A Song of Roses

CHAPTER IV

As we walked towards the bushes of roses, I let the sweet aroma fill my senses and the beauty of the flowers ease my troubled mind. The roses were stunning and bright red, and their perfume was enchanting and intoxicating. I took a deep breath. "I have a question, Alina," I whisper to her softly, leaning in to be close to her ear. "Princess? Is something bothering you?" Her eyes were focused on my face, and she looked genuinely concerned for me. I took her hand as we walked deeper into the garden, away from the guards, who were positioned near the entrance to the main castle. We were out of view now and had a good distance from any potential onlookers. "I don't know how to do the marital act," I confessed nervously, my voice quiet but clear. The idea of the night with the prince loomed over me, and my stomach turned at the thought of it. "You didn't ask your mother?" Alina asked, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. I had not asked mother, mostly because I was too embarrassed to bring up the topic with her. I stayed silent as she asked me the question, and my cheeks reddened with shame. I knew that I should have asked my mother for the details about this sensitive topic, but I had been too flustered to do so. "Come. Let us go to the boudoir," Alina said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. She put her hand on my arm and gently pulled me along with her.

We entered the boudoir, and my curiosity piqued as she led me over to the shelves where the books were kept. She began to pull out various volumes that contained diagrams and illustrations of intimate acts. Some of the images showed illustrations, and others showed sketches done in various positions. My cheeks grew even brighter as my body heated up. The details depicted in the illustrations were very explicit and left me speechless. "This looks...painful," I whispered silently, my eyes going back and forth between the illustrations and the text beneath them. "Nonono, this is too much," I muttered to myself. "Princess..." I didn't respond, my mind still reeling from those illustrations and the prospect of what might happen on my wedding night. "Not with him. No..." "It is not as painful as you think." Alina smiled, and I thought about her words for a moment. "What if he forced himself on me, or...or..." I whispered softly, feeling a wave of fear wash over me. "If he harms you, he shall be committing treason. Even if he were to be the prince," Alina states with a reassuring and self-assured tone. She continues, "You are the daughter of the king and queen of Rosenia." She reminded me, her words meant to instill a sense of confidence in me. I was aware of my prestigious station, and I knew that a lot was expected of me, especially when it came to maintaining the royal bloodline. I felt that pressure now more than ever before, as the wedding with Prince William was just days away. "Remember that." She patted my hand and smiled. My breath slowed as I regained my composure. I knew that I was a princess and that my place within the kingdom was important. "Yes, yes, you are right," I replied, my voice soft but confident. I still felt the fear and anxiety creeping up, but I held onto what Alina had said and tried to stay strong.

As the days went on, the preparations for the royal wedding raged on with all their might, with the decor and ornaments displayed everywhere. The kingdom of Astoria was decorated with banners hanging from the rooftops and flowers plastered on every available surface. I could already feel the excitement building as people began to gather in the capital city to witness the great event. But behind the grandeur of the occasion, my heart was filled with a deep sense of anxiety and dread as the big day arrived. I stood facing the mirror as a team of chambermaids worked on getting me ready for the big day. They were preparing my traditional wedding dress, which was made from the finest silk and lace. The maids seemed to know exactly what they were doing as they worked on the dress with skilled hands, fitting it perfectly to my figure. "Alina, how many people are in the hall?" My voice was still soft and quiet. "The palace is filled with hundreds of people now, and there are many more on their way, Princess," Alina replied. As I looked in the mirror, I was awed by the beauty that was being created. A gorgeous white silk dress draped perfectly over my body, the fabric clinging gently to my curves and highlighting them. My blond hair had been woven together in delicate braids, with small rose buds woven into them. A crown of roses was placed on my head, and my face was done with a subtle expression. I turned to Alina with a smile and asked, "What do you think?" "Your breathtaking beauty rivals the very splendour of the heavens above." Alina spoke softly, her brown eyes shining with admiration. She stepped back so that she could take in the full image of me dressed in my wedding attire.