Heaven Can't Wait ۞ Baldwin IV

VII - Friend

The return to the palace from the lazarium saw them reconvene with the sisters, who on the way spoke of all that they had seen, and shown some basics they had bought to begin to set up their new life in this land.

Lluna welcomed the peace of mind of getting inside the fortification again. But as soon as she did, she realized that nothing of what she'd seen of the city had actually stayed with her. At least not in detail. Her mind was foggy, although instead of fog affecting this short term memory, it looked more like sand dust.

She did remember three things though; the three faces of a local family who had retrieved Lluna's fallen bracelet, one that had always been too big for her wrist. They could have kept it for themselves, having no idea she was their future Queen and owing her nothing. But instead, her first impression of the citizens was one of kindness and abnegation. This would not be lost to the sand.

Diana appeared from under the bigger archway, skipping down the steps into the bailey.

"Good! You're back," she chimed, shining a perky smile that contrasted against her smooth dark skin.

The enthusiasm threw Lluna off. Was there something going on? It was too early for Catalina and Tamilla to have returned and she could not think of anything more stirring.

"What is it?"

"They would like to take your measurements before dinner."

"What for?"

"For your wedding gown, of course!" The maid reminded her of the obvious, with her tone catching disbelief at the lady's empty stare. "The sooner the dressmakers begin the sooner the ceremony can take place."

"For daily clothing as well. You will feel much more comfortable in something made just for you."

Lluna made a small noise of acknowledgement toward Brígida.

"What about you? How are you both holding up?" She asked, taking the first step up the entrance.

"Oh, we're fine, my lady," Brígida assured as they passed by the towering columns. "The palace accommodations are more than comfortable. Rebecca is delighted with the novelty of it all."

They made their way towards her chambers where two tailoresses had set up their workspace. They had her strip down to the bare minimum so there would not be much clothing getting in the way of their measurements, which proved to be thorough and exact right from the start.

Muffled thuds all over the floor were caused by the roll of thread that Safiyaah had stolen from an open box for her entertainment. It came undone, leaving a string trail that caught on the legs of every chair, sofa, and on the bed posts. At a certain moment, Diana avoided disaster by keeping a tall standing chandelier from tipping over.

Even with the kitten's ruckus, light steps could be heard trodding the passage outside.

The pace and serene presence gave Lluna the sense that it was none other than the King passing by, unaware when opening the doors of the rather private occasion and gathering going on inside. However, a feminine voice mildly scolding the tailoresses from the doorway said otherwise.

"Did I not say I wished to be here for this? Why did nobody notify me?"

The tailoresses and maids all stood, chins tilted down to their necks.

"Apologies, your Highness. We could not get a hold of you."

Lluna peeked over her shoulder, maintaining a tight grip on her undergarments at the glare of the stranger. She was met with a distant freckled face wrapped in a bright green and orange exotic ensemble of clothing.