Hello again.
You get a chapter
The next day
Wendy woke up and smiled at the ring on her nightstand.
She sat up on the edge of the bed and slipped it on her ring finger.
It was real now. She and Eric were going to get married.
She wondered if Eric was awake.
The door handle clicked as the door to the bedroom opened.
Wendy had no idea how long; she had been sitting there.
"Good morning, my lady." Lilian curtsied and smiled at Wendy in the dim bedroom.
Wendy looked up at her. "Lady?"
Lilian smiled brightly and Sarah was practically skipping, as she went to draw open the curtains.
"You are now the official fiancée of Baron Eric Brian von Branigan," Lilian said as the room filled with sunlight. "That makes you a lady."
Wendy looked down at her ring, which sparkled in the sunlight.
After she had gotten dressed, there was a knock at the door.
It was Eric.
He hugged and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled.
"Let's go down to breakfast," he said. "I am sure that everyone else is waiting."
As they walked down the stairs, Eric stopped and admired the painting on the wall.
It was the painting of her sitting on a fallen tree with the Elven Queen standing behind her.
"He is truly a masterful painter," Eric mumbled and touched the frame. "To think he could come up with such a fantastical creature and add it to a portrait." He smiled at Wendy, who raised a confused eyebrow at him. "If I did not know better," He said. "I would think she was standing right behind you."
He gestured to the painting, and Wendy couldn't help but smile. Perhaps she could lure him out into the forest and introduce the Elven Queen to him.
She suppressed a giggle, at the thought of his expression then.
"We should invite him back after the marriage, and many more times…" Eric said as they started walking down the stairs again. "It is truly amazing how mystical he can make you seem in a painting."
Wendy did not like the idea. It felt like a betrayal. Nothing with Elias had gone past comfort, sweet words, and a kiss on the hand, but she knew it was wrong.
He had gone so far as to ask her to run away with him.
"Speak of the devil," Eric said as they reached the first floor. "We were just marveling at your work."
Wendy did not know what to do when she saw Elias walking down the hall his hands full of art supplies.
He stopped and bowed elegantly to them, despite his full hands. "My Lord, my Lady."
"Ah, yes…" Eric looked at her lovingly. "You are a Lady now."
Wendy smiled and felt her cheeks grow hot.
"I was thinking about you. I would like you to come back to the estate at regular intervals and paint pictures of my beautiful bride." Eric said to Elias and put a hand on Wendy's cheek.
Elias bowed again. "It would be an honor, my Lord."
Wendy was relieved. She had thought he would cause a scene or worse, but Elias was calm and gentle as ever.
"Yes, I do hear you've taken quite a liking to my bride's image," Eric said, though there didn't seem to be any malice in his voice. "You call her a muse, correct?"
Wendy felt her stomach drop, and she could see Elias getting uncomfortable as well.
"I apologize for the offense," Elias said quickly with a bowed head.
Eric shook his head. "Please do not misunderstand, I do not fault you for finding my future wife beautiful. I rather think it's par for the course when I chose such a beautiful, mysterious woman to be my bride." He caressed Wendy's cheek as he spoke. "And your paintings have done wonders for my family. Therefore, I was hoping you could be convinced to return and paint her from time to time."
Elias' brown eyes darted towards Wendy for a moment.
He gave her a smile she couldn't quite understand.
"If my music ever calls, I will come."
Eric seemed pleased with that answer and they continued down the hall.
"Nothing indecent ever happened." She said as they walked.
"Of course not, Wendy. Please don't think I'm accusing you of anything." He patted her hand. "I know how hard you have worked to be able to marry me. I cannot see you throwing it all away for a painter."
Wendy breathed, relieved.
She hugged his arm tighter. "So, about the wedding? You said it was going to be in Spring?"
He smiled at her. "Yes, I was thinking April or May. When all the flowers are in full bloom, so you can shine right alongside them, my rose."
Wendy blushed even further at the new pet name.
She couldn't wait.
Two months later
"Lady Evers really did an amazing job decorating the hall for the party." Miss Elena said. "She really did take to your idea of a winter-themed tea party"
Wendy chuckled. "I did not do much. I just think we should celebrate all the seasons." She reminded the other girl and looked out of the window onto the cold, wet lawn of the garden. "Though I am glad that we can still do tea parties despite the weather."
"Still, though. I hope Spring comes soon." Another young woman at the table sighed.
"I do suppose you are not the only one." Duchess Madeline smiled at Wendy from behind a teacup.
Wendy blushed, and the other women giggled.
Things have changed in the last two months. The other ladies had started treating her like an equal. She was no longer being invited as Lady Branigan's guest, she was now being invited as Lady Wendy of the Branigan Estate. There were many more people that greeted her when she went anywhere. And most importantly, they had stopped looking at her like she had just emerged from the forest.
And everyone seemed so happy that she was marrying.
The papers talked about her, she could no longer go to a tea party without everybody wanting to know everything.
All the invitations had already been sent out. Sadly, there wasn't enough space for everyone in the village to come, but her old friends were invited. And those who had not been invited tried to charm and bribe their way to an invitation.
