I stared out the window, at the slow passing clouds on a blue sky. The clouds were almost as slow as the maids dressing Dawn. I glanced over at folding screen, the hints of two dark grey dresses peeped out from the ends. I held in my sigh and lounged back in my chair.
You would think palace maids would be faster than our own. But I guess it was not true.
The room Dawn and I were in was the one she had slept in the night prior. The room itself seemed rather plain, with simply a bed, dressing mirror, desk and a few chairs placed around the room. But the glittering silver that they were made of made it look grander.
Dawn, finally, stepped out from behind the folding screen and walked over to me. I stood up and smiled at her. "You look perfect." And she did. I could see why it took them as long as it did. If I didn't know better, I would of thought she'd be marrying the king or the prince. The way that the pale pink gradually darkened into a rose red fitted perfectly with her personality. The silver jewels that studded her waist fit perfectly with her dangling earrings and crystal pendant.
"Really?" She asked, her voice soft. I nodded and walked around her. Her hair had been braided with lemon blossoms. I reached up and felt the soft petals.
"Everything is perfect." She turned and wrapped her arms around me. I paused for a second before returning her hug.
"I'll miss you so much." She whispered. She gave me a tight squeeze before she let me go. Instead just holding my hands.
"We'll miss you too." Dawn looked into my eyes, her bluebell eyes were misty.
"You look so much like her, you know" she started. "I always wanted her to be at my wedding. Her and Father." A light smile spread across her lips. "I wanted a love like theirs. I-I just, I hope that I, I'll get that love, with Francis."
I pulled her back into my arms and held her tightly. "You will, Dawn, if anyone would get a happily after ever, it's you."
"My lady, the duke awaits you." One of the maids said. We broke apart and I nodded at her. Another of the maids went and opened the door. I followed Dawn out.
A least two guards were posted in each hallway. The royal crest hanging from banners were in every other hall. At least if you somehow got into the palace without knowing it, you would know who's palace you were in.
When we reached the entrance to the reception room, I hugged her one last time and wished her luck before going in and looking for my brother. I spotted them in the front room and went over to them. Adam spotted me and nodded at me. I sat down next to him.
I smiled at my brother before looking over the crowd of people. Most of whom were nobles. My gaze settle on the duke, standing and listening to the talk of an elder man I didn't know. Duke Dranconis wore the traditional Suit of Passia. The high collared dark grey jacket had golden ropes of embroidery along the chest and a tail flowed behind him. White trousers covered his legs with black knee high boots.
He had his black-brown hair left down, the straight strands ending around his chin. It looked regal, even though it wasn't pushed back and shiny. My own hair would never sit so still. It would jump at the opportunity to ruin my mood by being unruly and untamed.
Music started to play and I stood, turning my head to watch Dawn walk down with Father at her side. I wonder if he will ever walk me down. Probably not, I despised most of the people I know. Besides, they wouldn't want my red hair in their genes.
Dawn reached Duke Dranconis and Father kissed her cheeks before sitting between Adam and I. She went to stand next to him. They faced the priest together. The priest began the ceremony and started talking. Then he asked if they were both willing, to which they both answered with a yes. He addressed the duke first, asking if he would love and vow to forever to do. He spoke the two words and the priest then addressed Dawn, asking her the same. She replied with 'I will' and they both were handed rings.
The duke took the ring and slipped it on Dawn's finger. Dawn took the other ring and slipped it on his. The priest handed them a pen and they both signed their names on their marriage contract.
The two stared into each other's eyes before the duke pressed his lips to hers. Cheers and cries sounded throughout the room.
We were led into the ballroom, where tables of food awaited, along with servants carrying both more food and drinks. Courtiers walked up to my sister and new brother-in-law. Dawn smiled at their words whilst the duke simply nodded. Once the courtiers left, I walked up to them myself.
"Congratulations, Dawn, Brother." I said, bobbing my head. Dawn smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around me. I stumbled backwards before wrapping my arms around her too.
"Thank you, Kairi." She let go, wrapping her arm around the duke's. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder to see Father, his eyes wrinkling as his smiled. "Father!" Dawn basically jumped into his arms. He laughed , patting her back.
"Congratulations, son." He said. Dawn attached herself back to the duke, who inclined his head.
"It is a honour to be part of your family, father." His voice borderline being monotone.
"Francis, let's dance!" Dawn made a cry of happiness and dragged him off to the dancefloor. Father chuckled as we watched the happy couple dance, though Dawn's constant smiling and laughter had her reflecting more happiness than her husband.
"Your mother loved to dance as well." Father said. "I suppose both you girls got that from her." I turned to look at him, he had that tender smile on his face.
"I would have to guess that is where she gets her talent from." A voice said next to us. We turned to look at the grinning face our of king. I dropped into a curtsy and Father into a bow.
"Your Majesty."
"You must Henry Smith."
"Yes, Your Majesty." King Nickolas hmmed, his eyes taking a playful tint, or as I thought.
"May I have the honour of dancing with your lovely daughter?" Father's eyebrows scrunched up, eyes flying between him and I.
"Uh, yes, um, yes, you may." The king swept elegantly into an over exaggerated bow, his right hand held expectantly in the air. I glanced over at my father before I placed my hand in his. He snapped back to standing and lead me through the crowd and onto the dancefloor.
I placed my left hand on his shoulder and he placed his right on the back of my waist. We twisted and turned to the music, in sync with the other dancing courtiers.
"I must say, you have gotten better, Miss Kailina." The invisible ghost had come back and slapped me again.
"Thank- thank you, Your Majesty." I kept my gaze downcast, watching the way our feet moved together. He lifted his arm up and I spun under it. When I faced him again, he placed his hands on either side of my waist and pushed me up. Once my shoes touched the ground more again, our hands returned to the original position we started in.
"Why must you always look down?" he enquired, his tone playful. "I love those eyes of yours. The way they shine in the candlelight. The beautiful tint they take on in the moonlight is very different from the one in candlelight." There was no way my face could feel this red. Not possible.
His hand went from my waist to my chin. He tilted my face up, forcing our eyes to meet. My face grew warmer as his silver eyes pierced into mine. He smirked, his eyes matching it by seemingly glowing. Was this Lady Eana's influence?
"There, breathtakingly divine as always." The blush on my face grew darker. "You should show them more proudly." His hand went back to my waist, but my head stayed. Our eyes locked on each other. And I couldn't help but think that it wasn't my eyes that were the divine ones.
YOU ARE READING
Roses in Her Blood, Vengeance in His Veins
Fantasy"They were gone, why were they so upset? My left hand suddenly felt heavy. I looked down, and my eyes widened. No. No. No. I throw the bow away from me as if that would save me. It was too late." Kailina Smith's life seems to be getting better with...
