Denmark's Final Arranged Marriage

Chapter Twenty- Eight -Pastries

Swimming had definitely been one of Shannon's brightest ideas yet and something that had really helped me to relax not only my body but my mind. Not to mention Carson could barely keep his hands off me the whole time as he found excuses to hold me here and there; not that he needed them. He did, after all, have my full consent.

The Royal ball was now less than twenty-four hours away and I was a disaster. I hadn't seen Carson all day with him leaving me a note saying Shaw had called and he'd gone to help him with something.

I'll admit I had gotten used to waking up beside him these last few months and it felt strange not having a familiar chest there to receive me as I rolled into it but instead a slightly warm but still empty side of the bed.

Shannon was currently going over everything we would be needing tomorrow from shoes to jewelry and apparently, she was having her stylist come here to do our makeup. I personally could not wait for this to be over I mean I could hardly remember a time when my life didn't revolve around gowns and guests and just so much of things I would normally never care for.

"Well because Gina's dress is the only one with an appropriate neckline for a necklace I believe you should be the one to wear these," said Shannon as she pulled out a large black velvet box with golden trim and clasp.

Gina just stared at the box as if afraid to even touch it but eventually did and the moment she lifted the top half of the box up you could visibly see her breath caught in her throat. She had gone still and only looked from the necklace to Shannon and vice-versa.

"Holy shit balls, Krog! This thing could sink the Titanic" she traced the contents of the box with her fingers before looking back up, "You know, again" she laughed.

"Well, now I'm curious" Tesla grinned as she glanced over, Gina's shoulder only to nearly go cross-eyed.

Shannon only laughed before handing Tess a small blue velvet box, "Those are for you since I have a pair that are nearly identical and there is truly no need for doubles." She smiled before turning back to Gina, "As much as I wish I could give you those, they are actually on loan from a private jewelry maker. He goes by the name, Viggo Mortensen and has a large collection of hand-crafted jewelry with each and every one of his pieces being one of a kind. He asked if I would wear this piece to the Royal Ball, but I told him it wouldn't match my dress but assured him I had someone who it would suit perfectly."

"So, he just lent it to you, just like that?" asked Gina as she looked at Shannon with an odd look.

Shannon only nodded with a shrug while my friends just stared at her as if she had suddenly grown a second head.

Shannon had left sometime after lunch and said she would not be back until tomorrow in time for the ball. Something about having to get ready at home and making an appearance but promised she would be early and send her stylist ahead.

Tesla had convinced us to spend the day getting pampered trying out several natural beauty treatments she had picked up online. I was pretty much down for anything that did not sound like it would set my skin on fire, Gina, however, took a lot more convincing and repeatedly warned, Tess not to dare touch her face with Turmeric. Something about not having a fetish for Oompa-Loompas?

Tess was just about to start on my mask when a knock came to the door and Sinclair stepped in stating that his Majesty King Nikolai had called for my presence.

The idea of heading into Nikolai's office alone was unsettling I mean it wasn't like it was my first time there or anything but every time before had been with Carson and normally I knew the reason for my summoning but now; I was in the dark.