The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 14

"Always thinking ahead. How did I get so lucky?" Killian asks, pecking her on the lips again. Valerie makes a squeal of disapproval and wipes his lips off again. He lets out a throaty laugh and takes the handkerchief from her before putting it in his pocket.

"Good question." She hits him, grumbling but a happy smile on her face.

~~~

The wedding celebration lasted two days and Valerie was certain it was the biggest party her kingdom has ever witnessed. Once the last guest finally leaves the servants set to work as the royals make their way to their chambers. Killian and Valerie get assisted to their separate rooms and sleep away their drunken haze. Once they wake the next day it is early afternoon. Valerie quickly summons a maid and gets ready. She knows she must go and look over all the wedding gifts and see to signing the thank you cards with her husband. Husband. The word sounds so odd rolling around in her head and she tries it out on her tongue.

"Killian is my husband." She whispers to herself as the maid starts to wash Valerie's hair.

"Still in shock, Your Highness?" She asks and Valerie nods.

"Yes actually. It's odd to think of. I know that it is normal for royalty my age to be married but I mean I'm only seventeen."

"I myself was never married so I don't know how you feel." The woman says and Valerie turns to look at the woman. She looks to be somewhere in her thirties and Valerie can't help the pang of sympathy that hits inside her chest.

"There is still lots of time to find love. I may be young but I know it to be true." Valerie assures her and the woman smiles.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She finishes up the bath and does Valerie's hair and make-up before tying her into a dress. The woman curtsies and turns to go but Valerie stops her.

"What is your name?" She asks, her voice sounding just like her mother's. It commands the room and demands attention and even though the woman seems to have twenty years on Valerie she looks terrified.

"Claire" She asks, her voice cracking slightly.

"Claire, I'm promoting you to be my head maid. I haven't liked any of them but you, you I like." Valerie declares and Claire smiles.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She almost whispers, her voice filled with wonder.

"My pleasure. You may go now." Valerie dismisses Claire and the woman walks away, closing Valerie's door behind her. She double checks her appearance one last time before getting up and slipping on yet another pair of killer heels. Then the princess went down to the dining hall. Once seated she requested her breakfast and was left alone in the giant room. She gazed around at the shiny marble floor and the dark stone walls draped with entrancing, intricate tapestries. The ceiling is a high dome and the one wall is simply windows to gaze out at the beautiful gardens. The click of shoes on the floor draws Valerie's attention from gazing out the window and she finds Killian walking towards her. She smiles deeply, and gets up from her chair once he gets closer.

"Good afternoon." Valerie says, kissing him chastely on the lips. 

"Good afternoon to you too, my wife." Killian smirks and he pecks her on the lips one more time. They take a seat side by side, and then a servant brings out two platters, another behind her with a box in their hands. Food is set before the royal couple and the box is also set down. Inside are stacks of parchment and two quills with an ink well. 

"This is a list of all gifts received for the wedding and who brought them." One of them says before putting a book beside the box. 

"Here is your breakfast, Your Highness's." The other one says and places down the two trays they're holding. It takes only a second and then the two servants bow before exiting the room. The two dig in, Valerie a bit more graceful than Killian. Once they are done they summon a servant to take away the empty trays.