Chapter 2
Susanna groaned. It was one thing that she was even going to Telera, but to have her mother specially arrange a private jet to take her to Telera was too much. She put her head in her hands. She was a day late, and she hadn't gotten a dress. She had fallen ill with a stomach virus the day that she was supposed to go for all those appointments, and her mother was simply going to kill her. So she sat, slumped, sipping a soda brought to her by her very own butler, and typed away at her laptop. She was writing her bimonthly column for Vogue magazine.
Her phone suddenly rang, and she jumped, cursing herself for putting it on vibration mode.
"Hello?" she said irritably.
"S—nna?"
"Excuse me?" Susanna asked. The phone was crackling.
"It—Al—ta."
"I can't hear you," she said loudly.
"It's Alberta," the voice said, the crackling dying down. "Sorry, the reception is horrible in the forest."
"Alberta?" Susanna asked, surprised.
"Connor. From Telera?"
"Yes, of course. I'm on a plane right now for your wedding."
"Wonderful!"
"Let's hope so," Susanna mumbled.
"Sorry?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Actually, Suzy…do you mind if I call you Suzy?"
Susanna sighed, but said, "Not at all."
"I'm calling you about the wedding. Having been in Paris for so long, I don't have very many Teleran friends anymore, and Telera royal law says that the bridal party must consist of all Teleran-born people. So I was wondering, if it's not too much trouble, if you could be one of my bridesmaids?"
Susanna said nothing at first.
"Susanna?"
"Sorry…um, yes, of course."
"You will? Oh, thank you, Susanna, you have no idea what this means to me!" Alberta squealed.
"No problem," Susanna said dully. Well, at least she had an excuse for being without a dress.
"Thank you! When do you get in?"
Susanna looked at her watch. "Probably around four."
"Perfect! Do you think your mother will mind if you come straight to the palace?"
"I don't think so."
"Wonderful! I'll see you then!"
"See you." She clicked her phone shut.
"Well, I'll be," she said softly to herself, and then continued writing about how white was so not the new black.
Her plane touched down at about quarter to four, and Susanna allowed the airport attendants to carry her luggage. She walked down the steps and across the pavement to where a black limo stood waiting for her. She rolled her eyes, but helped the attendants put her stuff in the trunk and then got in.
She attempted to make herself look presentable in the short distance from the airport to the royal palace. Her faded jeans were torn at the knee, and her hair was wildly curly and frizzy. She quickly put on some foundation and pulled a sweater over her white tank top. In ten minutes, she looked out the window to see the palace rising up over the green hills. It was small in terms of most palaces, but it more than made up for it in its grand gothic architecture. Its many turrets and towers gleamed in the late afternoon sun, and the rolling hills swayed in the summer breeze.
The driver dropped her off at the grand entrance, and then turned and left for her own home. She took off her sunglasses and slid them over her hair. Not knowing quite what to do, she walked to the stained glass doors and pulled one open.
She found herself in the great front hall, with its grand staircase, tapestries, and many sculptures. The cream marble floor echoed under her sandals, and the chandelier glittered above her. Sighing, she put her hands in her pockets and looked around for any sign of life.
She was about to give up and just begin to search when a man ran into the room, wearing exercise clothes and sweating a good deal. She recognized him, regrettably, as the younger prince.
"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly, jogging in place in front of her.
"What do you think?" she retorted. He rolled his eyes.
"If it's the women you're looking for, they're simpering over dresses in the parlor upstairs," he said.
"Good. They'll be far better company than you," she said, walking away from him and up the stairs. She heard him give a huffy grunt before jogging away.
She walked up the stairs and to the right, hearing sounds of "Oh! I love that color!" and "That looks fabulous!" She followed the noise to a golden parlor, where the queen, Alberta and a few other women were sitting, exclaiming over another young girl in a white taffeta dress. They were all dressed very finely, and Susanna laughed silently at what her mother's reaction would be to see her at the moment. She gave a last attempt to smooth out her hair, and then she knocked on the door.
"Susanna!" Alberta, a tall, thin woman with sleek blonde hair and unfortunate buck teeth, stood up from her chair and crossed over to her. She enveloped Susanna in a breath-depriving hug.
"It is so good to see you!" Alberta said, finally letting go and stepping back. She looked Susanna over.
"I am sorry," Susanna said, indicating her clothes. "I did not realize I was going to be coming to the palace right away."
"Perfectly alright," the queen said. She was a stately and refined woman, with pristine white hair and sparkling eyes. She smiled at Susanna's frazzled state.
"Well, I suppose you want to see the dress, right?" Alberta said with a smile, taking Susanna's hand and leading her to where the other women were sitting. A small stage had been set up in the middle of the room, mannequins were placed about the room with various elaborate dresses on, a triple mirror had been put up, and screens were positioned strategically. Susanna murmured greetings to the other women, some of whom she didn't quite recognize.
"Pierre?" Alberta called. Suddenly, a man leapt from behind a screen, pins in his mouth and measuring tape around his neck. He was thin, wore all black, and had slicked back hair and a thin mustache.
"Oui, mademoiselle?" he said with a thick French accent.
"Can you bring out Susanna's bridesmaid dress?" Alberta asked.
"Right away," he said. He disappeared for a moment or two and then came back from the adjoining room carrying a mannequin. He set it down, and Susanna gasped.
The dress was satin, a beautiful lavender color, strapless, with a long trail in the back.
"It's gorgeous," Susanna said. Alberta smiled.
"Well, try it on," the queen said.
