Chapter 13: Chapter 13

"Henry?"

"Hey."

There he was, standing and smiling at me. It's got to be a dream. I pinched my arm hard just to be sure. Nope. Not a dream, he was still standing there.

"What? How? When?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure." I pushed the door shut behind me after he walked in.

"Guess you want an explanation?"

"Have you come to take me far away from here?" I chuckled nervously. How did he sneak past guards? It was highly impossible.

He chuckled shaking his head.

"Start talking." I folded my arms across my chest and tilted my head.

He rubbed the nape of his neck and exhaled. "I'd always wanted to tell you but I was scared it would destroy... what we had. I am not the ordinary Henry I made you to believe I am."

Oh no. I didn't want to hear it.

"I am Prince Henry. The Prince Henry. Nolan's cousin."

There it was. I froze not knowing how to react.

"Anna, I'm so sorry."

"Well, that explains a lot. It's why you never invited me over to your house or talk about your family. You are a Royal."

"I am, I mean I used to be . Not officially but I am."

I leaned on the door feeling the tears coming.

"Any other thing I need to know?"

He walked over and held my face in his hands. I closed my eyes.

He hugged me and said, "I've always loved you."

The tears fell and sobs racked through me.

"I guess it's a little too late for that. Right?" He let out a small laugh as he asked.

He hugged me tighter.

Too late.

It's my wedding - slash- coronation day.

I was bathed with the finest soaps and made up. Dressed in my wedding gown, I gawked at the mirror at the strange girl staring back at me.

My mom should be here whispering word of encouragement and advice. My dad should be kissing my forehead and my brother should be teasing me. Instead, I was alone.

I channeled my loneliness and anger to my shoes. The heels are killing me. I wanted to scream and jump out the window. But a promise is a promise. For the family. The maids came in with a bow.

"It is time."

It is okay to be nervous on your wedding day but not when over a million people are watching your every move over the lens of a reporter's camera.

"For the family," I chanted in my head over and over, wearing a small smile.

Bouquet in hand, I stepped into the hall where the joining was to take place. It was glowing. The sun lights penetrated the windows casting a warm glow. Royalties and ambassadors from other countries were present smiling and appearing majestic.

There should be a bridal chorus. After a terrifyingly long pause, the song began to play.

I slowly approached the dais just as the queen taught me.

Ahead, Nolan stood in a fitted white suit which had golden stripes on the wrist and shoulders. The buttons were also made of gold. Hm, he looked good. That, I've got to admit.

This was going to take forever with the way I was walking but the queen's unwavering eyes had me poised the way I was taught.

I sighted my family and felt the urge to ditch it all and run to them. I almost cried but I'm already at the dais. I climbed the stairs and bow to the priest, turned to Nolan and bow again.

When I raised my head, his blue eyes had me transfixed. They were so blue, it took a while to notice the green in them. I could spend hours painting them. The suit brought out the color of his unusual eyes.

How could I not have noticed?  Henry had those blue eyes in them. Those eyes that had me the first day we met.

They all had blue eyes, the dowager, Nolan and Henry. Bet the king has the unusual eye colour too but the queens' was a different shade. Lighter. You might say.

I noticed everyone was looking at me as though waiting for me to speak. Oh, it was time for my speech

" I, Anna Bill, hereby swear my loyalty and honor to this kingdom and my husband. In truth and in grace. In the good and bad times. Sickness and health. Till death do us part."

There. Now I can flush it from my brain. We exchanged rings. Glad we aren't to kiss. It's going to go awry.

It is done. I am married to him.

The king and queen stepped up and stood in front of me. I knelt.

"You are hereby crowned Crown Princess of Lilaria" A tiara was placed in my head and a sword laid from right shoulder to the left.

Cheers rang out from all the people seated. I rose from my kneeling position and faced the crowd. My dad was crying and applauding, my mum wiping her tears with her favorite green handkerchief, and my brother grinning hands in pockets.  I almost laughed out loud. Who made him wear a suit? His unruly hair contradicted the purpose of his attire.

