A Seemingly Royal Wedding

Esmeralda opened her eyes from the peaceful slumber she had fallen into only to see her father and Penelope in front of her door.

"My dear Penelope,you look absolutely stunning.The Queen would be most impressed to see you at the wedding." Sir.Dynevor complimented Penelope's gown.She had purposefully dressed to look like a ten year old planning for a birthday party with all the different shades of colours on her face, but he didn't say anything to cause a commotion on his daughter's big day.The ways of women was confusing and he wouldn't want to be caught fighting with his daughter over make-up.

"But father,I was hoping for some new jewelry to wear for this occasion.This one seems to bore me and does little to showcase my beauty." She cried out, pointing to the necklace her sister had given her on her wedding day.

"Tristan could get you a new one?Where is he?" Lady Georgina interjected,claiming her husband was fit enough to provide her a jewelry rather than she crying to her father."You are not that young to be asking your father for a jewelry." She scoffed.

"Well,he did get me some last week,but I forgot to bring them because you had pressurized me to come here and see to the wedding gown."Penelope said, pointing at her mother for making her rush to get her measurements for Esmeralda's wedding gown when in return the bust ended up being repaired again.

"And is it my fault now? Your sister just needed help with measurements,who would've thought marriage had caused your bust to be that loose.Where is the bride now?" Lady Georgina inquired,coming to the realization she had not set eyes on Esmeralda since the time she woke.She had been so busy caring for the gifts she had received from the queen the previous night that she had forgotten about her daughter.

She never thought she would be benefitting from her scandalous daughter until Lady Beatrice had appeared at her doorstep to ask for her daughter's hand for her son.She didn't take no for an answer,and she,Lady Georgina was too surprised to even reject Lady Beatrice's offer.

"And what would I gain from this alliance,Lady Beatrice? You know your son has several mistresses and I do not want my daughter to be sad after marriage."She had voiced out her feelings, looking sad and disturbed while in fact had been preparing to influence the lady to give something in return.

"An alliance with my family will grant every wish of yours" replied Lady Beatrice.

"You know we are already wealthy.If it is my daughter you want to buy,I fear I cannot agree to this alliance."

"Calm down! I am not here to buy your daughter.Money is not the only thing we can offer to your family in exchange for your daughter.We can give you the power you wish to gain." said Lady Beatrice, gesturing her maids to bring in the gifts she had brought.

"These are forty-five maids to serve you."she said pointing to the lined up girls in golden gowns."And in their hands are the expensive silk attires and keys to four estates we have here in Britannia.I need to get my son married quickly to have my peace.Is this not enough?"

Sir Dynevor looked at the keys the maids had brought in and the expensive silk clothes and jeweleries Lady Beatrice had brought.He was already wealthy but this was making him live the life of the king.

"Which of my daughters do you want?" His eyes gleamed with desire.

"The wildest daughter of your family!"said Lady Beatrice.

Lady Georgina turned to look at her husband with disapproval.She knew her youngest daughter would be a fit bride,but her numerous scandals would cause them trouble.Hesitantly,she had accepted as Sir.Dynevor found it an opportunity to wed their unruly daughter before she grew old.

*

*

***

Just then, one of Esmeralda's maids rushed in, panting and disturbing the lady from her reverie.

"What is it?"She inquired,rising from the sofa."Has Esmeralda fled?"

"No,my lady.The bride is still asleep while we have a few minutes to get to the venue.We cannot upset the Queen,my lady."

Lady Georgina's hurled a pillow at the maid."And you couldn't do this simple job? Should I be doing everything here and there?How much does Esmeralda sleep..you could just wake her up instead of wasting the passing time to tell me what has happened."

She strode to Esmeralda's bedside almost tripping on her own foot, and slapped her thighs twice."Wake up child! It is unacceptable for the bride to be late for the wedding and more an insult to be late to see

the queen."

Esmeralda stirred groggily."Leave me be! I wish to sleep some more."

"You will do no such thing,young lady!" She scolded, pulling the coverlet from her body."Unless of course you wish for me to stop my men from searching for Eloise?"

At the mention of Eloise,she snapped her eyes open."I was not asleep.I just needed to relax.Why are you like this?"

"Do you wish to see Eloise again or not? "

"Fine,mother! I shall go.Allow the maids in at once." She gave in.The only person who mattered most to her was Eloise and she knew she couldn't go looking for Eloise herself.She needed power to do that,just as Lady Georgina had the power to conduct a search for Eloise.That power was what she was going to grab by tying the knot with the Duke of Britannia.And with him,she would open countless doors money alone couldn't.

The maids sprang into action and bathed her,making it their aim she embodied the grace and charm a bride should have on her biggest day.They neatly pleated her hair and helped her slip into her exquisite silk gown which complimented her slender figure and fair skin.

A look at herself in the mirror reminded her of Eloise's presence during the shopping spree.How happy she would be had she been present on her big day.

Lady Georgina swept into the room to admire her pigheaded daughter once more."It is such a pity we won't be hearing of scandals in this household again as the master of it is leaving."commented Lady Georgina.

"It surely is mother.The lioness of the estate is leaving and she is going to be the duchess.Will she forget us?" Penelope joked.

In an instant,her brothers helped her to the carriage as Lady Georgina and her daughter continued with their usual child play.She was happy to see her mother soften up and eager to see what lay ahead as she got to the palace.