The Prince's Wedding

Bells. 2.

MELISSA

The bells came at the c***k of dawn, the slightest hint of sunrise, before the birds started singing and the c**k crew.

And these were no ordinary bells, no. Bells at dawn only meant two things.

New life or loss of life of the Royal family, and there is no current queen or princess in the royal family, so no one is expecting a child.

But I waited.

Bells came with a trumpet if it was the loss of life...and as I listened to the bells, I held my breath and waited for the trumpet.

Then it came.

Loud and slow as it confirmed the painful news. It was like the kingdom had awoken and I rushed out just like everyone else did.

Now, standing right in front of our cottage, I stare at the castle as an unwelcome heaviness fills my heart while the trumpet sounds.

No...

No.

It can't be.

The whispers turn to murmurs as the kingdom comes alive,

"What's happened?"

"The King is dead."

"Oh, no! The King is dead."

"We lost the King."

"Did he die during the night?"

"What's going on?" this particular, small voice comes from beside me and I turn to Halley, rubbing her eyes as she looks up at me. Her big, blue eyes are shrunken a bit from sleep and her ginger-colored hair is in a curly mess around her face.

"What's all that noise?" she asks and I squat to her level as I smooth out her hair.

"Oh, sweetie. I'm afraid we've lost the King. He passed away during the night." I say and she stops rubbing her eyes as she stares at me in shock.

"King Russel?"

"Mm-hmm." I manage to say, the truth of my words now hitting me with a fresh pang of pain.

The King is dead.

Halley turns to the castle behind me, her eyes sad.

"What will happen now? Will Prince Alex become the new king?"

"Prince Alexander." I correct her for what seems like the hundredth time. She had a habit of abbreviating people's names and from what I'd heard about the Prince, he didn't take likely to being called so casually.

Then again, he doesn't take anything likely.

"And not yet, it doesn't work that way. Remember what you were taught about tradition?" I ask her and she c***s her head to the side as she thinks.

"Ummm, there would be a Royal burial?"

"Exactly. Where the King's final words to the kingdom will be read."

"Wait, does that mean we get to go to the castle?" she says, sounding a bit excited and it's hard to tell that she had been sad just a few seconds ago.

"Yes, we do."

We don't have to though. Attending the burial was optional for the kingdom because word will still spread of his last word.

But everyone loved King Russel.

I did.

"Oh no!" Halley gasps, snapping my attention back and I stare at her.

"Does this mean they'll shut down the school?"

I wanted to avoid the idea, but it somehow gives me a bit of relief that I wasn't the only one thinking about it.

King Russel had been the one that had the idea of a little school of Nirvania, where little kids came to learn the history and tradition of the kingdom before going on to learn a trade and become an apprentice.

I still remember when he appointed me teacher...

How the guards stood outside my door and handed me the letter with the royal seal.

He had funded it from his funds, not that of the kingdom.

He had checked up on it.

And he had assured me that the school will remain standing...

But what if that was only for as long as he lived?

"I hope not." I say, trying to sound assuring and I peck her on the forehead.

"Now let's go get ready."

*****

I had only been as close to the castle as a commoner gets, which was never close enough.

It was more of an existence... A landmark in Nirvania, like watching the moon from your window.

Close but never close enough. And all this while, it always felt like something that existed because it had to...not something that housed the Royal Family.

But today it feels real.

The walls, the high flag of Nirvania showing off a rising sun amid fluffy clouds, the guards at the drawbridge, and the music from the castle grounds.

Halley and I stand hand in hand amongst other villagers on the castle grounds, watching as the nobles, lords, and ladies walked in, dressed in black and escorted to their seats far ahead of us.

We're all arranged in a circle around the burial ground, decorated with flowers and a marble path, and after the nobles have sat, the music rises in beautiful, sorrowful harmony.

Silence befalls the crowd as the carriage draws close, carrying the gold-embroidered casket on a bed of flowers, and just ahead, another carriage draws near, carrying the Prince.

Halley squeezes my hand and when I look down at her, she has tears on the rims of her eyes.

"I don't want to watch this part." she whimpers and I nod at her as I squeeze her hand right back.

