Romani Prince

Chapter 38: Romani Princess

I look in the mirror, barely recognizing myself.

The dress is exquisite and the headpiece is something out of a dream.

When we visited Raul's clan, a few days ago, the women brought me their wedding dresses so I could choose one to update it to my taste and make it mine.

Initially, I refused. They were part of a very special memory of their own. How could I take that away? But they all insisted that it would be an honor to see their dress used by a princess and that it would bless our union.

It was sweet. They were so excited. How could I say no?

The dresses I was presented with were the most traditional ones. Each looking like something out of a fairytale. All beautiful in their own special way.

And then, I noticed Raul's very old and fragile grandmother watching me from the corner of the room.

On her lap, a gorgeous princess style dress with the bodice and sleeves embroidered in gold.

Her eyes shone bright when I crouched in front of her and touched the soft Dupiani silk. Her tiny and cool hand cupped my face.

"Me recuerdas a mi hija." She said very softly that I remind her of her daughter, talking about Raul's mother that passed many years ago.

So, I sat by her side and listened to her love story, because she and her husband were truly in love, unlike most of the others in the room.

My decision was easy.

"Ohmygod... You look straight out of a renaissance painting."

With her hands crossed over her heart, Mina's doe's eyes take me all in while her mother hovers around me.

There are pins and needles everywhere for the last adjustment.

"It makes it all seem even more surreal, doesn't it?" I touch the intrinsic bodice with trembling fingers.

"You look absolutely stunning, Gaby. A timeless beauty." Camille takes loads of pictures and then, she and Mrs. Kostic step out of the room.

With my eyes as wide as saucer plates, I grab Mina's hands.

"What am I doing, Mina?"

Mina and I sit down on the bed.

"Breathe, Gaby. Just breathe."

In and out... And in and out.

I automatically close my eyes when I get a painful flashback: Sitting on the cold floor of a hospital far from here, trying to control my breathing...

Two very different situations.

"Do you love Luka?" Mina brings me back to the present.

With a smile on my lips, I can easily picture Luka's face in front of me and my heart overflows with love.

"So much that I can't stand being away from him for long." I reopen my eyes. "I'm so caught up in him that I'm afraid I may be addicted!"

Mina giggles, arranging my hair in front of the headpiece.

"You two are so disgustingly in love with each other that it's almost unbearable to be around you."

"Is that... normal among the Romani? Love like this?"

Mina's demeanor changes instantly.

"Not really... Most of the time, marriages are arranged by the families. The men have the right to refuse the bride and choose another. They do marry very young, sometimes even from sixteen to eighteen-years-old."