Court of love or hatred

Chapter 7

I am woken at the crack of drawn to begin preparations for the wedding. As I climb out of bed and sit at the vanity unit Mary brushes through my hair she makes eye contact with me in the mirror a look of concern on her face. I then look at my appearance I have dark ringed circles around my eyes I look like I have not slept in weeks. My hair is filled with knots from the tossing and turning from last night. Anyone would think I am more a farm girl than a princess.

As Mary pulls the brush through my hair I wince in pain at a particularly tuggy bit. Mary speaks up "Sorry Princess, don't worry about the darkness around your eyes I will find some powder to cover it up and some lovely red berries which I can mash together to give your lips a bit more colour" I thank Mary and wait patiently for her to finish with my hair. Once Mary is finished with my hair she gets to work covering up the blemishes on my face.

I am in my own world having just had a small bite too eat sitting at the window looking out on the people rushing about down below putting the last pieces of decoration up.

I am so lost in thought that I don't notice my mother enter or sit down beside me until she begins to speak "Eva it's time to get your dress on the ceremony will begin soon".

I turn to look at her once last pleading look in my eyes her response is to avert her eyes and summon Mary "Let's get her dress on Mary we don't want to keep the guests waiting".

Mary and my mother help me to dress and Mary does the finishing touches to my hair so that it is sitting perfectly in an elegant up do. Just as I prepare to leave with mother towards the ceremony I remember the necklace Prince Keaton gave me the day before.

I turn to my mother and ask her to fasten it for me once it is in place I turn to see her with tears in her eyes "you look beautiful Eva, I really hope he treats you right and you can learn to forgive your father and I for doing this". I nod my head and bite my tongue to try and hold back the tears once I have composed myself I life my head and walk to the ball room.

As I stand outside the room I listen to the excited chatter of all those inside. The herald announces my mothers arrival she turns to me gives me a small peck on the cheek and heads inside. I stand outside holding some of the flowers from our gardens clenching them in my hands due to my nerves I feel sick like I am going to throw up at any moment. Just as I am about to flee my father appears at my side and holds my arm in his grip preventing my escape just then the herald announces my father and me. He reassuringly put's a hand on my back and guides me into the room I feel as if there is no air in the room.

Father mumbles under his breath in his commanding tone "breathe my darling" and just as he instructs I do. He continues to speak under his breath "You look wonderful and I know you will do your mother and I proud if there was any other way I would do it. I need you to know that I love you and even though you hate me right now I hope you can learn to trust and love me again".

I feel tears well up in my eyes and I take a deep breath trying to gain control it is then that I lift my head and lock eyes with Prince Keaton he has a small smile on his face but his eyes seem to be telling a different story though I am not sure what. As we make it to the top of the aisle father turns to me and pecks me on my cheek and places my hand in Prince Keaton's grasp. Standing beside Prince Keaton is King Edgard with a smile on his face that cause me to feel uncomfortable I then shift my gaze to Prince Keaton. He looks very handsome in his attire and has cleaned up well as I notice he has had a hair cut.

As the minister begins Keaton quietly whispers to me "You look lovely princess" I blush in response and look into his eyes. I turn to the minister when he asks Keaton if he will protect me and look after me in marriage and if he is ready to commit himself to me through mind body and spirit to which he replies "I do". The minister then turns to me and asks me the same question I pause for a second the respond "I do" the minster then pronounces us man and wife in front of the court and say's you may now kiss the bride.

I look at Keaton suddenly as he leans towards me and I feel the lightest of touches on my lips before it is gone. I turn to the court's clapping and congratulations thankful that it was only a peck Keaton placed on my lips. I smile whilst holding Keaton's hand when my mother and father hug me and Keaton speaks to his father.

Once the room begins to quiet down my father turns to announce a feast for all but before he can speak King Edgard raises his voice "I must thank you King Theon and Queen Tessa for looking after my court whilst we have resided here and we will promise to welcome Princess Eva with open arms at our court. Unfortunately we must all take our leave now we can't stay for the feast we have been away from the kingdom too long and must leave at once to get back before dark"

My father goes to protest but stops himself as he takes in the guests looking on in astonishment ready to hear his reply. "I understand King Edgard however we agreed upon you staying for another week in order to get Princess Eva all packed up and ready to go to your kingdom I am afraid we don't have any of that ready yet"

King Edgard smiles manically "It's okay King Theon we only need to pack a suitcase of some clothes for Eva, the rest of her stuff can be brought to my kingdom at a later date but I must insist we leave today we have matters to attend at my court and I am sure Princess Eva is okay with leaving so soon?" He looks at me and I look into his eyes which seem to be daring me to refuse I turn to father "I think its a good idea to leave immediately it will give me a proper chance to settle into a new home"

My father looks torn like he is having a inner battle not wanting me to leave so suddenly but not wanting to cause upset with King Edgard, he finally speaks up "as you wish Princess we will prepare you a bag straight away and will fetch the horses King Edgard"

I feel Prince Keaton standing beside me but I can't bare to look at him or anyone I thought I had a few more days before I had to leave. I curtsey respectfully and return to my chambers to prepare for the departure as I leave the room I can feel everyone's eyes on me but keep my gaze to the ground to avoid eye contact with anyone in fear they would see the tear's that are about to fall from my eyes.