"Would it help to talk about it, your majesty?" Jack Kang asks.

I swallow. "My parents think it will, but nothing has helped. Talking is relieving, but it just brings back memories." I straighten my posture as Myra brings out tea. Kang crosses his legs and starts to write something down in his book.

Meanwhile, I smile at Myra. "Thank you," I say sweetly. She curtsies and I wonder if Edward has asked for her hand in marriage. Then I am reminded of what happened later that night. When Kang looks to me, surprised to see me panicked, I turn away.

"Would you just like to sit here?" Kang asks. "In silence?"

I turn towards him, biting my lip. "Is that bad?" I ask, picking up a cup of the black currant tea. "I mean, I don't want to talk about it. But I need the help. I can't just shut myself out."

Kang tilts his head. I offer him a plate of cookies, but he just shakes his head. After a minute, he looks at me graciously. "Does talking to your fiance help?"

I shrug. "He just tells me that it will all be okay. How does he know that? He wasn't hurt. I told him the truth and he just let me cry."

"Maybe he doesn't know how to help you. Everyone will benefit from their mistakes." Kang smiles. "Time is up for this afternoon," he says. He stands up and I do as well. I walk him to the door and Kang bows. "You've made some excellent progress today, your majesty. I hear Prince Tobias is taking you to the carnival tonight?"

I nod and a small smile peaks out. "You heard right. I've been looking forward very much to it."

Kang holds his hand out and I shake it. "Thank you," I say, "Seriously."

Kang tilts his head and smiles. He holds onto a thought for a minute, before speaking, "Do talk to Prince Tobias. It seems like you trust him very much." Kang grasps my hand and I know that I must talk to Tobias more.

"Well," I say with a smile. "We are getting married in two weeks."

Kang chuckles lightly. "Aw, yes. Congratulations on that. You will be a fabulous queen." He lets go of my hand and I curtsy as he walks out.

After Kang leaves, I walk back over to the chair I was seated in and nearly collapse in it. I take a sip of my tea and then rest my forearms on the arms of the chair and close my eyes, dreaming of my wedding day.

"Princess Beatrice, Beatrice...Tris, wake up." Hands clamp on my shoulders and my eyes flutter open to Tobias. My lips form into a smile. "Hi," I say. Tobias takes his hands off my shoulders and I scoot up. "Sorry," I stutter. "I just haven't been-"

"Getting much sleep lately," Tobias finishes.

I nearly melt into a puddle. He knows me so well already.

Then Tobias awakens me from my daydream by standing up. I blink rapidly and follow him, as gracefully as I can, although I would love nothing more than to take a nap that lasts forever on my bed.

"What time is it?" I ask.

Tobias smiles. "Almost four," he says. "If we want to go to the carnival, we better do so soon."

I nod. "If you'll excuse me, I had better go to my room and freshen up."

Tobias nods at me. "As should I," he counters, squeezing my hand for a second before disappearing down the hall.

Tobias grasps my hand as we take a peek outside of the carriage. "Prior is a beautiful country," he says eagerly.

"Oh yes," I say with a sweet smile. "An evening sunset on Prior countryside is a sight for sore eyes."

Tobias puts his arm over my shoulder and pulls me closer and closer. I love it.

"Thank you, Harrison," I say, as we exit the carriage. "A wonderful ride as usual."

Harrison tips his hat to me. "Just glad to be of service, your majesty."

Tobias helps me down the step and I'm glad I wore a sun hat for once. It flaps over my hair, which Christina left down and Tobias compliments me on how golden my hair looks.

"Thank you," I say quietly. Then I turn around. "Hello, Max."

Max looks at me briefly before surveying the crowd. "Evening, your majesty." He nods at Tobias in greeting. "Sir."

Tobias looks at Max briefly before looking at me. "What do you want to do?"

"Walk around, I suppose," I say.

Tobias smiles. "Lead the way."

We end up walking through the rose gardens. Tobias gets me a bouquet of red ones. Everyone in Prior is so selfless. They all want to give the royal family free accoutrements; Max is already carrying dozens of necklaces and scarves, as well as samples of homemade marmalades and goat cheeses. In the end, I end up asking Max to stand by the exit so Tobias and I can walk around on our own.

