Ever After

one | recap

((Following is Chapters 33 and 34 from The Crown. I am putting this in as a recap, a refresher, before you read my version of the events that follow. Everything in this chapter is Kiera Cass'.)) 

Chapter 33, The Crown

The studio had been given a makeover. While discussing my engagement in front of an audience of friends, family, and staff members as I was broadcast live across the country wasn't exactly the level of intimacy I'd been aiming for, sometimes a girl just has to take what she can get.

I searched the room, looking for Mom and Dad. I needed to see them, to see their smiles at my choice. If they were happy and calm, then I could be, too. But they weren't here yet. Kaden, however, was.

I watched from the door, seeing him stare across the room as if he'd been slightly bewitched. He spooked a little when I came up next to him.

"You okay?"

He cleared his throat and looked down at his feet, blushing. "Yeah, everything's great. Just hanging out."

I followed his gaze to see if I could figure out what he'd been looking at, and it instantly became all too clear. Josie had given up on elaborate hairstyles and excessive jewelry. She'd abandoned heavy makeup and showy gowns. Looking at her now- hair slightly curled, the hint of gloss on her lips, and an age-appropriate blue dress- it seemed she was finally stepping into her shoes instead of mine.

"Josie's really pretty tonight," I commented.

"Oh? I hadn't noticed. But now that you mention it, yeah, she looks really nice."

Miss Marlee, seeming breezy and peaceful, said something to Mr. Carter, and Josie laughed, the sound a little too loud for my ears but pretty nonetheless. 

"Since you're not on camera for the show, maybe you should go sit with her. It looks like she's got an open seat." I peeked down at Kaden, watching a little smile twitch onto his face before he covered it back up again.

"I suppose. I mean, I don't really have plans to sit with anyone else."

He walked over to her, straightening his suit the whole way, and I found myself dying to know how that would unfold.

"Eadlyn."

I turned to Mom's voice, happy to see her coming over with open arms.

"How are you feeling?"

"Totally wonderful and not at all terrified," I joked.

"Don't worry. Henri's a good choice. An unlikely once, but very good still."

I peeked to the back of the room where Eikko was straightening Henri's tie, and they spoke back in forth, their lips a jumble of shapes I couldn't read.

"What's funny, though, is there's nothing to be jealous about."

I looked up at Mom, confused. "Jealous?"

"Earlier today when you were speaking to Marlee, you said you were jealous of what she did for love."

"Did I say that?" I swallowed.

"You did. And I wonder why you'd be jealous of someone suffering to get to the persons she loves when it seems like a very sweet boy is waltzing right into your arms."

I froze. How could I spin this around?

"Maybe a better word would have been admire. It's a very brave thing she did."

Mom rolled her eyes. "If you want to lie to me, that's fine, but I suggest you stop doing it to yourself before you find you're in a position you can't get out of."