TWO weeks later.
Aside from attending the prayer services, Sonia was excused from all of the morning chores. She had received packages clear up until the night before her departure containing the latest design in dresses, made from the highest quality materials. Matching hair accessories, necklaces to adorn her neck, earrings, and bracelets came with each dress. Even though they would be hidden under the hem of her dresses, no corners were cut with the shoes either, which fit as if they were custom made for Sonia.
Not only was she sent several such complete outfits, handmaids had also been dispatched to help prepare for the morning of her departure.
“Um... I heard we’re going to visit my old home, Clare Castle, first. Did I hear wrong...?” Sonia asked the newcomer handmaid. Left under the impression they were going to return to her castle, alter the dresses and gems stored there for presentation, and then head to the royal palace, Sonia was dumbstruck as dresses and finery arrived one after the next.
One of the handmaids respectfully lowered her head to Sonia before answering, “You are not mistaken, milady. That is what I have heard as well. All of the gifts sent here are but a token of your fiancé’s feelings. In his own words, he said, ‘Please wear whatever is to your liking.’”
“...All of these...?”
Upon taking a closer look, Sonia noticed the styles varied across the different dresses, shoes, and hair accessories. Taking the dresses for example, there was a red-based dress that evoked the image of a sleek adult, but right next to it was a pale pink dress designed with an abundance of lace and meticulous gathers, prioritizing a sweet and cute appeal. Each dress had a unique style.
“He didn’t know what you would like, so he covered all of his bases.”
“......”
Even if he didn’t know her taste, wasn’t this a bit excessive? Sonia lightly rubbed her temples in frustration. He had buried the floor in Sonia and Pamela’s room with mounds of gifts.
Nonetheless, when she heard, “He also wanted me to pass on the message, ‘If you please, I’d appreciate it if you greeted me dressed in your finest with your most dazzling smile,’” Sonia’s chest ached with happiness.
Oh, Prince Severin...
“Very well. But with so many, it’s hard to know which to choose. Would you mind helping me decide?” Sonia asked.
“With pleasure. This will be fun for us as well.”
All of the other handmaids agreed to lend a hand with a smile.
✦ ✦ ✦
“...SONIA, you look gorgeous! That looks great on you!” Pamela exclaimed, reeling with excitement when she returned from volunteer work in the afternoon to find that Sonia had cast off her usual plain novitiate uniform in favor of one of the dresses she had received.
The dress Sonia ultimately chose was a refreshing shade of mint green that set off her golden-blond hair beautifully. The fine lace on the round collar draped around her delicate neck down to her collarbone. It produced a sense of elegance, while giving an image of innocence. Not only was the collar trimmed with pearls, they were also sewn into the bust.
Supposedly, low-waist dresses with ample gathers were all the rage. Lace flowed from the waistline clear down to the hem. By laying the lace over material with a sheen, even a potentially scandalous dress became perfectly wholesome.
A belt with elaborate, yet delicate goldwork was fitted around her waist. The sole emerald set into the buckle shined brilliantly. After lightly applying makeup, Sonia put on a circlet that matched her belt and covered her flowing hair with a lace veil.
“You’re so beautiful...! Honest...! Prince Severin is sure to fall in love with you all over again!” Pamela cheered.
At her words, the handmaid who was waiting in attendance beside Pamela asked, “Prince Severin?” with a raised eyebrow. However, neither of the girls heard her over their excited squeals. Likewise, the maid was informed by another handmaid that the escort picking Sonia up had arrived at that moment, and frantically began straightening up the room. She hardly had time to ask what Pamela meant.
“Duchess Sonia de Clare, your fiancé has come for you personally,” one of the handmaids reported.
Sonia and Pamela tightly held hands. Naturally, they did it the same way as always, with their palms pressed together and fingers interlaced.
“Take care...Sonia.”
“Yes, and you too, Pamela... I’ll be sure to write...”
The two had always taken comfort in one another. They had shared their dreams throughout the years in the same room. No matter how minor the problem, they always asked the other for advice. Occasionally, they would also get into fights that seemed amazingly “trivial” later.
“...Pamela.” The days they spent together ran through Sonia’s head one after the next.
“Now, now, don’t cry. You don’t want your makeup to run,” Pamela said enthusiastically, encouraging Sonia. The dam holding back her tears was on the verge of breaking.
“We’ll meet again! I’m sure of it! We’re bound together before God,” she said, in mimicry of what the sisters always told those who were sad to see one of the ladies leave.
“Right, we will! I’m sure we will...!”
The Abbess entered the room as the two dragged out their goodbyes.
“Sonia, God is in all of us, keeping us bound at all times,” said the Abbess. Upon hearing the same thing that Pamela had just told her, Sonia wiped the corners of her eyes and nodded.
The Abbess proceeded to hand Sonia a present, saying, “Take this.” The young lady’s eyes popped open at the gift. It was a beautifully crafted silver rosary.
“Reverend Mother...! I can’t take such an amazing gift...!” Sonia protested.
Though it was worn from use, she could tell it had been lovingly polished the second it was in her hands.
“I used to wear it when I was younger. It’s somewhat flamboyant for the abbey, so I put it in storage...but I think it should be perfect for you,” the Abbess said, and gently touched Sonia’s hands with both of hers. “I’m certain your future husband will guide you in the right direction. Have the faith to follow his guidance.”
“...I will! Reverend Mother, thank you for everything.”
“Sonia, I will pray that you have a long, happy future ahead of you,” the Abbess responded. Sonia failed to notice that unlike usual, something about the Abbess’ smile held a faint shadow of grief.
✦ ✦ ✦
SONIA was dancing on air with excitement. Up until this point, anyway.
Through the cloister around the herb garden, the heavy double doors made of stone at the other end of the spacious narthex with its pure white walls, were left wide open. The other side revealed a beautifully designed carriage.
The last time I rode in a carriage like this, Mother and Father were still alive.
Sonia may have belonged to a dukedom boasting of such tremendous wealth that even the King served as her guardian, but she had grown accustomed to the life of simplicity and frugality at the abbey. Between nostalgia and joy, she felt as if she were walking on air. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear her body was lightly drifting along. But the carriage wasn’t the first thing on her mind.
I wonder what Prince Severin looks like now?
They had only communicated through letters since her family’s funerals.
Will he care for the way I look? I can understand if he doesn’t think I’m pretty, but will he at least call me cute? No, what if I’m not what he expected when he sees me, and he’s disappointed?
Sonia’s heart beat loudly as it raced with all its might, driven by the nervousness and apprehension at reuniting with her first love at long last.
Calm down. Calm yourself, Sonia! Her heart was pounding way too hard. If she had to describe it, this felt closer to fear than love; it had reached the point of giving that impression.
What the heck? I’m breaking into a cold sweat? Sonia was surprised to feel sweat running down her nape when she wasn’t hot. I don’t want to see him. She quickly dismissed the words of rejection that suddenly popped into her head.
When she was but a step from passing through the narthex doors, a man who had been waiting by the side of the door stepped in front of Sonia. A smile spread across his face as he respectfully took Sonia’s hand and kneeled before her.
“Umm?”
She had seen him somewhere before, but he wasn’t Severin. The man solemnly holding her hand was clearly middle-aged. A middle-aged man. Over the hill. Geezer. Old fart. And to make matters worse...
“I’ve come for you, my blushing bride.”
Why, there was a beard on the face of the old fart gazing up at Sonia.
“ICK!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Sonia fainted.