Red & White

forty eight.

Author's Note: The gif attached is what I imagine Leah to look like walking down the aisle..enjoy the chapter!

~One Week Later~

"I just..does it look all right? I feel like it's massively noticeable. We can't have people noticing because then-"

"Leah, Leah," Louis immediately shushed her. She was breathing too erratically for his liking; it didn't sound healthy. Leah let out a shaky sigh, attempting to calm down. "Leah, it's okay, please breathe. You're overthinking. It is genuinely not noticeable at all. The only reason you're thinking that is because you're focusing on it. If it's not pointed out - which it will not be - no one will notice. I promise you. Trust me?"

Leah nodded, putting all her might into trusting the valet. The older man had been the only person close enough to be considered a friend. She had barely made any girl friends during her time in the castle. Everyone was intimidated by her, even the maids.

And she loved Louis. He was Harry's best friend and any person who could be considered a best friend of a prince was obviously trustworthy and special. The valet had welcomed her from the start into their lives. She couldn't thank him enough.

The maids in her dressing room knew to search for Louis the second the panic and anxiety set in about the wedding. He was the only one who could calm her down that wasn't already getting ready to stand at the alter.

When Louis arrived, he instantly swooped in to embrace the shaking girl. He soothed her, telling her to remember the precious child growing inside her and to not be afraid or scared. "Harry loves you so much," the valet had reminded her. "And you love him just as much. Don't be nervous. It's going to be magical and everything you've dreamed of since you were little. This will be the greatest moment of your life."

"Every nobleman and lady of all social classes will be watching me," Leah had suddenly realized in a whimper. "I'm bound to mess up. I'll say something incorrect or trip. I can't mess this up for Harry." Her hands had started to shake and tears pooled over her cheeks that thankfully were yet to be decorated with makeup.

"You're worried about Harry? Oh, love, there's nothing to fret about. Everything will be perfect for him, too." She still continued to cry on his shoulder. "Hey. I know this is scary. You know he's a bit scared, too? I talked to him an hour ago. He can't wait to see you, s'what he wanted me to tell you. He added that he knows you're going to look beautiful. So shall we get you a tissue and doll you up?"

She let out a sniffle, but nodded.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Louis."

"Nothing to apologize for, love. S'why I'm here, and I won't go anywhere until you're feeling better," Louis promised.

After that, Leah was helped into her wedding dress by the maids and she walked out to find Louis still sat there on a sofa, watching her in awe. He saw her like a little sister.

"Oh, you look so pretty." Louis wrapped his arms around her and that momentarily calmed her nerves.

That was, until she looked at herself in the mirror and her eyes darted down to the minimal bump. Which brings us back to Leah's breakdown over her baby bump.

She couldn't fathom anyone noticing the indent in her dress and questioning her. The pregnancy had to be kept a secret. A child conceived out of wedlock -engaged or not- was forbidden. So, Leah asked for Helen, the seamstress, to come in and alter the gown a bit. She assured the lady herself that the bump was not noticeable at all, but obliged anyway and altered a few centimeters of the middle seams.

Leah was finally able to look in the mirror after thanking Helen profusely for her work, and smile at her reflection. She looked radiant. The tiny flower petals pinned in her curled up-do made her look innocently stunning. Jewels decorated her ears which made her eyes pop in color and shine.