A/N: This chapter has so many things going on so keep your eyes peeled! A couple more plot twists are being introduced as well! =D Enjoy!

The preparation for Phillipa's wedding was extravagant. Aria managed to peek at her wedding dress that was a white tunic with a silk cloak of the same colour, bordered with furs of grey squirrel and ermine. A handful of her maidens have already set sail to Sweden to make preparations there and the ones left back in the castle were tasked to pack the princess's belongings.

Aria was sitting in the castle's garden, reading a book. It was a cool day to enjoy one's self outdoors. She was about to turn a page when Phillipa sat beside her. Aria immediately dog-eared her book and closed it as the princess smiled at her and reached for her hand.

"The King thought it would be more meaningful if I ask you to be one of my maids of honour than him asking you on my behalf," she spoke softly.

Aria gasped, "Your highness, I thought Princess Blanche was to be yours? If you are feeling obliged to do so just because I offered some comfort to you, then, there is no need to!"

Phillipa grinned, "Don't be silly! Please! And to quote you the other day, I insist!"

Both women laughed and Aria squeezed the princess's hands. "Then I would be honoured to."

Beth, Mary and Margret had started to pack for Aria. The plan was for them to stay in Sweden for a week; 3 days before the wedding and 3 days after the wedding. Due to the arrest of the three masterminds for the assassination plot and the imminent trial in Southampton, Henry could not make it to the wedding. He had tasked John to represent him and walk Phillipa down the aisle.

"Will you be alright?" Aria asked. They were in Henry's chambers and he had tugged her into an embrace. He nodded silently and gave her a weak smile.

"They're caught, now we just need to determine their innocence. Or not."

Aria nuzzled his neck and kissed a freckle, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too my love."

"Will you be alright in Southampton?"

"My uncles and the councilmen will accompany me. No need to worry."

The wedding was taking place in Lund, Scania, Sweden. The journey on sea took close to 4 days and on land, another half a day. By the time they reached the castle hosting them, all of them were exhausted. Beth had accompanied Aria. She was given a small room (half the size of her own room back in England) and even had to share it with Beth. At first Beth was enraged. The nobles must have thought Aria was a handmaiden as well. Aria brushed it off and persuaded Beth not to make a huge fuss. It was petty anyways.

On the wedding day itself Aria woke up early and was dressed by 8am. Her own maid of honour dress was made of silk and chiffon but unlike Princess Blanche's (Phillipa's younger sister and 1st maid of honour) gold and yellow dress, hers was peach. The off shoulder dress had intricate details over the bodice and its skirt flowed behind her, with a slight train. Beth had braided her hair to the side and letting it droop to her right.

"Wow." John was leaning on the door frame of Humphrey's room when he saw Aria and Beth approached. He wore his royal blue velvet tunic, a pair of black courtly pants with the royal ceremonial gold necklace.

You truly are beautiful.

Colour rose to her cheeks as she gave John a small curtsey, "Have you had your breakfast your highness?"

John beamed at her and shook his head. "Will my Lady Aria accompany then?"

He hooked an arm and put it forward. Aria took it and feigned being touched.

"Only if the Prince insists," taking his arm.

They both laughed and proceeded to the dining room.

It has been 5 days since Aria and his siblings together with his mother set sail to Sweden. Henry was leaning against the stone wall, arms folded. He was waiting for Lord Exeter to call him into the courtroom. The trial for his assassination was taking a longer time than expected. The three ringleaders kept turning on each other, denying their own guilt, accusing a phantom when they were clearly in the wrong.

Henry was genuinely livid when he could not be the one who gives Phillipa away for her wedding. He knew that seeing these criminals being put to justice was important but Phillipa was his sister. She had regarded him as her fatherly figure since their father had passed and now her happiness will no longer be his responsibility. He will definitely not see her often and he knew he will miss her dearly and their banter during meal times.

Call him selfish and possessive but he was reluctant to let Aria go as well. When Phillipa approached him to ask for his permission to have Aria as a maid of honour, he hesitated for some time but he saw how Philippa wanted Aria to be one and finally he told Phillipa to ask Aria herself. He knew that he could not be there for his sister and the one next in line was John. He wanted to believe that John has no ulterior motives towards Aria but he still could shake off the jealousy.

The heavy oak doors creaked open. "My liege, it's time."

Henry pushed himself off the wall, straightened and walked into the courtroom.

Aria checked in on Phillipa 30 minutes before she was due to walk down the aisle. The Princess was quietly letting the handmaidens fix her dress and veil. She stood in her beautiful white dress but she was obviously anxious and fidgety.

"You're beautiful your highness." Aria held her clammy hands and squeezed them affectionately.