Nolan took my hand in his and led me out where the reporters were waiting. To be honest, I couldn't see where I was walking with so many lightbulbs. If it wasn't for crown Prince dearie here with his strong grip, I'd have tripped and fallen flat on my face.

I wore a smile so as not to wince. When was all this going to be over?

We went to the royal gardens where the tables and chairs were set. Maids dressed in their finest stood at each table heads in a meek bow.

Bowls of freshly cut fruits, plates of multicolored mini cakes, a punch fountain, French bread along with assorted bagels and many other refreshed splayed across the table. Every other meals were continental. The sight almost made me cry for joy.

"Anna!" My dad called from behind me. I whirled around and saw him with my mom and brother.

"Dad!" We hugged.

"You look so beautiful, my little princess," Mum said holding my face in her hands.

"What have they been doing to you? You have lost weight. Did they starve you?" Vic said his arms across his chest.

"Always ready to dish a snarky comment, aren't ya?" I remarked frowning though happy to hear it.

"That's me." He shrugged with a smile.

"I missed you."

"I didn't."

"Ha ha very true." I hugged him.

"Anna." There was a small tap on my shoulder. It came from the Dowager. She appeared elegant in her purple dress with flowery imprints at the bottom of the dress. Her gray hair was a bound in a loose bun. Her ever present smile made her eyes shine and wrinkles disappear.  It maade me wonder if she never worried about anything. Of course she never had to. She is a Dowager.

"Today is a very good day, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is, Your Majesty," We chorused. She nodded at all of us before focusing on at my dad.

"Thomas, may I steal you away?"

"You may, Your Majesty."

I took note of their moving lips as they walked away. I wondered what she wanted to talk to him about. So far I have been a very good girl. Supposing you minus the times I had cursed.

Royals from other countries engaged me in conversations that did not really make much sense.

"I love your wedding dress," A duchess remarked.

"Thank you," I replied with a nod.

"Oh my God! Did you see the McCoy? Someone needs to tell them it's not a fashion show but a wedding," said another rich lady whose title I don't even remember amongst the others who had introduced themselves to me.

"Crown Princess Anna, do you mind I call you Anna?" Another questioned. She didn't even wait to hear what I had to say and asked again, "What do you think of that woman's dress?"

She was referring to a tanned woman in pastel yellow dress and purple flowery hat. I had no doubt this was some kind of test to see if I was worth hanging around.

"Wow, it's really bright," I answered not totally sure myself.

"I know right? That's just tote bad especially with her skin colour."

I only nodded dumb. What the hell was wrong with these women?

Oh, my legs hurt. I scanned around for a place I could sit. I swear I would throw these shoes away if I could. "I would love to continue to chat but excuse me," I disengaged myself from them.

"Sure. Hope to see you around, Anna."

I certainly hope I don't meet you ever again.

I sat in a chair far away from the gathering and sighed, relieved.

A shadow stood over me blocking off the sun. I tilted up my head up and saw Henry in a royal blue suit.

"Uh, hey." I stood up abruptly

"You look- beautiful," He commented with a smile.

I blushed stuttering, "Um... I- uh, I- I mean.. you look beautiful too. I mean amazing."

He chuckles and puts his hands in his pocket. "This is quite awkward."

"You're one to talk. Seeing you in a suit is very strange."

"You're the one in a wedding dress."

"I know right? The dress is so pretty but these heels are killing me. I want to yell bloody murder!"

He laughed, holding my hands in his and leaned in.

"Your highness!" I heard someone say. I pulled my hands from his and leaned back. Mara, my instructor, had a very stern look on her face.

"Hi, Mara."

"Come with me, Your Highness," She took me away by the arm  from Henry. "You need to be careful, Your Highness. People watch whatever you do and will take any opportunity to get rid of you. You don't want to be involved in a scandal. Not after just getting married."

"I'm sorry." I lowered my head ashamed of myself. She was right. I couldn't be with Henry no matter how I want to be with him.

"We're here, your highness."

Before us stood a contemporary styled home. Roses trailed the stairs, garlands were worn round the handrails. I gulped, stunned at its beauty.

"Where are we?"

"The crown Prince's house where you shall now live in."

Say what now?