It's my wedding and coronation day.

I am bathed with the finest soaps and made up. Dressed in my wedding gown, I gawk in awe at the mirror observing the strange girl staring back at me.

My mom should be here whispering word of encouragement and advice. My dad should be kissing my forehead and my brother should be teasing me. Instead, I am alone.

I channel my loneliness and anger to my shoes. The heels are killing me. I want to scream and jump out the window like Thor. But a promise is a promise. For the family. The maids come in.

"It is time."

It is okay to be nervous on your wedding day but not when over a million people are watching your every move over the lens of a reporter's camera.

For the family. I chant in my head over and over, wearing a small smile.

Bouquet in hand, I step into the hall where the joining is to take place. It is glowing. The sun lights penetrates the windows casting a warm glow. Royalties and ambassadors from other countries are present, giving warm smiles and appearing majestic.

There should be a bridal chorus. After a terrifyingly long pause, the song began to play.

I slowly approached the dais just as the queen taught me. Ahead, Nolan stood in a fitted white suit which had golden stripes on the wrist and shoulders. The buttons were also made of gold. Hmm, he looked good. That, I've got to admit.

This is going to take forever with the way I'm walking but the queen's unwavering eyes has me poised the way I was taught.

I see my family and feel the urge to ditch it all and run to them. I almost cry but I am already at the dais. I climb the stairs and bow to the priest, turn to Nolan and bow again.

When I raise my head, his blue eyes has me transfixed. They were so blue, it took a while to notice the green in them. I could spend hours painting them. The suit brought out the color of his unusual eyes.

How could I not have noticed?  Henry had those blue eyes in them. Those eyes that had me almost peeing my panties the first day we met.

They all had blue eyes, the dowager, Nolan and Henry. Bet the king has the unusual eye colour too but the queens' was a different shade. Lighter. You might say.

It is quiet. Why is it quiet? I look around and notice everyone is watching me as though waiting for me to speak. Oh, it's time for my speech.

" I, Anna Bill, hereby swear my loyalty and honor to this kingdom and my husband. In truth and in grace. In the good and bad times. Sickness and health. Till death do us part."

There. Now I can flush it from my brain. We exchange rings. Glad we aren't to kiss. It's going to go awry.

It is done. I am married to him.

The king and queen step up and stand before me. I kneel.

"You are hereby crowned Crown Princess of Lilaria" A tiara was placed in my head and a sword placed from shoulder to shoulder.

Cheers ring out from all the people seated. The audience rise from their seats. I turn and see my dad crying and applauding, my mum smiling and my brother also smiling hands in a pockets.  I almost laugh. Who made him wear a suit? His unruly hair contradicts the purpose of his attire.

Nolan takes my hand in his and lead me out where the reporters were waiting. To be honest, I couldn't see where I was walking with so many lightbulbs. If it wasn't for crown Prince dearie  here with his strong grip, I'd have tripped and fallen flat on my face.

I wear a smile so as not to wince. When is all this going to be over?
We stroll to the royal gardens where tables and chairs are set. Maids dressed in their finest stand beside each table, heads in a meek bow.

Bowls of freshly cut fruits, plates of multicolored mini cakes, a punch fountain, French bread along with assorted bagels and many other refreshments splay across the table. Every other meals are continental. The sight almost made me cry for joy.

"Anna." My dad call from behind me. I turn and see him with my mom and brother.

"Dad." All four of us hug.

"You look so beautiful, my little princess." Mum says, holding my face in her hands.

"What have they been doing to you? You have lost weight. Did they starve you?" Vic says, his arms across his chest.

"Always ready to dish a snarky comment, aren't ya?" I say frowning though happy to hear it.

"That's me." he smirks with a shrug.

"I missed you."

"I didn't."

"Ha ha, very true." I hug him.

"Anna." A small tap on shoulder makes me break our hug. It is the Dowager. She looks absolutely elegant in her purple dress with flowery imprints on the bottom of the dress. Her gray hair is a bound in a loose bun. Her ever present smile makes her eyes shine and wrinkles disappear. It makes me wonder if she never worried about anything. Of course she never had to. She's a Dowager.

"Today is a very good day, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is, Your Majesty." We all say at the same time. She nods and looks over at my dad.

"Thomas, may I steal you away?"

"You may, your majesty."

I watch them walk away. I wonder what she wants to talk to him about. So far I've been a very good girl. Supposing you minus the times I'd cussed.

Royals from other countries engage me in conversations that did not really make much sense.

"I love your wedding dress." A duchess greets.

"Thank you," I reply with a nod.

"Oh my God! Did you see the McCoy? Someone needs to tell them it's not a fashion show but a wedding," says another rich lady whose title I don't even remember. She is amongst the others who had introduced themselves to me.

"Crown Princess Anna, do you mind I call you Anna?" Another asks. She didn't even wait to hear what I had to say and shot me a question,"What do you think of that woman's dress?"

She is referring to a tanned  woman in pastel yellow dress and purple flowery hat. I had no doubt this was some kind of test to see if I was worth hanging around.

"Wow, it's really bright." I answer not totally sure myself.

"I know right? That's just tote bad especially with her skin colour."

I only nod, dumb. What the hell is wrong with these women?

My legs hurt anyway. I look around for a place to sit. I swear I'd throw these shoes away if I could. "I would love to continue to chat but excuse me." I disengage myself from them.

"Sure. Hope to see you around, Anna."

I certainly hope I don't meet you ever again.

I sit in a chair far away from the gathering sighing in relief.

A shadow stood over me blocking off the sun. I look up to see Henry in a royal blue suit.

"Uh, hey." I stand up abruptly

"You look- beautiful." He smiles.

I blush and stutter, "Um... I- uh, I- I mean.. you look beautiful too. I mean amazing."

He chuckles and puts his hands in his pocket. "This is quite awkward."

"You're one to talk. Seeing you in a suit is very strange."

"You're the one in a wedding dress."

"Mhmm and the heels are killing me. I wanna yell bloody murder."

He laughs, holding my hands in his and leans in.

"Your highness." I hear someone say. I pull my hands from his. Mara, my instructor, had a very stern look on her face.

"Hi, Mara."

"Come with me, Your Highness,"
She takes me away by the arm from Henry. "You need to be careful, Your Highness. People watch whatever you do and will take any opportunity to get rid of you. You don't want to be involved in a scandal. Not after just getting married."

"I'm sorry." I bow my head ashamed of myself. She's right. I could not be with Henry no matter how I want to be with him.

"We're here, Your Highness."

Before us stood a contemporary styled home. Roses trailed the stairs, garlands were worn round the handrails. I gulp, stunned at the beauty.

"Where are we?"

"The crown Prince's house where you shall now live in."

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