Alexia fidgeted uncomfortably, her fingers tugging impatiently at the too tight stays of her corset. She was awaiting the dressmaker and had sent a fussing Lucy down to get her.
In truth she wanted to avoid getting her hair pinned up as long as possible. Lucy was tight with her stays but her pins were killer pains. She didn’t think her poor scalp could take them for long.
Suzette hadn’t gone very far. Only down to fetch her basket of essentials from the wagon. There were a few last minute touches needed to her dress.
The heavy brocade velvet was lined with soft silk. The whole of the gown was overlaid with heavy golden lace, giving it a golden glow and small diamonds interspersed through out the design caused it to shine in the candlelight.
The dress was magnificent and heavy.
It was so heavy and cumbersome that she would need both Lucy and Suzette’s assistance to put it on, so she waited now for their return.
She sighed loudly then winced as the corset restricted the movement.
“Now don’t go busting out of your stays.” Lucy said as she entered the room, a heavily pregnant Suzette waddling in after her.
Alexia smiled in relief as they began fussing over her dress.
Standing she watched them expectantly. After a moment, seeing as they seemed to be ignoring her she cleared her throat and asked. “Well…is it time now?”
They both stopped what they were doing and glancing first at each other then her, they grinned. “Aye milady it is.” Suzette said.
Alexia nodded and her smile faltered a bit. “I am ready…I think,” she said.
She took a step toward them, her face paling suddenly. They both caught her before she fell.
———————————————————————–
Dimitri paced the small antechamber of the private chapel. In a short while he and Alexia would be wed and soon after that they’d be crowned the new King and Queen of Cornwall.
He started to run a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he’d picked up, when he caught the look of mirth in his best friends face.
Lewen could barely contain his merriment at the sight of his usually coolheaded friend all a flutter with nervousness. All over a Simple matter of marriage.
Before he could get in a few good ribs the door opened up admitting Corrine and Suzette.
Dimitri barely glanced at the seamstress, only noting that her hugely distended belly seemed to precede her into the room. Instead he focused his attention on Corrine and felt his nervousness lessen at her reassuring smile. “You’ll do fine,” she whispered for his ears only as she flicked an imaginary spec from his tunic, her hands smoothing the heavy golden brocade over his shoulders.
“But what if I’m not a good husband?” his eyes searched hers looking for the comfort she’d always been there to give him as a child when he awoke from fire filled nightmares.
Smiling into his eyes her own filled with happy pride tears she said, “You will be a wonderful husband and a great King.”
The love shimmering in her eyes spilled over and he pulled her into a tight hug. All she said was said out of love but he believed her. Her belief in him was all that he needed to make him be the man she raised him to be.
They’re brief moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Lewen, who until now had sat unobtrusively in a corner of the room, was eager to escape the emotions and jumped up to answer the door.
“Yes, what is it?” He peered through the portal at the handsome young monk standing there.
Brother Donovan stood just inside the portal and nodded in greeting to all. “Father Parish is ready to begin. He asks that you take your places.” His soft-spoken voice was barely heard above the chatter coming from the filled chapel. All the nobility had been invited and from the sounds of it, they’d all accepted and arrived.
Lewen nodded and glanced sideways over at Dimitri who was being inspected by the seamstress. Satisfied he was in no need of her she stepped back and he exited the room Lewen close on his heels.
