Once Upon a Romance 03 - With True Love's Kiss by Jessica Woodard

Author:Jessica Woodard [Woodard, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Bianca was hideously uncomfortable, for a great number of reasons.

For one, she had been woken up before daybreak to begin preparing for this event. After hours of scrubbing, polishing, and brushing, she was now standing in the warm spring sun, wearing a gown made from gold brocade and a heavy white cape that lay like a blanket on her shoulders and back and dragged several feet on the ground. Ella had also furnished her with a beautiful golden circlet. It was tasteful, and elegant, and exceedingly heavy.

She looked immensely royal, and was positive she would make a good impression, provided she didn’t pass out from heatstroke or headache.

Her second reason for discomfort was the overwhelming ceremony of it all. Really, it was silly. Most of the suitors had trickled in over the past week and been hosted by various noble families in the capital. The final invitee had arrived yesterday, so today they all trooped out of the city gates and came parading back in, freshly washed and polished, so the citizens could cheer them on.

Bianca couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken part in something so ridiculous.

But, if truth be told, most of her distress came from the other occupants of the platform. Oh, Vivienne had been a delight, to be sure, bolstering her spirits and giving her pointers over the past few weeks, trying to help her feel prepared to meet these men. And Fain was a bulwark against all fears. His calm, solid presence tended to make her feel like everything would be fine, in the end. And Isabelle and Regal had treated her like a member of the family, introducing her to the nobles of Albion and planning small parties and amusements to keep her occupied while they waited.

But, at the end of the platform, in a discreetly drawn chair, was Dame Merriweather, and, inevitably, by her side was Robin.

They hadn’t spoken together in three weeks. Not a word. They saw one another almost constantly, because no gathering—be it on the business of war or a casual dinner among friends—was complete without the Dame. And where Merriweather went, so too went Robin. Bianca would watch him, when she thought she could manage it without being observed. He seemed at ease and composed, if not entirely happy. She couldn’t decide if it hurt her more to see him so unconcerned by her impending betrothal, or if it would be worse to have to watch him suffer. She supposed it didn’t matter. His heart seemed whole, and she might as well be grateful for it.

Even if it made her want to cry.

She tried to accept it, as he had. She tried to forget about their weeks together in the mountains, and focus instead on the future. She may not have wanted to marry, but she found it gratifying to be doing something to help so many people. She attended all the meetings on the war, no matter how mundane, and learned all she could. She also started spending time with Vivienne, letting her cousin teach her about running a kingdom.

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