3 First sight

The day had finally arrived, a day Margaret hadn't been looking forward to. To begin with, the fact that she didn't wake up on the right foot, she also had to leave her hometown for another. Rose came in early that morning to wake her up, it was a difficult process, considering what was at stake. She was being dressed up when a knock heard on the door, alarmed them. Rose tied the princess' dress and went to open the door for whoever was behind the door. Margaret turned around and saw her father standing there. After setting her eyes on the king, Rose curtsied, directed him in, and left.

The king's intentions were as clear as daylight, he had come to reassure his daughter about his decision. His words were as oblivious as a blind man walking on a wooden stick on top of a river. He claimed she was safe in the hands of her fiancé and had nothing to worry about. She was still nervous and scared about the unknown but at the same time, she couldn't ignore her excitement.

She thought to herself; 'The king will, without question, like me. I'm admirable, cheerful, and well mannered, what more could he ask for? For now, I'm hoping that he won't fall for my exquisite self. I'm only going to be the king's wife, the queen and that's about it, I have nothing else to do with the Nelson Royal Family. It'll be my purpose to get married and perform my duties for the rest of my life.'

"The Royal Chariot, please!" A guard called for the horse rider. The rider moved forward with the royal chariot in front of the door as the princess walked to it. The royal fellowships and some citizens gathered around for her departure. The king and his counselors seemed cheerful. Contradictory to Charlotte, downhearted as she waved at her friend. Margaret wanted to come to visit sometime, but she was well aware that it would be hard.

She waved back at everyone and curtsied a last time to her father. She climbed in the chariot, followed by Rose who was accompanying her. Rose then closed the door behind her and the journey began. Lili, her horse, started to move. Things were moving on so fast and so unusual for the princess. The latter looked outside the little shaped window and gazed at her father. Right before they went out of his sight.

"Father? What about my promise?"

"Be happy Margaret." He let go of his stern posture and waved at his daughter for what he believed could be maybe the last time. He was well aware of her demand and still ignored her before disappearing from his view. The dense palace faded in her eyes and Margaret turned back. Seeing Rose's face made her feel much better, it assured her of the journey she had ahead of her.

The following days became long and weakening for the travelers. It took them two consecutive days to head to Greyland. The road was patchy, but the journey went on without harm. Even though she was terrified, Margaret couldn't hide the fact that meeting the famous king was an experience to live up to. Its mystery made it more fun and interesting to her. She wanted to see what the king had in him for people to fear him that much. Was he that much of a killer or only a man of duty?

The chariot began to move slower and slower, then stopped. She looked outside the window and placed her eyes on many people waiting. A lot. The whole population of Greyland was there. They were, without a doubt, waiting for either a beautiful or a gruesome stranger. One that will step out of her dark and simple chariot. Margaret was also ready to meet one person and only one, the king, King Francis Joshua Nelson. The man of some dream.

Rose got out first of the chariot and leaned her right hand forward to help her master out. They both shared a look, a look that only those who could read their minds would understand. Margaret restructured her face to being serious again and held her hand to get out. She stepped out with her head facing the ground, wanted to be mysterious. It was no rush for the Greys to see her immediately. Nobody knew her in Greyland or what she looked like. This was her only chance to be whomever she wanted to be, personality-wise. So, she chose to be the mysterious but fun princess.

She lifted her head to observe the crowd. She began with her left side and saw a few ladies whispering. She couldn't afford to guess if they were talking ill of her or something else. She then turned to her right where gentlemen seemed to be appreciating the view. In front of her, were standing the king, the queen dowager, and some other people she didn't know of.

She smiled as she saw his face, dressed in his most charming and eventful mantle. Brighter than gold itself, far longer than a century, bigger than his dignity. The king was handsome to the eye but that wasn't the point. The point was, she had to have a bigger first impression than she had anticipated. She began her walk towards the royals, she moved closer to him, head up high, hands in front, mouth to ears. She curtsied to him and to the queen dowager, as low as she could.

"King! Queen Dowager! Pleased to meet you." They bowed to her, not as far as they could. Their faces were plain and emotionless. The charming king avoided her eyes and turned to leave. No words exchanged. The queen dowager followed her son back in, but before she did, she shot a vicious look at Margaret. The princess felt embarrassed by their tactless action. She didn't know where to go on from there and so she turned to the crowd and waved at them. She trained for moments like this. Moments of embarrassment.

