Chapter 19: Encouragement

I slowly turned my head to see who it was. My eyes widened as I realized he was standing there. His deep oxblood red hair and his deep Castleton green eyes. Tears were falling. I immediately left my chair and hugged him tightly.

"You came. You really came." I said between sobs.

"Ssh! Ssh! Don't cry, my beautiful Cerise." He comforted.

After minutes of hugging, we let go. He gestured his hands towards the free couch. I nodded and we made our way to the couch.

"Tell me! Did you get my letter? I mean, of course, you did! If you hadn't, why would you be here in the first place." I said slapping my forehead.

He just chuckled. He stretched his arms and started caressing my styled and decorated red-hair. I slowly wiped my tears.

"Your silver man was the one whom I got his message. I just got your on my way here." He explained.

"Wait! You mean Zen actually sent you a message?" I asked totally confused.

"Hmm", he hummed. "His letter arrived yesterday evening, around midnight. I was a bit furious that he declined your request." He added sounding a bit mad. He gently removed his hands from my hair.

"To be honest, I was a bit sad when dad told me he didn't want to walk me down on the aisle. I know dad didn't want to because he hasn't been in my life so much, which may feel a bit uncomfortable. Which I also basically understand. Fundamentally, I had no one. I was given a chance by the royal court that, if I want I could choose between some men. Strangers, I mean. You were my only hope. I hope you don't see it as I'm using you or anything." I whimpered.

"No! No! Definitely no! I didn't think of it that way. Sincerely, I was happy when your letter arrived this morning, even though I got your man's yesterday, but I'm really pleased that you want me to be part of your greatest moment. Besides, I would be coming to your wedding anyway. Sweetheart, you know anything that has to do with you is my responsibility, as an older brother and as your cousin." He gently leaned in and kissed my forehead. I couldn't help but let the tempering waters to fall.

"Please don't. You'll spoil your beautiful makeup." He wiped my tears and gave him a quick hug.

I looked into his castleton green eyes and whispered, "Thank you."

"It's my honor." He kissed the back of my hand.

"So tell me, how's everyone?" I asked curiously and happily. "And the baby girl?" I asked excitedly.

He smiled."Don't worry, Scarlet. They're all fine. And yes, the baby girl is fine. She also apologizes that she couldn't make it. Your mother's family also apologizes that they couldn't come."

"It's okay, seriously. I'm glad the baby girl is fine. And don't worry I'm not mad at her. After all she just gave birth so, there's no pressure."

The man, sitting in front of me smiling, is my first cousin. We met almost a year ago. He said he had heard about a mysterious red-haired lady, who bears the title of Friend of the crown in had become curious and had asked more about the red-haired maiden. After a while, he had found traces of where the red-haired lady wad and what she was. He had been secretly stalking me. He said my green eyes and red hair, was a super hint. He contacted Zen and Zen and he started having a conversation. He confronted and asked Zen a couple of questions about me. The only one thing that convinced him most was my father's name, Mikaze.

He was young when my father left. His father, my great uncle, died after a while. After then he had been secretly trying to see if Mikaze, my father, was somehow still alive. But the results he always got was negative. He finally gave up. He became the new Lord of our house.

Zen arranged a meeting between him and I. We talked for a while. At first, I thought maybe he was kidding, lying joking, even cheating. But after he mentioned some few things about my father and mother, I started believing him. We started talking through letters. And asked me if I would love to visit. I asked permission from Chief Garrack, which she happily obliged.

And now we're here, at my wedding. I wouldn't know what to do if I wouldn't have met him. I don't know who would be walking me down the aisle if I hadn't met him. I wouldn't know who my mother was or where her roots come from if I hadn't met him. He has done so much for me, I'm not sure if thank you would be enough.

We were laughing and talking before we heard the door knocking. I immediately turn to look at him if it was okay. He nodded his head as approval.

"Enter," I answered.

Cora came in smiling. "Sorry to disturb. But we have to get you ready, Miss."

"Ok then. Looks like I need to get going. I'm going to have a small chitty chat with your man, only if he allows me." He said and got up from the couch. He gently walked towards me and placed a peck on my forehead.

"See you later, my red angel."

I smiled at him. And he left.

Shortly after he left, I saw everyone coming back, the exception of Maya, including the seamstress and her assistants.

"Hope you're ready to put on your dress." The head seamstress asked smiling, walking towards the white dress.

