Page 11 of A Royal Arrangement
Rosalie smiled up at him. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”
He nodded at her. “I’ll see you at the wedding, Rosalie.” Wes whistled another happy tune as he walked away, leaving her alone to see her new room.The queen’s suite.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
I can’t believe this is happening. I wanted time to date someone and fall in love before we decided to marry each other. But this is my duty. I have to help my family. I have to help Findorra. I have to go through with all this and hope for the best.
Rosalie slowly pushed open the door and stepped into her room. She could tell Edgemont definitely wasn’t lacking in funds. The Findorran Palace hadn’t been updated in her lifetime, but she could see all the modern updates to her new home. She was pleased to see the vaulted ceilings from the hallway carried into her room, making it look even more grand.
A giant four-poster bed sat along one wall, with a white down comforter and fluffy pale-blue pillows atop it. All she wanted to do was sink into the plush comforter and sheets, but there wasn’t time for something as frivolous as that on her wedding day.
Rosalie walked over to the sitting area, running her hand along the fine fabric of the loveseat that sat opposite two chairs, a marble-topped coffee table in the middle.
Next to the sitting area, she saw a closed door. She approached it and attempted to turn the handle, but it was locked. Her eyebrows scrunched as she pressed her lips together.Why would there be a locked door in my bedroom?Unless…unless it was a door connecting her room to Colin’s bedroom—the king’s suite. She dropped the handle like it was hot lava.
Colin might be in there right now, only one wall separating us.
Rosalie stepped back as a blush covered her cheeks. That door would definitely remain locked for a while.
Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she made her way to the bathroom and let out a small gasp. It was the most luxurious bathroom she had ever seen. It had vaulted ceilings and updated marble floors with white walls. In one corner sat a giant clawfoot porcelain tub. A subway-tiled shower with a rainhead was next to it, and on her other side sat a double vanity made out of what appeared to be an antique dresser, complete with gold finishes. She smiled as she thought of the many relaxing bubble baths she would take in such a beautiful space.
The bathroom connected to a giant walk-in closet. A floor-to-ceiling mirror on the back wall reflected side walls with hanging bars and banks of drawers. It appeared her husband-to-be had already had a few gowns put in there for her. Otherwise, it was pretty bare since her belongings wouldn’t arrive for another week.
But one dress in particular caught her eye, concealed in a garment bag. Rosalie slowly unzipped the bag, letting out a long breath when she realized it was a wedding dress.Herwedding dress.
A royal stylist from the Edgemont Palace had reached out to her a few days ago, asking about how she envisioned her wedding dress. Rosalie hadn’t been sure how to respond, since none of this was what she had dreamed of.
In the end, she’d only told the stylist that she liked off-the-shoulder dresses. It was time to see what they had come up with for her. Rosalie carefully pulled it out of thegarment bag and hung it back up so she could get a better look.
It was an off-the-shoulder gown—just like she had requested—with a sweetheart neckline. The dress was a mermaid style with a delicate lace overlay extending to the end of the chapel train.
She imagined wearing it, walking down the aisle toward Colin.I hope he thinks I’m beautiful in it.
A knock sounded at her door, and Rosalie straightened, placing her hands on her stomach and taking a deep breath. It was time to get ready for her wedding.
Rosalie stepped into the white wedding gown her mother held out before her. She put her arms through the off-the-shoulder sleeves and adjusted the dress until it looked perfect. As her mother zipped up the back of the gown, she couldn’t help but stare at herself in the mirror.
The woman she saw was unfamiliar to her—someone she didn’t recognize. A bride in a white dress whose eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions. The happiness was there, shining bright with her positive outlook on the situation. But behind the joy, there was a hint of sorrow reflecting the tinge of sadness that she was about to marry a man she didn’t even know—had never even met.
Her mother placed her hands on her shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze from behind as she caught her eyes in the mirror’s reflection. “You’re gorgeous, darling. Youmake the most beautiful bride.” She came to stand in front of Rosalie. “I know this isn’t the day you dreamed it would be, but I’m so proud of you. You go above and beyond to love and care for others. The Edgemont subjects are lucky to have you, and I just know they’re going to adore you. We wouldn’t marry you off to just anybody, you know. I know this is hard, but I really think you’ll find happiness with him in the long run.”
A tear slipped from Rosalie’s eye, and she didn’t bother to brush it away. Her mother pulled her into a tight hug, breaking her resolve. As the tears streamed down her cheeks, her mother whispered in her ear,“I know I haven’t always been the most present mother, and I’m sorry for that.” She pulled back and looked Rosalie right in the eyes. “But I hope you know I am always here for you. I’m only a plane or boat ride away.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Rosalie managed to get the words out despite the emotion filling her throat.
Her mother wiped tears from her own eyes before gently swiping the tears away from Rosalie’s cheeks. “Now, let’s go fix your makeup so we can get you married.”
Once the makeup artist transformed Rosalie’s raccoon eyes back into a wedding-day look, she went to stand beside her mother, wrapping her arm through hers.
“Are you ready?” her mother asked.
She nodded in response, unable to form a complete sentence with all the emotions bubbling within her. Rosalie opened the door, and they joined the butler, Hector, in the hallway.
“Wonderful timing. You look stunning, Your Highness.” He bowed to her and extended his elbow. “May I escort you both to the palace’s chapel?”
“Of course. Thank you, Hector.” Rosalie took one arm while her mother took the other. Together, they made their way to the door outside the small chapel on the palace grounds where the wedding ceremony would be taking place.
Hector took her mother to her seat with a promise that he would send her father out so he could escort her down the aisle. Rosalie accepted a bouquet of white roses from a maid just as her father slipped out to join her. She anxiously ran her fingers through her curled, auburn hair as he arrived.
