by Juli Blood
“No, that’s not necessary. The Royal Family wants him to be comfortable and happy. Today especially they want him to feel welcome.” Edward paused, thinking of the day’s schedule, and then in a softer slightly secretive voice he said, “However, the King usually eats breakfast around seven and the luncheon is scheduled to begin at one this afternoon.”
‘Family politics.’ Leo understood what Edward was really saying. ‘You might not want to keep the King waiting for his breakfast.’ “I am sure that Crown Prince Bryan will be up and ready to eat by seven,” Leo quietly answered.
“Very good. If anything should change please let me know as soon as possible.” With that Edward gave a slight bow and walked calmly out into the hallway closing the door behind him.
Leo stared at the closed door. Reaching down he set his alarm for six and then stood and walked back over to his bed. ‘With any luck the prince will already be awake and ready by then.’ Releasing a sigh he slipped back to sleep.
Edward waited until he was halfway down the hall before he called Princess Alexis, careful to keep his voice cheerful. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
“Yes Edward is the prince ready?” Alexis asked excitedly.
“No, Your Highness, I’m afraid that he is not. It seems he retired rather late last night. I’m sure that he will be ready to eat at about seven,” Edward answered ending on a somewhat tentative note.
“Oh, well that’s fine. We will definitely be ready by then. Now Edward, I need your help with some of his staff. They are awake and I can’t understand a single thing they are saying. Please meet me in the kitchen as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will be right there.” Edward quickened his pace, as he ended the call.
~
The sunlight marched down the distant ridge, lighting the trees as it scattered the night. Princess Kalea rose from her bed. Sometime in the night she had moved from the window seat but she couldn’t remember when.
Stretching and yawning she headed for the bathroom and a nice long soak in the tub.
‘Today is my wedding day.’ The thought echoed again and again as she prepared the bath water. When it was filled to capacity, she climbed in and relaxed. With her chin tipped back out of the water she rested her head on the cushioned head rest and began to pray.
“Good morning, Holy One; thank You for the blessing of today. Not just the wedding and all, but simply for another day of life. Thank You for Alexis and everyone’s hard work in preparing for today. Thank You for Crown Prince Bryan’s willingness to be my husband. This must be a lonely time for him with no family able to come. As hard as this is for me, at least I’m home with my family surrounding me.
“Please be with Bryan today. Sacrificing his crown and marrying a stranger can’t be easy for him. I know he has breakfast with everyone this morning and then the Royal Council and extended family luncheon. I pray that Alexis was right about keeping him busy today. I pray he doesn’t feel too overwhelmed.”
Glancing at the clock she realized that she only had ten more minutes before her breakfast arrived. Not really wanting to get out of the tub she closed her eyes and continued. “Holy One please bless all those involved today with peace and joy. Thank You for the opportunity to serve You in this way. May I be the woman You want me to be, now and when I am queen. I rest in You. Amen.”
Slowly she scrubbed and then stood to rinse. She had just pulled on her softest dressing gown and started to dry her hair when her maid entered the bed chamber with breakfast. The smell of fresh bread drew her from the bathroom. Dropping her towel on a chair she quickly took her place at her breakfast table. Offering a quick word of thanks for the food, she began to eat.
Linda, her maid, retrieved the towel and continued to dry Princess Kalea’s hair while she ate. After a moment Linda picked up the comb and began gently working out the snarls.
This had been their normal routine for, eighteen years and Linda wondered how it would change after the wedding. They never exchanged more than a smile before the meal was finished. But when the food was gone they would talk about everything, or so it seemed to Linda.
It had all started when Princess Kalea was five years old. She had wanted to talk while she ate but always made a mess. Some days she would talk until the food was cold or she had no time left to eat. It was then that Linda suggested they smile their “Good Mornings” and talk after she had eaten. And so it was that even after the princess was grown, their morning routine never changed.
Just as Linda was finishing with her hair, Princess Kalea asked, “Is everything ready for this evening?”
