Genevieve adjusted her earrings in the mirror once more. They were just simple pearl drops, there was no need for anything fancy on a ship, but it was still important to make an impression. These would be her future subjects she was travelling with, after all.
Her chambers looked a little barren, with everything packed away in trunks. Only the furniture and decor remained, along with the few books her father had insisted on her leaving. He was right, there were still libraries in Apollonia.
Good thing I speak Greek so well, she thought wryly.
As she primped a little more, she noticed her sister's blonde head enter the room. Isabella bounced in, looking more excited than Genevieve had ever seen her, if that was possible.
Isabella truly was the only choice for her one familial companion. It wasn't as though she could choose one of her brothers to accompany her to a wedding, and Dominique didn't get excited about lace and ribbons the way Isa did. (In truth, no one got excited about anything the way Isa did.)
And perhaps, though Genevieve would admit this to no one, having Isabella go felt like Rosella was giving her blessing on her upcoming nuptials. It was rather unfair to her baby sister, to have another person's legacy on her young shoulders, but when one looked and acted exactly like a deceased relative, it was almost inevitable.
Isabella marched over to the mirror, her long hair and pink ribbon swinging behind her. She plopped her head onto Genevieve's shoulder, saying to their reflections,
"Those earrings look rather silly without a necklace, don't you think?"
"Iz!"
"I'm just saying, with your hair coiffed so horizontally, and the earrings, it makes your head look big."
"And how would a necklace help with that?"
"It draws the eye inwards. Here- this one looks like it matches the earrings."
Genevieve stared at the necklace.
"What, Gen? You don't think it's ugly, do you?"
"Er, that belonged to Rosella."
"Oh. Her." Isabella dropped her gaze, then gave a cautious smile. "I don't think she'll mind you wearing it, do you?"
"Isabella!" Genevieve laughed, scandalised. It was just like Isabella to make jokes at the worst possible moments, and still somehow get away with it.
Isabella frowned in the mirror as she tied the necklace around Genevieve's neck.
"She was rather young when she died though, wasn't she? This necklace seems a bit grown up for someone her age."
"It was a betrothal gift from Apollonia. She was supposed to wear it on her wedding day."
"Oh. Should we save it for your wedding then? So it serves its purpose?"
"I'm wearing emeralds on my wedding day, remember? Pearls wouldn't go."
"Pearls go with anything, Gen."
"No, Isabella." she replied, more harshly than intended.
Isabella recoiled, focusing very intensely on an invisible wrinkle on her cloak. Genevieve was about to say something else when Dominique poked her head in.
"The carriage is here. Everyone's in the foyer to see you two off."
Isabella's head shot up, blonde curls flying everywhere.
"Let's go then!"
She looped one arm through each of theirs, and the three of them headed downstairs, Isabella pulling her older sisters behind her (she wasn't old enough to worry about being ladylike yet, after all).
When they reached the top of the stairs, and were able to see their family, Isabella let go of her sisters' arms and swung her leg over the railing, sliding down the bannister with a squeal of delight.
Genevieve glanced over at Dominique, who met her with an amused smile, shaking her head as she looped her arm with Genevieve's.
"Are you nervous?"
"No." Yes.
Her sister raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, though Genevive felt Dominique squeeze her arm just a little tighter.
She permitted herself a glance at Dominique's profile, trying to commit it to memory, as she would be seeing it far less often now. Though at fourteen, Dominique was not expected to tie her hair up until her next birthday, she wore it in a neat twist at the base of her neck, with only a few unruly golden brown curls escaping in the front. She had always seemed older than she was. She was quieter, more thoughtful, than Genevieve or Derek or Pierre had been at her age.
Halfway down the stairs, Genevieve voiced her real fear. "Do you think she'd be angry with me?"
"You mean Rosella?"
Genevieve nodded.
Dominique paused for a moment, considering. That was the best part about her, she never told you what you wanted to hear unless it was the truth.
"I think she'd want you to be happy. And I think you'll like living in Apollonia."
They didn't speak anymore as they walked down the stairs, but she and Dominique never spoke much. Somehow, they had always understood each other perfectly without a word being said.
They reached the bottom of the stairs not long after Isabella had, but she was tapping her foot impatiently nonetheless.
"The two of you are so slow!" she huffed.
Her mother looked at Isabella with a fond chuckle.
"Alright, the two of you had better get going before Isabella leaves without you." She gestured at the rest of the children. "Say goodbye to your sisters."
Dominique let go of her arm, before hugging her tightly, resting her head on Genevieve's shoulder.
"See you at the wedding, Gen," she said as she let go.
Erik allowed her to hug him briefly, before asking,
"Will you find out if the Prince will let me ride on one of his ships?"
Genevieve found herself smiling as she rolled her eyes.
"That'll be the first thing I ask him."
Henri gave her a real hug, and as he pulled away he wiped tears from his face, embarrassed.
"I'll miss you."
She hugged him tighter, marvelling at how her little brother was almost as tall as she was.
"You'll see me in a few weeks, yes?" he nodded. "And after that, I promise to write to you every single day." He nodded again, wiping his nose.
Pierre had been dragged in from horseback riding, so he was covered in mud and sweat. He offered her a handshake, making her laugh.
"Enjoy yourself, I suppose."
"See you soon, Pipi."
"Call me that one more time and I'll kill you."
Derek was last, and he crushed her in a hug. She felt her cloak becoming wet with tears, and she knew his coat was the same. They had never been separated for more than a few hours since birth, and now she would only see him occasionally on state visits.
Eventually, he pulled away, his eyes a little red.
"Write to me, alright?"
"You too."
Her father gave Derek's shoulder a squeeze, then made his way to her.
"You remember the vows in Greek?"
"I would be able to understand the Priestess even if I didn't have them memorised. Besides, it's you who has to speak, not me."
Julién rolled his eyes at that. "If you change your mind-"
"I won't."
"But if you do-"
"Papá."
"I know, I know. You're all grown up and doing your duty. But if he is cruel, or you decide you do want a love match after all, I'll understand."
"Thank you, Papá."
He hugged her tightly, patting her shoulder as he pulled away.
Anneliese reached out her hand, a sad smile on her face. Genevieve took it, and embraced her mother, feeling a little sad that she had to lean down to put her head on her mother's shoulder now.
Anneliese cupped her cheek.
"You'll do wonderfully. Apollonia will like you even better than him, I'm sure of it."
Genevieve laughed.
"We'll all be at the wedding, so I suppose I'll see you there."
"I shall be the one in the veil."
Isabella bounded up to her, taking her hand.
"I've said all my goodbyes. Are you ready, Gen?"
Genevieve took one last look at her childhood home, her parents, and her siblings gathered together. With a rush, she thought of being on the other side of this goodbye, of hugging her older sister as she went off to see the same kingdom, to meet the same prince. If she didn't look too closely at the girl holding her arm, she could pretend the long blonde hair was straight, not curly, and that her eyes were a much darker blue, and that Genevieve was still five years old and full of hope.
But she blinked the memory away, and she was seventeen again, and it was her younger sister tugging on her hand, and she was the one leaving this time. She squared her shoulders.
"Yes, I'm ready."