Imperfect Queen

Wedding Day: Part I

A/N: Alright then! The Day has arrived! Seeing as Weddings have a lot to them, the wedding will be a Two parter: Part I consists of all the preparations, while Part II is about the ceremony and reception .However, I have a small favor for you: please, please leave some meaningful feedback. Tell me what was your favorite thing about it, or your least, as long as it's constructive criticism. That being said, enjoy this chapter!
Days always gone by slowly for her, as if they wanted for her to savor every single moment of them. No, but these special five days went by in a flash. It maded her excited, and made her want to get the wedding over with at the same time.
Agatha had seen fancy carriages coming to the castle, servants going completely out of their minds because too many people was arriving, Arthur and many of his advisors were helping him with wedding plans, and even Arietta and Nerida acting more jittery than usual, both worried about how they were supposed to look, and Arietta too excited about Agatha's dress. Agatha would not see it until her wedding day, which stressed Arietta out of her mind.
"I hope you'll like how you look, I really worked hard on it," Arietta confessed one day, and Agatha assured her she probably will look the nicest she ever had in her life, Arietta smiled after that.
"You know, it's like I want to show you this dress soo badly, but I can't!"
"I bet I'll still love it either way."
And even though that was merely less than five days ago, it somehow felt like an eternity for Agatha, even if the days seemed to pass by so quickly.
The day of the wedding, she had been in a deep, tranquil sleep, still tired from all the preparations they had put her through, especially the rehearsal the day before. Dreams tugged at her mind, distracting her from the big event that was to occur today. It was as if she found an escape in the dreams sleep provided for her. They wouldn't last long enough though.
"Agatha!"
This time, the voice was louder.
"AGATHA!"
Agatha now recognized the voice as Nerida's, and was quickly jolted awake. The wedding!
"Agatha! Wake up, wake up, wake up! The wedding is today! AGATHA!"
Agatha groaned and tossed a pillow at Nerida, rolling over on the other side of her bed.
"But it's only 7," Agatha complained, "The wedding is in 10 hours!" She rolled over again, kicking off the covers. Nerida just frowned at that.
"Get up!"
With one last turn, Agatha begrudgingly sat up and stared at the ceiling.
Oh gods. The wedding was today. What was she going to do? How was she going to survive this crisis?
The days before, Agatha simply dismissed the idea of this wedding. But now that it actually was here... Agatha didn't know what to do. She never actually thought this day would come. It'd always be 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 1 day, some kind of amount of days until the wedding. Now... The day finally arrived. Agatha shook her head at the thought.
Nerida, seeing Agatha's realization put her hands on Agatha's shoulders in a reassuring way.
"I know, but we have a lot to do," Nerida started, "We need to do your makeup, do your hair, pluck your eyebrows, getting you on your dress..." Nerida trailed off at Agatha's shocked expressions. "First things first though, you need breakfast." Nerida went and got the tray with Agatha's breakfast. Agatha looked at it, staring at bread with some fruit and orange juice. Nerida placed the tray on her legs, and Agatha ate silently. Today was the day, after this there was not going back: She would be a married woman, and not only a married woman, but a princess. Suddenly she wasn't hungry. She had come so far, all the way from Gavaldon, just to get married, and today was that day.
Agatha looked around, she couldn't spot Arietta, which was odd, the two maids were always in tandem.
"Where's Arietta?" Agatha asked with curiosity.
"She's looking for your dress, and for other maids, each of us will do a different task today," Nerida replied matter-of-factly.
"How many maids do I need?" Agatha asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"About four or five, just getting you into the dress will take three of us, and your hair will be a lot of work, even though it is short in length," Nerida replied. Agatha looked at her hair for a moment, noticing it reached her shoulders.
Five maids? That was too much. Would they all work at the same time? And what are they going to do with her hair?
Were they going to twist it in ways that it'll never be fixed? Agatha was not looking forward to this...
"What are you going to do in my hair?' Agatha asked, confused as to how much they could do with it.
"Oh, you'll see," Nerida grinned wickedly, it didn't help Agatha's uneasiness.
