautiful as I am, you've got to be able to handle a bit of sass. It's practically a requirement."
The group went silent for a moment before one of the girls laughed, shaking her head. "You know, you're something else, Meredia."
I smiled triumphantly. Who knew that a bit of cheekiness could turn these snarky comments into a hilarious win? Better watch out, would. I'm here to bring the sass and sparkle!