“Yes, Princess,” Linda replied.
“The dress and everything?”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Good. So when do I need to let you begin on my hair?”
“Considering all that needs to be done, I would think probably right after lunch. Is that good for you?” Linda asked.
“Yes, that will be fine, but I feel I should warn you that I won’t be very talkative today. I need to concentrate. Also, if you ask me to do something and I don’t respond right away, please be patient; my mind will be elsewhere.” Kalea smiled knowing that Linda would understand.
“Princess, is there anything else that I can do for you this morning?” Linda asked.
“No. That will be all. I will see you again after lunch and then you can make me beautiful for the wedding.”
“You are always beautiful, Princess,” Linda replied as she gathered up the dishes and prepared to leave.
“Thank you, Linda. That was kind.” Princess Kalea gave her a quick one arm hug as she passed.
~
“Beep, Beep, Beep.” Leo woke to his alarm. He quickly turned it off while he tried to remember why it was set. “Breakfast!”
Leo jumped out of bed and went to check the security monitor for Prince Bryan’s room. “Drat!!” Leo exclaimed as he realized the prince was still sleeping. Oh, how he hated having to wake the prince. Looking at his timepiece again he decided that he had enough time to get ready himself before he had to wake the prince. “Please Father, wake him up while I get ready. I really don’t want to wake him up,” Leo prayed as he headed for the shower.
Fifteen minutes later he again checked the monitor. No change. Frustrated, he finished dressing and did his best to prepare for what was to come.
It was now six twenty and he couldn’t possibly wait any longer. With one firm knock he announced his arrival and entered the prince’s bedchamber. “Good Morning, Your Highness!” Leo called in an overly cheerful voice, not really expecting an answer other than a pillow in the face.
“Good morning Leo. How are you?” Crown Prince Bryan asked from his position on the bed. There he lay dressed only in a robe but with a wet head that indicated a recent shower.
“I’m…um…I’m fine Your Highness,” Leo answered surprised but struggling not to show it. However, he was terribly unsuccessful.
“I heard your alarm,” Bryan explained. “But I tried to ignore it, until I remembered that today is my wedding day.” Leo was surprised again by the cheerfulness in the prince’s voice. He was truly chagrined however, as the prince finished.
“I know you use the security monitor to see if I am up and around so I decided to surprise you. So,” Bryan got off the bed and headed toward Leo and the closet. “What do you think is the best outfit for breakfast with my soon-to-be in-laws?”
Leo hastened into the closet and chose a three piece navy suit with a white dress shirt and paisley tie. He then pulled out a pair of shoes that resembled twentieth century penny loafers.
“No.” Bryan replied as he looked over several selections before deciding on a cobalt crew neck, khaki trousers, and the most comfortable pair of Oxford like loafers he owned. “I will be in formal wear tonight. I might as well be comfortable this morning. Besides I don’t want them thinking I’m trying to impress them. I already did that or I wouldn’t have been chosen. They will just have to accept me a
s I am, or send me home.”
Leo tried not to laugh as he pictured Queen Alexandros’ reaction to such a statement. Much less her reaction should they actually send her son home for going to breakfast in semi- casual attire. Bryan dressed quickly and they were on their way by five till seven. Edward met them in the hallway and escorted them to the dining room.
Lavishly decorated, the furniture was made of solid cherry wood. Gold fixtures and frames reflected the light, and plants and flower arrangements graced the table and sideboards. Servants dressed in cream seemed to blend in with the wallpaper that covered the walls from chair rail to ceiling. The place settings were white gold, and complimented the elegance of the dinning chamber.
Six people stood around the table. King Douglas stood at the far end facing him. Nodding a greeting to the one man at the table that he had previously met Bryan quickly surveyed the rest of those present. On the king’s right was a woman similar in appearance to the picture he had seen of Princess Kalea, only older. Assuming that she was Queen Nadia, he bowed to her.
