When You Return (The Lost Princess)

Chapter 4: The Wedding

I'm gonna restate all her siblings and their ages... And their personalities😄
Akali and Rathina, age 17. Isria, age 16 female. She is more of a tomboy, really handy with a sword. Alina, age 15, female. Alina is truly a blonde, but cares much about her appearance. Natalia, age 14, female. She loves books. Really smart in the brain, and really shy. Ariella, age 10, female. She is also a tomboy, always getting into mischief with Lucas, her twin. Lucas, age 10, male. Kind of a bully, but at the same time, loves deeply. Amberly, age 5, female. She is just a big sweetheart, has a large heart, and really helpful. Asher, age 4, male. Asher is a big goofball, always laughing and happy. He also get picked on by Lucas. Joshua, age 2, male, then Robin (Robert), age 1, male.
Their mom is Arealia and her dad is Peter.
🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂
Third person
Ten hours earlier
Amberly sneaks up behind her Papa, grabbing him around the middle, laughing. He growls, turning around and throwing her in the air. She shrieks with laughter.
"How's my little Amber?"he asks, setting her on his hip. She wraps her arms around his neck.
"Wonderful!"she exclaims. He chuckles, tweaking her nose. Her mama walks over, embracing both her and her papa. She leans up, kissing her husband, while her daughter turns away, pretending to gag. They chuckle, placing her on the ground.
Just then, Prince Eric rushes towards us. "Rathina and Kallie have been kidnapped,"he tells him. "I will need a small army."
Both King and Queen looks at Eric, shocked, but the king's expression soon turns to anger. He turns to his personal guard ordering him to get what the will need, then to his wife, "Stay here, I will tell you of it when I return." He kisses her once more before rushing off with his son-in-law.
Amberly tugs on her mama's dress. "Mama, is Kallie back?"
The queen, still in shock, sinks to the floor, a hand to her mouth, shaking her head.
"Not yet, dear Amberly,"she whispers. Her daughter, seeing her distress, wraps her arms around her. "I love you, Mama."
The queen ends the ball much earlier than expected, explaining that they are still grieving for their daughter.
She then, gathers her children to her private chamber.
She sits on her sofa, all nine children, save Rathina and Akali, on the floor, sitting atop their legs, leaning forward. She sighs, clearing her throat. "Your sister, Kallie is not dead as you all believe her to be." The older girls gasp, the younger wearing a confused expression.
"What?"Isria, the third eldest child, asks. "Why would you feign her death?"
Her mama sighs. "For her safety. There were still men after her, and feigning her death was the best thing to do."
Natalia speaks up. "But Mama, if she is still alive, then she cannot return to Albis." Their mother's face pails.
"Why ever not?"asks Alina, who is not on the bright side.
"The records can not be changed," Natalia explains. "Her funeral is already in the records, and if she were to come back, she would have to go by a new identity."
Arielle gasps. "But she is to be queen!"
"Yes, I am aware of that,"says their mama. She blows out a frustrated breath. "We need to keep this a family secret. No one can know that Akali is alive."
Asher, Kallie's favorite brother who has not been paying attention, looks up at his mama. "Akali?"he asks. He jumps up, rushing to his mother, Arealia. "Mama, Kayla's in the ground." His eyes are wide with seriousness. Kayla was the nickname he gave Akali.
Their mother cups his face with her hand. "No, Ash, Kayla's with Papa. She's not in the ground." He looks up.
"Then who is in the ground?"he asks.
Arealia sighs. "I do not know. But we are getting off of topic. You sisters, Akali and Rathina have been kidnapped. Your papa and Eric are tracking them down at this very moment. Once they return, I don't want any of you to get too close to Kallie. She, like Eric, lost her memory, but she doesn't remember anything of her life. But, once again, do not speak a word to anyone that Akali is alive. It will confuse the records greatly."
Isria speaks up. "What will become of her?"
"She will have to live with Eric in Shania." She turns to Isria, taking her hand. "I have not spoken to your father, but I do believe you will be heir to the throne."
She looks at her mother, startled. "But I thought Rathina would be,"she says. "She is the next eldest."
