The royal wedding 2

Jane felt her heart racing as she leaned closer, her lips barely brushing against Prince Dubois' still body. The soft swish of her silk gown felt incredibly loud in the hushed hall, amplifying her anxiety. She lingered for a moment, studying the prince's face for any sign of life.

"Please," she whispered, just loud enough for herself. "Please wake up."

With a deep breath, Jane finally closed the distance, her lips gently meeting Dubois'. The kiss was soft and innocent, starkly contrasting the tense anticipation hanging in the air. When she pulled back, her gaze stayed locked on the prince's face, a whirlwind of hope and despair stirring in her heart.

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely, and the court was breathless, every eye on her, waiting and watching. She could feel their scrutiny pinning her down, the heavy silence only interrupted by the occasional shuffle of someone shifting uneasily.

"Nothing," a voice eventually shattered the stillness, disappointment thick in the air.

That single word set off a wave of whispered conversations that swirled around Jane. She stood frozen in place, her cheeks burning with a mix of humiliation and frustration.

"I told you it wouldn't work," a noblewoman muttered to her friend. "A peasant girl? What could she possibly do to break the curse?"

"What a pity," another voice added. "The poor prince..."

Jane clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. She wanted to respond, to defend herself, but the words felt trapped in her throat.

"Give it time," an older lord's voice cut through the whispers. "Maybe the magic just needs a moment to take effect."

Jane's eyes shot to him, thanks bubbling inside her. "Thank you," she mouthed silently, receiving a small nod in reply.

But the whispers only grew louder, filling the room with disappointment and confusion.

"What now?" someone asked, anxiety evident in their voice. "If she can't wake him, what does that mean for our kingdom?"

Panic surged in Jane's chest. This wasn't how things were supposed to unfold. She had accepted her new role, prepared for a life of duty, but what did that mean now? The weight of it all felt crushing.

"I won't give up," she announced, her voice unexpectedly strong. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. Whether magic helps or not, I'll do everything I can for Prince Dubois and for this kingdom."

A hush settled over the crowd, surprise and doubt flickering on their faces. But Jane stood tall, determined not to wilt under their gaze. In that moment, despite her humble origins, she truly embodied what it meant to be a princess.

Her gaze returned to the prince, tracing the noble contours of his face. His chest rose and fell steadily—a small sign of life. She reached out, fingers hovering just above his cheek, torn between the fear of touching him and a deep longing for connection.

"My prince," she whispered, voice barely above a breath. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm here. I won't leave you."

A gentle hand on her shoulder startled her. "Your Highness," a soft voice said, "it's time."

Jane turned to see an elderly woman in magnificent attire, her eyes warm yet shadowed with concern. "Time?" Jane echoed, confusion evident in her expression.

"To retreat to your chambers," the woman explained. "The court physician will look after the prince now."

With reluctance, Jane nodded, glancing back at Dubois one last time before allowing herself to be led away. As they left the grand hall, the court's whispers faded, replaced by the soft sound of their footsteps on the marble floor.

"I'm Lady Beatrice," the older woman said as they walked through the hallways. "I'll serve as your chief lady-in-waiting."

Jane attempted a smile, but it felt forced. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Beatrice. I suppose you know who I am."

Beatrice smiled warmly. "Indeed, Your Highness. The farm girl destined to become a princess. Quite the tale."

Turning a corner, Jane gasped at the sight of the extravagant corridor. Tapestries depicting heroic deeds and mythical creatures adorned the walls, while ornate chandeliers bathed everything in a soft glow.

"It's so different from home," Jane murmured, letting her fingers glide along a nearby column. "It feels like I've stepped into a dream."

Beatrice nodded knowingly. "It'll take time to adjust, my dear. But you've shown remarkable bravery today. I believe you have the strength to face whatever challenges come your way."

Jane paused, looking at the wise woman. "But what if I can't? I'm just a farm girl, Lady Beatrice. I don't know anything about ruling a kingdom or... waking sleeping princes."

