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“I’m fine.” Maisy tried to smile.
“Hey.” Lily put a hand on her arm. “You finally started talking to me like I’m an adult yesterday. Please don’t start hiding stuff from me again.”
“The truth is, I’m sad.” Maisy shrugged. “I’m heartbroken. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be marrying Niko today.”
“Shouldn’t it?” Lily scooted closer. “Just because you can’t be with Xander doesn’t mean that you should marry a man you don’t love. There might be someone else out there who’s just perfect for you.”
“Xander felt perfect — and look how that turned out. Lots of people are happy in arranged marriages, which this basically is. I just want to do what I have to. Can you help me?”
“Yes.” Lily sat up straighter. “Of course I can. One of the designers dropped off a dress for you this morning. There’s also a breakfast tray in the living room. Do you want to start getting ready?”
“Sure.” Maisy took a deep breath. “Thanks, Lil. Just give me a minute to shower, and we can meet in the living room.”
“Okay. I’ll take a quick shower too.”
Maisy dragged herself through a warm shower. When she looked at her reflection in the mirror afterwards, she hardly recognized herself. She was a little tan from the Kanalean sun and her hair was wet from the shower, but that wasn’t it. Maisy didn’t recognize this woman who had finally experienced love and now was leaving it behind.
Stop being so dramatic. Lily had been right. Just because Maisy couldn’t be with Xander didn’t mean that she wouldn’t find love someday. Maybe she and Niko would eventually fall in love. Or maybe she’d find fulfillment through family and friends and her own children. Maisy was strong. She’d been through worse. It just didn’t feel like it right now.
Breakfast was a somber affair. Both Maisy and Lily tried to make cheery conversation, but it was hard with the heavy truth hanging over them. Maisy was relieved when Lily finished the last sip of her tea and got to her feet.
“Shall we get dressed?”
“Yes.” Maisy paused. “I don’t know if you’re invited to the ceremony, but I’d like you to be there.”
“Thanks.” Lily grinned. “I don’t think I was invited. Everyone’s always trying to keep me in the dark about stuff, but I’m really not all that much younger than you.”
“I know.” Maisy bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better about telling you stuff. And you can tell me things too, you know.”
“I know.” Lily smiled at her. “I always tell you things. You’re my big sister.”
Maisy’s heart warmed. Even on this difficult day, she had her beloved sister with her.
“And you’re my lil sis.”
Lily snorted at the childhood nickname. “You haven’t called me that in ages.”
“Maybe it’s time to bring it back. Now, let’s see about this dress.”
Lily hopped up and headed to a black garment bag that was hanging on the back of the door. She opened the zipper to reveal an off-white dress in a simple style, about knee-length and with capped sleeves.
“It’s not quite as pretty as your first wedding dress, is it?” Lily asked. She tilted her head to the side and looked more closely. “Sorry, was that rude?”
“No, you’re right.” Maisy got to her feet and crossed to Lily and the dress. She tilted her head as well. “It’s looks so… muted.”
“I guess they figured you didn’t need to be all fancy for a secret ceremony.”
“I guess. I mean, I don’t need to wear something fancy, but I feel like this really sets a tone for the marriage.” Maisy winced at her own words. She didn’t want to think about marriage. At least not to Niko.
“You should wear something else.”
“Come on — Mom and Dad would be furious. As would the king and queen. I’ll just wear what they picked out.”
“Maise.” Lily rolled her eyes. “You’re going along with this whole sneaky marriage-slash-annulment, even though it means giving up a man you love, just so that our parents will be happy. You should at least wear something you feel comfortable in.”
“You know what, you might be right.” Maisy zipped the garment bag closed with finality. “I am going to wear something else.”
“Yay!” Lily clapped her hands then grabbed Maisy’s hand. “Let’s go find something nice.”