"It's okay. You don't have to."

I didn't want to watch this part either, it came with too many sad flashbacks.

Maybe coming here was a bad idea...

"Announcing the arrival of His Royal Highness, Prince Stefan Alexander Donovan the fourth of his name."

And like magic, we all automatically bow our heads as Prince Alexander steps out of his carriage, carrying that aura of his.

I can feel my heart race as I watch him observe the crowd and although he is several feet away, I feel intimidated to the core.

I have only seen the Prince once before now, years ago at the farmers market. The Royal Carriage had passed because the Prince intended to buy something for his mother, the Queen. As he stood there that day, selecting a collection of scented oils, the guards blocked out the rest of the market.

And as a commoner, I waited and watched him purchase almost everything being sold...just as I watched the little boy who snuck under tables to snatch a golden button from the Prince's boot.

But I hadn't been the only one that saw him, the guards did.

The Prince was outraged...and the boy was deprived of a finger that day.

"Here lies King Russel Donovan, first of his name, 20th ruler of Nirvania, A King, Husband, Father, and friend. May this monument forever mark the existence of a great ruler, whose reign shall never be forgotten."

"Never be forgotten." I respond along with everyone else and at that moment, my throat wells up with tears, pouring out my eyes.

He's gone...

The King is gone.

"Before the last words of His Royal Majesty, King Russel Donovan is read, the presence of Melissa Redmond is required here, now."

The words echo into nothing as I dab my eyes, clueless.

"Mel." Halley tugs my hand.

"That's you."

And I look up now, staring straight ahead at a man with a full white head of hair as he calls out....my name?

"Melissa Redmond, daughter of the sailor Sir William Redmond and the seamstress Diana Redmond, sister to Halley Redmond and teacher of Little school of Nirvania."

The place erupts in whispers and murmurs and I watch the Prince frown as he gets up, marching straight towards the white-haired man.

"Why are they calling--"

"Shh! We have to go." I say quickly to Halley as I grip her hand tight and push my way through the crowd, a loud whistling prominent in my ear, blocking out every other sound.

"Melissa Redmond!"

It's an order now.

"Mel--"

"Not now Halley. We have to go."

I'm pushing through the crowd, heading as fast as I can towards the gate.

I have to get out of here.

Why did I even think of coming?

They're going to shut down the school, they're going to send me to the cellar.

"Mel, what's wrong?"

"Shush, Halley!"

I can see the metal gate now and I pick up Halley as I rush the rest of the way.

Have to get out.

Have to get out.

"HALT!"

I'm not sure if the command is coming from my front or behind me, but I know it's for me because the gates are latched locked now.

And armored knights have their spears locked in my front, glaring down at me.

"Please, let me through." I beg, hanging on to Halley as I feel her clutch me close and bury her face in my neck.

But the knights say nothing, they just keep glaring at me.

"Please, please let me through. My sister is not too well, please!"

"Melissa Redmond."

It's a confirmation, and it's the same voice that called out my name, now coming from behind me.

"If you would kindly turn around, My lady."

I turn around to face the white-haired man, who has somehow carved a straight path from where he was standing to where I am, looking at me with kind, grey eyes.

"Please My lord, you must have me mistaken. I'm no lady, I'm just a commoner--"

"Be calm, Lady Redmond."

"I've done nothing wrong! It can't be me, please! I'm all my sister has!"

The words are pouring out endlessly as my heart races against Halley's own and fear pushes me down on my knees.

"Please My lord! Please let us go! Please!"

"Melissa, there are no charges against you." he says quietly as he reaches down and pulls me to my feet.

"Come, my dear, don't be frightened."

His hand grasps mine gently and he leads me down the marble path, in front of everyone, to the monument.

It's only when I get close that I finally see him clearly.

The Prince.

Fuming with rage as he glares at me.

"Your Highness." I lower myself to a curtsy as I drop Halley and she curtsies too. But my feet feel like jelly and I can't hear anything but the pounding of my heart in my ears.

"What's the meaning of this? What's going on here Felipe?"

"This was part of your father's request."

