Tower of Thorns

Chapter 10

Mila's POV

I woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly awake. Eve wanted to get dressed in her room with Kristy. I wasn't going to object since I wanted to ask Eve to do my hair. I grabbed my dress, shoes, and makeup bag before locking my room door.

"About time," Eve complained when she opened her door. "Kristy's hair is almost done. Get started on your makeup while I finish her hair."

I playfully saluted her and she just rolled her eyes at me. At least Kristy laughed at my joke. I set my stuff down at Eve's makeup table and got started. First, I did a simple layer of foundation. Next, I put on some eyeshadow, neutral towards the front of the eye, and a deep burgundy blended towards the back. After that, I curled my eyelashes and put on mascara and eyeliner. For a final touch, I put on a soft pink lipstick.

By the time I was done, Eve was ready for me. Kristy and I traded spots and Eve worked her magic. I couldn't tell what she was going but when she was finished my hair was in a braided low bun. She left a few tendrils of hair out to frame my face. Then it was time to get in our dresses. My dress was a strapless maroon-colored dress that flowed at the bottom. I paired it with gold strappy heels.

Eve got dressed in a one-shoulder baby blue dress with silver accents to mimic snowflakes. The back of her dress had a sheer layer in between two silver pieces. She wore silver heels and her snowflake earrings. Eve styled her hair with her mother in mind. She had a side bun with a royal blue ribbon throughout the bun. Kristy got dressed in an emerald green dress that had matching flowers decorating the bottom half. Eve had styled Kristy's hair to pay tribute to her mother. Kristy had two braids, one starting from each temple, that met in the back. The rest of her hair was slightly curled in something Eve called beach waves.

An hour before the official ceremony was the traditional parade. Ben met me in front of the school, near the carriages. He was wearing a traditional blue and gold suit.

"You look handsome," I said as I walked over to him.

He turned around and looked at me. From his expression, I could guess he was speechless. "You look... stunning," Ben finally said after staring for a few moments.

"It's all Eve's handiwork."

He walked over to grab my hand and gave me a small kiss on the cheek. "Stunning," was all he said before helping me into the carriage.

The horses soon began moving and my fingers began to fidget.

"Don't be nervous," Ben said after taking my hand, preventing them from fidgeting even worse. "All you have to do is sit there and look beautiful. No problem there."

"It's not that. It's all the stares. I've never been good with a ton of attention. Besides, you have an important speech to give. Which you'll be great at."

We shared a small laugh remembering his endless rehearsing. "Mila, would you wear my ring?" Ben asked, pulling his beast ring off his finger.

"I'd be honored." Ben gently put the ring on my right index finger.

Before we could continue we arrived at the church. An attendant helped me exit the carriage and I waited patiently for Ben. Together we walked up the stairs hand in hand. When we got to the top I bowed to the King and Queen.

"About the other day, I just..." I started explaining myself.

"I told Ben this wasn't going to be easy," the King interrupted me.

"You also taught me that a king has to believe in himself," Ben said. "Even when it isn't easy."

"I did?" The King asked before the Queen gently slapped his arm. "I... How very wise of me."