Love to Love

Nadia stared at her reflection in the gilded mirror. The ivory dress had a glimmer and a hushed rustle when she moved. She slowly swayed back and forth. Distracting herself from what was to come in a few short minutes. Soon she'd be a wife. A spoken-for woman of a certain age. To go forth, be fruitful and multiply. Make decisions for others and laws for the land. The choice was not hers nor her grooms. Treaties settled at their own births. Bound them to promises made, monies spent and positions of power to be filled. "What is it Nad?" Lizbeth was Nadia's keeper. She's been with her since she was an infant. All noble families have keepers to their first born children. Any siblings born after share a nanny. The difference between a keeper and a nanny is simple; one is bought and the other is paid. Royal families pay nannies for their services. They are allowed to leave the home, have families of their own and require a schedule. Many nannies are hired and paid for the children. A keeper is a special person a royal family buys from her own family. She is then considered a member of the royal family without any noble blood. She is not allowed to marry, have children of her own or leave the home without her duty; the first born prince or princess. “Nothing, Liz. Just nervous”. “Of course you are. Who wouldn’t be?” Lizbeth held Nadia’s shoulders from behind her. Fluffed her veil and smoothed her hair. This was after all Nadia’s wedding day and she needed to look her best, no matter the amount of butterflies in her stomach. “Is he handsome at least?” Nadia tried to peek through the door as a maid walked in. “He is very handsome. Tall, wide shoulders, strong." "And? His hair? His eyes?!" Nadia begged for more details. "Trust me Nad, you'll be pleased." Lizbeth was able to see the groom this morning by accident. She was meeting Kie, the groom's keeper in the gally. Another typical wedding event, the keepers meet in the morning for breakfast. They will become very close colleagues so it's best they get to know each other. The groom had an emergency. He rushed into the galley wearing his nightclothes searching for a glass of spring water. Kie jumped to his feet and got his duty what he needed. She needed to ask Kie who that was to be sure. “My apologies Miss, that was Sir Majesty Ryan Daniel Johnson of Jenkin, Dakota. The prince hier. The groom. My duty.” Kie was out of breath. The quick sight of the prince was unusual. He should have rang for Kie using the telegram rather than leaving his room. The quick glimpse was enough for Lisbeth to see that the groom was handsome. That for starters is good, vain maybe but good. "You're not gonna tell me are you?" Nadia pouted to Lizbeth. "My tongue is tied." She said with a wink. POV Nadia... Damnnit Lizbeth, just tell me! Her knowing what my future husband looked like was eating me alive. My stomach was already in knots, my mouth dry and my head dizzy. Tall and buff sounds great but what if he's… rude, mean, conceited. What if he has bad breath or pungent body odor? Haha, I sound like a b***h. He's probably wondering the same things about me. I will trust Liz as I always have. She's never lied to me or betrayed me. I'm just stressed. Breathe. ... The wedding day was beautiful. A light breeze made the trees dance and cooled everyone in the sun. Late May was a typical time of year to host a wedding. Flowers were waking from their winter slumber. Travel by any means was easier and desired. Family, friends and the kingdom's people spent many months in doors to escape the cold. Everyone was ready to get out and socialize. The ceremony was being held in the courtyard of Nadia’s family castle. Light colored fabrics were draped along the walls. White strings of lights were hung from the ceiling. It looked like a fresh fallen snow had dusted the entire space, everything was so clean and bright. Guests began to arrive and take their seats. The ceremony and reception were a private event but it was also being broadcast for the entire world to see. Nadia was used to being filmed for many reasons. Council meetings, interviews and many holidays so being on camera didn’t phase her a bit. She just hoped she didn’t make a questionable face once she finally saw her husband to be. That would be humiliating for everyone if she scowled at first sight! POV Ryan … Sigh. It’s finally here, my blind wedding day. My mother has always told me to treat my princess, my future queen with respect, dignity and kindness. No matter if she's terrible or joyful, selfish or giving. To trust them as my parents, that they have made the best decision for me and the future. They would not set me up for failure but much more relied on me to make sure that didn’t happen. I needed to be a man, to be mature. To know a marriage was business. It was my royal duty. I could have been born a citizen and left to marry whomever I desired by lust or love. Or both. I then wouldn’t have the privilege of being King someday. It came with heavy responsibility and the marriage concept was just more business to settle. I just hoped I’d be the King my father and people hoped I would be… and hoped my bride had a tight ass. … The music began to play and the many maids, junior maids, flower girls and ring bears were lining up. Nadia made her way to the hall that would lead outside. Lizbeth stood by her side while they waited for the King. Her hands were sweaty and Lizbeth pulled out a linen tissue. "Nadia, you're gonna sweat away that beautiful make up they spent hours on! Relax. Breath. Again." They kept eye contact and breathed together. The King arrived during a long exhale. "Ah, yes. The good ol' breath technique. I remember doing the same thing when I stood at the altar awaiting your mother." "And you and she lived happily ever after." Nadia smiled at her father and took his hand. "That we did. You trust me, yes? Your mother too?" "Of course father yet I still can't shake the nerves I feel in my veins." Nadia shook her whole body and the gown rustled again. "You are going to be a wonderful queen, a loving mother and a treasure of a wife. You leave it all to fate my dear. The nerves will vanish." The King kissed her hand and turned them to the corridor. The music she chose to walk the aisle to began to play… "If everything could ever be this real forever. If anything could ever be this good again. The only thing I'll ever ask of you. You've got to promise not to stop when I say when. She sang." The aisle seemed to be a mile long yet Nadia could see her groom like he was right before her. No scowl needed, he was gorgeous. His eyes were kind. He smiled when those eyes met hers. His lips pressed together for a minute while he seemed to soak her in. A flirtatious smirk lingered. Their eyes stayed on each other as they got closer. He was tall, very tall. Lizbeth was right; wide shoulders and even with his coat on, a muscular body was obvious. His dark brunette hair was short on the sides and longer on top,perfectly combed. Neat and minimal facial hair. Small, thin silver hoops hung from both ears and tattooed blue flowers with leafage peaked from his wrists. Before she knew it she was close enough to see that those kind eyes were light brown. Lighter than his hair.. almost golden. As Nadia and her father approached the alter the groom stepped down to join them on the passway. This was where their parents would give them away. "Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family. Welcome to the marriage event for Prince Ryan Daniel Johnson and Princess Nadia Emily Frasier." the officiate held his hands above his head, palms out and stated before the crowd. "Who gives this prince?" "I, King Kenneth Johnson as well as the spirit of my wife Bethany Johnson." Ryan's dad stood from his seat and took his place next to Ryan. "Who gives this princess?" "I, King William Frasier along with my Queen, Helena Frasier." Nadia's mother joined them at the altar. Kisses and hugs were shared between parents and child and a candle was lit by King William to signify his late wife. The King's then passed their child's hand onto their new spouse. This is the first contact Nadia and Ryan would have..their fathers hands on their forearms as they lead them to their assigned love. POV Nadia and Ryan … Breathe..Breathe.. it's happening. Here we go. …