In the morning, all my peace will evaporate, leaving me more ill at ease than ever. But that’s not now, that’s tomorrow, when I’ll regret not asking more questions of my new husband.
Chapter 5
Coronation Expectations
The sun shines through the bedroom windows, easing me into consciousness. I pull in a deep breath and open my eyes, stretching my arms and legs under the covers and across the massive bed. My hand encounters empty sheets that are cool to the touch. The only evidence that Rhys was here is the indent in his pillow and even that will be gone by the end of the morning when the house maids make the bed.
Rhys is gone.
As much as I don’t want to go to this morning’s meeting, I know I don’t have a choice. I guess I do, kind of, but not really.
Part of embracing this new life, means pushing through the things I don’t want to do. I’m not the old Stella who hid in her apartment and behind her quiet life, I’m this newer version that’s a little scarred on theoutside, but hopefully, it only makes me stronger.
With that said, Rhys will come and find me, whether I’m dressed and ready to face the day or not. Besides, how bad could one planning meeting be? I mean I survived a royal wedding, barely. But still, I survived. A coronation can’t be that much worse.
I toss back the covers and climb out of bed, heading to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and let it heat up while I brush my teeth. After I rinse out my mouth and set my toothbrush back in the crystal bathroom cup set on the counter, I step into the shower and let the hot water and steam envelop me. My back and shoulders are tight. That could be stress or it could be the long day of travel and the fact that I almost died a few weeks ago. Or it could be all of that combined.
I can’t believe I’m married or that I’ve been married for almost a month. I never thought my life was meant for fairy tales until Rhys literally crashed into it. And even though it’s only been a short while, I can’t imagine my life any other way. So, it’s with that thought in mind that I wash my hair and everything else with the sumptuous products that I’d never even heard of before coming here. Then I turn off the taps and ring out my hair before stepping out of the glass shower and toweling off.
I wrap a thick robe, no doubt acquired for me by Maeve, around my body and begin drying and styling my hair. Once it’s blown out in a dark, glossy mane, I do a quick face of makeup. It’s wild to me how somany products go on my face only to look like I’m hardly wearing anything at all. When I decide that I look as good as I’m going to, I spritz on some perfume and make my way into the closet where I shed my robe and hang it back on its hook before pulling on a bra and panty set. Slim legged trousers in navy blue follow with a matching cable sweater over a cream colored blouse. The eyelet pie crust collar that peaks out the neckline of the sweater is perfectly crisp. The shirt is tucked into my slacks showing off the brown leather belt that’s wrapped around my waist. I step into matching heels and move into the sitting room just as there’s a knock on the main door.
“It’s just me,” Maeve calls out and I rush to open the door.
“Hey.”
“Good morning,” she replies. “I’ve brought you a bit of breakfast before our meeting with the King.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll just set you up at the table and then if you don’t mind, I’d like to show you some designs for your gown for the coronation.”
“I’d appreciate that,” I answer. “Thank you.”
“No trouble at all.” She sets a silver dome covered plate on the table along with a small coffee service as I sit down. She pours me a cup of coffee and uncovers my plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit.
“Please sit down with me,” I ask as she pulls an iPad from who knows where and begins to scrollthrough pictures.
“Thank you.”
“Would you like some coffee?” I ask.
“Please,” she says, watching me with a thoughtful expression on her face as I pour her a cup. “Thank you.”
“Of course, now what kind of gowns are we looking for?” I ask.
“White,” Maeve replies enthusiastically. “I was thinking silver trim.”
“Didn’t we just do this?” I laugh.
“In a way, I suppose so,” she agrees. “Although this one isn’t as long and shouldn’t be as heavy.”
“Thank goodness.”
“It’s the royal robes that are heavy and long this time,” she says.
“Huh?”
“You’ll be adorned with a long velvet robe, kind of like a cape, during the ceremony, so we won’t want anything to drag you further down.”