"Yes I know, but I do believe she will be married very soon,"she says, a twinkle in her eyes.
🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂
Rathina
Present day
Luke escorts me to my chamber, then leaves to go back to the guard wing of the palace. I insisted that he get a proper room, but he is stubborn. I walk to my bed, sitting on the edge then flopping onto my back.
What a twisted day this has been. It took nearly two hours to travel back to the palace, but I cannot say that I didn't enjoy it. It was wonderful, learning of how it was for Luke growing up. His whole lifestyle is completely different from mine. For instance, he only has two other siblings, and they are Osanna and his fifteen year old brother, Marcus.
His father is kind hearted, but his councilor is just the opposite, encouraging him to think differently about certain things. His mother has been dead for over a year now, and even though their relationship isn't as great as my parents, his father misses her terribly.
He also told me of all the mischief he and Marcus got into. I chuckle. One time, they snuck a rodent in their cousin, Marian's back during a wedding. I told him how Lucas did that to Alina during Kallie's wedding too. Oh, how frightened she was!
The door to my chamber opens. Amberly rushes to me, pouncing on my stomach. "Thina! Kallie here! She's here! She's here! She's here!" I laugh, sitting up and taking her hand. "Show me,"I say. She pulls me out of my chamber, and we run down the halls until we get to the main entrance. There, I see Eric and Akali speaking with Mama and Papa. Mama, I notice has tears in her eyes.
Asher slowly creeps his way to her, but she doesn't see him because she's embracing Mama. When they pull apart, Kallie looks around the entrance, and when her eyes land on Asher, she smiles. "Ash!"she cries, squatting to his level. He rushes into her open arms. I smile. I haven't seen him this happy since Akali was ambushed. Amberly takes her hand out of mine and rushes to Kallie. I chuckle as, slowly, each one of my siblings embrace her, then Eric.
I feel a hand on my back. I smile, turning my head to see Luke.
"Hello,"I say. He smiles.
"Good to see you again,"he says. I laugh.
"Did you not retire for the night?"I ask. He chuckles.
"It is not night time, my dear,"he says, gesturing to the window. I follow his hand and see a bright sunny day.
"You stand correct, but we have been up all night, that you should be tired,"I say.
"As should you,"he says, smiling. He places my hand in the crook of his elbow, leading us to my parents and Kallie. Mama smiles, looking up as us, then embracing Luke.
"I am pleased to hear that you are finally counting my daughter,"she says. "I will expect a wedding soon, am I correct?" Luke laughs.
"If she will take me,"he says. My stomach feels as if there is a stampede of horses. I think of it, being married. How everything will change! Someone to hold and love me. Someone to share all my secrets with. To love unconditionally.
We start walking towards the council room.
I look into Luke's eyes, knowing that if I married him, I would, no doubt have that, but I know I am not ready. I want to know him before I marry. And that is not now.
"In time,"I say. He nods, turning back to my parents. We reach the door and walk in, sitting at the round table.
I clear my throat, looking at Eric and Akali. "What are you two going to do?" Eric places a hand onto Kallie's shoulder, squeezing it in a comforting way.
"My father's kingdom is at war,"he says. Luke stiffens. I look up, but his eyes are on Eric. "He has asked for my help, and because Kal can't stay in Albis, she will stay with my mother."
Papa nods. "That sounds reasonable. But Eric, whose kingdom is your father at war with? He hasn't said a word to me."
Luke speaks up. "Mine. My father's councilor is putting nonsense into his head, making him believe that we are being overly taxed with our food, and that Osanna's not being well treated."
Kallie's eyes flash with anger, but she clamps her mouth shut, leaving no comment.
I look to Papa. "Where is Osanna anyways?"
"In the dungeon. I have written her father of her doing, and I am now regretting it if what you say is true, Luke,"he says. He rubs his face with his hands. "Tell me, will he understand my decision or do I need to worry about war?"
Luke shakes his head, "I cannot be sure. One day he is taking it well, and the next he is starting a war." He looks at me, then back to my father. "If you wish me to, I can travel back and speak with him, making him understand your actions." Papa shakes his head.
