Disclaimer: All of these characters are TP's…except for the occasional servant girl.
~The Morning of the Wedding~
Alanna paced her chambers numerous times muttering to herself," Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Today's my wedding day…I never thought I would get married and now I am. What am I to do?" Alanna sighed and finally decided to take a walk outside with George. They both walked along the streets together, holding hands but in silence. They both were extremely nervous but knew that they were perfect for each other. As they were walking along the street Alanna and George would occasionally stop at a vendor's stand looking at clothes, or jewelry. Suddenly George noticed that someone was following them, George turned around and saw the Duke from the other night.
"Baron George, Lady Alanna. So nice to see you this morning. I would have thought you were both in your homes getting ready for the wedding this evening," said the Duke.
"Oh," said Alanna. "It doesn't really take more than several hours to be ready. We thought we would take a walk this morning and get our jitters out."
"Excuse me Duke Rubin, but I need to go and talk to a friend of mine. I'll be right back," said George. George walked over to an alley to talk to someone who looked to Alanna, like their friend Marek.
" So Lady Alanna, are you nervous? Having any second thoughts?" said the Duke as he looked Alanna up and down with his eyes.
Alanna fake-laughed and said, "Now Duke Rubin, why would I ever have second thoughts about someone I've always loved?"
"Oh, I don't know. I thought maybe you and I could perhaps…" said the Duke as he stepped closer to Alanna and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Perhaps what?" said Alanna as she backed away but knocked into a wall. If he gets any closer I'm going to have to punch him. I hope he's not a good swordsman. Despite my hands healing, they still bleed from time to time.
"Perhaps I could get a kiss or two from you before your marriage? It is a wedding custom in my country for a Duke to get a kiss or more from the virgin bride before her wedding knight," said the Duke as he moved closer to Alanna.
"Excuse me," said someone behind the Duke with a cold voice. "But that is my bride, and my future wife you are trying to kiss. I suggest you leave quietly before I have every thief in this vicinity come and somewhat… perhaps hurt you. Or maybe I should just take your ear? Would you like that better?"
The Duke turned pale and then turned around to face George, Marek and his cronies. "I will leave now, Baron George. I'm sorry for this inconvenience." The Duke turned around and marched quickly back towards palace way.
"Follow him," muttered Marek as two of his men started to follow the young Duke. "Do something to pay him back for his little 'inconvenience'."
"Are you okay my sweet?" said George as he picked Alanna up into a tight hug.
"Oh yes George I'm fine," said Alanna as she hugged him back and grinned. " I was only worried that he might be a wrestler."
"No worries my sweet, no worries. I'm here for you always," said George as her ruffled hair. He put her down and the two walked back to House Olau to get ready for the wedding.
~Several Hours Later~
Alanna was pacing her bedroom in her white dress with all of the train getting tangled behind her. Thayet finally picked it up and untangled it and handed it to Alanna's handmaiden for she was the one carrying the train until Alanna got to the church.
"Alanna stop pacing!" said Eleni as she looked in the mirror." You look perfect; George will be stunned. Alanna you look stunning! Don't worry about it!" Eleni went over and gave a hug to her nearly daughter-in-law. Just then a servant from downstairs told Alanna, Eleni, Thayet and Buri that it was time to go to the goddess' temple. Alanna took a deep breath and walked down the stairs of House Olau and into the carriage.