Jane stood still, her old dress contrasting sharply with the opulence of the palace bedroom. Around her, a flurry of hands moved skillfully, like butterflies in a dance. She flinched a bit as unfamiliar fingers began to work on the tangled mess of her garment.
"My lady, please let us help you," a gentle servant offered, her kind eyes warm and inviting.
Jane swallowed hard, fighting the urge to hug herself for comfort. "I... I can manage this," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
The servant smiled kindly. "We understand that this is all very new for you, but let us assist you. It's both our duty and our pleasure."
As the last knot came undone, a cool breeze touched Jane's skin. She shut her eyes, trying to find her calm as the servants guided her toward the lavish bath in the center of the room.
When she stepped into the warm water, it enveloped her like the coziest hug, and despite her initial nerves, Jane felt her tension start to ease. Gentle hands massaged fragrant soap into her hair and skin, washing away the memories of her past life.
"You have gorgeous hair, my lady," one of the younger servants said as she skillfully eased through Jane's long, black locks.
Opening her eyes, Jane caught the girl's gaze in an ornate mirror across the room. "Thank you," she replied softly. "I... I've never had anyone help me with bathing before."
The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "Never, my lady?"
Jane shook her head, allowing a small smile to surface. "On the farm, it was just me and a bucket of well water."
As the servants continued their care, Jane's mind began to drift. How had she found herself here, in this magnificent palace, about to wed a prince she had never even met? The weight of her new reality settled heavily on her shoulders, much like the damp cloth now draped across her back.
"Is everything alright, my lady?" the kind servant asked, noticing Jane's troubled expression.
Taking a deep breath, Jane inhaled the soothing scents of lavender and rose mingling in the air. "Yes, I'm fine," she assured her, her voice sounding steadier than she felt. "It's just... a lot to take in."
As she was gently lifted from the bath and wrapped in luxurious towels, Jane caught another glimpse of her reflection. The face staring back was familiar yet unfamiliar. Her skin glowed, her cheeks flushed with color. But it was her eyes that drew her in – they still shimmered with the quiet strength and resolve that had helped her through so much.
"Whatever comes," Jane vowed, "I'll face it with courage and grace."
Suddenly, a bustling group of servants surrounded her, each carrying a piece of her wedding attire. At the center of the flurry was a gown that left her breathless.
"Oh," Jane gasped, instinctively reaching out to touch the glimmering fabric. "It's... it's like moonlight."
The head seamstress, an elderly woman with streaks of silver in her hair and a warm smile, stepped forward. "It's spun silk, my lady, woven with threads of real silver."
As they carefully draped the gown over her, Jane couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. Delicate embroidery danced along the bodice, featuring twisting vines and blooming flowers that seemed to come alive with every movement.
"The stitching is incredible," Jane murmured, tracing her fingers over the intricate patterns.
"Every stitch was made with you in mind, my lady," the seamstress replied, pride evident in her voice. "We aimed to capture your essence – beauty arising from humble beginnings."
Emotion swelled in Jane's throat, making it hard to speak. "Thank you," she managed, her voice a soft whisper.
As the servants buzzed around her, adjusting laces and smoothing fabric, Jane found herself caught between awe and anxiety. The gown was undoubtedly the most stunning thing she'd ever worn, yet its lavishness felt almost stifling.
"Is it... is it too tight?" a young maid asked, noticing Jane's unease.
Jane shook her head, searching for the right words. "No, it fits perfectly. It's just... I've never worn anything like this. Back on the farm, my dresses were simple and practical. This feels like…"
"Like a dream?" the maid suggested with a bright smile.
"Like a cage," Jane thought but didn't say. Instead, she nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, like a dream."
Standing in front of a full-length mirror while the final touches were added to her look, Jane couldn't help but reflect on the life she was about to leave behind. Her fingers brushed against the delicate fabric, each touch a bittersweet reminder.
"You look absolutely radiant, my lady," the head seamstress exclaimed, stepping back to admire her work.
Jane gazed at her own reflection, searching for any remnants of the farm girl she had been just days before. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice tinged with inner conflict. "You all have done such beautiful work. I just hope I can live up to it."
The grand hall loomed ahead, its massive doors creaking ominously as they opened. An ocean of faces turned toward her, wide-eyed with curiosity and judgment. Jane's heart raced, each beat echoing the measured steps she took down the aisle. The extravagant decorations blurred in her peripheral vision as she focused solely on the altar ahead, where the unconscious Prince Dubois lay still.
"Just breathe," Jane reminded herself, fingers tightening around the bouquet of white roses. "Just breathe."
As she approached the altar, the weight of her wedding gown grew heavier with every step. The prince came into clearer view, his handsome features relaxed in slumber. A lump formed in her throat.
"He looks so young," she thought, a wave of empathy cutting through her anxiety.
The officiating priest cleared his throat, his voice filling the hushed hall. "We are gathered here today…"
Jane barely heard the words; her mind was racing. "This isn't how I envisioned my wedding day," she thought, glancing between the prince and the eager faces of the court.
When it was time for her vows, Jane took a steadying breath, drawing on the quiet strength that had seen her through years of struggle. Her voice, though soft, rang clear in the grand hall.
"I, Jane Woods, take you, Prince Dubois, to be my lawfully wedded husband," she began, steady despite the trembling in her chest. "Though our paths have crossed unexpectedly, I promise to stand by your side through both sickness and health."
As she spoke, Jane scanned the prince's face, hoping to catch a flicker of recognition. When none appeared, she pushed on, her confidence growing.
"I pledge to confront whatever challenges lie ahead with courage and compassion," she declared, thinking of her old life on the farm. "And to uphold the trust that has been granted to me, both by you and by this kingdom."
The court listened, rapt with attention, their collective gaze pressing down on Jane. She felt their scrutiny, their doubt about this common girl stepping into royalty.
"May our union bring healing and hope," Jane concluded, her final words tinged with a mix of determination and uncertainty.
As the priest continued the ceremony, Jane's thoughts wandered. "What would you think of all this, Prince Dubois?" she wondered, studying his serene face. "Would you welcome this unexpected bride chosen for you?"
Silent as he was, the prince offered no answer, leaving Jane to confront the gravity of the moment alone, encircled by strangers in a world she was just beginning to navigate.