The doors suddenly burst open, revealing four girls, all in a uniform identical to that of Nerida's with a blue skirt, white long sleeved shirt and a little white bow tied on the top of their heads.. They ranged in all type of physical features: One was a tall brunette with long bushy hair and black eyes, other was short and had red hair pulled in a braid, she had small blue eyes, a third one was a skinny black haired girl, brown eyes and she was smiling, lastly, a blonde that had her hair in a ponytail and had light green eyes. She was the tallest of the bunch, and she had a bored expression written all over her face.
Agatha just stared at the quartet, and they all curtsied and said in unison: 'Milady', Agatha just stood and looked at them, while eating her toast. Nerida rushed to where Agatha was.
"Milady, this are all maids that will help out to 'beautify' you, let them introduce themselves, as you all know ladies, this is Lady Agatha," Nerida said.
"I'm Emmeline, milady," The brunette said, bowing afterwards.
"I'm Margaret, milady," The plump one said, also curtsying.
"My name is Heloise," Said the black haired one.
"And I am Tatiana," Said the blonde one, with the same bored expression. Agatha just looked at them and nodded.
"I already started your bath, you'll just have to wait for the tub fill," Nerida said quickly, it was as if today she was in a hurry too. But of course, she needed to get ready for the wedding too.
"Nerida, when will you and Arietta get ready for the wedding?" Agatha asked. Nerida was doing her bed, she then replied:
"After you're completely ready," Nerida replied, fixing the pillows on the luxurious bed. A thought dawned on Agatha at that second: Arietta said she would stay on this bedroom until she got married, which meant today she would sleep in another chamber. Correction, she would sleep in another bedroom with Tedros. She cringed at the thought, a scarlet blush rose on her cheeks.
"Nerida, come here for a second," Agatha called, Nerida hurried there, Agatha signaled her to bend down, she then whispered:
"Am I going to be going to another chamber...tonight?" Nerida nodded, her expression slightly apologetic, Agatha could've died at the spot.
"Sorry, these girls will move your belongings... But you get a great chamber, though," Nerida said, some (slightly forced) optimism could be heard in her voice.
Agatha just dumbly nodded, unsure of what to say.
Just a few minutes after that, Arietta burst in through the doors, loudly as always, she was carrying what looked like Agatha's dress, yet she had a preoccupied expression on her face. She went straight to Agatha.
"Agatha, there's someone out there claiming she knows you, I don't know wh—"
She was interrupted by someone yelling outside the chamber's doors, someone very loud.
"Let me in! I'm telling you, I'm the bride's best friend! LET ME IN!"
Realization dawned on Agatha.
A girl made her way inside, and just for a second, Agatha couldn't recognize her after spending a month away from Gavaldon. With golden princess locks that cascaded down to her waist, clear green emerald eyes, and lush pink lips waltzed in a girl that Agatha knew for 12 years. She wore an expensive plum-colored pink dress, radiant against the soft glow of what would use to be Agatha's room.
"Sophie?!"
"Aggie!"
Agatha smiled, seeing Sophie for the first time in a month, feeling excitement and happy gnaw at her heart. Both Sophie and Agatha ran towards each other, bumping into each other with a small "oof" before wrapping their arms around each other in a tight circle of friendship. Agatha used to didn't know life without Sophie before making it to Camelot, and now that she got used to a life without Sophie, Sophie bursting through her royal doors was like a pearl or a beacon of light shining in Agatha's eyes.
Agatha and Sophie stared at each other for a moment, sweet and salty tears pooling in their eyes as they beamed at each other. A single tear leaked out of Sophie's eye.
"You made it in time, I'm so glad you're here," Agatha whispered as Sophie tightened her grip on her.
"And I'm so glad I'm here for your wedding!" Sophie broke her grip, she had no makeup on, and her hair was sort of messy, yet she looked beautiful like always.
