Chapter 12 [Dawn—The Big Day]
Sol rose early on that morning. Perhaps Anticipation brightened his outlook. Festive shades of reds, yellows and oranges streaked the skies. Intensity burned away Shadow's murky backdrop. Celebration swept away Malice's handiwork.
Around Whitgate, Preparation kicked into high gear. The residents hustled about their daily affairs. They cleaned their shops and forges. Some would place flowers around the castle's square later that day. Elation motivated their best efforts.
Custom shepherded the poor toward the castle on that morning. For it was on that morning that one last ritual would come into play…..
[Mithian's Bedchamber]
Mithian inspected her surroundings. While she'd accepted Hospitality's bliss while visiting other royals, she'd never overindulged herself. Despite Suggestion's contrarian pleas, she maintained Minimalism's standards.
Most Princesses filled wardrobes with gowns. They loaded down jewelry boxes with Gold, Pearl and Emerald's gleams. Grace guided their every move whether in a dance or at court. Precision maneuvered cross stitches and tapestries' craft. Gentility maintained that they should be seen and not heard.
Mithian, however, rolled her eyes at Convention's restraints. She only owned two necklaces and the one set of earrings. Three simple gowns, the ill-fated yellow one, a green one and the turquoiseone (which she'd gladly lent to Josiane on the previous evening), had hung in the wardrobe. She spoke her mind at court and on the council. She hunted, belched (as we know when she thought nobody was watching), drank with and could shoot a crossbow as well as any man. She refused to practice traditional crafts. She didn't accept the traditional marital arrangements. (Or was it that they didn't accept her? Maybe both?)
Well, on that day, she'd get the last laugh. Charity would start her day. Commitment would set her course by noon. Amor would round things out that night. Her possessions awaited their move to the new bedchamber.
She considered a simple dress standing out in stark contrast to the others. She fingered the rough burlap fabric. Her eye gleaned the rough stitches in its sides. A simple length of rope lay coiled at its hem. Memoria recalled how she crafted that garment in anticipation of this day. Admiration beamed from her eyes at it. Pride warmed her heart.
Ritual demanded Service from every Nemethian Princess. Most considered it drudgery. She embraced it.
Today I will make my subjects happy. Then Father will make Merlin and me happy. She sighed. Patience is a virtue after all! She smiled. Her eyes sparkled. How many other women have chances like this?
Then a knock came from the door.
I still have a half of a chime. So who? She walked over to the chamber door and opened it.
"Good morning, my Lady." Jocelyn curtseyed to her. She held a wrapped bundle.
"Good morning to you, Jocelyn. And what is this?" Mithian accepted the brown cloth-wrapped package. It felt soft to her touch.
"Prince Merlin sends it to you. He bade me tell you that you won't have to wear the yellow dress again. He wanted you to have something for good memories," Jocelyn reported.
"He commissioned a new dress for me? Father hasn't seen it. So..." Mithian frowned. He knows I hate surprises! Worse that I have to wait? She frowned.
Patience is a virtue. Good morning, Merlin chimed in.
And good morning to you, my Warlock. Feeling better, are we? Mithian considered her package. Why can't I open it?
Not until the ritual's done. And by the way, I'll see you out there, he advised.
Merlin, we're not allowed to see each other until the wedding! Besides that's for Princesses not Princes! Mithian fussed.
So we break ritual. We've already done that. Peasant in last stages of becoming royalty reminding you of that, he retorted; Mirth dripping from his tone.
I want to see you too. Still…
Still what? We both want to serve the people. What's the big deal? He sighed feeling Frustration bubbling up inside of himself. Then Inspiration hit him. What if I go first? You have a little while. Right? I'll go now. Then I'll be done before you get there. Sorry I just….
You want to help our subjects. Do you think I'd challenge you on that? Leave it to you to find a way to meet Ritual, Service and Obligation on their terms. I might peek at this, Mithian complimented adding a teasing barb at the end.
Mithian, please! That's a wedding present to you. I want it to be a surprise. I woke your father early. I wanted him to see it. He approves. So get ready for your turn. See you at noon, he concluded.
She nodded. Warmth spread a smile further across her face. He's supposed to be dealing with Master Gaius' death. I can feel his pain. Still he's thinking of everyone else!
"Something wonderful, Princess?" Jocelyn asked.
"Hmmm? Sorry. I was just thinking of Prince Merlin. He is so considerate," Mithian explained. "Thank you for bringing this to me. I need to prepare for meeting with the people."
Curiosity sparked in Jocelyn's eye. As with the Princess, she marveled that a Prince would volunteer in that way. "It is wonderful indeed, my Lady. We appreciate it. Would you like something before you go?"
"Aye. Perhaps some tea and breakfast? Thank you." Mithian smiled to her servant.
Jocelyn curtseyed. "I will prepare that for you, Princess." With that, she hustled off.
Mithian laid the sackcloth out. "I am very fortunate indeed." She exhaled and allowed herself a heartbeat to relax.