Chapter 28 – The Princess’s Wedding

At last, full summer had arrived. A month had passed so quickly. During that time, Madame Katarina finished Eileen’s dress and collapsed for a day, and other maids suffered mild colds or fevers, but fortunately, nothing worse happened before the wedding day arrived.

Two days earlier, Princess Elizabeta had arrived from the Hyksar Empire to witness the union of the two nations. From the highest window of Ruby Palace, Eileen watched the gilded carriage enter Sapphire Palace and caught her breath.

Normally, when guests from another kingdom or empire arrived, all royalty would greet them, but as the bride, Eileen didn’t meet or greet Elizabeta. She had spent a week in Ruby Palace, meeting only those on a special list, a custom meant to prevent any misfortune or illness from affecting the bride.

But Eileen was used to being confined in Ruby Palace, and she was so busy choosing and coordinating everything with her maids that she didn’t find the time stifling.

Now, Eileen sat in front of the mirror from early morning, getting ready for her wedding.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“A little.”

Eileen couldn’t hide her nerves as she glanced at her reflection in the oversized mirror. The glass, specially made by Adrian for her wedding, was bigger than any in the palace. While most mirrors barely showed the upper body, this one easily reflected her whole figure. Adrian had laughed, saying she’d need a big mirror to check her dress, but Eileen hadn’t been able to fully smile that day, just like now.

“But I’m fine.”

“You woke up so early. Did you sleep at all last night?”

“…I didn’t sleep well. I just couldn’t.”

“I should’ve made you herbal tea instead of warm milk last night.”

Stella, who was best at styling Eileen’s long blond hair, gazed at her in the mirror. Stella stood close behind, preparing to braid her hair for the wedding.

“If I’d slept too long, I’d have been a bride with a puffy face on the wedding day.”

“No one would notice. You’re so beautiful.”

“That’s just you, Stella. You’re my maid.”

“No!”

Stella quickly denied it and turned around. The other maids, who managed Eileen’s dress, jewelry, and shoes, sensed Stella’s mood and all chimed in.

“That’s right. Today, Princess, you’re the most beautiful in the world.”

“You always were, but especially today.”

“With the dress on, even more so.”

“See? Everyone thinks so.”

Stella’s cheerful words made Eileen smile. They were all her maids, so none would ever say she was ugly, but their bright voices weren’t unpleasant.

“Hoo…”

But soon Eileen’s expression hardened again, and she let out a long sigh.

This kind of tension was rare for her.

Was she fourteen? The night before her official debut, she hadn’t slept at all, and ended up running to Crystal Palace to surprise Queen Edna. Adrian had teased her for ages about how her legs shook in pink dress and low heels on her debutante day. Since then, she’d never felt this way.

‘Is this how it is for everyone? Does everyone go through this to become a married couple?’

Sadly, she had no married women around to ask. Eileen struggled to shake off the urge to run away. It wasn’t that she disliked Kallian or resented the marriage, but her body and mind were anxious.

“All right, just wait a bit longer now!”

While Eileen was lost in thought, her moonlit hair had been braided and the bangs for her tiara rolled up with a hot cloth. Since unmarried women rarely wore their hair up, Eileen stared at her unfamiliar reflection for a long time.

“Shall we put on your dress now, Princess?”

Marianne appeared behind Eileen’s chair, smiling gently. Of all the maids, she wore the most motherly expression. When Marianne, still unmarried, joked that it felt like marrying off her own child, all the maids laughed, but today she truly looked the most mature.

If her mother were alive, Eileen wondered if she would look at her with such a kind face, and she almost burst into tears.

“Oh, Princess. You mustn’t cry yet! All your makeup will be ruined.”

“B-but…”

“There’s nothing to cry about. Today is a royal celebration.”

Marianne soothed Eileen gently, and reluctantly, Eileen nodded and rose from her small chair. Her light slip gown was removed, and a heavy corset made of whalebone was fitted to her slender body. The weight was more than expected, and Eileen frowned, but Madame Katarina had insisted several times that it was necessary to shape the dress, so Eileen took a deep breath and endured it.

Behind her, the corset was tightened again and again, and a sturdy petticoat was put on to help the dress flare below her waist.

“Are you all right? Princess, please let us know if it’s hard to breathe.”

“…I’m fine, except it feels very hot.”

Her childish complaint made the maids laugh awkwardly. As she said, it wasn’t the weather for such heavy undergarments. The Staerfix social scene had already switched to full summer attire—dresses with bold necklines and shoulders, light flowing fabric, and no petticoat, just a lace shawl for modesty.

But Eileen’s undergarments were especially thick and heavy, and with the dress on top, it was obvious it would feel even heavier. It was a dress for the bride, but the bride would suffer most. Madame Katarina had tried to use the lightest and softest fabrics for Eileen’s delicate body, but with embroidery, thin mesh lace, and pearls sewn in, the dress could only be so light.