"He will be too busy with the war against Shania, and would be foolish to go against us too,"he say. He looks at Luke. "Are you joining your father?"
He shakes his head. "I am not getting involved in this war. My father knows that I am courting, and that I cannot fight as of now. But with such news of Osanna, I do not believe he will allow me to stay long." He nods.
Eric turns to Papa.
"Would it be possible for someone to accompany Kallie in Shania? I don't like the idea of her staying alone with just my mother."
Mama nods. "Why don't you take Asher? He would love to stay with you."
I smile, knowing full well that Asher would be thrilled to stay with Kallie.
I look to Akali. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning,"she says. She turns to Mama. "If Eric is supposed to be betrothed to Rathina, what are we going to tell the people?"
She sighs. "I was thinking about this, but I came to no solution. We can't tell them that you are legally his wife because you're supposed to be dead. We can't have Eric call it off because once a man asks for ladies hand in marriage, he cannot back out unless the woman doesn't want it. So the only way to break it off would be to have Rathina give a reason, but I cannot think of a good excuse for her to call it off." I look over at Luke, speaking up.
"Because I cannot marry a man if I am already married,"I say. I turn my gaze back to my parents. They have a smile of approval. "Kallie can marry Eric again, pretending to be me. I could live with Luke in Mytain, while Akali and Eric go back to Shania." Luke takes my hand in his.
"Are you sure you wish to do this?"he asks. "We can think of another way."
I laugh. "I'm starting to think your backing out of our agreement."
He shakes his head. "Not at all. I just don't want to marry you if it's not real. I want you to marry me because you love me."
My hands tremble. "I will learn to,"I say. "I'm more than halfway there already." He smiles, turning to my parents. They nod.
"You must marry today,"Papa says. He looks to Eric and Kallie. "Kallie will help you get ready." She nods, smiling at me. We stand, walking out of the room.
Kallie squeals, wrapping her arms around me. "You are getting married!" I laugh, squealing back, "I know!" She pulls away, grabbing my hand. "You can wear my wedding dress since you cannot have a new one made." We walk to her chamber where she opens her wardrobe, revealing her beautiful white gown. She helps me into it, lacing the back. Once my gown is on, she pulls me to the dressing table, fixing my hair into curls, then twisting it into a loose bun, then placing a veil on. She opens a jewelry box, taking out a pearl necklace, placing it around my neck.
I walk to a full length mirror, staring at my reflection.
"Beautiful,"Mama says from the door. She walks in, carrying a crown in her hands. She places it into my head, them wraps her arms around me.
"I love you, Rathina,"she says.
"I love you too, Mama,"I say. Tears stream down my face.
"Come, your father is waiting for you."
Her and Akali lead me through the halls until we get to the ball room. Right in front of the doors is Papa, a smile planted on his lips. He pulls me into an embrace.
"You look beautiful, my dear,"he says. I smile. He pulls away, placing my hand in the crook of his elbow. The ballroom doors open, and I catch my breath.
Standing at the end of the isle is the most handsome man I have ever seen. His dark green eyes sparkle in the light, and I catch myself staring. But I feel I have no need to stop myself.
We finally reach him at the end. Papa plants a kiss on my cheek then sits down.
The priest gets up and speaks about devotion, faith, love, and respect for one another. He drones on and on, but my thoughts are else where.
Luke, the wonderful solider of whom I have fancied for quite a while now, will soon be my husband. It all happened so fast.
"I do,"Luke says, bringing me back to the priest. The priest looks at me.
"And do you, Princess Rathina of Albis, take Prince Luke to be your lawful wedded husband?" I nod.
"I do,"I say. Tears stream down my face.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
I look up into his eyes, butterflies going insane in my belly. He smiles, leaning down, kissing my lips softly. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back.
We both pull back, just looking into each others eyes. He grins, taking my hand in his, then walking us back to my parents, our parents, embracing them. I turn to Eric and Akali, embracing them too, then each of my siblings, who I have not noticed were here. Then, Luke takes my hand once more, leading us out to the carriage awaiting us.