"LIES!" He barks. "She is a commoner! This is the highest form of disrespect, especially to my father!"

I flinch at his words as I keep my gaze planted on the floor.

"I assure you, this is no disrespect."

"Then why is she here?!" He demands in a tone that causes everyone to fall silent instantly.

"She is part of your father's requests. He wanted her here, in front of everyone before his last words were read."

The Prince is silent now and this time I dare to look up, only to find him glaring at me. Up close I can see the colors of his eyes, for the first time in my life.

Hazel, like the color of his cape.

It's all I can capture before I look away from his cold gaze...and all I can think of is the little boy at the market who lost his finger.

He's going to have me killed.

He's going to punish me.

But the Prince remains silent, and the white-haired man clears his throat as he says the words that will change my life forever.

"People of Nirvania, it is with a happy heart that I leave these last words for you. Yes, I'm happy. Happy that I had the opportunity to be your ruler, and even happier that I am leaving you in the hands of a greater ruler, my son, Stefan. He will guide you, care for you, protect you and provide for you better than I ever did. But to do this, he will need guidance, and to have that, he will need discipline.--"

"Felipe." Prince Alexander warns but the man keeps reading.

"As my final request as King, Let it be known that in a year from the day of my death, my son Prince Stefan Alexander Donovan IV, is to stand by the altar with his bride, whom he shall swear by man, by earth, and by God, to love and to hold, to learn and to grow, to protect, to cherish and to remain loyal to...”

The more he speaks, the more I expect the Prince to interrupt but he remains quiet.

“And if this action does not take place, my son Prince Stefan Alexander Donovan IV shall lose his rightful position as heir to the throne as King of Nirvania and all its benefits.”

There is a shift in the air as some people gasp, while the rest remain quiet. Yet all I can think of is,

Why did the king want me here for this?

The Prince is still silent and I don't bother to look up as I try to steady my shaky fingers.

The man continues to read,

“Which is why I've taken it upon myself to pick Melissa Redmond as his bride, with whom I know will be the perfect companion for him and will help him be the ruler he is meant to be. For himself and you all. Your King, Russel.”

This time I look up at the man in shock.

What?!

The Prince marches forward and snatches the scroll from the man who looks at him calmly.

“Your Highness--”

“That's enough! The ceremony is over! Everyone out! Now!”

It's enough to get the people scrambling out of the place, but not enough to stop their whispers and the rumors that are sure to follow.

Bride?

Marriage?

Me???

I don't stop to think as I grab Halley’s hand and turn to head out but his deep voice stops me.

“Not you!”

I turn to him in fear.

“But--”

“You will pay for what you've done.”

“I didn't do anything--”

“Guards! Seize her!”

My hands are suddenly held behind me forcefully, and I've lost track of where Halley is.

“Prince Alexander--” the white-haired man is saying and the Prince whips around to face him while I search for Halley until I find her, crying in the corner.

“Why would my father embarrass me like this? An arranged marriage to a commoner?! She must have done something!” he yells as he turns to me.

“I didn't do anything, please!”

“He had his reasons.”

“Impossible!” he yells then marches up to me, “You hear me?! My father would never! So you better start confessing or I will do whatever it takes to discover who sent you.”

I'm crying now.

“Please Your Highness, I swear! I'm innocent.”

“You can't harm her Prince Alexander!” the man says but the Prince keeps his angry gaze on me.

“Watch me.” he says and looks up at the guards, “Take her to the cellar.”

And they start dragging me away.

“No! No! Halley!” I'm yelling as they yank me away and Halley is in tears, holding herself as she calls out to me.

“Mel! Melissa!” she cries.

“Let me go, please! Halley! Halley!”

But I can't see her anymore, I can only hear her call out my name.

The guards drag me all the way to the back of the castle, where there is another building and they push me all the way down to one of the empty cellars with an awful stench.

Then they shove me inside and lock the gate.

“Please I have to see my sister...” it's a whimper now, a plea.

“She has no one but me.”

But they just walk away and shut the main door, leaving me in the dark, cold, bricked room.

I hold myself as I lean in the corner, crying.

I never should have come.....