Trapped Sensation

Chapter 2

Serena's POV

I suddenly snap from my reverie when I hear a silent cough from behind me. I take a deep breath, fixing on my smile before turning around to face the intruder.

"My lady, you have been summoned by the Queen Regnant," my personal assistant and best friend, 'Ara Daniels', says with a mock curtsey. I smile in return, grateful to have someone to make me smile.

"Lead the way, my able servant," I say, gesturing with my hand.

" Yes, my lady," Ara leads me towards the large dressing room, that is mine for the day. "She's in here. Good luck!" Ara says before pushing me in and closing the door behind.

"Betrayer!" I murmur under my breath, turning to look at my mother. She's breathtaking but so cold. There's no warmth there anymore's like she's not human anymore.

"Good day, mother," I curtsey silently, looking anywhere but at her.

"Serena, I'm here just to remind you of your duty to your family and to make sure that you do not do anything that may ruin our family name," She says, fixing me with a stare full of meaning.

"Yes, mother," I start biting my lower lip nervously as I remember why I'm here today for the 31st time.

"You do know that he must never find out your secret, or we are all doomed,"

"Yes, mother,"

"Good, now I will leave you to your dressing, see to it that you are ready, on time," She says before regally walking out the door.

I sigh deeply before sagging against the door in annoyance. Ara runs in with my dress, my make-up artist, and my event planner in tow.

"Sorry, I couldn't keep them out," Ara says with an apologetic smile before dashing off to find Veronica, my other best friend and bridesmaid.

Twenty minutes later, I'm ushered out by my two best friends in a flurry of Tulle and lace, as we race down the corridors, laughing, to the front of the great double doors where I'm to be married. We take a minute to catch our breath, all the while laughing and giggling like schoolkids.

"It's time, guys," Ara says after she has retained a semblance of composure. I take a deep breath, smiling as I face the doors once again.

The first strains of 'The wedding march' fill the air, signalling the procession of the wedding.

"Ara, please, I need your help. I need to change the song, I really do not want my wedding to be a boring walk down the aisle, I want the orchestra to play 'You can see me in a crown', then that way all eyes will really be on me," I say emphasis on 'really', as I plead with my eyes.

"Argggh, not now,the wedding is about to start," She does not like not planning things ahead, and she loves control, so now she's frantic. She looks at the iPad in her hands frantically as it begins ringing.

"Oh no!, it's Thor, he's calling, I'm sure he's wondering whether the bride has run away," She says before cutting the call.

"Very funny, Ara, very funny," I reply with a mock smile. "Ara, please call him back and tell him to relay my message to the orchestra. Thanks in advance,"

As she makes the call, I focus on taking deep breaths to calm myself before I face the doors with steely determination.

As the doors swing open, the first strains of my song fill the private chapel of the Monarch. It's the one thing I'm really satisfied with about this wedding because I chose it.

The Monarch is like my second home, I stayed over so many times when my parents travelled with Veronica and her parents, who are the owners. It is the biggest hotel/event centre in Italy, and you have to pay close to billions to rent out any of their facilities or stay the night. I chose the Monarch because it's the only place that really feels like home.

"I'm ready, girls," I begin my ascent up the long flight of stairs, flowing around me like a halo is layers of Tulle and lace. 'I am ready, I know I'm ready,' I say to myself as I reach foot of the stairs and finally face the man I'm to marry.