The two girls stared at each other for a little moment longer. Both of the girls were filled with some kind of wonderful sensation that only a best friend could make another friend feel as they stared at each other's eyes, both silently sharing the month's past experiences unknowingly to each other. Both Agatha and Sophie's smiles grew softer, but their eyes were dancing with joy.
And then, Sophie decided to break up the tender moment.
"Now, real talk: Tell me everything, are all these girls your maids?" Sophie gestured at the maids while Tatiana just looked at Sophie with disdain. "Have you worn makeup? Oh, and how's your fiancée?" Sophie grinned at the last part, and Agatha rolled her eyes at that.
"Did you read my letter?" Agatha asked, "Because I expressed rather clearly how I feel about him,"
"I did! But, how does he look like? Is he good looking?" Sophie asked eagerly, before she could reply, the crowd of girls giggled and answered:
"Yeah, he is" Said Margaret, the short red-haired, and all the girls giggled, Agatha rolled her eyes again, while Nerida just laughed.
"Anyhow, your mother should be coming soon, oh, and my father came too, he said he didn't want me to come by myself, I told him your mom was coming, but he still came, I hope you don't mind," Sophie babbled on continuously while Agatha smiled brightly, her mother had also made it!
"Thanks heavens, you were the only people I wanted there!" Agatha then quickly looked to Nerida, and added "That are from Gavaldon I mean." Agatha said, Nerida then stepped forward.
"Excuse my manners, but I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Nerida," Nerida said to Sophie, she then introduced the other girls in the room. She clapped her hands loudly.
"Okay ladies! We have a bride to prepare and three guests to settle in, Heloise and Tatiana, take Sophie to her room, Emmeline, you take Agatha's mother to a free room nearby, and Margaret, you take Sophie's father to yet another chamber. Arietta, you stay here and help me with Agatha's bath," Nerida ordered, the maids all rushed to get their job done
"How does your mother look?" Emmeline asked Agatha.
"Just like me but older, Sophie's father is probably with her," Agatha said and all on cue, they all rushed out of the chambers. Sophie waved Agatha goodbye.
"I'll see you in 20 minutes!" Agatha called out after her, and she waved again. Nerida put her hands on her hips, while Arietta grinned wickedly.
"Well, let's get you stunning!" Arietta exclaimed enthusiastically, while taking Agatha to the bathroom, which smelled like lavender in there.
Agatha would usually cough at the warm and cheap perfume that they sold at the markets in Gavaldon, but this actually... Smelled good, as absurd as that was.
"I know you don't like being undressed, but we'll have to undress you and help you bathe, just for today," Nerida warned. Agatha frowned, she felt uncomfortable being undressed and dressed every day, this was already and embarrassing day for her.
"Alright," Agatha sighed in defeat.
"Hey, don't worry, we're all girls in here," Arietta reassured, yet Agatha still felt uncomfortable.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just get this over with," Agatha said as she peeled off her slippers.
The maids undressed Agatha and then proceeded to bathe her. Nerida washed her hair, trying to get the little grease left out of it, while Arietta scrubbed her arms with a sponge, as if trying to get all the dirt she had gathered all her life. They finished rather quickly, both maids are usually quick and efficient in their job. Arietta sprayed some perfume, Agatha coughing in response, while Nerida gave her a towel to dry herself.
The good thing though, was that Agatha felt pretty fresh and clean, and it felt nice. Nerida then gave her a robe to put on, and Agatha tied it at her waist, tightly to ensure no openings. They almost kicked out Agatha of the bathroom, and they sat her on a chair. Arietta dried her hair with a towel, she tried to dry it as much as she could, Nerida got her little silver box, then pulled out a comb, and started combing her hair, pulling out a few knots that Agatha had in her hair (she had much more when she first came to Camelot. Agatha yelped as Nerida tugged on a knot in her hair.
"Sorry," Nerida would mumble apologetically.
Later, Heloise and Emmeline entered, bringing Sophie with them, who had brushed her hair already, and they sat her on the bed chair to Agatha and started doing her hair.
"Turns out I get maids to make me look good too," Sophie smiled widely, Agatha smiled at her excitement.
"Typical Sophie." Agatha thought in her head.