Beatrice grasped Jane's hands, her grip reassuring. "You're more than just a farm girl, Your Highness. You are Jane Woods, and from what I've seen, you possess a warmth and wisdom that this court desperately needs. Trust in yourself, just as Prince Dubois did when he chose you."

As Jane walked into her new chambers, she marveled at the opulence around her. The room was larger than her aunt and uncle's entire farmhouse, filled with exquisite pieces that sparkled in the soft sunlight pouring through the tall windows. A grand four-poster bed draped in luxurious silk took up one corner, while intricate tapestries adorned another wall. Despite the beauty, a chill settled in her heart.

"Is everything to your liking, Your Highness?" Lady Beatrice asked gently, concern in her eyes.

Jane's fingers brushed a delicate porcelain vase, awed by its beauty. "It's... overwhelming," she admitted softly. "So beautiful, and yet…"

"And yet?" Beatrice prodded.

"It doesn't feel like home," Jane confessed, her blue eyes reflecting both wonder and sadness. "It's as if I've stepped into a painting—lovely to see but unreal."

Beatrice nodded, understanding flashing in her expression. "Give it time, dear. This is all new, but it will eventually feel familiar."

Jane managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you, Lady Beatrice. I think I'd like some time alone, if that's alright."

"Of course, Your Highness. I'll be just outside if you need anything."

As the door closed behind Beatrice, Jane made her way to the window seat, sinking into the plush cushions. The garden lay before her, bursting with vibrant colors and carefully tended hedges. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, her mind wandering.

"Oh, Aunt Sarah," she whispered to herself, "what would you say if you could see me now?" A small chuckle escaped her. "You'd probably tell me to appreciate all this beauty instead of longing for our drafty old farmhouse."

Her gaze landed on a patch of wildflowers growing stubbornly between the garden wall, their bright colors contrasting the manicured roses. "But back home, I knew my place. Here…" Her voice trailed off, emotion tightening her throat. "Here, I'm meant to be a princess, a wife to a man I've never truly met. How can I possibly live up to their expectations?"

Closing her eyes, Jane's memories flooded back—the scent of fresh earth, the warmth of the sun on her back while she worked in the fields, the satisfaction of a day's labor completed. It all felt like a distant world, separated by so much more than just space.

"I made a promise," she reminded herself, infusing her tone with newfound determination. "To Prince Dubois, to this kingdom. I can't let fear hold me back." She opened her eyes, watching as the setting sun splashed the sky with brilliant colors. "I may not know how to be a princess, but I understand hard work and caring for others. Maybe... that's enough to begin."

Rising from her seat, Jane approached the ornate mirror hanging on the wall, studying her reflection with curiosity and resolve.

"You can do this, Jane," she whispered to herself, her blue eyes steady in the glass. "You've faced more than just lavish chambers and court politics."

She smoothed her gown, marvelling at how the fabric caught the fading light. "It's just another field to plow, another crop to tend," she murmured, a hint of her past seeped through her words. "This time, the seeds I'm sowing are hope and healing."

Jane surveyed the opulent room once more. "This may feel like a gilded cage," she said softly, "but I choose to see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to make a difference, to bring warmth into these cold walls."

She approached the door, her hand hovering over the handle. "I might not know the ways of the court," she admitted to the empty room, "but I do understand the value of kindness and hard work. That has to mean something, right?"

Taking a deep breath, Jane steeled her resolve. "Whatever challenges come my way, I'll face them. For Prince Dubois, for this kingdom, and for myself." Her voice grew stronger with each word. "I may bend, but I'm not broken. And maybe, just maybe, that's exactly what this place needs."

With a determined nod to herself, Jane opened the door, ready to embrace her new role. The quiet strength she had cultivated through years of toil now radiated brightly in her eyes, a beacon of hope for the uncertain future that awaited her.