Louisa Hendraki

Chapter Three: The Wedding

Louisa looked at her reflection in the mirror as Zara and her maids dressed her. She was shocked at her own reflection. She'd never dressed in so many jewels as far as she could remember. She felt dressed in borrowed robes.

She was happy she looked this beautiful. She just didn't like the reason behind it. Zara smiled at her,"You're beautiful. Cheer up. Nikolai will fall in love with you. Just like those fairy tales we are always told" she said optimistically.

Louisa on the other hand had lost her optimism," That's why they are fairy tales, Zara. They never happen." Zara smiled again. Louisa was only upset. She will come around soon.

If only she knew that Louisa was determined to ruin her marriage.

After her appearance was completed, Louisa ordered all her ladies to leave except Zara. She wanted to be alone. Zara went to arrange Louisa's dresses which she would be taking to her new kingdom.

There was a knock on the door and Zara went to open it. Louisa saw her courtesy through the mirror and turned. It was Roman. She sighed and looked back at the mirror.

"Lady Zara..."

Roman said when Zara courtseied. Then he turned to Louisa.

"General?" she acknowledged, absentmindedly.

"The king sent me to check on you." he said.

"Tell him I'm not dead yet" she replied nonchalantly.

"Louisa..."

"Why didn't he send Tristan. He's better at making sure I'm fine. Don't you think?" she said still looking at the mirror.

"Are you still mad at me for last night?" he asked.

She turned to him and stood up.

"When you say last night, it makes it sound like..." she trailed off.

"Like what?" he asked, a slight smirk forming at the edge of his lips.

Louisa wanted to slap him. "Like nothing. I'm fine."

"I'm sorry... even though dancing with the queen isn't a crime" he added the last part to see her reaction.

Louisa raised a brow. "You should have just stopped at I'm sorry and go continue your sentence outside. See why I say Tristan is more considerate?"

There was silence between them for a while.

"Are you really going to marry Nikolai?" he asked even though he knew the answer.

"Was I given another choice? You do realize I'd prefer a nunnery to marriage with Nikolai."

Roman laughed. "I'm glad you haven't lost your sense of humor. And you're sharp tongued too. I like it. You will make an excellent queen."

"If I live long enough to witness my coronation, then yes. Besides, Tristan said I'm sharp tongued too last night. Have you two been gossiping about me?"

"No. But I would love to from now on."

"Then you'd be no different from the ladies in court, General", she said sarcastically. Roman looked at her hair. "Try not to grow specks of grey up there. It wouldn't suit you."

"I know", she said and they both laughed. Roman was especially happy. He had not seen her laugh in a long while. She looked beautiful. He averted his eyes."I have to leave now. The wedding is starting soon. Your fa...the king will kill me if I spend too much time here."

She nodded. Then engulfed him in a hug. She may never see him again. Her annoying friend.

He held her for sometime while Zara averted her eyes smiling to herself. Louisa noticed Zara and released him. "Goodbye, General." she said smiling.

He walked to the door and turned,"It's Roman." Then he exited. Classic!

"Don't look at us like that, Zara,"she cautioned shyly.

Zara giggled,"I didn't do anything wrong by looking".

Louisa smiled. Roman and herself? Not possible.

****

Louisa walked slowly, bouquet in hand, as the soft music played in the background. Her eyes darted to Nikolai. He was surprisingly good looking even in his forties. Yet, Louisa had heard of the demon behind his good looks. She hated him.

Meanwhile, her father looked at her with some expression that she could not define while Nadia smiled mischievously. The harlot.

If not for the fact that her long dress was trailing behind her and made it difficult for her to move freely, she would have thrown the bouquet in their faces and bolted. Now she had to endure what she had to go through.

After her entry, which felt like eternity, the king made a long speech which she obviously didn't care about yet the people applauded loudly. Then there was music and dancing and entertainment but Louisa wasn't interested. She was worried about what awaited her in Nikolai's home.

The wedding night !

She had never touched a man before. She couldn't imagine this man seeing her naked. Her cheeks burned.

Zara had told her all that happens on a wedding night. It always seemed to be pleasant stories but it didn't seem so pleasant now that she would spend it with Nikolai. She felt her stomach tighten in fear and she wanted to throw up.

The wedding ended hours later and it was time to go to Nendes with her husband. The word sounded strange to her. They were going to return by ship and she was allowed to take as many ladies as she wanted. Yet, she took only Zara with her. She needed a friend Incase she wanted to vent one of these days.

While the king discussed with her father, Louisa walked up to Tristan and Roman who were just discussing. They both bowed as the ladies approached. "I see you're taking Zara with you. Take care of her" Tristan said and they all laughed. The knot in her stomach loosened for a while.

"She's supposed to take care of me" Louisa defended.

"You both should take care of yourselves. We hope to see you again... princess" Roman said, adding that last part to annoy her.

This time she wasn't annoyed.

She was happy she got to talk to her friends one last time before leaving.