“No…” He says, looking as if he is about to slay the both of us then and there.
I freeze. My heart stops. The entire, already silent room, falls even more silent. This is it. This is my short-lived career as a beard. At least Prince Chaker didn’t do me in. My only regret is that I never told the Author that I most likely liked her as something other than ‘just a fan’. Is this the end?
“Father, if it would please you, could you be as kind as to not make my beautiful fiancé lose all color in her face with a joke?” Prince Horus says calmly beside me.
Huh? A joke? A JOKE? The Emperor doesn’t really strike me as someone who makes jokes.
“HAHAHAHAHA” A high laughter escapes the mouth of the purple dressed Sun. Huh. So much for my ‘eye for people’, I guess.
“I am sorry, Son. I just wanted to have a bit of insight in the woman you have chosen to take as a wife. However, I do like how she managed to hold her posture and grace in the face of a one way trip to The Wasteland” He continues, having a great time, while I hardly dare to breathe. I didn’t manage to hold my posture, I just froze from fear and nearly died. AHAHAHAHA, what even is this situation? And I’M NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK. I wanna tell him off. This is no way to treat a daughter-in-law! Or… Actually… He kinda reminds me of my granpa now that I think about it. At least his terrible sense of humor. I did NOT see this sort of personality from the emperor coming… Maybe it’s because everyone talks about him with fear and respect, that I got a wrong image in my head.
“Pardon my little joke” He says, with the entire room bursting out in laughter. Yes. Haha. How fun it is to almost die. I already tried dying once. It isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be!
“I, The Emperor of Mercia, Lyndom Mercia, approves of the union between The Sunshine of Mercia, the first prince, Horus Mercia and Amy Wells, henceforth known as just Lady Amy until the wedding where she will receive the surname of Mercia” His voice suddenly goes serious as he speaks each and every word in a theatrical way, while looking around the room. Now, this is more emperor-like. AND WOW, WHY AM I LOSING MY SURNAME WHEN I’M NOT MARRIED YET?
Everyone in the room, who was still bowing and curtsying, finally got up at once. The music started playing and everyone started dancing.
“This is your cue to change dress Lady Amy. You are now allowed to wear purple” Prince Horus whispers to me, still holding my hand. He calls one of my maids forth, whispers something to her, and then she comes and takes me along to my room.
Here I’m forced into another uncomfortable dress. But I must say, it is beautiful. The purple nuances stand out between the blue and the pink. It is a bit too much, and in no way simple, but this is my life now.
The maids decide to change my hair as well since my current hairdo ‘doesn’t go with the new dress’. ROYALTY. NOBLES. WHY. How can HAIR not go with a DRESS?
Anyway, we get me fixed up in a rush, as I’m surrounded by people who pull and twist me in directions I didn’t think I could go.
When I finally get to look at myself in the mirror I’m reminded of the first day I got here. This is a more beautiful version of me indeed… How far I’ve come since waking up here…
The maids rush me down the hall to the big door once again, only this time I’m alone.
“Wait here, My Lady” one of them says and rush inside. Not long after Prince Horus comes out.
“You look very lovely today, my dear Fiancé” He says, scanning me. I know full well he is scanning for something I did wrong, even though I didn’t do anything.
“Save it for when we’re in front of the Emperor” I say, teasingly. Somehow I feel like that little comment of his snapped me back to my usual self.
The doors open once again and we walk in, once again with everyone staring at us.
Huh? Where is Prince Chaker? I look around, but can’t find him. I mean, I dislike when I can see him, but at least then, I KNOW WHERE HE IS. Not seeing him is so much worse.
My hand instantly goes down to the little pouch I got from Lady Fleur, and secure it is still there.
“Head straight” Prince Horus whispers as he leans a bit towards me while pulling a bit in my arm.
Right. Head straight. Head, high. Back, straight. Escort, gay.
I do as I’m told. The Emperor is waiting on us. As we get closer he stands up from his throne again.
We stand in front of him, then change position and look at each other. The Emperor holds a hand on each of our shoulders and looks up and out into the room. The music cuts.
“The Sun will shine brightly on this union” He says, after which, silence ensues. Then, applause.
Huh? Was that that? He couldn’t have said that before? Why did I have to change clothes and hair first? IT WAS ONE SINGLE SENTENCE.
Prince Horus makes sign for me to turn around and face the crowd. With a forced smile I do as I’m told, and we wave. Wow. If this is just the engagement, I want to cancel the wedding. I can’t be here all idol-like. Oh! CAKE! My smile turns genuine as I wave at the cake. Hey there cake, don’t worry, I’ll come eat you right away!
After a bit of waving Prince Horus comes closer. And closer.
AND WHAT IS HE DOING?
Then he kisses me on the forehead. OH RIGHT! I was told this. It’s like the sun shining on a flower. It’s tradition to do in the royal family, when you get engaged. SO MANY DAMN TRADITIONS. How can A CHILDRENS BOOK make this much lore around it??
He then holds my hand even harder as we turn back towards the emperor to face him directly again.
“It is not only a betrothal we are celebrating today” The Emperor says, raising his voice even louder so it hits every wall in the room. Which hurts my ears, as I stand right beside him.
“It is also the 18th birthday of Lady Amy” He continues, talking louder than the applause that is happening. HE KNEW TOO?? I curtsy in front of him, turn around, and curtsy before the crowd. HA HAA! I knew what to do! When I’m somehow spoken about, this is what I should do in front of the emperor. Still not being allowed to say anything, though.
“As well as the official declaration of Prince Horus as The Crown Prince!” He finishes. I’M SORRY, SAY WHAT?
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