The Bride

Chapter 7

Arabella stands me in front of a mirror as she fixes my train. Today's the wedding day! About a million people showed up, and the people who didn't make it will be able to watch the ceremony on the huge screen in the square. Everyone in the kingdom has come together for this event. It's not everyday a new Queen is crowed! A new Queen and a wedding? The publishers must be having a hayday with this.

"This dress really... really... shows off your figure, miss" Arabella tells me as she straightens out my dress.

"Thanks," I grin as I look at her in the mirror. "The Prince choose it out for me to wear"

"Ah," was all Arabella said, as if this had confirmed what she was thinking.

"Arabella..." I trail off.

"Yes, miss?" She looks up from what she was doing.

"Arabella, is it wrong that I'm kinda... nervous?" As soon as I said ot out loud, I realized it was true. I was feeling a bit nervous. Actually, a bit more than a bit. I felt like I was going to faint or throw up at any moment. For the first time, I had the thought of what if he wasn't the one for me? What if we weren't right for each other? What if we where both marrying the wrong people? What if he was actually gay?.... I need to stop thinking.

"Every bride feels nervous before her wedding," Arabella tells me comfortingly. "Ever heard of the phrase 'left at the alter'?" We both laugh. Then Arabella gets a very serious look on her face.

"You know, you don't have to marry him if you don't want to," her voice turns a bit frantic. "You get out now, while you're still able to!" She pauses before adding, "I'll even accompany you if you'd like," She looks at me expectantly. Oh, I see! She's explaining to me that if I walk out now, I might regret it later. Who else gets the chance to be with the Prince? Not everyone has that opportunity. Besides, I do love him, don't I? And he loves me, right? I was getting all worked up for nothing.

"You're right Arabella," I say, as her face crumples in relief. "I should just suck it up and just marry him. I will be the next Queen of Alanderia after all."

"Wha...w-what? N-no I..." Arabella looks like she's about to say more before she regains her composure. "Whatever you'd like, miss." She goes back to fussing with my dress.

"It's Arielle, Arabella! " I laugh. She offers me a weak smile.

"Call me Bella."

°°°

Finally, Here Comes The Bride signals my cue to join Prince Ethan at the front of the courtyard. I step out, as everyone stands to acknowledge my presence. I see Nana with tears in her eyes up at the very front, just where I wanted her. I smile my best to her, and she bows a bit. A gesture like this from her brings some tears into my own eyes.

I walk down the aisle, looking straight ahead at my Prince. Our eyes meet, and he winks. This makes me grin even more. My cheeks begin to ache. Already? Sigh. Just to more feet... one more foot... a couple of inches... Finally, I recharge the front, where Prince Ethan takes my hand. His eyes look me over, his eyes meeting my breast before he catches himself and looks up. I chose to ignore the look on his face when he eyed my breast. Today was our wedding day.

We go through our vows, promising to always love each other through sickness and in health, and all that jazz. Then the rings.

"Repeat after me," the Justice of the Peace tells Prince Ethan. "I (state your name) offer this ring to you, as a symbol of my love and the vows I have just spoken."

"I, Prince Ethan Warren of Alanderia, offer this ring to you, Arielle May of Alanderia, as a symbol of my love and the vows I have just spoken," he places the ring on my finger.

"And now you," the Justice of the Peace turns to me.

"I, Arielle May of Alanderia, offer this ring to you, Prince Ethan Warren of Alanderia, as a symbol of my love and the vows I have just spoken." I place the ring on his finger, and blush when he smiles at me. He's just so cute! I'm so lucky.

"Do you, Ethan Warren, take Arielle May to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And do you, Arielle May, take Ethan Warren to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I don't hesitate before I say, "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Ethan wastes no time as the wraps his strong arms around my waist and dips me, pulling me into the perfect kiss. I hear people cheering like mad, but all I care about is this kiss. Run my hands through his hair. We straighten right up when we hear the Justice of the Peace clear his throat. Too far? Aw.

°°°

The coronation was quicker than the wedding to be honest.

"Do you, Arielle May of Alanderia, take your responsibilities as Queen seriously, do you solemnly swear to fight for Alanderia, hold it's laws, and be a just Queen?"

"I, Arielle May of Alanderia solemnly swear all of these things. I swear to be a just Queen, and fight alongside Alanderia in all of it's battles. For the Justice of all" I say, my right hand extended.

"I now pronounce Arielle May of Alanderia the new Queen," the coronation guy says as he places a heavy crown on my head. Everyone in the crowd bows to me, and cheers. I run over to Ethan. Hey, this is the first time I've called him just Ethan! Usually it's "Prince Ethan" of just "the Prince". Today was amazing. Ethan and I both look at each other before we both say in unison,

"And now, the cake!"