Stolen by colour

Shared Vow

Anna Johann arrived at the palace. As Anna stepped out of the four-wheeled berline carriage, royally decorated. Anna was captivated by how beautiful the palace and structure were. She noticed the maids lined up in a straight line, their heads bowed, acknowledging the arrival of the prince and perhaps her.

"Welcome to our palace, and these are your subjects," Johann said to Anna while helping her out of the carriage.

The head of the maids stepped forward, "Welcome, My Princess, we are all honoured by your gracious presence. My name is Sharma."

"I... I am happy to be here too," Anna responded, uncertain if her English would be good enough.

She lowered her gaze, a sign of deep respect, and nodded gently. "Today, I will be the one responsible for your care," she announced, her voice steady yet warm. She gestured towards Bella, a young maid standing nearby, and continued, "Starting tomorrow, the younger maids will take over this duty and assist you as needed." Her tone conveyed both assurance and a sense of duty, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring everything would be well cared for.

Sharma escorted Anna into the palace and began to present the various rooms designated for the meetings of the nobles invited by the king or queen. "This will be your room," the maid announced with assurance.

Anna's face was etched in confusion. "I thought man and woman, when married, must be in the same room. Or am I wrong?"

"No, no, my Princess, married couples are meant to be in the same room, but you see, you are not married, and even if you were, you can only be together in a room when you... you... You both are about to do what a man and woman should do." Sharma said nervously.

"Okay, but what is a man and woman meant to do?" Anna asked naively.

"Huh? Ummm.... Your Highness, unfortunately, I do not know." Sharma said, avoiding eye contact. "Shall we continue?" She asked quickly.

"Yes." Anna's voice came out unexpectedly plain.

As Anna's exploration continued, she could not hold it in again.

"Is he nice?" Anna asked curiously.

"I do not know whom you speak of," the maid replied

"Johann, I speak of Johann, what is he like? Sweet? Short-tempered? Violent? Answer me." Anna asked, her voice raised a bit, not in anger, but in curiosity.

"My Princess, forgive me for asking this, but did you not spend enough time with him on the ship?"

Anna's eyes darted to a vase afar. "I was scared, getting to know someone I do not know, and what if I got him angry in the process of knowing him, and he threw me off the ship? We were in the middle of the ocean after all, he could do that."

"My princess, one thing you should know is that Prince Johann can never, and will never, hurt you." Sharma lowered her voice so that only Anna could hear her. "That man loves you way too much to even raise his voice at you. So never think he would kill."

Somehow, what Maid Sharma said reassured Anna of a comfortable life without the need to worry. Anna smiled gently at her.

--

Two days later, the grand celebration arrived, the wedding day everyone was waiting for.

"I am so excited, I can not believe I will be a married man soon," Johann said while trying to control his shaky hands.

"Such is life, my dear," his uncle said to him, one hand on Johann's shoulder serving as a source of reassurance to Johann, "Very soon, you will be a father. I just wish your father were here to witness this grand wedding that is about to unfold." He laughed, while Johann could not help but think about what Anna looked like in her wedding dress.

In the softly lit confines of Anna's room, she stood radiant in a striking dark blue wedding dress that resembled an exquisite ball gown. The fabric draped elegantly to the floor, its richness further accented by delicate flower-shaped embroideries that danced along the hem, adding a touch of whimsy to the overall design. Her hair was adorned with a stunning crown, intricately designed and shimmering with diamonds that caught the light beautifully, casting small sparkles around her. Around her neck lay a bold yet tastefully designed necklace, featuring carefully selected gems that complemented her graceful neckline. To complete her ensemble, her bangles, intricately crafted and perfectly matched to her dress, jingled softly with her every movement, creating an air of elegance as she prepared for her special day.

At the ornate altar, Johann stood tall and composed, his heart a blend of excitement and anxiety as he awaited the arrival of his beautiful bride. The church was a grand structure, its arches reaching towards the heavens, filled to the brim with a gathering of esteemed guests. Lords and Ladies adorned in their finest silks and jewels filled every pew, their whispers creating a soft hum that echoed against the stone walls. Among them sat Johann's mother, her expression a mix of pride and concern, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

As the heavy church doors creaked open, a hush fell over the congregation. There stood Anna, a vision of grace, her head held high, exuding a quiet confidence that captivated the room. Beside her was the chief noble, a stalwart figure who had escorted her since her father's departure to Sierra Leone. He stood protectively, his demeanor a mix of tradition and formality.

With each deliberate step Anna took towards the altar, she felt the eyes of the crowd upon her, but not all gazes were filled with admiration. A subtle undercurrent of disapproval rippled through the congregation, conveyed by the narrowed eyes and whispered comments of some Lords and Ladies. Anna's heart raced as she questioned their judgment. Was it her appearance, the color of her skin, that invited such scrutiny on what should have been a day of joy? The thought gnawed at her as she continued her approach, trying to summon the confidence she needed for the vows she was about to make.

"She has fallen into place," One of the ladies from the audience said to her husband. Another lady said to herself, "I never knew blacks could be this pretty."

As Anna stepped gracefully toward the altar, her heart raced with a mix of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. The overwhelming anxiety made her wonder if she might actually faint under the weight of the moment. The air was thick with anticipation as the priest began the ceremony, his voice steady and comforting, guiding them through the sacred vows that would bind Anna and Johann together.

With each heartfelt vow they exchanged, Anna felt a mixture of elation and nervousness envelop her, as if the world around them faded away and all that mattered was the promise they were making to each other. Once the ceremony concluded, the couple and their guests transitioned to the reception, where laughter and joy awaited them.

The reception hall was beautifully decorated, dimly lit with warm fairy lights that twinkled like stars. A gentle melody floated through the air, setting the perfect backdrop for celebration. As Anna glanced around, she saw ladies in elegant dresses twirling and gentlemen in sharp suits moving in perfect harmony on the dance floor. It was as if they were part of a well-rehearsed performance, every step and turn executed with precision.

Anna couldn't help but wonder if the enchanting synchronicity of their movements was a result of extensive dance lessons in preparation for this special occasion, or if it was simply a reflection of the rich cultural traditions they all cherished.

Anna stood in a place, unsure of whom to talk to. "This is so strange."

"Good day, Your Highness," Anna's head snapped up to see four ladies in front of her. "We are your ladies in waiting," one of them said.

"I am Lady Mia, wife to Lord Evan."

"I am Lady Ella, wife to Lord Matteo."

"I am Lady Kate, wife to Lord Felix."

"And I am Lady Emma, wife to Lord Hans."

The introduction was brief and simple, but Anna was confused and shocked by how Lady Emma's voice was high-pitched. "A pleasure meeting you all, but why are you ladies waiting?" She let out a fake short laugh.

The ladies exchanged glances while Lady Kate stifled her laughter at Anna's foolish question. Lady Mia stepped closer to Anna. "We are noble women appointed to serve a female monarch or princess, providing personal companionship, assisting in duties, and supporting her public life. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do."

Lady Kate stepped nearer to Anna. "We wish you a happy honeymoon."