Nerves ran through your body, this wasn't suppose to happen yet and you weren't sure if you were ready. After Francis' death scare, you and Charles decided to get married sooner than planned and today was the day. The day you go against your Royal Irish heritage and become a French ally. You reminded yourself Mary was not going to leave your side until she had to walk down the aisle. Bash would be with you too, seeing as you had been close when you were a child. It seemed so long ago now that you and Charles were just children running throughout the fields of France. You never thought you would marry him, seeing as he was promised to another but here you are. Just hours away from being his wife. The servants were helping you with everything, the shock of this reality taking you over.
"Mary," you whispered before you stepped into the gorgeous white dress.
"Yes, darling," she asked moving away from the bed. You looked at her, eyes watering. The fear she knew too well. "Bash?"
"Bash."
"Martha, dear please find Sebastian and send him in." The rest of the servants stood to the side waiting to be dismissed as Mary sat with you on the bed. She rubbed your arms and dismissed the servants leaving you two in silence. Bash strides in a few moments later before he could even bow to Mary you attacked him in a hug. You didn't care if you messed up your hair or make-up. You just held on to the man who served as your older brother. He finally put you down and walked you over to the bed. He kneeled in front of you, causing you to look at him.
"I'm scared," you whispered.
"And that's okay, but Francis is okay, Charles is okay, everyone is okay."
"I'm going to be the future queen," Bash shook his head.
"Don't worry about that now. Mary and Francis could have an heir any day," you nodded and silence filled the room again.
"Bash, can you stay?" His eyes widened as he looked towards Mary.
"I don't see why he can't." She said with a smile. Bash quickly called the servants and you were surrounded once more. Unable to leave until Francis came to retrieve you.
"Look at you," he whispered "all grown up, it seems like just yesterday I was chasing you and Charles in a field." You smiled at Francis, holding in the tears of the memories of how great Francis had been to you in your childhood.
The four of you walked in silence to the hall. First went Bash, then Mary and Francis, who gave you a wink before heading inside. Then went your ladies,Margaret, Annie, and Saoirse. Then finally, you. When the guards opened the doors you looked towards the floor. You could feel the people of the court's eyes burn your skin. You took a step forward. Your heart beats faster.
"Look up and see his smiling face," you whispered to yourself. You slowly lifted your head and caught Charles' blue eyes. When he smiled at you all of your nerves went away.
The rest was a blur. Tears filled your eyes and you whispered "I do,"
"I now pronounce you, man and wife." Charles smiled at you as the two of you turned to face the crowd. He helped you down the steps and out the door to the feast. About halfway through the night you and Charles finally had the time to be with each other.
"May I have this dance my wife," you giggled as he reached his hand out and copied the nobles who had asked to dance with you all night.
"You may," you grabbed his hand and stood up from the chair. You walked to the dance floor, you danced and laughed, enjoying each other's presence.
When the song ended you were heading back to your seat near Mary. When you heard a traditional Irish song begin to play. You stopped dead in your tracks before turning back to Charles.
"Did you," you whispered. He nodded as you attacked him with a hug. "Thank you," you whispered. You turned your head and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Suddenly you felt a hand on your shoulder causing you to turn. "Mary-" you were cut off by Mary pulling you towards the dance floor. Giggling you two danced like you had as children. You knew the people were staring but you didn't have a care in the world. It was like everything was perfect. Soon after your three ladies came up to you. "It's time for the consummation," you scrunched up your nose. You beautiful day will end awkwardly but at least now you can call Charles your husband.