A guard finally came and informed her that the king was waiting for her presence in his throne room. Everyone with official engagements in the realm was there, as well as the second son of the late king, Prince Roger Nelson.

Rose abandoned the princess for a while, to allow her to do her royal business. Meanwhile, the guard led her to the room, she walked behind him with her hands shaking in front of her. They arrived in front of an enormous door, which opened for them. Behind, was a space filled with a lot of individuals including the king. They aligned themselves to the sides and divided into two groups. Far upfront, in the middle, was King Francis sitting on his throne. The room was dark, little light penetrated those stoned walls. Air battled in for them to inhale.

Margaret walked towards him, making it seem like a wedding. It wasn't but looked like it. Everybody's head turned towards the dazzling princess, looking and scanning her. They were for a fact thinking of the possibility of her survival in this realm, which was close to none. The queen dowager, Grace, was sitting next to the king, to his right. The chair to his left was vacant, waiting for a queen to sit on it. After a long straight walk, she arrived in front of him, and the men and women behind her, one-kneeled. She curtsied to them again and took a heavy breath.

"Princess Margaret!" King Francis began, laying his arm on the armrest of the chair.

"Your Majesty!" A short silence filled in the room but was chased away by the king. "It is an honor to finally meet you."

"Have you been waiting for me, Your Majesty?" She started to play the game. Stunned by her question, he glanced at his mother.

"I'm guessing it was the same for you, Princess." He tilted his head a little, analysing her.

"I was looking forward to meeting you, Your Majesty. Who wouldn't want to meet their future husband?"

"You can call me Francis, like you said, I'm going to be your future husband." He followed her lead. With everybody hearing their conversation, Queen Grace felt stoned aside. She tapped him and whispered his name to wake his senses up, but he quieted her down and looked back at Margaret. The princess notices that little cold interaction between the two.

"I'll prefer to stick with 'Your Majesty', if that's okay, your Majesty?" He did not insist.

"If you insist, Princess Margaret." Didn't mean he had to be formal with her.

Nothing much was happening and so the king permitted her to leave. She curtsied and turned to leave their presence, she walked faster than she had ever before. Things were heavy and stressful for her. She could feel the tension from miles away even after she left the throne room. Even in the flaming weather, her breath was glacial.

Rose was already waiting for her outside. "Is everything all right? Let us head to your room." She held her shoulders, supporting the princess, so she doesn't collapse on the floor out of tiredness.

"Do you know where my room is, Rose?" Her tone changed. They continued to walk towards her chambers.

"Of course, Princess. They informed me of it. - It has been quite a journey, let's get you to have some rest."

"You're my guardian angel."

Rose smiled and took her to her assigned room. She laid her down on the large bed covered with white-designed sheets. Margaret was too fatigued to even think. The salutations were over, the king had met her and so has the whole realm, what more could she have done than to rest? Every other person left the throne room, including the king. His mother followed him once again, irritated. He didn't notice her march behind him, not until he entered his study, and the door wasn't shut behind him.

"Mother?"

She walked in uninvited, she had a few things to say to her son after meeting the woman that would be living with them.

"Are you happy now? - You wanted to marry her, didn't you? Now, you have her here. Are you happy, Francis?"

"I thought I made myself clear, Mother. I told you we needed this alliance."

"No, we don't! Do not kid me. You know we don't, we are Greyland." She stood in front of his desk, her muscles tightened;

"I understand that you are against this, Mother, but I am the king and I decided to marry her. Besides, weren't you worried that she could be hideous or so? Didn't you see her? She is gorgeous, even bewitching."

"Shut up!" She yelled at him.

"Why are you vexed, Mother? I'm only marrying a lady, what's so wrong with that? Do you hate the Crossburgh family or what?" He looked at her, trying to figure out some answer to her rage.

"I don't hate anybody, Francis. I don't feel like it's normal for you to marry a stranger out of nowhere." She avoided his stare and walked towards the sofa. He followed her with his eyes and said to her; "Isn't this how royal marriages work? Don't act clueless, Mother, give her some time. I'm sure she'll be a great asset to Greyland in some way."

The queen dowager didn't bother staying there any longer and permitted herself out. Francis relaxed on his chair and closed his eyes for a while. He opened them back, got up, and left.

Margaret was deep asleep on the bed, dreaming of a much more magical world. King Francis entered her room in total silence and discretion. He sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his right hand on the duvet. He then proceeded to stroke her hair and smiled, he looked at her sleeping face for a while and smirked. "No regrets." He whispered to himself.