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The palace was booming with the preparations for Princess Helaena's wedding. Handmaidens and maids ran around the castle, setting up every individual piece of decoration and cleaning every corner best as possible. The wedding would be held in the church, where Lillia's coronation took place, and then afterwards, there would be festivities and parties throughout the day.
Helaena Val'eaon sat on a soft bench in her room. She overlooked the mountains from her bedroom window, and then looked to the boxes that made themselves comfortable on her floor. She knew this was going to be the last time she would ever permanently stay in this room. It was her childhood room, but now it seemed like a stranger. Her once vibrant violet curtains and bed sheets were gone, now replaced with a navy blue with white accents. She was no longer a kid, and she was no longer going to be a Val'eaon, but an Illian. She was excited to be married, especially to Otineo, who she had met a few years back during a diplomatic mission to the far side of Valérian.
Her wedding dress hung from her dressing screen. It was not completely traditional Valéri, but it had more of her own style and a simple twist to it. The bodice was sort of heart lined, and decorated with many different jewels and gems. The skirt was much lighter than a typical heavier one, as Helaena liked the simplicity of it. The train was a few feet long, and touched the floor as it lightly blew with the draft of the open window. She was quite thankful that the day was clear and no clouds were present, she had a reputation to being cloudy weather to important events.
The door to her room opened, and in came in her nieces, Verena and Circe. Verena carried a small doll, which was probably Lillia's before she grew out of them. "Laena!" Verena ran up to her, jumping on the soft cushion and hugging her aunt.
"My sun!" Helaena replied, trying to hide her worries to the small girls. She remembered when Talia was pregnant with both of them, and their births. Helaena always loved children, and she hoped to have her own someday.
"What are you two troublemakers doing in here?" She asked, setting Verena back down and patting the seat next to her. "Mum told us to give you this!" Circe chimed, handing her aunt a charm.
Helaena looked down to the charm, which was embedded with the initials, T.H.L. She wondered what it stood for and looked back to the two girls. "Well, thank you my lovelies." Helaena nuzzled her nose against Circe's forehead, planting a kiss on it.
Talia followed in shortly after, already dressed in her attire for the wedding. Long earrings hung from her ears, dangling as she walked. "Run along girls." She smiled, patting her youngest on the back and watching as they giggled out of the room. Talia sat down next to her little sister. It felt strange to finally witness another marriage. Helaena had lived in the palace all her life, and was Talia's first ever younger sister.
