How I became the Duchess

I can see everybody is whispering about me

Present:

Josef brought all my suitcase out of the limo back to my rooms.

Lucia and Briana helped me to prepare. Their hands can make miracles. What is what I need among all the models he spends time with.

I have never considered myself being a beauty. My height is 1. 62 meters and my weight is more than it should be. My skin is very fair, I am not blonde and my eyes aren't blue. I have a thick curly brown hair the same colour as my eyes are. And my coarse glasses....

But when I was allowed to look into the mirror, when Briana and Lucia finished their work... I had contact lenses after a long time again...

"Wow" is all I got out of my mouth. "You two are really the fairies from the Cinderella story. Thank you"

"There's nothing to thank us for." Lucia said and she was totally proud of her work. "It is our job. Remember? Besides you are so pretty."

"There's still something missing" as I was talking, I stretched my hand to the last closed jewellery box on the toilet table.

The old expensive ring in the box is grandiose. Three pearls set in the white golden ring so that every pearl is touching with the other two. Each pearl has got a different size.

"Gorgeous" Bianca's gentle voice sounded in my ear.

"Precious" I stated. The ring itself and the pearls alone aren't such valuable, but when I take into consideration its historical value... its value is incalculable.

The sad thing is I am supposed to put it on my ring finger by myself. ´Why am I thinking about it?´ I do know very well that this is going to be a contract marriage. No love, no feelings, no sweet words. Just the benefits we do offer to each other.

The ring matched perfectly the pearl - diamond tiara on my head and the earrings in my ears, creating the effect of being a set.

"Looks like you are ready madam" Josef's words waked me up from my thoughts. "Without permission I allow myself to say, you look stunning. You are going to have a lot of troubles to do not look better than the Queen."

"It is nice from you Josef you are trying to help me to feel as if I will fit in." I smiled at him.

"No you are not going to fit in." Lucia's eyes found mine in the mirror as she was talking. "You are going to be the future Duchess. The Duke has had chosen YOU among the many others. And the fact you are beautiful is one of the many reasons for his decision. And the Queen likes you too. Remember that. And remember to keep your head high no matter what."

"Ugh, ugh" Josef's coughing interrupted the moment. As we all looked at him, he told. "We should go if you do not want to be late more."

He is right. I hugged girls who wished me good luck and got into the limo.

This ball is hosted by the Queen. It was actually her idea to announce our engagement at the ball. I do believe we are not going to be too late. Coming later than the Queen would be the last faux-pas, I couldn't survive.

As I was sitting on the backseat, my hands start to sweet. ´I must start to think about something else.´

My dress. It is the total artistic piece. Red dress in the middle with the flower pattern. The skirts are wide. Originally it was an off shoulder piece. But I am not feeling comfortable in that type. So we agreed to add the invisible cover with the diamonds, which ends on my chest and covers my arms too.

My first idea was gold, but Philip insisted I need the diamonds. From the far point it seems to me, as if he planned this. I did not have more time to think about it. We were at the palace and Josef was opening my door.

It felt totally wrong. How could I come to my own engagement party - ball to be correct - hosted even by the Queen herself alone? This marriage felt totally wrong and it did not begin yet. A strange pain I as not able to define exactly hit me inside. 'No. It isn't a pain. It is just a fear. I am worried because I don't know what is waiting for me inside the ball room.' These thoughts were in my head as I was walking to the white marvel stairs.

'Well there is still a chance to run Lucy' There was still time and this was probably the last chance to do it with pride. But the same fear which was making me to want to run was making me to walk up the marvel palace stairs. My head down, deep in my thoughts. And as I realised how humble I must appear, I heard Lucia's words again. 'And remember to keep your head high no matter what.'

And after all I have had decided today two times already. No third decision is happening today. Everyone is supposed to understand Lucy Suckley doesn't run from the battlefield.

"Lucy Suckley, the future Duchess de Ambremò." As in a dream I informed the man in the golden livery, waiting at the doorway to the ballroom.

"Lucy Suckley" He announced me in a deep loud voice.

As I stepped into the ballroom, I could see as everyone was turning around and whispered about me. Maybe I could convince myself it isn't truth and I am making it up. But when my eyes finally found his - HIM - I was sure they're talking about me.

Thanks God I did not wake up from the dream still and my body was working automatically. I made a deep curtsey, but my eyes could not tear out of his.

He was hugging two women, when I was announced and flirting with the third. So I could be sure nobody expected me to come.

But as he saw me at the top of the staircase...

He left them go and now I can see... as if they wouldn't exist for him anymore... ´No my eyes are lying. It's just what I want to see. No, no, no! I do not WANT to see anything. He is behaving as is expected. I am his fiance after all. And he is well behaved.´ In the middle of my thoughts, when I was in the middle of the staircase- all eyes on me - the Queen was announced.