Three weeks have passed as we prepared for my wedding from the decorations to dress fittings and getting more etiquette lessons including wedding related lessons. As I’m sitting in my room with my tutor, she begins explaining how things will work on the wedding night and I get a bit embarrassed and terrified. Thankfully, a knock sounded on my door and Evander called out “Margaret, it’s time to greet the royals from Mournside.” Taking a deep breath, I requested “will you excuse me madame Velora.”

“Yes of course, my lady. We wouldn’t want to keep your future family waiting” she smiled gesturing towards the door. Getting up, I tried not to show how badly I wanted out of there as I opened the door and stepped through. Once it was closed with me on the other side, I took Evanders’ arm and as we started walking whispered “thank you, thank you, thank you. Your timing was impeccable. You have no idea how badly I wanted out of there.”

“Was your lesson really that bad?” he chuckled.

“Lessons on wedding night etiquette, so I’d say yes, yes it really was that bad” I whispered back turning his chuckle into full blown laughter before he managed to pull himself together enough to chuckle out “I can see how that would make you want to get out of there.” Still chuckling as we rounded the corner, I caught sight of a beautiful boy around my age with short caramel brown hair and grey eyes that shown with anger when they met mine. Whispering to Evander, I observed “I don’t think this marriage is the saving grace I’d hoped for.”

“Why’s that dear sister?” he asked just as quietly.

“Because assuming that is my groom to be, he looks incredibly angry about this” I worried still watching him. Pulling me to a stop, he reached up and turned my chin to look at him as he contended “don’t assume it’s the wedding he’s angry about sweet sister. For all we know, he’s angry about something one of his family did. So, just relax and try to make a good impression on your new family. And who knows, maybe they’ll surprise you.” Swallowing the tears that were threatening to fall, I nodded and took a deep breath to calm myself before we turned to go greet them with the rest of the family. Once everyone was gathered in the throne room, I took my seat next to mother while the boys all stood around the throne as the Mournside royals were shown in. As mother got up to greet them, she cheerfully greeted “welcome, welcome king Victor. It is an honor to have you here in our kingdom and to celebrate the alliance between our two kingdoms with the marriage of our children.” Taking her extended hand, the king greeted “thank you Queen Miradith, we greatly look forward to our future friendship.”

“Let me introduce you to my children” mother requested turning to gesture at each of us as she named us.

“This is my eldest Octavius, then Evander, Cristian, Raynald, Andronicus, Orthos, and my daughter Margaret” mother explained as each of the boys bowed while I simply bowed my head.

“And this is my queen, Andrea, my daughters Victoria and Rosaline, and my sons Franklin and Mikail” the king introduced as his children followed a similar protocol as we had.

“Octavius, why don’t you show them to their rooms so that they may freshen up before dinner is served” mother suggested. Nodding, he smiled “it would be my honor. If you’d all follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms.” As they turned to leave, I caught sight of Mikail watching me closely like he was trying to decide whether or not I was worth his time or not sending a shiver up my spine. Swallowing hard, I waited until they’d left before excusing myself to go for a walk in the garden to try to calm myself before having dinner with my new family.

As I walked through the garden, my hair that I’d left down today blew in the breeze. Pausing to tuck it behind my ear, I caught someone watching me from one of the balconies above me. Glancing up, I saw it was Prince Mikail just before he turned and went back inside. Sighing, I mumbled “I hope he doesn’t get angry when he learns the truth of me. I really don’t want to be stuck in a marriage with someone who hates me or worse, I don’t want to die.”