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They swore and scoffed and guffawed as we broke past, my status not enough to excuse what was obviously very bad behavior. My mother’s Catalyst fell into the line of red behind the Requisites as we reached the welcome line, me stepping into the hollow beside Batian, the Boy falling into place right beside me as Aeinya’s father reached the place I was supposed to be.
“And, uh… Princess, Elara,” the caller said in shock as I stepped into place right at the last moment.
Everyone turned at the announcement, faces appearing an array of confused, shocked, overjoyed, and in the case of Mother: furious. I stood there, plastering a smile on my face as I tried desperately to control my breathing, and not look like I had run the length of the Runturin just to put on a pretty dress.
Trying to exhale like a princess, I bowed my head to Aeinya’s father, giving him a small curtsy as I had been trained to do so long ago. Thankfully, for the first time in about as long I didn’t even so much as wobble. He grinned, looking me up and down as he returned the greeting.
By the Goddess! Please don’t let my dress be inside out. With how he was looking at me it was a concern.
Thankfully, everything seemed to be in place.
“Nice to see you up and about, Princess,” he was smug, my title on his lips appearing to burn him. Thankfully, he did not ask for my hand to kiss. I kept them behind my back as I tried to wipe the dirt from them.
I smiled, and batted my eyelashes in a way I hoped was princessy. I didn’t know what was princessy anymore, but I had a feeling if I opened my mouth to talk I would be wrapped in a coughing fit, a real one, with how my lungs were aching.
“I’m glad you made it,” Batian said, his voice kind as he bowed to Aeinya’s mother, his future mother-in-law, the High Lady of Spryv. Her hair was white and grey, the tone stark against the deep brown tone of her skin, all of it set beautifully against the tight fitting red dress she wore. Unlike many in her court she had remained in the style of the desert people. Something which she may have been regretting with how her jaw tightened. She forced a grin, clasping his hand eagerly before darting back into the thin cloak she was trying to find warmth in. They were clearly not used to the cold that was already starting to bite the air.
“We are so happy to be here at last,” her voice was high and airy, her smile wide. Well, it was, until she turned to me, her expression fading to a sneer at the absolute mess of my hair.
“You must be Elara.” The High Lady of Spryv was not happy to see me. I guess the mothers across the realm had something in common. I took a deep breath, my lungs thankfully not burning anymore.
“Yes, my lady, it’s a pleasure.” I was still trying to regulate my breathing as I curtsied and she stepped aside to allow Aeinya’s two younger brothers by. The twins shook hands and bowed as though on cue. They were perfect little Requisites, their Catalysts right behind them. They didn’t appear to be shivering, but they were moving enough they were possibly their own heaters.
All that remained was Aeinya, dressed in the biggest yellow dress I had ever seen. It fit her like a glove, the yellow working with her shimmering blonde hair in a perfect duet. Aeinya had always had grace and style, she was clearly born to the role she was about to take. There wasn’t even a shiver as she swayed her way over.
Her catalyst stood off to the side with her parents’ Catalysts. They had clearly kept them there as a show of strength and connection. I could have sworn the line of red behind us took a step back, as though it was a competition.
Thank the Goddess I had changed my dress. Aeinya was demure and beautiful and perfect; and even in my fancy dress I felt out of place beside her.
“My liege.” Her voice was as silken as her dress, her hand a pale flower as she extended it toward him. He took it, lifting her hand to him and kissing her lightly on the bridge of her knuckles.
“My future bride.”
With that, the week of celebrations leading to the day's long wedding ceremony began. The courtyard erupted in cheers, all of the Lords and Ladies of the court clapping as the people of Turin who had flooded the courtyard waved banners and screamed in excitement.
It probably wasn’t princess-like, but I didn’t care, I clapped and hollered right along with them, which earned me the biggest grin from Aeinya who grabbed my elbows. She probably wouldn’t care if my hands were covered in dirt, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
“Tomorrow. Same place,” she half whispered, my heart soaring at what was about to happen. My brother was marrying my best friend, and the early morning walks in the garden we had adopted so long ago were going to be a real thing. I was going to be a real thing.
Who cared about men canceling contracts if everything else was as it should be.
Aeinya’s brown eyes smiled as she turned back to Batian, every inch of her glowing as they stared at each other as though there was no one else in the world. It was almost enough to make one sick. If, of course, it wasn’t so perfectly beautiful.
I hollered again, only to stop myself when Mother turned my way. Right. I needed to behave if I wanted this to go my way.
Be a Princess, Elara.
“Now, let us eat!” the caller’s voice boomed over the courtyard, the people of Turin still shouting and waving flags even as we all turned and flooded toward the massive stone doors of the Runturin.
The doors were always closed in time of war or when the royal family was away, and open when they were home and in peace. They were meant as a symbol of servitude and availability to the land the Ramal rules. They had been closed for years, since Father’s health had been declining, but today both were thrown wide to allow us entry into the great hall, and into the banquet beyond where I could smell the piles of meats and fruits.
My stomach was already twisting in need. The daily porridge I was given would be a distant memory with this feast.
My skirts swayed as I followed Batian and Aeinya in, Batian standing all tall and proper even as they laughed. They really were the perfect match. Always happy, always smiling.
“Did you really think if you put on yet another of those dresses it would make a difference?” The sneer cut through me like the ice it was. I stiffened, willing my head to stay upright and my face to stay passive as I grabbed my skirts, lifting them as I made my way up the stairs, my mother by my side.
“I was told I was wanted for the events.” I kept my focus ahead, not wanting to look at whatever grimace she was fixing my way that time.
