The Forest We Share

Preparing

Rain fell asleep as I was sending the invitations to everyone, I even figured out how I’d send our parents’ invites. I would go through the chest in my carriage and into my bunker, then make a quick trip out of the bunker and put the letters in the mail boxes of the 2 houses and come back through the bunker.

It was a solid plan so I used it. I snuck out of Rain’s room using the telepad. The name for the diagram that teleports things. I teleported myself into my own room and snuck out to where Hydra and the carriage were. Hydra was sleeping of course, as we should all be. So I tip toed into the carriage and through the trunk I went, wasting no time at all.

I got to my bunker and ran out as fast as I can with the letters in hand. I delivered to the Kantim’s house first. Then I circled around to my own house to deliver and ran as fast as I could back to the bunker and stomped twice pulling me out of that world. I crept out of Hydra’s room and back into my own so that I could use the telepad into Rain’s room. Confusing? I know.

Luckily Rain didn’t hear me leave or come back in. So he didn’t wake up. I know how difficult it is to go back to sleep after waking up once. I took off my boots and glasses.

I crawled into bed beside him and snuggled. I know your what you are thinking, ‘this is fast isn’t it? Especially for your age?’ Well their laws are like that of our 18th and 19th centuries. This is perfectly legal here. I wrapped my arms around him and he wrapped his arms around me, I quickly fell to sleep.

I woke up to him waking up. “What are you doing up so early?”

“Welcome to the world of royals. It’s usual for us to wake up early. 6:30 is the latest we usually wake up, but you my dear can sleep later. And you’ll be able to sleep later still even when we are kings. If I need you for something early I’ll tell you ahead of time.”

“Is there anything you need me to do today?” I asked as I got dressed so I didn’t fall back to bed. “Other than the stuff for the wedding.”

“If you want to go around the palace introducing yourself to the people of the palace that would be great. The workers who really need to know who I’m getting married to already know, but most don’t. The ones who know have prepared stuff for you to learn basic things about living as a royal.”

“Perfect, sounds like fun. Have you told people to start preparing for guests?”

“Not yet,” he sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll have time.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to do it alone. People are aware that you make me your right hand yesterday. I’ll let people know when I introduce myself.”

We got a text in the group chat saying that they are ready to film the wedding’s promotional video in the ballroom whenever we are ready.

“Do you have time today to film?”

“I have from now till noon to shoot, I’ll send you to the jeweller’s to pick a ring yourself. I chose the engagement ring, you can choose the wedding ring. Plus I’m sure if you like it so will I. Then we can pick the cake after dinner.”

“Do I need to make any preparations for those?”

“If you want a custom ring you can design it yourself before you go, you might need to call the bakery and let them know so they can bring out the wedding cakes for when we get there. I’ll send you the number to make the appointment, if that’s okay with you?”

“Yes of course, let’s go make ourselves a video.” We smile and walk out the door.

“You delivered all the invitations last night, right?”

“Yep, all 10 of them. Hannah said Arnold could deliver the other invitations. So we had them printed and mailed this morning. He actually knows how to mail things, and where these people live.”

“He’s doing that within the day or 2. Any confirmation about the suits or Aries?”

He must not have opened the text last night. “We have confirmed the Aries is an Ace and Theori will be more than happy to make our outfits that day, our accessories and maybe even makeup if we want it.”

“I’m so glad, you sent the criteria to Theori, yes?” We walked straight to the ballroom and I waved to the palace workers as we walked.

“I did, she said she’ll begin working on them as soon as she wakes up.”

“Okay, thank you. You are such a huge help.”

We arrived in the ballroom, “Finally! You guys are here. Cam’s taking a nap, they are way too tired. Wait... you aren’t wearing the boots or glasses.”

“I was in a bit of a rush this morning.”

“Stay up late?” Hannah raised an eyebrow with suspicion.

“I did I wrote and delivered all the personalized invitations last night.”

“Sure, sure I’ll believe it for now.”