"Are you going to actually attend my wedding tonight? Or just stand guard?" Mary asked Emilia as her and Greer did her hair.
"Of course I'll attend." Emilia assured. "But I will always be guarding you."
"Leave the protection to the guards." Mary begged. "I want you to enjoy this night. Get a glimpse of what your wedding will be like."
"My wedding will not be nearly as grand as yours." Emilia shook her head. "I will try to enjoy myself." She promised. "But if danger arises, I will not hesitate to defend you."
"It worries me." Lola admitted, finishing off Mary's makeup. "You fighting constantly. What would happen if you were to not survive a battle?"
"I made a vow." Emilia replied, losing focus on a strand of Mary's hair. "I would protect Mary no matter the cost. Even if the cost be my life. It would be an honor to die for my queen."
"Don't you want a life of your own?" Greer questioned, taking the strand of hair and pinning it down. "What if you and Marque choose to live in the country? Raise a family?"
"Marque understands my position." Emilia said. "I have to protect my queen. No matter what." She pinned the last bit of Mary's hair down and turned away. "Now, if we could end this conversation. It's Mary's wedding. No need to discuss my future."
"Emilia's right." Kenna agreed. "Mary needs to put on her gown." To emphasize her point, the girl lifted the gown from its place on the changing screen.
...
Ellyana moved through the shadows as the wedding proceeded. Surveying the ballroom. Making sure none came in to harm the bride or groom.
Mary's ladies danced the entire night. Their laughs mirroring the light sound of the music. Aylee remained seated, however, most of the night. As she was still not all well after the events of the morning.
She eyed Emilia as she danced with Marque. The two seemed discomforted. Not with each other, but none the less they seemed uneasy about something. They whispered to each other nervously. It wasn't behavior Ellyana had seen from the two before.
When Mary and Francis left to consummate the marriage, and the ladies followed, Ellyana noticed a cloaked figure at the rear of the group.
She swore and followed them down the corridor. Grabbing the cloak and pulling the figure into the shadows.
She was met with and unfamiliar face.
"Who are you?" She questioned, pulling a dagger from her belt and pressing it to his throat. "What are you doing following the queen and prince?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She smirked and she pressed the dagger harder against his throat, turning his snark into fear. "I was paid to kill Queen Mary."
"By who?" She demanded.
"Queen Catherine." He seemed to understand that she was not a force to be denied.
"Thank you." She smiled and split his throat open ear to ear. Leaving him for Catherine to find.
...
The next morning, the ladies were gathered in Mary's chambers, filling her trunks for her wedding tour, when the queen entered the room.
"Emilia," she smiled at her cousin. "Can I speak to you a moment?"
"Of course." Emilia put away the garment she held and followed Mary to the hall. "Is everything alright?"
"Aylee told me what happened with your father." Mary said. "Now, don't get mad at her, I noticed how uneasy you two were last night and made her tell me."
"Mary please. Don't worry about me." Emilia insisted. "I can handle my father. You enjoy your wedding tour and we'll discuss it when you return."
"I've already prepared a letter to be sent." She confessed. "I want you to be happy. Francis was asleep already so I wrote it. I gave it to a messenger this morning."
"Mary." Emilia shook her head. A smile forming on her lips. "You're too kind for your own good."
"If he's to respond before I return please inform me what he says." She requested.
"With a letter from his queen he's sure to give up his hope of me returning home." Emilia insisted. "Thank you Mary. You didn't have to do this."
"Nonsense." She swatted the air. "Where would I be without my finest guard?"
"Send Elly away and we'll find out."
"Honestly Emilia." The queen smiled warmly. "You're not just my friend, you're my family and my personal protector. I'd be lost without you."
"Thank you Mary." Emilia hugged her friend. "I'm going to miss you while you're gone."
"I'll miss you too."