4 FOUR: DOUBLE P.O.V'S

Sephora:

The morning bells had sounded, yet the palace had been abuzz with activity and preparations since the previous day, which had continued through the night until dawn. I strode purposefully towards her majesty's chambers, occasionally encountering servants along the way.

Following her meeting with the King yesterday, her demeanour had been unsettled, and she adamantly declined any meal I urged her to eat. Whether her stroll with the King had concluded unfavourably remained a mystery to me. However, what was clear was my responsibility to prepare her for her wedding, which was merely hours away.

"My apologies," I uttered apologetically to a servant I had inadvertently collided with, before swiftly making my way into the Princess's chambers.

"Awake and greet the day, Your Highness," I announced as I gently pulled back the curtains, "for it heralds an auspicious occasion for you."

"I fail to understand your need for such a poetic tone, Sephora." She murmured, turning to face me while reclining on her side in bed, engrossed in her book.

"Have you been awake all night?" I inquired, aware of the princess's penchant for staying up with a book when troubled.

"I could not find slumber," she replied, her focus still on her reading.

"Would you prefer me to return in an hour, allowing you a brief nap?" I asked, moving to draw the curtains closed.

She sat up on her bed, gently marking her book shut. "There would be no need for that; I'm awake anyway," she replied, reaching for her slumbering cat. "The castle has been bustling with life all through yesterday, even in the dead of night, I could barely shut my eyes." she added in a mutter, stroking her pet.

"Yes, it has," I acknowledged.

"Do you think he'd let me take Yoru with me?" she asked, her gaze shifting from her pet to me.

Her visage was captivating in the morning light, momentarily diverting my attention from her words as I admired her beauty.

"Well… yes, absolutely. I do not see any reason why he wouldn't." I replied, regaining my composure. "I shall have your bath ready." I hastily added, with a bow I left the room.

Suppressing my feelings for Her highness has been incredibly challenging all these years, yet somehow, I managed to do so. Now that she is preparing to marry, I must resign myself to allowing these sentiments to diminish, particularly since I will be serving her as her handmaid alongside the King for the rest of her life.

I could never confess my feelings to the princess. Her marriage to the King upset me, but speaking up would likely lead to my demise at the guillotine or the humiliation of her rejection.

I am satisfied with simply being graced by her presence.

  ********

Aiyana:

I stood behind the doors of the chapel, knowing that in a minute or so they would be opened, and I would proceed through them, down the aisle, to the man who awaits me at the altar.

Anxiety enveloped my senses, causing me to nervously pick at the hem of my sleeves.

"Aiyana," Sephora whispered to me, and I turned towards her voice. "You'll be fine," she reassured me before slipping away through the side entrance.

Taking deep breaths, I endeavoured to regain my composure. "A monarch may face numerous challenges, but mustn't falter," I reminded myself silently. "I am a servant to the people, and I shall not falter in my responsibility towards them."

Just as I reconciled my nerves, the door swung open, revealing the decorated chapel with pews filled with people, and the melodious sound of the organ permeated the air. Spotting him at the altar, I saw how charming he looked in his suit.

I proceeded down the aisle to the sound of the organ, chanting silently to myself, "A monarch shall not falter, a monarch shall not falter." All eyes were fixed on me, smiles adorning their faces. While everyone appeared happy, inwardly, I wasn't. However, I found solace in the fact that the man I was marrying did not turn out to be some sort of ogre. That, at least, was something to be thankful for.

I halted by my father, noting a fleeting hint of sadness on his face, swiftly replaced by a broad smile. "You are beautiful, my darling, just like your mother." he praised, taking my arm in his. Together, we proceeded down the remainder of the aisle, where he then presented me to my soon-to-be husband.

"You are magnificent." King Elrond whispered to me.

"Thank you, your majesty. If I may say so, you don't look terrible yourself," I replied, eliciting a light chuckle from him. Apparently, it seemed I had a sense of humour.

The music ceased, and as I cast a glance at the audience, they were all on their feet. I spotted Aurelie seated on her throne, our gazes met, and she offered me the most insincere smile she could muster. Sephora's observation was correct; she was unmistakably discontent.

"Are you alright?" inquired King Elrond.

Realizing my sister's discontent over my marriage ahead of hers might have altered my demeanor, I appreciated his keen observation. "Yes, I am," I assured him. "Shall we proceed?" I added, prompting him to signal the priest to begin.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of family, friends, and the divine, to witness and celebrate the union of Her Royal Highness; Princess Aiyana of our beloved kingdom and His Royal Majesty, King Elrond of The Nedor Kingdom…" the priest commenced the invocation, yet my thoughts drifted once more, this time to my mother.

It pained me deeply that she could not be here on this day. I had always envisioned her walking me down the aisle alongside my father, but, that dream, like many others, was shattered by reality. The reminder of reality jolted me from my reverie just in time before we commenced our vows.

"...and now they shall proceed with their vows."

Accepting our rings from the ring bearer, he grasped my hand, and we locked eyes– green, his eyes were green. I thought they were blue but they were green and they were mesmerizing, they seemed like they could pierce through my very soul.

"Like the poets say; 'In love let's so persevere, that when we live no more, we may live ever'

I, King Elrond the Second, take thee, Princess Aiyana, to be my beloved wife. With this ring, I give you my heart, my soul, and my eternal love.

In life and in death, I promise to stand by your side, through our trials and triumphs, until the end of time."

With these words he slid the ring into my finger, and kissed the back of my palm.

"I, Princess Aiyana, take thee, King Elrond, to be my husband. With this ring, I give you my heart, my soul, and my eternal love.

In life and in death, I promise to stand by your side, through our trials and triumphs, until the end of time.

Just like the poets say; 'In love let's so persevere, that when we live no more, we may live ever.'"