Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(51)
25
I really want to spend some time thinking about how to help Molly, but unfortunately, royal duties come calling. Soon, the Moryn emperor will be arriving with his fiancée to the capital for the State Visit. Most of my time is filled up with cramming in Moryn customs, business transactions, and even the hobbies and interests of the emperor and his fiancée.
Even though the king and queen will be the ones to perform the main duties, Edward and I are still required to appear at every event. I am so thankful that I’ve recovered almost all my memories by now. It would be a big deal if I made some stupid mistake in front of the emperor. That’s going to be even more disastrous than me blundering in front of Bianca and the queen.
Nevertheless, I am still nervous when the day arrives. I have gotten used to my royal life in the palace now, but this is the first time that I’m receiving a foreign royal. I have to watch myself because my conduct will be reported not only in Athelia, but also in foreign newspapers.
In late afternoon, we line up near the entrance of the palace, where the main road stretching outside is already flanked with crowds waiting to see the emperor arrive. I’m sweating in my multi-layered gown and praying that my crown won’t fall off when we’re supposed to follow the king and queen into the palace.
Edward stands next to me, attired in full dress uniform, a black frock coat with golden epaulets and a matching black cap with a golden plume. He’s breathtaking. I could hardly take my eyes off him when he emerged from his room.
“Thy blush the divinest rosy-red,” he whispers, a teasing gleam in his eyes. “Shall I interpret it as an encouraging sign that you are more attracted to me?”
I look away and mutter, “I thought you didn’t like it when girls fawned over your looks.”
“Not if it concerns you. As long as you fall in love with me, I shall not care whether it is because of my face, my mind, or my character.”
Edward-the-Flirt is in full force. I have a feeling that it has to do with my uncertain state of leaving or staying. I don’t remember that he was usually this flirtatious.
Before I can think of a witty rejoinder, there is the sound of horses galloping, followed by the sound of trumpets blaring some military-style music.
“They are playing the national anthem of the Moryn Empire,” Edward whispers. “It’s customary to play it before the monarch arrives.”
A long line of carriages appears on the road. Cheers erupt from the crowds, who are shouting and waving and clapping. “It’s the emperor!” “Wonder what the future empress looks like?” “Here they come!” It makes me think of the reception on my wedding day.
Not everyone seems to welcome the Moryn emperor. Some people in the crowds are holding up huge signs that read, Down with the Dictator. I am reminded of my lessons on Moryn’s current state of affairs. The country is still largely controlled by an autocratic ruler—the emperor doesn’t allow the people have a say in his decisions. They don’t have a parliament to exert a moderating influence on the emperor. The mob uprising in the capital was likely due to disagreement with Augustin’s policies.
I’m glad that I was transported to Athelia. While it’s frustrating that the parliament is slow to accept our innovations, I’d take a constitutional monarchy over a dictatorship anytime. I dread to imagine how Athelia would fare if Edward were anything like Andrew McVean.
Finally, Emperor Augustin emerges from his carriage. I recognize him from the photos that Edward showed me. Then he escorts a young lady dressed in a huge, frilly pink gown. She has to be Simone, the fiancée of the emperor.
“Let us go welcome our guests,” the king says.
Walking beside Edward, I follow the king and queen out of the entrance gates until we reach the Moryn royals, who are also headed in our direction. After exchanging a few courteous words, the king holds out his arm to the future empress of Moryn, while the emperor offers his arm to the queen.
Accompanied by rows of yeomen, we set off to the Reception Room, where introductions are made. It’s obvious that Augustin has already met the king, the queen, and Edward, but he doesn’t know me. Nor have we met Simone, for she got engaged to the emperor only a few weeks ago.
“Allow me introduce my wife, Katriona Bradshaw,” Edward says, and my heart melts at the glow in his face.
Augustin is in his late thirties, with a perfectly curled mustache and a perfectly tailored outfit.
“Princess Katriona.” Augustin raises my hand to his lips. “I am at your service.”
I curtsy, feeling my knees crack. “Welcome to Athelia, Your Majesty.”
I’m next introduced to Simone, who looks much younger than the emperor—Edward had informed me that she is going to be Augustin’s second wife. The first wife passed away and left the five-year-old Moryn princess who’s too young for Edward.
Anyway, Simone is simply gorgeous, one of the few women who could compete with Bianca in looks. Silky blonde hair falls in glistening coils on sloping porcelain shoulders. Blue-gray eyes are set like priceless jewels, and a delicate chin is so perfectly curved that it could have been molded by a sculptor. She is dressed in a snow-white top lined with pearl buttons, along with a giant, frilly Barbie-pink gown that’s puffed out like a balloon. On me, that gown would definitely be too garish and frivolous. However, Simone manages to carry it off, like the gown is custom-made for her. If she were in the U.S., she’d be a perfect model for playing any Disney princess.