The weeks that followed Emerald's engagement felt overwhelming. The days seemed to slip through her fingers like sand. She often found herself reflecting on her brief conversation with the crown prince after the king had announced their engagement.
"I must confess, Lady Emerald, I am surprised," Prince George said as they stood alone in a quiet corner. Emerald studied his face, hoping to decipher his emotions, but his expression remained inscrutable—his features were blank, his eyes dark like the night sky. Part of her wondered if that should trouble her. He seemed far too composed.
"I'm truly sorry if I disturbed you earlier, Your Highness," she said earnestly. If they were to embark on this journey together, establishing a good rapport would be wise. He shook his head. "Not at all. If it's not too much trouble, I would like to meet with you one more time before our marriage."
Emerald felt a flicker of uncertainty. Was he having second thoughts? It wasn't as if he could simply break off the engagement—could he? She wasn't sure. "Of course," she replied, managing a smile. He then kissed the back of her hand before excusing himself, and she left soon after with her parents. The wedding was just three weeks away.
Now, as she reclined on her bed, Emerald's green eyes followed the dust particles dancing in the sunbeams streaming through her window. It was a bright sunny day, and she recalled that the prince was coming to see her. It had been two weeks since their engagement, and recent days had been exhausting. She had tried on countless dresses, yet none had met her mother's discerning taste. With a sigh, she leaned back against the wall. Her plan had been to indulge in a little extra sleep, at least until her mother came knocking. However, her handmaid soon interrupted her plans with news from her mother: she needed to prepare herself to impress the prince. She was surprised; she had assumed he would no longer visit until the wedding. Yet, he was keeping his word.
Reluctantly, she pushed herself off the bed. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to storm in, irate. Knowing her handmaids were waiting outside, she called out, "Edith." The door swung open, and the familiar red-haired girl stepped in, flanked by two others. After a quick bath, Emerald donned a simple gown, skipping breakfast as she wasn't feeling hungry. To ward off boredom, she decided to retreat to the library and read about swordsmanship. Even if she couldn't fight in practice, she could at least educate herself in theory. However, her reading was cut short when the prince arrived shortly after.
Taking a deep breath, she ventured out to greet him. He was seated with her father in the living room when she entered. "Your Highness," she said, curtsying gracefully. Upon seeing her, he stood and took her hand, pressing his lips to it.
"I'll leave you two to it," her father said, standing up and stepping away.
"You look beautiful," the prince remarked, catching her off guard with the compliment. "Thank you, Your Highness. You're very kind," she replied, feeling a blush creep to her cheeks.
"Shall we take a walk?" he suggested, gesturing toward the door. She nodded, slipping her hand into his as they stepped outside together. They strolled slowly along the shaded walkway just outside the house, grateful for the protection from the sun's glare. The prince must have known this spot well, given his choice.
"If I can remember well, you mentioned you have some skill with a sword," he suddenly spoke up. Emerald nodded, wondering if this was the conversation he had in mind. "I do."
"If I may ask, when did you become interested in swordsmanship?" he inquired.
"Since I was a little girl. I used to train with my brothers; they taught me a lot," she replied with a smile. He nodded thoughtfully.
"Your father permitted it?" he asked an element of surprise in his voice.
"Yes, he has always supported my interests." He nodded again. "You must be quite close to him." She nodded in return. "I cherished the time spent with him growing up. He taught me so many valuable lessons."
Suddenly, the prince stopped walking and turned to face her. Nervousness washed over her as she wondered what was coming next. "Lady Emerald, even though our engagement and upcoming marriage feel rushed, I hope you are comfortable with it." Emerald was uncertain whether he was seeking reassurance. It felt like he was. Meeting his gaze, she replied, "I am alright, Your Highness. Is everything fine?"
"Yes, I just wanted to ensure we were on the same page. If there's anything that troubles you now or after our marriage, I would appreciate your honesty," he said, maintaining that calm expression. Emerald simply stared at him, then nodded. "Of course."
They walked a bit more in silence before he announced that it was time for him to leave. As she returned to her room, she couldn't shake her thoughts about their conversation. She wouldn't deny that it felt unusual; his serious tone suggested that something weighed on him. With a sigh, she collapsed back onto her bed.
Her mother didn't let her ponder for long, barging in moments later. The testing process had to continue. Emerald let out a sigh as she followed her mother to meet the seamstress. Fortunately, they eventually settled on a dress design and some accompanying jewellery. By the time she returned to the room, it was late. Dinner with her family had become increasingly uncomfortable since her engagement to the crown prince. Her sisters didn't hide their discontent, but Emerald had grown indifferent to their reactions. Soon, she would be leaving—this was one good thing about her upcoming marriage.
After taking a bath, she climbed into bed, and her routine continued until the day of her wedding to the crown prince arrived. The knot in her stomach, which she had managed to push aside, came rushing back.