Phillipa nervously cracked a smile, "You're much more beautiful than me Lady Aria."

She beamed and shook her head, "Nonsense," She adjusted Philippa's veil, "Today, the bride is the most beautiful woman in the cathedral."

As much as Aria was sincere about her statement earlier, when she walked down the aisle with a Swedish groomsman, all of the guests could not take their eyes off her and started to whisper amongst themselves. Some even thought she was the princess herself but her dress and the lack of veil gave it away.

She took her place and watched Blanche walk down with another groomsman, followed by the bride herself. John winked at Aria as he walked Phillipa and gave her away. The vows went smoothly and soon the newlyweds were walking out of the Cathedral, greeting with the citizens who kept pushing each other to catch and glimpse of their new Queen.

The wedding banquet itself was lavish. John kept piling Aria's plate with food and when she finally protested, he laughed and asked for her to dance with him.

Aria hesitated, "But I don't know how to dance."

"Just follow my lead, avoid stubbing my toes and you will be fine my lady."

Aria pretended to ponder over his request and when John pouted at her, she relented, "Oh alright."

Grinning, he took her hand and kissed it before leading her towards the dance floor. He held her close, gently guiding her right hand to his shoulder, while holding her left hand up. Abandoning her hand, he placed his on the small of her waist and started to sway.

Why does she have to smell so good? Her scent is just intoxicating.

Winking, John whispered, "Just follow my lead… There you go… 1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3."

Aria struggled and accidentally stepped on his right foot. John grimaced and Aria went rigid.

"I'm alright, my lady. Now just avoid my toes. 1, 2, 3…"

They danced woodenly at first but Aria got the hang of the rhythm and got better.

"There you go. You're a fast learner."

Aria chuckled and shook her head, "I don't know why you keep putting up with me your highness."

John grinned at her.

Because I've fallen in love with you. That's why.

Mary had been observing John and Aria for the longest time. Her second son was clearly bewitched by the commoner. She knows not what the commoner has that have sent her sons' tongues wagging but she knew that if John were to court Aria and make her his wife, it would not be disastrous as having Henry marrying her.

She had been crossed when Henry brushed off the negotiations to take the Princess of France as his wife. When she demanded a reason why, Henry had evidently lied through his teeth when he said that he did not wish to stall the war and Charles VI was merely dangling a carrot in front of an uninterested stallion. She knew her son had probably had an illicit affair with the commoner and she had bewitched him.

It had been a long day and Aria was retiring early. There was a knock on the door and then silence. Curious, Aria opened the small latch acting as a peephole. She was surprised to see the Dowager Queen's bright blue eyes staring back at her.

"Your highness!" She quickly unbolted the door and opened it wide, "Please come in."

Mary was pursing her lips, forming them into a thin line. She stared at Beth and gestured her to leave the room. As soon as Beth left, she shut the door and motioned Aria deeper into the room.

Aria wringed her hands as she followed the Queen further into the room. She had never had a one-on-one conversation with her and this woman is just intimidating.

"I came here for the truth."She paused and she turned towards Aria slowly. "Nothing but the truth."

"Pardon your highness?"

"As much as my son wants to hide and evade, he cannot hide the obvious!"

Aria flinched. She had never flinched in her life before. Scared, yes. Nervous yes. But she has never flinched before.

"What is your relationship with my son, the King?!"

Aria mustered enough courage to look at the Queen squarely in her eyes. She didn't answer.

Mary heaved a sigh, "You foolish girl. Do you think you can marry my son and be his queen?"

It was as if the queen had etched those very words slowly into her skin with a carving knife.

Aria didn't answer. The blinding pain, the disappointment and the weight of reality suddenly became overwhelming.

There was a long pause between the two women.

Then Aria whispered, her voice, pained, "I love him."

"Oh you foolish girl. Just because you love someone, doesn't mean you marry him!"

Aria stared at the queen, eyes watering. She tried hard not to let the tears fall down her cheeks.

Mary inched closer. "Name your price."

A tear fell on Aria's cheek, "What?"

"I can give you my wealth silly girl, but not my son. Not the King. Now, name me your price!" Mary spat.

"What do you take me for? A whore?" Aria cried.

Mary rolled her eyes and looked at her haughtily in response.

"Get out."

"I beg your pardon?!"

"I said: Get. Out." Aria opened the door and glared at the Dowager Queen.

"This will not be the last you heard from me," Mary snarled.

Aria slammed the door hard. Slowly, she slid down to the stone cold floor, gathered her knees and cried.

A/N: Did any of you expect the twists? =D Follows and feedbacks are much appreciated!