“But it’s almost time, so you must put it on now.”

“All right.”

As Eileen agreed and surrendered herself, the maids quickly dressed her. Seeing herself in the mirror as a true bride, Eileen couldn’t hide her fluttering feelings. Time passed, her hair was finished, and the tiara was placed atop her head.

“…It suits you perfectly.”

“Was the dress designed to match the tiara?”

The maids whispered softly. Eileen stared at the tiara on her head for a long time. The beautiful tiara her mother left for her fit Eileen’s small head exactly. It was set with diamonds all over, with sacred blue sapphires scattered throughout for extra brilliance. Every time Eileen turned her head, the jewels flashed, and the maids gasped in awe.

“Queen Edna’s sense of beauty is unmatched.”

“I’ve never seen such a beautiful tiara, Princess.”

As the maids spoke, Eileen kept gazing at her reflection, whispering softly,

“I miss Mother.”

It was a small voice, but everyone heard and fell silent. Only Marianne, who like Eileen had lost her mother early, stood by her side and held Eileen’s ungloved hand. Feeling the gentle warmth, Eileen blinked watery eyes and looked at Marianne, who simply nodded.

Though she didn’t know the exact meaning behind Marianne’s gesture, it was enough to comfort Eileen’s heart.

After putting on her shoes, necklace, and earrings, there was a knock at her door.

“Are you ready, Princess?”

The voice beyond the door belonged to the steward of Crystal Palace. That meant Adrian was waiting outside. It was truly time to go. Like an opera star enjoying her moment on stage, Eileen had to smile happily today, so she took a deep breath and nodded.

Her door opened, and for today, the king’s attire was less ornate. Eileen stepped toward her loving brother.

* * *

The wedding was held in the Great Hall, the largest ballroom in the palace. The ceiling was glass, letting in full sunlight, and the hall was decorated with hydrangeas and roses—not overly extravagant, but beautiful. Some gasped upon entering, and some noblewomen clasped their hands in prayer.

Nearly all the high nobles arrived, filling the empty seats. The heat made many fan themselves, but no one was displeased; everyone waited eagerly for the ceremony to begin.

“Quiet, please.”

The king’s steward appeared and called out. The ceremony was about to start. The royal orchestra began to play beautiful music.

Across the wedding road, the archbishop from Hyksar’s grand temple took his place, and everyone fell silent. Soon, Kallian appeared in deep blue ceremonial robes and walked to stand before the archbishop, drawing gasps from some ladies and noblewomen.

Prince Kallian’s looks were already well known from past banquets, and even those who hadn’t attended had heard the rumors. But today he looked different. His long silver hair was cut short like the men of Staerfix, slicked back with oil, making him look more mature and stirring many hearts.

“Ha.”

Kallian greeted the archbishop briefly, then turned toward the door where Eileen would enter, catching sight of Leios and smiling. The two exchanged glances, and then the ballroom doors swung open.

Dun, dun dun.

The orchestra played the royal processional, and Eileen appeared, head bowed, hand resting on Adrian’s as she entered. She looked like a goddess descending to earth. Staerfix wedding dresses were usually modest, but Eileen’s was dazzling. With every step, the jewels sparkled blindingly, but her beauty outshone even the excessive glitter, leaving everyone staring in awe.

“You look truly beautiful today, Eileen.”

“…You could have told me sooner. You didn’t say a word until we got here.”

“I didn’t know what to say.”

As they entered, the siblings chatted quietly, out of earshot of the crowd.

“But I truly hope you’ll be happy, little sister.”

When Eileen finished walking the wedding road and reached Kallian, Adrian whispered one last wish in her ear and handed her to Kallian. Kallian smiled at her, and Eileen returned the smile, lowering her long lashes. Her powdered cheeks were clear and bright.

“First, let it be known that the goddess Dalia graces this sacred place.”

As the two stood together, the archbishop began. Eileen, whose heart felt ready to burst since before entering, nodded and answered without really hearing the words. The time that seemed so long flew by. Truthfully, Eileen barely remembered what she answered, only staring blankly as Kallian placed the ring on her finger.

It was really ending. Not because she hated it or found it meaningless—she was just so nervous that she forgot how to smile happily at this moment.

“Eileen.”

Kallian reached for her hand and whispered, and Eileen, coming to her senses, placed the matching ring on his finger. When she looked up in confusion, Kallian gave her a rare, deep-eyed smile and stepped closer.

“Now you’re mine.”

Their lips met, and Eileen’s head turned naturally. The sound of applause filled the hall, but Eileen barely heard it. Their soft lips parted after a light kiss. Afterward, Eileen was whisked away by her maids to change dresses twice, danced with Kallian at the banquet, and only then returned to Ruby Palace.