I nervously rose from my seat and walked to the fitting room. Everyone waited outside as I and the head seamstress, with one of her assistant entered the room. No one hasn't seen my dress except for the seamstresses, I, Kiki and Cora, obviously.

I removed the robe that was covering my dress. I removed my dress also, having my undergarments only on. They came into the room with the wedding. She removed the fabrics that were covering the dress.

My dress was a princess ball gown type, which has been mostly made of white lace and silk. The sleeves are up to the wrists, made of pure white lace. The inner attires are of silks, covered with lace. The neck was made of Jewel-neckline. The upper was up to my waist sowed together with a skirt.
My dress definitely didn't have a puffy skirt. I am petite. Having a puffy dress would make me look like something else.

The dress had crystals printed onto it, especially at the end of the gown. And even mostly on the veil. The gown had a couple of meter and centimeters for the gown train. The veil was a cathedral veil. Decorated with crystals, lacy flowers and many. Unfortunately and fortunately my veil didn't cover my face.

I gently stepped my feet into the dress and the seamstress pulled it up. The last day I tried it on was the day before yesterday. The assistant helped me lay everything correctly. After putting my dress on we walked back to the hall.

They all looked at me with surprised looks. For a moment, I thought I was looking terrifyingly scary. Cora had tears at the corner of her eyes.

"Wow! You look absolutely, incredibly, unmeasurably beautiful." She said.

We all couldn't help but giggle to her words. The assistant now put the veil on. As we were talking about my sudden transformation, the door was knocked.

"Please excuse us. We are here to bring you the necklace and the earrings." The guards said placing a red colored, pillow lookalike with the necklace and the earrings on top, on the table.

After the guards left, the head seamstress took these exorbitant jewels and placed them on my neck and on my ears. I walked a bit to a full-sized mirror. I inhaled a deep breath.

The door was suddenly busted open.

"Oh my goodness! Have you heard? I heard her Majesty the Queen Mot-. Holy Moly!" Maya immediately stopped talking after she saw me from the mirror. Her 'emergency purse' fell down, letting all her small sized make-up accessories spread on the floor.

"I'm looking for a bride called Lady Shirayuki. She has a beautiful red hair and sparkly green eyes. I know it's you standing there, but I do not wish to believe it." Maya said as turned around to face her.

She was completely speechless. "You are looking dazzlingly alluring." Maya walked towards me. I just smiled at her. "But honestly, I'm afraid someone else might fall in love with you." She said panicking echoing in her voice.

"Don't worry, I will make sure no one falls in love with me." I smiled assuring her.

"You were saying something about her Majesty?" Cora reminded Maya.

"Oh yeah, I heard, but I haven't seen yet, that the Queen Mother has returned for the wedding," Maya said cheerfully.

Nervousness rashes again into my body. I was starting to feel anxious.

"There you go." The head seamstress said. I turned to face her. She was holding a bouquet of beautiful flowers. I felt teary. I could feel my body shaking. I just stared at the bouquet. Before I knew it, everybody had left, except the head seamstress.

She gently placed the flowers down onto the table. She took my hand.

"My dear, it's okay. It's okay to feel anxious or even more than that. I know you're not just thinking about the wedding only. Trust me, I know how badly you're wishing minutes would be passing early. You can wish all you want, but there's one thing I want to assure you. Cherish every moment of this day. It only comes once. Every opportunity you get to enjoy, grab it. Don't let it surpass you."

She turned her head and took the flowers back into her hands.

"Now take it." She stretched her arm.

I gently grabbed them. I gave her a surprising hug. "Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. Especially for making me look beautiful and giving me an encouraging advice."

She hugged back.

I gently removed my body from hers. Suddenly we heard bells. These bells are going to ring for the next minutes till the wedding starts and ring again after the ceremony.

"Let's get you married." The head seamstress said contentedly.

A/N:

Hei!

Finally! I got this done!
We all now know who this stranger is. It's Shirayuki's first cousin!

How he's her first cousin:

We a know Mikaze/Mukaze has/had an uncle a long time ago. So, this uncle is a great-uncle to Shirayuki. The son of a daughter of your great-uncle is your first cousin. (If I'm correct)

The only problem creating this character was, he didn't and still doesn't have a name. And yes, he has a wife and even has children. (Not sure how many yet.) He is even older than Izana. His personality can be seen as a bit of a siscon, but in a good way.

Names for our first cousin is always welcomed.

I'm not a fashion freak, so describing the dress was the hardest thing ever. I hope you forgive me.

Hope you enjoyed;)