~.✧ Ethira ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ two ✧.~

I stood in front of the double doors, awaiting the moment when they would sweep open and I'd have to walk down the long aisle, surrounded by Ethirans and Austorans alike. The chatter of the crowd within the hall died down as the orchestra's perfect melody filled the room, slipping between the cracks between and underneath the doors before me.

My hands were shaking as they held the specifically crafted bouquet of flowers, but I tried to hide it, look confident and sure, just as my mother wished for me to be. I'd practiced my walk with a long dress and heels. I'd practiced my smile and my straight posture. I'd practiced not fidgeting as I stood at the end of the aisle and listened to the priest. But not even this could prepare me for what I was about to do.

The orchestra's playing swelled in a crescendo and I knew it was almost time. Two servants stood at the ready to pull open the doors and I forced myself not to look at them. I stared forward with deep, even breaths. I needed to stay calm. I needed to look gracious, regal, like a princess ready to accept her place and duty.

On the outside, I hoped I conveyed this image. But on the inside, my heart was squeezing, shriveling into conformity.

My breath caught when the servants finally dragged the heavy doors ajar and my path loomed ahead of me. The long white carpet that led to the rest of my life.

The music hushed slightly, my cue to step forward and start my delicate walk. But I hesitated upon seeing the room filled with people, all staring and waiting for me. Perhaps it wasn't the entire crowd that made me trepidatious, though. It was one person who stood so far across the room, at the other end, that I couldn't make out their features. But I knew what he looked like. And I dreaded seeing his face today. I dreaded knowing how he was feeling. Seeing him excited or happy for today terrified me because I couldn't reciprocate the feeling. But I was even more terrified that he was just as upset as I was. That he didn't want me...

I knew if I didn't start walking, I might turn around and run. And that would not be better than just going through with this. So I took in a trembling breath and forced myself to step.

Kick, step, I told myself, knowing I had to do this not to trip on my skirts and embarrass myself in front of two countries' most important people.

Kick, step, I repeated, needing something to think about so I could keep breathing.

Kick, step.

Kick, step.

Kick, step.

Faster than I wanted but with a dreaded slowness, I came toward the end, toward the dais that the priest, my parents, Queen Mirellia, my siblings and their significant others, and... Prince Varien stood on. I couldn't bring myself to look at him yet so I scanned my family's faces.

The mix of pride and sadness I saw in their expressions made this both easier and harder at the same time.

One of the guards positioned around the dias offered me a hand to step up the stairs. I accepted it out of formality and stared at my feet, praying that I'd make it up without falling.