Two younger couples, obviously Princess Kalea’s brothers and their wives, stood one on either side of the table. Edward took his place on Bryan’s left as the King spoke.
“Good morning, Crown Prince Alexandros,” King Douglas said as he approached and reached out to shake Bryan’s hand. “Welcome to our home.”
Edward quickly translated and Bryan replied as he accepted the handshake. “Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you for this opportunity to meet Queen Nadia and the rest of Princess Kalea’s immediate family. It’s an honor.”
“Please be seated.” The king invited, and everyone took their places.
“Will Princess Kalea be joining us?” Bryan asked.
“No, I’m afraid she chose to have a traditional wedding so almost no one will see her today prior to the wedding ceremony,” Queen Nadia answered. Edward quickly translated and he was the first to notice that Prince Bryan relaxed just a tad as he finished.
“Let me introduce you to my family, Crown Prince Alexandros,” the king said as he raised his arm to gesture.
As Edward translated, Bryan quickly replied, “Your Majesty, please, call me Bryan.”
When he understood, the king smiled and turned to his right. “Very well. This is my eldest son Gilbert and his wife Rose Lynn. Gilbert is currently stationed on one of our farthest space ports and enjoys it so much that he only comes home for very important events. We are blessed that he felt this was one of them.” Edward translated as the royal family were amused at Gilbert’s expense.
Bryan nodded and smiled as the king then gestured to the couple on his left. “This is my second son Randolph and his wife Alexis. Alexis has been working very hard in preparation for tonight’s wedding ceremony. She and Randolph will be here for a few more weeks before they journey to your planet to begin the environmental analysis necessary to determine the most efficient and effective course of action in repairing it.”
Again Bryan nodded and smiled somewhat surprised that Prince Randolph himself would be leading the environmental analysis team. He had thought they were to simply be observers or ambassadors.
“Shall we eat?” Queen Nadia asked
“Oh yes. Let us pray.” The king then bowed his head and asked a special blessing on the bride and groom as well as the food. Because of the need for translation conversation was slow but Bryan didn’t mind. At least they didn’t exclude him as he had seen others do when translation was necessary. And though the conversation was interesting it primarily focused on the wedding and everyone’s plans for today.
Bryan, however, was fascinated by the food. Whole grain breads, fresh fruits in abundance, bowls of nuts and several varieties of juice, though he noticed most of the family drank only water.
Food like this was unheard of at home. He was used to nutritional supplements and vitamin drinks that closely resembled mud. So he ate until he was so full he wondered how he would ever be able to eat anything at the luncheon this afternoon.
Though, from the menu that they were describing, it sounded like lunch would also be a feast. Silently he wondered if this was all just for the wedding or if they ate like this regularly? If so he would be tempted never to go home again.
As everyone finished eating, Randolph leaned over and asked, “Would you have some time this morning? I have some questions regarding your planet that I would like to ask.”
“Certainly,” Bryan replied when he understood. “Where would you like to meet?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t mind meeting in my office. It isn’t with the other offices here in the palace; it is out back in the garden. If you’re available?” Randolph asked glancing warily over his shoulder at Alexis.
“I’d be happy too. I’m sure Edward can show me the way,” Bryan answered.
Before Edward even finished translating Randolph broke in. “How about now? If we hurry I should be able to have us back in plenty of time to freshen up before the luncheon.”
Edward was a bit surprised by Prince Randolph’s rapid whispers and frequent glances at the family, but he did his best to translate quickly and quietly.
Bryan was also surprised; but with one quick nod, Randolph was out of his chair and addressing his father. “Father, Prince Bryan and I are going to the garden. We’ll be back later. Thanks for breakfast, it was really good.”
Surprise registered on everyone’s face as Prince Randolph kissed first his wife’s cheek and then his mother’s, before quickly strolling out the room.
Bryan, not wanting to be rude, hastily bowed and then followed on Randolph’s heels so as not to get left behind. Edward also bowed and then hurried to catch up.
