Rebirth (A Remington Leith AU)

Chapter 3

For the next three days, I stayed in my father's castle to prepare for the wedding and to be taught the basics of what it means and what it takes to be a royal figure in the kingdom. It was a bit overwhelming, but it was interesting to learn about new things I didn't know before. This wouldn't be necessary for someone who's been bred into this kind of lifestyle, but since my habits were quite simple, I would soon be expected to act more refined and sophisticated. I mean, I could do that, but I was afraid I would make people think I was trying to act like I was better than them when I'm not. My father would reassure me every time I felt incompetent that I'll end up learning naturally as long as I stay true to myself and realize I'm not meant to be molded into something I'm not. I hoped that whoever my husband ended up being would somehow come to love me as I am, even though we've never met in our lives. I wonder, if Lillian ended up meeting this Remington before her disappearance and if so, would his impression of her be reflected onto me even though I have no idea what she was like to everyone else?

Before I knew it, the day of the wedding had finally arrived. While I was getting dressed up in my wedding gown by the castle maids, I was starting to feel nervous about it all and the fact that I'm getting married to a complete stranger I've never met who happens to be a prince of his own kingdom. I sat on the steps leading to the front doors just imagining how it would be and what I should expect, and it was making it hard for me to stand back up to head for the carriage waiting outside to take me to the kingdom of Catharsis. I stared at my hands resting on my lap as I fought to try to get back up and do what I should be doing, but I wouldn't even budge. The doors opened and my father found me on the steps so he ended up kneeling to my level and placing a gentle hand over mine.

"Are you nervous, Luella?", he asked me. I nodded and then he sat beside me while also wrapping his arm around my shoulders to hold me close to him. "I understand how scary it is", he told me in almost a whisper, "I got goosebumps marrying my late queen, but I knew it was for the good of the kingdom and it citizens, and that was my first priority. You'll have the opportunity to make decisions and even some changes that will help shape a future for your kingdom and if your groom is respectable enough...he will stand with you." I looked up at my father, grateful he's playing his part as my father to encourage me and support me like I would want him to. He continued, "I suppose I should also mention that with your new marriage...you are also expected by the other kingdom to be carrying the prince's next heir within a year. Or the merger between our kingdoms will not be official." The words sent a chill throughout my body as this new information seemed to make me more nervous about producing an heir to her husband.

"Um, okay", I could barely focus on my words, "I guess we have enough time to do so, but I hope I can bring him a worthy heir." My father nodded as he hugged me tight and I managed to hug him back. I then felt him hold me together as if he was afraid to let me go. I heard him say, "God, I wish I could have done more for you. But this is all I can do to make sure you know you're worthy of this title and any love the prince might offer you, for he's insane if he doesn't." I beamed at my father's words and pulled away a bit to tell him while wiping his tears away, "You've done enough for now. I know you care about me and that fact makes me content. Thank you for trusting me to do this and believing in me. You did good...father." His eyes widened at that and we shared a few more emotional hugs before he finally let me go and ended up leading me to the carriage outside. We stepped inside and we rode away to where the kingdom of Catharsis is located which ended up being very far.

Once we got there, I was in awe to see the combined population of every kingdom had come to witness this official union between the princess of Apollonia and the prince of Catharsis. I didn't realize this event would be so special and while it made me a bit nervous, it was a bit flattering to think so many people would come to see a wedding happen, even if it is an arranged marriage. I followed my father up the where the reception hall would be and I did my best to control the butterflies that seemed to be invading my stomach. I was led to the room where the bride would be waiting, and I received an amazing surprise to see my mother waiting for me and the butterflies soon disappeared after I saw her and went to hug her. "Mother", I tried not to cry as I hugged her one last time, "What are you doing here? Can you be here? Oh, I don't care, I'm just so happy you're here!"  My mother pulled away to hold my face in her hands and give me a gentle smile while looking in my eyes.

"Well, I had to see you step into the next part of your life", she fought to speak through her tears, "and even though the scenario isn't how I imagined it would be for you, I'm still grateful I could wish you the best in your new life and if you ever feel lonely, just remember that no matter how hard or lonely it may seem, even a small ray of hope will get you through the hardest times and love that's found in unexpected places will last a lifetime." I smiled as she placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and then I was brought to the doors leading into the reception hall where I was given my bouquet and had my veil placed over my head. I linked my arm with my father's as he signaled for the one of the ladies to get the ceremony started and soon enough, the music started playing and we waited a minute for the doors to be opened to us and the next part of my life to begin.