Denmark's Final Arranged Marriage

Chapter Five - A Welcoming Dinner

I gazed up at the palace still from inside the car as I refused to get out I mean this was just much more complicated than I had anticipated I mean this was royalty how do you get out of an arranged marriage to royalty? I was shaking outside as well as inside. I didn't know if it was the cold or the lack of information my mother gave me regarding the weather in this country.

After a good ten minutes of just sitting in the car waiting for things to magically fix themselves and excusing myself with the driver whose name I still didn't even know I mean it was like I left my manners somewhere back home, I thought to myself as I continued to have a pointless and very silent conversation with myself.

"Miss," He said without turning to face me, "I do believe we have been here for a bit over five minutes and though I have no problem waiting here with you it does seem like you will only get more nervous with time." He was obviously a very wise and observant man.

I sighed now realizing his eyes were on me through the rearview mirror but what was I suppose to say to that? I mean I knew he was right but it just seemed like no matter what I told myself to calm my nerves it only made it worse but no matter how I looked at it this man was right I needed to get out of this car and I needed to face my fears if I wanted to escape this nightmare.

I slipped my coat back on as I took in a deep breath before looking over at the driver whose scarf I could see hanging off the passenger seat yet I remembered clearly that he hadn't been wearing it when he picked me up at the airport.

I tilted my head slightly trying to guess his age I mean he was probably in his sixties if not older so this weather must be torture for him. I breathed in softly before speaking, "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" I asked curious to know the name of the stranger who had been so patient with me, "I am Adolt Holst, head driver to the royal family." I smiled as he looked back at me through the rearview mirror and I nodded, "Well" I began, "Thank you, Adolt."

Was all I said tossed over my messenger bag looping it over my head and across my shoulder before extending my hand to the car door, "Allow me Miss" I heard the elder voice say causing me to stop my actions as I watched him make his way around the car opening the door for me all while allowing the cold air to breeze right through me and my 'Too thin for Denmark' coat.

I secured my bag on my shoulder as I stepped out of the car looking up in amazement at the size of this place it was much bigger up close. I went straight to the trunk of the car to help Holst with the bags but they were already gone and Holst was closing the trunk.

"Your things will be taken up to your room, Miss" I heard a female voice say which I followed to a young girl around her early 20's, "Thank you" I smiled and she returned it with a slight curtsy, I hope I wasn't going to have to get used to those.

I followed the young girl through the oversized double doors to what I could only guess to be the main room but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

It was almost like a fairy tale but better it was real and the longer I looked at it the more real it all became. I watched a thin figure make its way down the twin staircase before finally stopping at their meeting point, who was she? I thought to myself as I watched the woman who was no older than maybe forty look back at me with a tender smile, "Levida, darling." she said with a smile as she made her way down the final steps and I could feel my eyes widen as she got closer finally realizing who this could be, who it probably was.

She was wearing long white dress pants that hugged her body loosely but beautifully as the cream-colored ruffle top swayed underneath her white afternoon jacket.

"Let me look at you," she said as she took both my hands in her own with a soft almost dreamy sigh as she looked me up and down her smile only widening as she met my face once again with those gentle honey-toned eyes. I mean sure you'd expect royalty to look good but that wasn't it she was simply breathtakingly beautiful.