As the door closed behind Edward, King Douglas burst out laughing. He was soon joined by everyone else except Alexis who had planned on Randolph’s help with the luncheon.
“I haven’t seen Randy make that kind of an exit since he was rushing off to meet you while you were courting,” King Douglas said with a smile.
“Apparently I don’t hold the same appeal now,” Alexis replied.
“Oh, it’s not you,” Gilbert hastened to reassure her. “It’s all the work you wanted him to do for the luncheon.” Everyone laughed this time, including Alexis.
Prince Bryan spent the rest of the morning working with Randolph and Edward in the various greenhouses located out in the garden. Even Leo was involved as he had to bring out data chips and attachments so they would work with Estar Beta’s information system to help with the translation of certain species of plants.
Princess Kalea spent the morning in prayer and meditation, with a few moments of panic thrown in to keep things interesting. The afternoon was a bit more intense for everyone. Trying to continue her mental preparations while three maids and her mother worked on getting her dressed and her hair done just so.
Prince Bryan, on the other hand, was introduced to so many people he was sure that the only person on this planet he hadn’t met was his bride. And though he was starving at the luncheon he got to eat very little because of all the questions that Edward was faithfully translating for him.
When Bryan realized that it was less than an hour before the wedding he used his newly updated AVID to summon Leo. As Leo suddenly appeared at his side, the guests weren’t offended when Bryan left immediately.
Rushing back upstairs Bryan found his formal black suit, white dress shirt and royal blue sash displaying the royal crest pressed and ready. His black shoes were polished to perfection.
After a quick shower and another shave, he began to dress. He was just tucking in his shirt when there was a knock at the door. Leo answered, it was Alexis.
“Oh, Prince Bryan. Please forgive me. After all the preparations today I laid down to take a nap just after the luncheon was running smoothly. Moments ago, as I finished dressing, Randy came in to tell me that you had had to leave in a hurry.
“One glance at the clock and I just about slapped him. I am so sorry that he didn’t get you out
earlier so you could get ready. Oh, please forgive me?” Alexis was beside herself with remorse. Thankfully she had brought Edward along to translate and he added his own apology to hers when he finished.
“Thank you for your concern but I’m fine. As you can see I am almost ready, so all is forgiven. Now I need someone to show me the way to the Sanctuary,” Bryan grinned at the look of relief on both their faces.
“I will be happy to do that, Your Highness,” Edward volunteered.
“Thank you,” Bryan said as he adjusted the sash over his suit coat.
“No, thank you, for being so understanding,” Alexis said as she turned and hurried out of the room and down the hall.
Bryan watched her go as he sat down and put on his shoes. “Edward, I hate to bring this up now, but there was no rehearsal for this ceremony. I don’t know if your wedding ceremonies are the same as ours. I would really like to know what is expected of me before I make a fool of myself in front of everyone.”
“Oh, my, how could we have forgotten?” Edward exclaimed. “Well, Your Highness, your part is actually quite simple. At the beginning of the ceremony you step onto the dais and face the crowd. Gilbert will show you were to stand.” As he continued to explain they began walking to the Sanctuary, with Leo and the prince’s honor guard close on their heels – dressed to the nines.
“Princess Kalea will enter the Sanctuary at the rear and walk up the aisle to stand beside you. You will turn and face the ministers. The minister that came with you, as well as Pastor Joseph, will each perform part of the ceremony. They worked out the particulars yesterday and this morning.” Reaching the main floor, Edward gestured to the right and they entered the garden.
“At the end of the ceremony you will turn back to the congregation and be introduced by both ministers. Then you will both walk down the aisle and back to the palace. Any questions?”
“Yes, do I hold her hand or kiss her during the ceremony?” Bryan asked.
“No. This is the traditional ceremony so no contact is involved,” Edward answered as they approached the side door to a large stone building, two stories tall with large windows and enormous wooden doors.