"Cold?" Tobias asks.

I shrug. "It is October."

Tobias chuckles and takes his jacket off. He wraps it over my shoulders and I sink into him. He puts his arm around my shoulders and smiles at me.

His smile is contagious and I grin back. "What?" I ask.

Tobias shakes his head, disbelieving. "In two weeks you'll be all mine."

I smile nervously. "Everyone says I'll be a great queen...but I don't know. I really don't."

"You'll be fine," Tobias says. "You're a natural leader. You're selfless, caring, daring. I love you." We stop walking and Tobias presses his lips into my temple. When he pulls his lips away, I take his hand and pull Tobias down to the bench in front of us. Tobias puts his arm over my shoulder and I melt into him.

"Two weeks," he whispers. "Just two more weeks. Then you're all mine."

I chuckle and wrap my arms around Tobias. I am so ready to marry him.

"Today we will be trying on wedding dresses," Johanna says perkily, as she clutches her clipboard eagerly. "Ladies!" she says cheerfully. "We're ready!"

My maids come in chattering as they push in a wheeled garment rack that is nearly overflowing with white wedding dresses.

My mother puts a gentle hand on my shoulder and I look back at her and smile. "Are you ready for the big day?"

My cheeks flush with color and my mother laughs lightly. "I was just as excited for my wedding. Now go put on a dress."

My mother sits down on the love-seat in my suite and offers Johanna some tea. They make small talk as my maids unzip the dress that I am in currently.

"Aren't you excited?" Marlene asks. I nod briefly as she holds up a white dress that looks just like the rest and asks for Christina's opinion.

Shauna helps me into the dress and smiles. "You look beautiful, miss," she says warmly, putting my hair in a simple braid.

Marlene gets my mother as Christina walks me to the full-length mirror. "It's a bit long," she says, but Tori can hem it.

I run my hand over the feathers. "I look like a puffy swan."

My mother laughs. "A very beautiful swan, darling. How do you like it?"

I shrug. "It's too puffy. And I would like something a little more...modest..."

Johanna laughs. "This dress does not have the highest rating," she says, walking up to me. "But you have the body for it and the designers wanted a little variety."

I stare at myself in the mirror. This dress doesn't really suit me. It's strapless and has a sweetheart neckline that's too low for my taste. At the waist, feathers shoot out and swarm around me in a way that makes me feel that I have to run outside with the geese.

"Another one, perhaps," my mother says.

And after three more dresses, I finally wear one that I like.

"Wow," my maids all say in unison.

My mother walks towards me and smiles.

"What do you think?" I ask.

But she just keeps smiling.

I look at my reflection and smile. This dress is creme-colored and the definition of a fairy tale dress. It is sleeveless and the neckline droops a little low, but my mother just says that it is appropriate for the occasion. The dress is cinched at the waist and falls to my feet. There is a small train on the back. It fits perfectly.

"The question is, what do you think?" my mother asks.

I smile. "I love it."

Johanna scribbles something on her clipboard. "This is the one then," she decides. "Now, shall we discuss menus?"

Later that night, as my maids prepare me for bed, Shauna can't keep a steady hand while she combs my hair.

"What's going on?" I finally ask.

She bites her lip, but I finally wiggle it out of her. "Okay," she says nervously. "I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations!" I say happily. "Are you excited?"

Shauna shrugs. "I'm not so sure," she says nervously. "Zeke and I aren't even engaged, but when I told him, he broke. He started crying and he promised he would never leave me." Shauna sniffles.

I stand up and hug her. "Shauna," I whisper. "If you need to, you can talk to me. Or my other maids."

"But you'll be gone to Eaton in two weeks," Shauna says.

I smile at her. "Haven't you heard? You, Christina, and Marlene will follow me to Eaton."

"But what about Zeke?" Shauna trembles.

I smile. "We can figure out a way to bring him," I say. "You know that the palace has a policy of never splitting up families."

Shauna lets out a weak smile. "Really?"

"Really," I say with a smile back, as we begin to talk about baby toys.

{Author's Note}

Hope y'all liked it (: Leave a review if you liked it enough to take it to Vegas and marry it! Jk :p But seriously. A review would be nice.

Until next chapter lovies,

-Lola