Charmed

Chapter Twenty One

"Gwen, stay still," Claude mumbled as she dabbed at my eyes with a sharp stick of wood.

"It hurts," I complained.

"Well, if you stop moving, it'll hurt less."

I chuckled at her sternness. Claude was determined for me to look perfect, and I didn't blame her. I wanted to look perfect, too. It was my wedding day, after all.

Vivian was preparing to help me get dressed as Claude put the finishing touches to my makeup. I had agreed to wear makeup today simply because it was a special occasion, just like I had agreed to it last week at my coronation. 

"Do you not find it odd, your grace?" Vivian asked as she took my hand, helping me into the skirts.

"What's that?" I replied. My hair was bouncing around my chest in thick curls, and I had to admit that Claude had done a very good job on my face. While it looked natural, it highlighted my brown eyes and made my face glow.

"Having your wedding so soon after your coronation?" Vivian began lacing up my corset for me.

I bit my lip, thinking of a response. The coronation had happened very suddenly after the Elders had appeared and told Darius that we could not be married unless I was officially the Queen of Glydale. Even though Darius was choosing to marry me and had fought his mother on the decision, there were some rules he seemed unable to change.

Darius had been fuming at the situation, saying how he didn't have the time to prepare a fancy coronation that I deserved so soon before the set wedding date. Joyce and Claude had scrambled to find decorations and a dress for me, but I wasn't all that bothered. While I appreciated the effort everyone had put into the day, I would have happily been crowned in one of my usual ball gowns with just Darius, Claude, Joyce and Lisa in attendance. I was fairly sure Claude had had to refrain from slapping me after I'd told her that.

"I don't think so," I said to Vivian. "My coronation happened so fast that it seems like a blur. I've been so excited for the wedding, letting it all build up for it to finally be released." A sharp knock at the chamber door silenced us all. "Come in."

Joyce pushed the door open, revealing her grinning face. She was wearing a beige dress that complimented her body beautifully. Her hair was twirled into a bun at the back of her head. Like me, she had gone for the natural makeup look.

"Oh, Gwen," she sighed, taking my hands and kissing me cheeks. "Darius is a very lucky man."

"Mother, careful!" Claude snapped as I flushed at Joyce's comment. "I've just finished her makeup."

"Sorry, sorry," Joyce mumbled, pulling back and winking at me. "You look stunning."

"You really do, your majesty," Vivian agreed as she shimmied my dress up over my body. 

I smiled broadly at the three of them. "Thank you, for everything."

Claude beamed. "It's our pleasure."

Her hair was down like mine, but it was poker straight and fell to her hips. Her green eyes practically shone beneath her makeup, and her red gown looked gorgeous against her pale skin. She had been by my side all day, making sure that everything was perfect. I hadn't seen Darius since yesterday afternoon - he'd gone to sleep in his old chambers, believing the tradition that the groom shouldn't see the bride until they're walking down the aisle. 

"Darius is very excited," Joyce said, almost as if she was reading my mind.

"I miss him," I pouted childishly. "It's silly, but I do."

"That's expected," Joyce said, her tone understanding. "You've barely spent one day apart in the entire time you've known one another."

"Is the great hall ready?" Claude asked her mother.