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I didn’t. Or, rather, I shouldn’t.
“We must try on your dress anyhow.”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. It’s all a joke.”
“Let’s have lunch, then go to the fitting. It will be nice. At least enjoy looking beautiful if you don’t enjoy anything else.”
I grumbled. It was hard to think about my wedding dress when I was so broken. I had spent three weeks licking my wounds. Rick and I were seen together just enough. I hadn’t kissed him since greeting him the night of our banquet. I couldn’t even look at the engagement picture he gave me. That day, he brought it to me along with the tiara his parents bestowed. It was lovely. I couldn’t wait to wear the new diadem with my reception dress but now the idea disgusted me.
“You will get to wear Mamma’s tiara,” Astrid said. “It will look lovely. The little girls don’t understand any of this. They want to see the two of you live out the fairytale. And they are desperate to see you in your dress.”
I sighed. “I guess I can do it for them.”
“Exactly. That’s the spirit! Now, come on.”
She pulled me out of bed, forcing me to put on actual clothing in preparation for our luncheon. Celeste had us come down more often these days. I loathed any day spent with her, but she was more withdrawn than usual. I attributed it to her taking the win. She seemed pleased that Rick and I were in a bad way. She preferred me miserable.
“She wants it to be like this,” I said to Astrid on our way to luncheon.
“Like what?”
“Me and Rick hating one another. She wants me to be so broken?—”
“I know,” my sister said. “I know.”
“So you don’t want me to give her the satisfaction?”
“No, I do not.”
We arrived at the dining room to find Rick seated, having an awkward conversation with our great-uncle Hubert. God, this was going to be the longest week of my life! There was no doubt about that. I tried not to look at him, but it was nearly impossible. I had to sit across from him. I had to look at his strong jaw and his big brown eyes. I must put up with the smile and those goddamn dimples. The situation forced me to endure the look of him this afternoon—his stubble perfectly imperfect. It made him look ruggedandput together. I hated him for it.
“Good afternoon, Alexandra. You’ve been very busy today,” Rick said. “I’ve barely seen you girls.”
“Well, you know how it is,” I said. “Uncle Hubert. How are you?”
“Quite well, thank you. I have been talking to the groom about planning.”
“Ah,” I said.
I was confused about what planning they discussed. The only planning Rick had was a very basic understanding of how the ceremony would go and the parade route. Tomorrow, I would have to play act through the whole thing with him several times. I hope he read the information that Jacques provided.
“You are trying on your dress today?” Rick asked.
“Yes,” I said, confused.
“I read the schedule, Alexandra.”
“Ah.”
He was tryingsohard, but no bother. Nothing he said or did mattered.
“Is Celeste coming to join?” I asked my uncle.
“No, darling girl. She has caught a cold and has taken ill. She met with the Prime Minister this morning and went to bed. Shouted at me to leave her alone when I attempted to bring her tea.”
“She met with the PM?” Astrid asked.
“And Prince Rikard, yes,” Hubert said.
