Okay so I know it's been a while. But here I am very humbly and gratefully. I'm thinking I'll do one more chapter after this and make it a three-shot. But who knows? Maybe in the very distant future I'll decide to do more... Now on with the show!
As in the tutor species, there are many dates that must be observed into each intricate and final detail. Anniversaries, the Inventor's Parade, and a handful of unbirthdays were on the list of occasions. Birthdays found themselves ranking higher—perhaps the highest. But royal weddings were a different matter entirely. Royal weddings required new guards and extra fluffy tarty-tarts. Birthdays came every year, but only once in her precious lifetime did the queen take a king.
And the queen's tutor was superbly aware of this. If he wasn't, well, his name wasn't Bibwit Harte!
The walrus butler came blubbering behind, dashing the sweat from his face with a Wonderland trimmed handkerchief as Mr. Harte dutifully marched out of the hall and into the courtyard. There he found Alyss, hardly showing any sign of guilt for being missing. Bibwit, of course, was aware of her flight, but he didn't say a word about it.
"Ah, my queen," he sighed. The walrus butler had gone gaily to fetch her tea, though it seemed like something a bride could hardly take.
Alyss was breathless. She hadn't run without true fear in so many years. But, as ruler of the queendom, she retained her modesty and held herself together. "Bibwit Harte," was her gentle acknowledgment as she detached herself from her mother's tree. The wedding would, unfortunately, be a lacking in heirlooms. Genevieve's dress had since been destroyed.
"It appears we have much to accomplish today, my dear." Here, Bibwit slipped a steadying arm around her. "I'll prepare the palace for you today. I'll prepare it for your daughter and her daughter and your great granddaughter."
Alyss realized for the first time that his response was no longer her past but her future. And while she liked the idea, she asked, "What was my mother like on her wedding day?"
His tutor ears folded. The skin crinkled like paper. "She kept to herself, confined in her room for most of the day, and called on the queen for assistance every hour. But she smiled the day through and through."
They had circled their way into Alyss's room, where Homburg Molly stood with crossed arms. Molly's displeased stance didn't last long, however; she'd been assigned a very special role indeed.
"Queen Alyss," she said, bowing. "I thank you for your request, and I humbly, and belatedly, accept."
Alyss bid Mr. Harte goodbye, the door shutting. "Well," she said, "who else could get me into the dress?"
The dress in question billowed for miles, like a ridiculous cloud. It shimmered, tied in the middle with archaic caterpillar silk. Only the queen could make it look regal, and that she did.
Promptly, both ladies completed their quest, with easy speed. Both were dressed, picturesque. Alyss was just being tied in, staring into the looking glass, when Genevieve and Nolan appeared, sniffling.
"She looks so beautiful," Nolan said, dabbing his eyes. "She's a credit to me."
Genevieve lightly hit him on his chest, but her eyes never left the face of her daughter. "She is beautiful, Nolan. But perfectly on her own."
Alyss stared down at herself, ignoring the looking glass. Her own eyes wouldn't deceive her. "Well," she said, "I hope my husband will agree."
"That he will!" Nolan assured, brandishing his handkerchief until Genevieve rested her hands on his shoulders to calm him. Then, more serenely: "Oh, and with that in mind, do try to cover the mirrors. Or at least those near your vacation spot. We don't want a glimpse of you two being anything other than a respectable queen and king for even a gwormy-blink."
With Homburg Molly peeking from behind her, Alyss blushed but answered, "I'll keep that in mind, Dad." Her lips kissed the cold mirror. And regardless of it only being a mirror, she pulled back smiling. "I'll keep you both in mind as I walk down the aisle," she promised.
Frazzled, Genevieve said, "Alyss, I thought I was looking into the looking glass myself. You... seem so much like me on my wedding day."
Nolan set his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Then she has all the luck." Love. Love. "We love you." And they were gone.
Before either girl could even breathe in response, both queen and bodyguard turned towards the shaking door.
"Queen Alyss!" the walrus butler cried. "It's time!"
