Ariadne's POV

It was the busiest that the castle had ever been. Maids were rushing to and from every room in the castle. 

The older half of my sisters were trying to help but were instead getting in the way or moving things so that the maids couldn't find them. 

I glanced over at Harriet. She looked like she might explode if one more person asked her where to place a flower pot or what they should be doing.

Meanwhile, I was strapped to a wicked device that tightened the smallest corset I had ever seen in my life.

On any other day, I would have dared ask Harriet if I could wear my normal corset - the one that Mr. Eli had fit the coronation gown to, but looking at her now, I decided it would be a death sentence. She didn't care if it was my coronation day or not.

I stayed silent.

The coronation would take place today, with the celebration ball immediately following where I would have to dance every dance. I already had half of my dance card filled from the gentlemen who had come to call on me within the past month since the announcement of the ball. Tomorrow was the wedding, with another ball that night. 

My only relief from all the stress would be tomorrow night. 

I was only required to dance at least the first dance with him, and then we could do as we pleased. Some ladies loved dancing as much as possible on their wedding night, but I had a feeling that I would be exhausted. Tomorrow night seemed years away. 

Prince Wilson is going to be my husband!

That word sounded strange to my lips. Husband. 

It sounded so strange and foreign to me. I, of course, had always wanted one, but I never imagined it would be so soon. Even though many women were already married by my age, especially the wealthy. And I had always called him, well, Prince Wilson. But after our marriage, he would no longer be a prince, but a king.

What am I to call him now?  He called me my dear, perhaps I could come up with some cute nickname for him.

Almost as if on cue, Prince Wilson approached and kissed my cheek. "Hello, my dear."

"Hello... Pumpkin."

Pumpkin? Out of all the names that I could possibly think of, why that one?

He chuckled. "I hope that you like pumpkins. If you called me that because I looked like a pumpkin, then I might question your choice of a husband."

I laughed and then held my stomach. "Sorry, this awful thing makes it hurt to laugh."

He examined the tiny corset around my waist. "That looks like it's meant for a child, not a full-grown woman."

I nodded. Finally, someone understood! Then a realization hit me and I felt very exposed all of the sudden. "You aren't supposed to be in here!"

He chuckled. "I didn't come in here on purpose. I was running away from Harriet who was trying to have me wear something terrible, but now that I see you I don't feel so singled out in torture devices."

I glared at him, but couldn't keep the look on my face for long.

"What are you doing here!" Harriet's voice rang through the packed room. "It's not proper! Out! Out! I told you to get into your clothes ages ago! Out!"

With that, Wilson ran away with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Grace! Help your future Queen! If she isn't ready to put the dress on in 2 minutes then I will hold you personally responsible!" Without seeing if Grace would respond, Harriet turned on her heels to go yell at another poor soul. But Grace arrived a few seconds later.

"I'm sorry in advance, your highness," Grace said as she tightened the deathtrap around my waist until I felt I really would suffocate from it.

"Just one more time, your highness."

"I... don't think... I can." I gasped.

She either didn't hear or she didn't care because she tightened it a little bit more before releasing me.

I held my stomach with one hand and leaned against the wall on my other. "How necessary is this?"

"Harriet said so your highness."

I nodded before waddling down from the platform and over to the beautiful dress Mr. Eli had made for my coronation. He had absolutely outdone himself this time.

The dress had beautiful layers of blue and gold skirts, the colors of our kingdom's coat of arms. The top was the same deep blue, with the coat of arms hidden inside an intricate design made with gold thread.

I didn't have much time to admire it though, as maids surrounded me and rushed me from place to place. There wouldn't be a moment of rest until tomorrow was over.

** ** **

The priest read the coronation promises, which I heard hundreds of times in the past two weeks, but I paid no attention. I couldn't seem to focus, my mind was hazy and confused. I could not believe this was already happening. Was I ready to be Queen of a whole Kingdom? And part of a council for the 5 rulers of the 12th Realm? And where was Peter? I know we didn't leave on the best of terms, but he had always supported me in everything before and I had assumed today would be no different. That is, I had assumed until an hour before the coronation when the fear started forming in my gut. It appeared to have become a reality.

You didn't know that conversation would make you lose him forever.

I shut that thought down. I should have known.

Then Prince Wilson's words came to mind. Any man who can stay angry at you doesn't deserve your concern.

Maybe he doesn't deserve it based on that moment. But there have been plenty of other times where he has proven himself a man worthy of my concern. If it wasn't for this coronation, I would go search him out myself.

Even if he doesn't want to see you again?

My heart dropped, and I forced all thoughts away and focused my attention back on the priest before my wandering thoughts led me to trouble.

He was only halfway through all of the promises I would make as I became Glendowin's Queen.

"-You also promise to take your people's burdens upon yourself and help them in whatever way is deemed necessary by the laws prefabricated for and by all Queen's and King's to follow until the day you die. You will show mercy and justice to all who are willing to come before thee."

How many of these promises did the King's and Queen's remember years after their own coronation? I grimaced. I hoped that I would be able to be a good queen. Not just to the upper classes, but the lower ones as well. I thought of Simeon and what his outburst had shown me. Even if I hadn't been able to help him when he thought I would.

"Do you, Crown Princess Ariadne Cardwell of Glendowin, promise to keep and perform to the best of your ability, keeping all the promises laid before you today and all that may come forward in the future. Promise to protect," a guard handed me a sword that I placed in the sheath around my waist. "Be just in all your doings," the scepter was placed in my right hand. "Provide for all of your subjects," the orb was placed in my left hand and I turned slowly to face said subjects. "Being a ruler worthy of the crown." The crown was then placed gently on my head, a perfect fit.

"I promise to abide by all the laws and uphold all the promises stated here today."

"Subjects of Glendowin, I give you your new queen."

I began to walk down the steps, with guards on either side. Beginning my descent into the grand hall of the castle where I would make my way through all the subjects, rich and poor.

"Queen Ariadne Cardwell of Glendowin. 12th ruler of the kingdom."

The clapping sounded like thunder in my ears. I ignored it, as Harriet had engrained into me, and continued the slow walk to the end of the throng of people. It was to show that I would go every length to help my kingdom.

I just hoped  I would prove myself worthy to them throughout the years to come.

Princess Ariadne is now Queen Ariadne!! Wow! That's crazy!

What do you think of her coronation?? I personally loved writing it! I loved thinking of all of the promises and duties that a Queen and King have to their subjects, it really is quite amazing. 

Be sure to vote and comment!!

What do you think will happen tomorrow at her wedding??