"Are all my bridesmaids awake?"
"Yes Miss. They are at breakfast right now with Queen Sophia."
"And Prince Edwin?"
The assistant, her name was Lisette, blushed furiously. "I...um..."
"You can tell me."
"The rumor is he returned to the chateau at 03:30 with his brothers and Colonel Brasseaux. They were all drunk as lords and singing dirty songs."
"At least they got home safely. That's good. I'm glad he had one good drunken blast before I tie him down."
"Yes Miss."
I opened the serving dish; she'd brought me enough food for four people...four starving people...four starving people who hadn't eaten in a week. "Who is joining me for breakfast?"
"No one Miss. I just wanted to be sure you weren't hungry."
I laughed and told her that it wasn't likely; then I asked her to sit and join me. She refused on both counts claiming that it wasn't proper. She insisted on leaving the room while I ate.
I finished eating; I was full, but I realized I had no idea what I'd eaten. I stared at my watch for a while; the stupid thing was going backwards...honest. I knocked on my own door and told Lissette I'd finished eating. She came in and took away the tray. I asked her the time as I was sure my watch had stopped. It hadn't.
I pulled out my phone and opened an e-reader I hadn't used in months. I found a novel about a child advocate lawyer that I'd started but never finished. I read a few more pages before I was once again distracted by the painted scenes on the ceiling. For the first time I noticed a panel that showed a fire-breathing dragon and a medieval knight engaged in mortal combat.
The young assistant Lissette brought lunch at 14:00. I was too full and too nervous to eat anything. I made do by pacing around my room. Agatha arrived at 16:15. She ordered me (politely) to take a nice relaxing lavender-scented bubble bath. She disappeared while I soaked. When I'd had enough, I rinsed off and wrapped up in a towel. I found Agatha in the bedroom setting up the small table.
"What's that?" I asked casually.
"Françoise told me you didn't eat lunch. I brought some crackers and ginger ale for you to snack on. You will eat them." She ordered (not so politely). "If you faint or get sick during the ceremony...well, I'd be disgraced." She smiled happily as I took a cracker.
After I'd eaten four crackers (Agatha watched carefully to make sure I didn't ditch them) we entered the small closet/salon where Agatha tipped me over the sink to wash my hair. That was almost as relaxing as the bubble bath.
By 18:30 Agatha had finished my hair (I had a beautiful mass of tiny curls) and done my make-up. I finished the last of the crackers and ginger ale at the same time Valerie started pounding on my door and yelling to let her in. Agatha went and opened the door and Val, Francesca, Lizzie, Chloe, and Zoe crowded in. They were already dressed and accompanied by a photographer. I noticed that Francesca and Elizabeth were not wearing their collars; however, each wore a slave ring identical to the one I'd received from The Gathering.
Valerie studied me for a moment and then grinned, "Mom, from the neck up you look beautiful. But even though it's white, I don't think that robe is appropriate for a wedding." I laughed for the first time that day. "And I love your hair. God! Those silver curls are so...so...just wow!" The photographer snapped a couple of shots of me in my robe as I spoke with Val.
Agatha handed me the box with my white lace underthings. I went to the bathroom to get dressed. I returned to the living room where Agatha and my bridesmaids waited to help me into my gown. I reminded the photographer, with a smile, that if he tried to photograph me in my underwear he'd be a lifelong guest in the Chateau Devereaux dungeon that doesn't exist.
He opted to wait outside. I sat down long enough to don my shoes and then stood while Francesca helping me into the gown. Zoe and Chloe were struck dumb...for 15 seconds...by my tattoo. Then they started firing questions: who, what, when, where, why? I wondered if they had a future in journalism.
As soon as Agatha finished buttoning my gown, Valerie called back the photographer. Chloe and Zoe immediately pointed out my tattoo and insisted that I pose to show it off. The photographer managed a scenario where Francesca placed the Ernestina Tiara, while I stood with my back to the mirror, and Agatha and Valerie settled my veil in place. After that I couldn't think of any other excuses to stay in my room. "I guess we should get going."
"I'd like to get the obligatory group shot on the grand stairway." The photographer requested. He led the way down to the 2nd floor and onto the stairway. He posed us in various groupings before he took several shots of me alone. He seemed offended that my dress had no train with which to pose my attendants. He made do with having them all gather around me and pretend to fuss with my veil.
