Across boundaries (1D series - Book two)

Across boundaries >> XVII <<

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Across boundaries  

Across boundaries >> XVII <<

I sat in the couch looking up at Niall as he buttoned up his cuffs. He was looking smart and handsome in his white formal shirt and navy blue trousers. As I looked up at him, it reminded me of the scenes I often watched on TV (or rather, whenever I had the chance to watch TV) – the man of the house getting ready for work in the mornings. If there was a tie, I would have straightened it for him.

It was the first time I ever saw him in formal wear and my heart simply swelled at his handsomeness. I wondered how he would look if he added a jacket. I was looking forward to see him in his tux on the Ball day.

Not surprisingly, the boys had all opted for the tux except Louis who did not mind the traditional costume because it came with stripes. Our traditional costumes were flamboyant and extremely colourful. The original concept came about from the Venetian dresses with large floating dresses and wig for hair. It simply made any man look comical. But still, the Genovian men were proud of it.

"What are you looking at?" He asked when he saw me staring at him.

I smiled, "I was thinking how handsome you look today."

He blushed shyly.

"And I was thinking how you would look in a tux."

"Frankly speaking," he said. "I have never worn a tux in my entire life."

I chuckled, "There's no occasion for you to do so."

He nodded, "That's true." He folded up the cuffs. "What do men here when they get married?"

"The traditional wedding dress."

"There is actually one?" he mused.

I smiled as I nodded.

"What will your groom has to wear..." he asked softly as he walked towards me to take my hands in his.

"Are you planning for it already?" I teased.

He blushed furiously; making his fair cheeks looked rosy.  "I was being curious."

"Depending on the rank and position he holds," I said. "Somehow similar to the British monarch when they get married."

He puffed up his lips.

I gave his hands a squeeze. "But it is still up to the individuals. Anyway, we can discuss it again when we finally reach there."

He nodded, "First we must get past the Council."

"They are actually nice people," I said. "Only thing is that they have to uphold the State Laws which could be very rigid and conservative."

"Who set the laws?"

"These laws were drafted and written by the monarchs over the years."

"Can't the Queen change the laws?" he asked.

"She can propose," I explained. "And present it to the Council. Depending on the nature of the law, some of those laws actually had to go through the agreement of the people as well."

"How many people are there in the Council?"

"The Council is actually made up of the Ministers, somewhat like a Parliament. There are fourteen of them excluding the Queen. The Prime Minister, the Minister for Development and Transport, the Minister for Culture and Religion, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Land and Development, the Minister for Law and Enforcement, the Minster for Defence, the Minister for Trade and Industry, the Minister for Communications, the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Minister for Health and Environment, and finally, the Minister of State."