Prologue: I Finally, FINALLY Prepare to Marry My Beloved Fiancée
FATHER read the sheepskin document before him and nodded heavily.
“We believe all is in order.”
Presently, he was looking at the guest list and layout for none other than Elizabeth and my wedding ceremony. As it was such a formal event, not only were all the nobles in the land invited, but formal invitations had also been issued to the royals of all neighboring countries, and there was a great deal of fuss about whether to invite their spouses or heirs and to what extent. Having me compose the guest list was nothing short of an international relations test.
For instance, from our northern neighbors in the Kingdom of Orion, I was obviously inviting Crown Prince Malius and my former schoolmates—his younger brother, Leohardt, and Prince Malius’ fiancée, Lecia. Our southern neighbors in the Kingdom of Nieve, however, had no queen or heirs to note, but they had been our close political allies since I was a mere child. It would’ve been proper to invite the king’s younger brother, but he was in no condition to leave the kingdom, so I only invited King Ricardo himself.
Our allies aside, there was also the pressing matter of which of our less amicable neighbors to send invitations to and to what extent. It was an optimal chance to consider who I wanted to form alliances with when I was king.
The tension left my shoulders as Father announced my passing grade.
“This is an incredibly du— important matter, after all,” Father continued, correcting himself halfway through.
Did he just call it dull?
Given its importance, I didn’t call him out on it, but I got the feeling my appointment to the task had a hidden meaning.
I nodded politely. “You are free to adjust the itinerary as you see fit, of course.”
“Indeed. You may continue to get Lizzie’s affairs in order, then.”
“Gladly.”
“Ah… And Vincent.” Something in the air had suddenly changed, and I gave Father an inquisitive look. His expression was unusually dire, and his emerald eyes were deeply thoughtful. “You must marry Lady Elizabeth,” he told me gravely, “no matter what comes to pass.”
“Well…of course.”
He didn’t need to tell me that. I studied his features carefully—if he were simply reasserting his adoration of my fiancée, that would be one thing, but he seemed far too serious for that.
Before I could figure out his intent, he relaxed and smiled through his beard once more. “No…forget We said anything. We must have gotten ahead of Ourselves, given We will soon be able to see her every day. You are just as excited for that, no doubt.”
I could tell that wasn’t what he was thinking of and knitted my brow with worry. Something didn’t sit well with me, but no amount of questioning could pry the information out of him.
He’s not planning on seeing her every day, is he? I shudder to think of what married life will be like with him looming over my shoulder.
I resolved to talk to the steward about packing Father’s schedule more tightly. There had to be lands to survey, diplomatic missions to embark on, and banquets to attend. If I was lucky, Mother would accompany him to most of them, and Elizabeth and I could enjoy our privacy.
“Excuse me, then.” I bowed crisply before turning to leave.
There’s no need for him to be any the wiser of my intentions yet, I thought as I walked toward my room.
It was not long after midsummer, and I would soon return to the Royal Academy for the latter half of my third and final year. There would only be a few short months of lectures left, and the graduation party would happen just before spring. Then, we would be in the thick of the wedding season. New graduates would arrive at the castle to receive their official status and titles, after which they would either begin to work or return to their family lands to govern. Each would have new responsibilities and likely new titles to accompany them—and while neither was directly related to marriage, many young bachelors and bachelorettes elected for the ease of doing so while they were still in the capital.
There was always a rush of engagement declarations from early spring to summer, the busiest season for our public servants. Each house had traditions for the process—some simply submitted their marriage license to the palace, while others held opulent ceremonies.
This spring would be different since I would be graduating. As the crown prince, every noble in the realm was convinced there would be a grand wedding and was doubtlessly waiting to receive their invitations with bated breath. Every effort was being made to satisfy the expectations of the realm’s countless messengers.
As I strode down the palace corridors, I came across Harold waiting for me. He held out a pair of crisp white gloves. I nimbly put them on, noticing Harold’s gloves were equally new. Beside him was a neatly partitioned cart stacked with piles of cushions.
Elizabeth would soon live in the palace, and a great deal of preparation was left ahead of us. Tradition stated that a prince and his bride would spend the early months of their marriage living in a small, separate mansion on the palace grounds, but Mother and Father were adamantly against that. As such, Elizabeth would have a fresh room made for her beside mine.
I hope she won’t be scared off by my overbearing parents.
I had to prepare a room for Lars as well. Knowing him, he would eagerly abuse his position as Elizabeth’s guardian dragon to royally muss up Elizabeth and my love nest. He pretended to be content to sleep in a basket at the foot of her bed in the la Montlivere mansion, but I would not tolerate any untoward behavior. If he was so desperate for company, he was welcome to share Mother and Father’s bedroom.
At any rate, Elizabeth would be moving in soon. I had to prepare our rooms, parlors, and studies for her use. We were slated to sleep separately for the time being, granted, but I was hoping to invite her to my room on occasion.
I took a deep breath as I opened the door to my room. I first spotted Elizabeth—or rather, her larger-than-life likeness that occupied nearly an entire wall. Her smile was more brilliant and a thousand times more precious than the ornate gold frame that encircled the painting. Meeting her “gaze” brought a smile to my face despite the prickling of Harold’s disapproving glare on the back of my neck. At least she wasn’t judging me.
“We can leave the portrait, can’t we?” I wondered aloud.
Harold gave me a worried look. “Er. Highness?”
“What? Mother and Father have portraits in their room.”
“Those are the kings and queens of old. Besides, are you certain you wish to show your wife this?”
“M-M-My wi…?!”
I fervently moved to cover my blush but knew that was not the issue. Having a portrait in my room across from my bed, of all places, was highly inappropriate. I reluctantly removed Elizabeth from her spot and rested her on the cart.
On the shelves, I had a variety of much smaller portraits paired with one with a small clock embedded. Since I added a new one to my collection every year, there were ten, but it would surely be fine. They had a small case I could store them in, so I decided that was all the likenesses of Elizabeth I would need.
Now for the last issue, I thought, turning to the door leading to the adjacent chamber. It was originally a reception room, but now it had a very different purpose. I led the way as Harold pushed the cart behind me.