Moon String

Apparently, Weddings Are Stressful

Chapter Two: Apparently, Weddings Are Stressful

If anyone ever tells you being an Alpha's fiancée is glamorous...

They're lying.

I had been awake for exactly twenty-three minutes.

In those twenty-three minutes, three women had argued over my eyebrows.

"My Lady, stop moving"

"I'm scratching my nose"

"You scratched it four seconds ago"

"My nose has needs"

The oldest maid closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose like she was silently asking the Moon Goddess for patience.

"I've served this family for thirty years and this is my first time experiencing someone like you"

"Thank you, it's my pleasure"

A cough echoed from somewhere behind me.

It wasn't a cough.

It was laughter desperately trying to disguise itself.

The older maid's eyes snapped toward the poor girl.

"No one laughs"

The younger maid immediately stared at the floor as though she'd suddenly become fascinated by wooden planks.

Coward.

Another maid bustled over carrying a velvet cushion with enough jewelry to bankrupt a small kingdom.

"Now choose Lyra" they said while they randomly looked through the jewelries

"The silver necklace?"

"No"

"The sapphire?"

"No"

"The pearl?"

"...Can I wear none?"

The room froze.

Someone actually gasped.

Another maid clutched her chest.

Apparently I'd just announced plans to sacrifice puppies beneath a full moon.

"My Lady!"

"It's only jewelry"

"It's tradition"

"So is getting chased by geese in the marketplace"

"...What?"

"It happens more often than you'd think"

They all stared at me like I had suddenly grown horns.Wondering what on earth I was talking about.

"...It happened once"

Still.

No one appreciated my excellent point.

A different maid approached carrying what suspiciously looked like a torture device.

"What is that?" I asked absolutely terrified

"A corset"

"...I liked the idea of a torture device better"

"It's meant to shape your waist"

"My waist already exists"

She smiled the terrifying smile of someone who had no intention of listening or trying to understand.

"Arms up"

"I don't negotiate with villains"

Two more maids appeared.

Traitors.

Within seconds I was wrapped, tied, pulled, tightened and squeezed until I questioned whether breathing had always been this difficult.

I looked down.

"...I can clearly see my heart beat" I protested

"You look magnificent"

"I look expensive"

"That's the point"

"I miss oxygen"

One of the younger girls burst into laughter before quickly covering her mouth.

The older maid sighed.

"I told you she would be difficult"

"Difficult?" I repeated.

"I fell out of a moving carriage yesterday and came back smiling"

"Exactly"

"I think that's resilience" I said smiling

"I think it's concerning, you should see a doctor or maybe a psychiatrist" the youngest maid said and was instantly shot a warning look by the oldest maid.

Fair enough.

Another maid hurried over carrying a pair of elegant white shoes embroidered with tiny silver moons.

"They're beautiful"

"They're also two sizes too small" I said in horror

She blinked.

"...How do you know?"

"I have feet"

"They'll stretch"

"My bones won't"

Ignoring me completely, she knelt anyway.

I sighed dramatically.

"If I lose a toe today, I expect compensation"

"What kind?"

"The biggest slice of wedding cake"

"Done"

"Actually..."

I thought about it.

"...Make it two slices"

The younger maids giggled again.

Success.

At least someone appreciated my suffering.

The room smelled of lavender and polished wood.

Sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, catching tiny specks of dust that floated lazily through the air.

Everywhere I looked, there were flowers.

White roses.

Moon lilies.

Silver vines draped across mirrors.

Enough decorations to convince the Moon Goddess herself to attend.

"You know..."

I glanced around.

"If this ceremony goes badly, it'll be a shame to waste all these flowers"

The oldest maid looked horrified.

"My Lady! how could you say such"

"I'm kidding"

"...Mostly"

She muttered something beneath her breath that sounded suspiciously like a prayer.

A sharp knock interrupted the room.

Finally.

Someone had come to rescue me.

"Come in"

The door opened.

And there stood Ronan.

The moment he stepped inside, every maid straightened so quickly I was surprised none of them pulled a muscle.

"Future Alpha" they said in chorus as they bowed

Ronan smiled politely.

"I'll only be here for a moment"

The maids bowed before filing toward the door one after another.

As each passed me, they offered silent warnings through narrowed eyes.

Don't wrinkle the dress.

Don't eat anything.

Don't breathe too hard.

Too late....

I'd already sat on the skirt five minutes ago,and I couldn't care less.

One maid noticed the creases and looked seconds away from fainting.

I gave her an apologetic smile.

It didn't help.

When the door finally clicked shut, the room became wonderfully quiet.

Ronan looked at me.

Not for a second.

Not even for five.

Just...

Looked.

"...What?"

"You look beautiful"

I glanced around the room.

"Who?"

He laughed.

"You of course"

I pointed at myself.

"This exhausted creature, are you sure about that? I chuckled.

"This very one standing in front of me "

"Hm"

"What?"

"I think your eyesight is getting worse"

He stepped closer until only a few inches separated us.

"I think you're nervous"

"...Maybe"

His smile softened.

"So am I"

I blinked.

"You?"

"I only hide it better"

"Show-off"

He chuckled.

"I've had years of practice"

"Practicing what?"

"Trying not to embarrass myself every time you smiled at me"

I stared at him.

"...That was disgustingly smooth"

"I've been saving that one"

"You rehearsed it, didn't you?"

"...Maybe"

"I knew it!"

He laughed so hard he had to look away.

He stopped laughing and leaned in for a kiss as he tried to slide his hands under my dress

....when a loud crash echoed outside.

Followed by shouting.

Then another crash.

I frowned.

"...Either someone dropped a table..."

"...or Anut Maggie started singing again."I added

Ronan sighed.

"...Probably Anut Maggie "

"Should we be concerned?"

"She once broke a fountain celebrating someone's birthday."

"...That's actually impressive"

"It was"

We both burst into laughter.

For one perfect moment...

Everything felt normal.

Like nothing bad could possibly happen.

If only life had the decency to stay that way.