Falling in Love With the Pumpkin Queen

Two(2)

The Mayor said happily. I took this moment to admire my wife to be. I'll be honest. Her beauty took my breath away. Her skin was flawless. It was the color of the moon. It contrasted well with her long, midnight hair. Her eyes were an even shade of grey, sparkling with hope and determination. Her lips were full and a soft pink. A long, sleveless, black dress clung closely to the Princess, showing off her beautiful figure. A diamond bracelet was on her left wrist,  matching the diamond stud earrings she was wearing.

"Isn't she lovely Jack?" The Mayor asked, smiling at me. "She's beautiful." I agreed, looking down at the Mayor. "And to think, she's only 18. When she gets older her beauty will blossom even further." "She's 18?" I asked, my voice shaky. He nodded, his eyes glued to the Princess. "I believe she is waiting for you to welcome her here Jack." I looked at Scarlet to see she was waiting patiently. I nodded, clearing my throat.

"Princess Scarlet, it is truly an honor to have you here. I hope you come to love Halloween Town and all of it's people. I, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, welcome you to my land." I said, smiling softly. Scarlet curtised, her lips curving into a smile. "Thank you my Lord. It is an honor to be in your prescence. She has the voice of an angel. I thought to myself as I walked towards her.

I extended a hand towards the teenager. She hesitated slightly before taking it. As our hands connected, I felt an electric current run through my arm. I chose to ignore it and I led the Princess away from the carriage and towards the black palace. As I led her up the stairs, I caught Sally's eyes. They were glistening with unshed tears.

"And this is the throne room." I said as the double doors opened, revealing the large room. "It's beautiful." Scarlet breathed as she stepped inside. The floor was made of a dark cherry wood. The walls were a dark grey marble. Along the walls were banners representing the crest of different families in Halloween Town. There was a long, blood red carpet that went from the doors to the platform that held two large thrones.

The thrones were large and tall. They were made of black granite with specks of gold throughout. With the sunlight peering through the high windows, it made the thrones sparkle. Scarlet walked along the carpet, going towards the thrones we would one day sit on, side by side. I followed behind her at a distance, watching the teenager's eyes come to life as she looked around. As we came closer to the platform, Scarlet stopped. I raised an eyebrow and walked up beside her. "Is something wrong?" I asked but her eyes were locked on the two stone figures. Understanding washed over me and I smirked.

"Take my hand." I said as I extended a hand towards the Princess. She turned to me, looking confused. "Come on, I don't bite." I said, still smiling softly. Cautiously she took my hand and I instantly stepped onto the platform, pulling the Princess with me. Still holding Scarlet's hand, I walked her towards the throne on the right, the throne for the Queen. "Sit." I said quietly, the evening sun flooding through the windows causing a nice, warm glow to fill the throne room. Scarlet slipped her hand out of mine, looking at the throne that would soon be hers. I watched the teen, holding my breath.

After a moment or two, she looked at me, smiling. "Not yet, your Majesty." My own smile widened and I nodded and bowed. "Of course." I mumbled, looking up at the teen. Her grey eyes were gleaming with the warm glow of the setting sun. It truly made her look even more beautiful. "You know, when they said I would be marrying the Pumpkin King, I was quite nervous." Scarlet said, stepping down from the platform. "Oh?" I said as I followed her down. She nodded, facing me.

"I was terrified. I thought you'd be rude, and stubborn. I thought you wouldn't care about our marriage." Scarlet said softly, looking down at the carpet. I took a step towards her, looking down at the teen. "And now?" Scarlet looked up, smiling. "Now I'm glad I met you. You're not like the other kings. I know I haven't known you for long, but I'm glad that my arranged marriage is with you." I felt a warm feeling running through me, a feeling I've only felt when I was with Sally. What could this mean?

My thoughts were interuptted when the double doors opened. "There you two are! I thought we'd lost you!" The Mayor said as he walked in. The 19 year old boy and Sally came behind him, followed by a few guards. I nodded towards them. "I was just giving Scarlet here a tour of the palace." I said, locking eyes with the Mayor. He smiled widely. "How do you like it here my dear?" He asked as he walked towards us. Scarlet smiled humbly. "It's lovely." She answered simply. I watched as the teen girl I had seen just a few moments ago transformed into the perfect Princess molded years ago. Even the glimmer in her eyes was gone. The sight truly broke my heart to see such a young and carefree girl burdened with the title and responsibilities of royalty.

I swore to myself right then and there that when I made Scarlet my queen, things would change.