"So, how was the last month here?" Sophie asked, Heloise was brushing her hair, Emmeline just stood next to her handing her utensils.
"Well, Etiquette is a pain, so is dancing, but Arietta and Nerida have been really nice, which is good, because I see them every day. The worst was all the wedding talk. But... I still missed you," Agatha replied, still wincing from Nerida's combing.
Sophie beamed at her.
"Me too, I couldn't help wondering what had happened to you, and your mother has been worried sick as well," Sophie said, and at that moment, as if on cue, a woman's head poked through the doors, one almost identical to Agatha, she smiled brightly at the presence.
"Mother! You're here!" Agatha exclaimed, Callis went to where she was sitting and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so glad you're alright," Callis said relieved, while she stroked her daughter's wet hair, a single tear slipping through Agatha's eyes.
" And I'm so glad you're here," Agatha sobbed, her mother hugged her tighter, she hadn't realized how much she had missed her mother. Both pulled away, Callis placed her hands on her shoulders.
"I'm very proud of you for doing this," She said quietly, Agatha nodded, tears flowing freely.
"I know," Agatha said in a hushed tone, they hugged again. Arietta and Nerida stood there awkwardly, yet moved by the mother-daughter reunion.
"Don't worry, you can keep working on her, I'll go get decent, at what time is the wedding?" Callis asked Agatha.
"4 in the afternoon," Agatha said, Callis rolled her eyes in that moment.
"Is only like 8 in the morning, why so much hurry?" Agatha shrugged her shoulders, silently agreeing with her mother.
"Lots to do, ma'am" Nerida said, back with Agatha's hair, "The maids that took you to the chambers will serve you, or guide you wherever you want to go,"
"I'll just go get breakfast, I'll be back later," Callis promised, then bid her goodbyes, and finally left.
"You guys look nearly identical," Arietta said, smiling.
"We get that a lot," Agatha answered.
"So, excited?" Sophie asked Agatha, she shot her a look that said the opposite, Sophie laughed.
"Alright, I get it, what are you looking forward to the least?" Sophie asked, Agatha replied almost immediately.
"The kiss at the end of the ceremony," The whole room exploded with laughter, Agatha didn't laugh, though, her face darkening at the thought.
"But what would kissing Tedros be like anyways?..." Agatha thought absently, before realizing and cringing at what she just thought.
"Trust me, he is not looking forward to that either," Agatha said, they all laughed again.
"Darling, we'll make you look so beautiful he'll want to," Arietta said between giggles, Agatha rolled her eyes.
"I really doubt that," Agatha retorted bitterly. Arietta still giggled.
"We'll see," Arietta said to herself. Agatha still felt incredulous, her first kiss would be at the altar, in front of hundreds of people, it would be so uncomfortable.
"And Tedros wold be my first kiss!" Agatha thought miserably. "Ugh."
Though she learned to accept the facts about the wedding, Agatha was not looking forward to it.
As the morning progressed, more maids came in, Arietta plucked Agatha's eyebrows, Nerida and Heloise did her hair, they curled it first, then they waited for it to dry, and made an updo with her hair. It took about two hours just to do that, and Arietta was still plucking her left eyebrow, Agatha still wincing. Nerida at the moment was fumbling around with a make-up kit, preparing to apply make-up to Agatha later on.
Sophie was getting her hair done, they did an updo at the top, but left some hair loose and curled it, Emmeline worked by herself, but managed to do her job efficiently. They talked about everything: Sophie asked the maids their names again, they told her how lovely she was, and then she asked Agatha so many questions: How's the ballroom? Where are her dresses? Favorite part of the castle?
In the midst of that, August Sader showed up, at about ten thirty in the morning. He came to congratulate Agatha on her upcoming nuptials.
"There's not a lot to congratulate," Agatha said dryly, August chuckled. He asked her how she was doing, then proceeded to introduce himself to Sophie.
"The wedding is at four, isn't it?" August asked. Agatha nodded.
"We started getting ready too early..." Agatha complained. August smiled.