Pierre took the dress off the mannequin and laid it delicately in Susanna's outstretched arms. She carefully went behind the screen, feeling just a bit uncomfortable. She put on the dress gently.
"Can someone button me up?" she called.
"Of course!" Alberta came behind the screen and buttoned the pearl buttons on the back of the dress. Susanna came out from the screen and stepped onto the little stage.
The ladies gasped, 'oo'-ing and 'ah'-ing.
"You look magnificent," the queen declared. Alberta had clasped her hands together.
"It's perfect!" she exclaimed.
Susanna smiled and turned around to face the mirror. Even she had to gasp; with the exception of her crazy hair and bloodshot eyes, she did look rather lovely. Pierre rushed forward and began to pull the dress in around her chest.
"Tsk tsk," he muttered through his pins. "Tres petite."
"I beg your pardon," Susanna said curtly. He blushed and moved down to her waist.
"So, Susanna, how is America treating you?" one of the women, whom Susanna was desperately trying to remember the name of, asked.
"Tremendously," she answered.
"I hear you are the highest authority of fashion in New York," Alberta said.
Susanna grunted. "Hardly. Although I am supposed to do a full report on the wedding."
Alberta laughed. "Yes, they are going a bit crazy, aren't they?"
"Do not worry dear," the queen said. "We will have the highest security available."
Alberta smiled and nodded. "I know."
"Parfait," Pierre announced.
"Have you seen your mother yet?" Alberta asked.
"No, I probably should be heading home," Susanna announced, stepping off the stage.
"Of course. Will you have lunch with Lorraine and me tomorrow?" Alberta asked, motioning to the queen.
"Sure," she said, smiling insincerely, heading to the screen.
"Wonderful. I cannot wait to hear all about New York," the queen, or should I say Lorraine, said.
Susanna took the dress off, Pierre's pins poking her sides. She tugged her jeans back on and left the screen.
"Well, it was wonderful to see you all," she said, silently laughing.
"Thank you so much again," Alberta said, hugging her. Susanna gave her a light pat on the back.
"You're more than welcome," she said. Then she waved to the others and left the room.
She went down the steps, laughing lightly. She crossed over to the doors where now a stone-faced butler stood.
"Excuse me," she said, and her voice echoed loudly throughout the room. "May I get a car back to the Bennet mansion?" she said, bringing her voice to a whisper.
He nodded and opened the door for her. She stepped outside and he left to retrieve her a car. She looked out on the Teleran landscape, filled with green hills and orchards. The main city, Bonfemme, was located about twenty miles from the palace.
As she stood there, the prince once again jogged up. She snapped out of her reverie and looked at him disgustedly. His exercise tank top was drenched in sweat, and his blonde hair stuck to his forehead. He stopped next to her and began to stretch.
"Gee, how come you aren't married?" she asked sarcastically.
He glared at her.
"Say, you're a groomsman, right?" she said, thinking of something.
"Yes," he said warily.
"But not the best man."
He gritted his teeth, glowering at her. "No."
"Sheesh, you would think a man would pick his own brother to be his best man," she said with fake sympathy.
"Is there a point to all this?" he asked angrily.
"Well, if you're a groomsman, you may have to walk me down the aisle," she with a mock seriousness.
Before he could answer, the car pulled up and the driver opened Susanna's door.
"See you at the altar, your highness," she said to his furious face.
She closed the door, laughing. Just to make fun of him made the trip to Telera worth it. Of course, it was odd the Roberto had picked their cousin instead of Ryan, but Susanna was sure her mother would have an explanation for all of it,
She opened her window as they got closer to her house. They were driving up the tree-lined avenue that led to the mansion. The grapes were almost ready; she could smell the sweet scent.
In a few moments, she could see the Bennet mansion rising over the trees. The largest mansion in the country, the house was three floors, with cream-colored brick walls, ivy growing up the sides, and a stately staircase leading to the front door. The path circled around a centuries-old fountain before stopping in front of the house.
Susanna got of the car, looking fondly at the house. She definitely had not left for New York because she didn't like this house. Since her mother hadn't come out yet, Susanna walked around to the back of the property.
The large green backyard had a large patio and scads of gardens, and then dropped off into more orchards below. Susanna had always loved the feeling of the late summer sun on her face, and found herself standing still in the middle of the backyard for a few moments.
"Susanna!"
Her mother's voice rang out from the back of the house. Susanna sighed, but turned around to see her mother crossing the lawn over to her.
She was an elegant, dignified woman with silver-gray hair and a posture so straight she appeared taller than she actually was. She was wearing a pink suit and large matching hat. When she reached Susanna, she wrapped her in a large hug and Susanna could smell her constant lilac smell.
"Hello, Mother," Susanna said.
"Susanna, my darling! Why have you taken so long?"
"Alberta asked me to be a bridesmaid, so I stopped at the palace to get my dress fitted."
"How wonderful! But hadn't you already bought a dress?"
Susanna hesitated. "Well, yes, but uh… I can just call Vera and tell her not to ship it tomorrow."
Mrs. Bennet nodded and linked her arm with Susanna's.
"And how was your flight?"
"Fine."
"Isn't that airplane superb?"
"You really didn't need to send it, Mother. I would have been fine on a commercial flight."
"Nonsense! Teleran aristocracy do not take commercial flights."
Susanna sighed, but gave up her argument and stayed silent.
"Dinner will be ready soon, shall we go in?" Duchess Bennet asked.
"Of course," Susanna replied, and with a deep breath, followed her mother into the mansion.