"Alright!" Valerie barked out, "Sir, are you finished? My mother has a wedding to get to." She said with a wicked grin. The photographer ran to the bottom of the stairs and shot more photos as we descended. Val held my hand firmly to insure I didn't fall...or run away.
A young man met us at the bottom of the stairs. At first, I thought he was just a teen, but as I looked closer, I realized he was a priest. "Good evening, ladies. I'm Father Callaghan." He spoke with a distinct Irish accent, "I am Bishop Gerard's secretary. He asked me to escort you to your waiting room."
The father led us away from the stairs and across the chateau to the lavish corridor I remembered from my interview with the king and queen. After a couple of turns I didn't remember, we entered the small informal sitting room where the king, queen and I had sat and talked. Agatha was there waiting for us along with Mrs. Gerhardt and two other assistants. They insisted on checking our hair and make-up. Agatha gave me a stern warning not to chew my lips as she redid my lipstick for the second time.
When we were all presentable (when Mrs. Gerhardt and Mrs. Watson were satisfied) Father Callaghan brought in a little boy and girl. "This is Francesca, she'll be the flower girl. This is Karl, he has the rings."
My attendant Francesca kneeled carefully, "Your name is Francesca? My name is Francesca also. You're very pretty."
The little girl curtsied, "Thank you Miss. You are also very pretty." She giggled. "I am seven years old."
"Really? Sometimes I wish I was seven years old again," My Francesca laughed.
"Karl is my brother. He is six. Mother says he doesn't talk because he is too shy." The little girl said solemnly.
"Karl, are you really only six?" My Francesca acted surprised, "You look so grown up, I thought you were at least ten!"
"Ja! I...am...sechs...six." The boy blushed. "Mein Vater...excuse...My father is Charles. Prince Edwin is our...Uncle."
"It is very nice to meet you, Karl. Thank you for being my ring bearer today." I reached out to shake his hand; he dropped the rings on the carpeted floor. Little Francesca sighed as she set down her basket of flower petals and helped him retrieve and secure the rings back on the pillow.
Someone tapped on the door, "Come in!" Mrs. Gerhardt ordered. Father Callaghan stuck in his head, "We're ready when you are."
Mrs. Gerhardt got us lined up...she seemed a little surprised that Val was beside me; but I'd done so many non-traditional things since I'd arrived, she didn't make a fuss. I heard the music swell as Mrs. Gerhardt and Father Callaghan pulled open both sides of the main door leading to the throne room.
Good God! I never realized how large that room was...and now it was packed with guests. Poor Karl froze at the sight of the crowd. He only moved when Zoe, I think, gave him a nudge in the back. Once he got moving again we quickly caught up to Little Francesca happily tossing her flower petals.
My attendants moved: Zoe, Chloe, Elizabeth, Francesca. "Are you ready Mom?" Val asked. I nodded. "Stop chewing your lips!"
Agatha quickly stepped in front of me, lipstick tube in hand, and fixed the damage. I took a deep breath. "Let's go."
Valerie and I stepped out of the waiting room and started down the aisle. I focused on Francesca's back until I saw Elizabeth veer off to the left. I looked up and found Robert staring at me. He licked his lips. 'That's not fair; he can lick his lips but I can't.' I thought as I stared back through my veil. When we reached the top of the aisle Val released my left arm. "Good luck Mom." She whispered. Robert took my right hand as we turned to face Bishop Gerard.
After that, the wedding was fairly routine. Nothing about it was unique...it was the same as billions of weddings that had taken place before it...except it was me. I do remember saying 'I do' when asked. But, according to the official video, I did all the right things and said all the right words at all the right times and Bishop Gerard ended with "You are now man and wife. Go in Peace. You may kiss the bride."
As the Bishop gave Robert permission to kiss me, he ever so carefully lifted my veil. "My God, you are so beautiful!" He whispered as we shared a chaste first married kiss.
"You clean up well yourself...Your Highness." I whispered before I leaned up for a second, less chaste, touch of the lips. We turned to face our roomful of guests. They were standing and applauding. I laughed as Francesca, Elizabeth, and Valerie reached for handkerchiefs. Later, when I reviewed the video, it showed I was smiling like never before.
