The Lark's Pearl
Chapter Sixteen

The day has finally arrived. In a matter of hours, I will be named Princess of Evæqesta, wife of the prince. My nerves are all over the place. Clara giggles as the maids twist up my hair. Securing it in place with pins made up of white pearls. They match the pearl lace Elias had made for me.

“You make a lovely bride,” Clara says, standing next to the mirror in front of me. “Will he shed tears, I wonder.”

“Everyone cries at weddings,” Mother laughs, dabbing her eyes before placing her hands on my shoulders. “Both of my children married in the same year.”

I look at her reflection, sighing.

“I’m really happy you and Father could be here,” I say with tears in my eyes.

Mother laughs softly, giving my shoulders a gentle squeeze.

“You are ready, your highness,” says the maid, giggling as she disappears from the room.

“Shall I fetch your father?” Mother asks, producing a handkerchief and dabbing her eyes.

“Let’s set this event in motion,” I reply, nodding.

Clara smiles, “I am going to replace Erik and claim our seats. See you out there, sister.”

I have only attended my brother’s wedding. I was merely a bystander. Today, I am the centerpiece. I cling to my father’s arm, waiting for the doors to open and the music to play. To make my entrance and walk down the aisle to the man of whom I shall be wife.

“Special day,” Father says, rubbing my shoulder and kissing the side of my head. “My little wildflower is getting married. The prince is a good man… I could not have thought of a better match for you.”

“Father… I heard you and Mother speaking about imagining and allowing things to happen on their own…”

“Ah,” his chuckle is hesitant, nervous. “Ariabella, your mother is a particular kind of woman. She could wish anything into existence if she could.”

“Just by imagining? Or is magic involved?”

“Your mother is not magical in any form other than her beauty and personality,” Father explains with another chuckle. “If there were anything we should tell you, we would have shared it before now.”

I smile, nodding. “Very well, I believe you.”

As I say this, the great doors open from the other side. The band plays the Evæqestian wedding anthem. The guests rise to their feet in the pews. My heart pounds faster as I look toward the end of the aisle. The minister and the king are standing on the top of the platform. And Elias is at the foot of the stairs, his back turned to the rest of the room. The bright green sash over his shoulder contrasts the white uniform and golden tassels.

“And here it begins,” Father says as we take our first step forward.

I exhale, nodding as the end of the aisle grows nearer. I see the king lean forward and whisper something to Elias. His smile shines as Elias turns around and looks in my direction. His grin is all I see. Until I realize his eyes are glistening and his cheeks are flushed. The moment his hand comes up to his eyes, I lose it.

I bite my lip and breathe through my nose. Blinking my eyes as the sting of tears makes them burn. Of course, I am not distressed. I am overwhelmed by joy. I smile as Elias winks; my father and I come to a stop beside him.

“Beloved of Evæqesta, you may be seated,” says the minister to the guests. “We come together this day to witness the union of his royal highness, Prince Elias, to this young woman, Lady Ariabella. Who presents this woman as a bride?”

I look at my father as he says, “I present my daughter as a bride.”

His eyes tear up as he takes my hand and places it into Elias’ waiting for one.

The minister nods, “This marriage is blessed by the family of the bride. If there is anyone who believes this union should not proceed, we invite the objector to speak now.”

I meet Elias’ gaze, waiting.

Silence fills my ears as the minister clears his throat.

“We can proceed,” he says, motioning for Elias and I to step onto the platform. “Marriage is an agreement of unity and is to be never taken lightly. When two people make the decision to pledge their life to one another, it gives us a wonderful reason to celebrate. What a great blessing for the prince and his bride!”

The room erupts with cheers and applause.

“And what great responsibility they will now share! Your Highness, in the presence of these witnesses, I now ask this oath of you. Will you promise to love Lady Ariabella, with honor and respect, as all husbands should? Will you be honest and faithful to her, and to her alone? Will you protect and keep her from all forms of harm?”

“I will,” Elias says, squeezing my hand.

“And you, Ariabella, in the presence of these witnesses, I ask this oath of you. Will you promise to honor and respect your husband, as all wives should? Will you be faithful and honest to him, and to him alone? Will you support him through difficult times?”

My voice is lost to me. The usual lump of nerves is building in my throat. But I swallow it down and smile.

“I will,” I say, soft like a mouse.

The minister chuckles, “Pardon, your ladyship. What was that you said?”

“I will!” I say, a little too loud this time.

Everyone erupts with laughter, Elias is the loudest.

The ceremony goes on as the minister continues his acquaintance with marriage and the importance of unity between couples. And when it comes time for Elias and me to exchange rings, I gasp.

“You said you wanted our rings unique to our first meeting,” Elias says as he slips a silver band adorned with the royal family crest onto my finger. The recognizable silhouette of the Lark holding the smallest pearl I have ever seen.

“This ring is a symbol of my love and promise to you,” he goes on, squeezing my hand. “My union to you.”

I exhale and repeat the same phrase, slipping the simple, silver band onto Elias’ finger. I then look into his eyes as the minister says his closing remarks.

“With the power entrusted to me by the royal government of Evæqesta. I hereby consecrate this marriage and the sacred covenant you have made to each other, on this day. I pronounce you husband and wife. And in accordance with tradition, the prince’s wife is now given the title of Princess Ariabella of Evæqesta. Your Highness, you may kiss your bride.”

It hits me that I’ve never kissed Elias with an audience. But as Elias faces me toward him and pushes the veil back, everything else ceases to exist. He chuckles softly, cupping my cheeks.

“Just a little one,” he says, leaning forward.

I close my eyes, letting him take the lead. Our lips touch and everything around us comes back to life. Applause and cheers of excitement, and approval, fill the room.

“Good people of Evæqesta!” says the minister as Elias and I part. “It is my pleasure to present to you, Prince Elias and Princess Ariabella! May they live long and blessed lives together!”

The cheering continues as Elias and I face the guests. We wave, as we practiced, and step down from the platform to embrace our loved ones. Relief comes over me as I realize everything has gone to plan.

No more worrying about my dress. No more thinking about who would be watching my every move.

Everything has turned out perfectly.