She remembered laughing when she received Edward's letter, describing in great detail Elizabeth's reaction to her not getting an invitation. She had toyed with the idea of giving her an invitation, just to see how far she'd come.
"Yes, well, I just hope it will uphold the standards of nobility." Melissa Parks and as she came towards the table.
"Why ever would it not Miss Parks?" Duchess Madeline asked. "Wendy has proven that she can uphold our very high standards, and still be a breath of fresh air that our society dearly needed."
"I just worry, Madam Fife…" Melissa's eyes narrowed at Wendy. "What if it is only for the short term? She is still known far and wide as a woman who danced in an inn. There have also been whispers about her and that painter."
"Someone seems a bit jealous at who Mister Angelico chose as his muse…" Elena mumbled just loud enough to be heard.
Small laughter spread around the ballroom. Wendy raised her teacup to her lips to hide her laughter.
Melissa didn't seem amused.
She crossed her arms. "If anyone has anything to say…"
"I must say," Wendy cut her off. "I find your topic of conversation rather odd. Are you trying to embarrass me, by bringing up such things?" Wendy shook her head slowly, just like she'd been taught. "And to my face no less."
The surrounding tables agreed with her.
"Yes, I would rather you not embarrass my guest of honor." Elise Evers stepped forward. "Now, Wendy, it is about time for your performance."
"Oh dear, I had almost forgotten." She said and followed a servant, who guided her into a changing room.
She could not wait to see their reactions to what she was about to do.
A maid helped to put on the flowy gown. It felt so light compared to her other dress, and she took her violin from the case it had been brought in.
"My lady," The maid said. "There are no shoes or stockings."
Wendy smiled brightly as she was about to walk out of the room. "No, that is on purpose…"
When she stepped back into the ballroom, all eyes were on her.
When Elise had first approached her about the idea, she had hesitated. But Duchess Madeline had reassured her.
"You are not alone, my sweet." She had said. "Both your future mother-in-law and I have vouched for you, So you can act as eccentric as you please…"
"I figured that the Lady who dances with fairies could show us what she was so known for." Elise Evers said and clapped her hands.
Wendy smiled and placed her violin on her shoulder.
She started with a quiet melody. She turned on her bare feet as she played, the music changed little by little to a beautiful and clear melody.
Music sprang off the walls, creating echoes that just made it sound even more magical.
Wendy smiled as she continued her dance. It was almost like the old hall of this estate was singing for her.
She finished off with a calm and quiet lullaby.
There was a moment of quiet awe until every one of the ladies clapped.
She courtesy by pulling the gown up to just below her knees.
"I did not think it would be so beautiful." She heard one comment.
"Maybe it is true that she learned to dance from a fairy." Another whispered.
She did not mind it. At this moment, she would not even mind it they all looked at her like an outsider again. She had forgotten what it was like to dance.
As they were returning to her table, she suddenly caught a glimpse of Elias by the door. He smiled warmly at her with longing eyes.
"What is he doing here?" Wendy asked Elise forgetting all manners.
The woman just smiled. "He is painting my portrait. You have started quite the trend, young lady."
Wendy looked over at him.
He seemed to be every place she was like he was trying to speak to her.
"I should go powder my nose…" She smiled at the other woman. "And perhaps get some stockings on. It is still winter."
"My lady," Elias greeted her, as they met in the hallway. "It was a tremendous performance. Worthy of the fairies themselves."
"Elias," She hesitated. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"
He was quiet for a moment and looked at her with longing.
Then he sighed. "I never got the chance to congratulate you on your engagement."
"Elias…" Wendy did not know what to say, but she understood his words.
"I had grown quite fond of our time together and of you." He said carefully and reached out and touched her hair.
It was a familiar feeling, and Wendy smiled as he cupped her cheek.
"I am sorry." She said.
"You would not have to be…" He said like he was speaking in riddles. "My offer still stands. And it will continue to stand however long it needs to."
"I am getting married in two months." She reasoned and pulled away from his touch.
"And would a runaway bride not be the perfect ending to this fairytale?" He said and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
When she didn't react he shook his head. "I love you Wendy and you deserve to be free as a bird, not some wild horse that Baron Branigan can show others how well he has tamed."
Two months later
Wendy had barely been able to sleep.
She had been giddy with excitement, and when the five maids came in to wake her up, she was already standing by the window waiting for the sun to rise.
The maids fussed around her as she ate a light breakfast before they started the preparations.
"Can you believe it? Today is the day." Sarah almost sang to her as she put out the jewelry Wendy was going to wear.
"Sarah!" Lillian scolded.
Wendy just smiled. She had grown used to Sarah's bubbly nature and how Lillian always scolded her.
After breakfast, the maids had prepared a bath, scrubbed every inch of her, and washed her hair.
They dried her off and helped her into a beautiful white gown with short sleeves, that fit tightly around her upper body and then flowed out over her hips.
Mademoiselle Victoria almost cried as Wendy spun around in front of her. "Beautiful, my muse, absolutely beautiful."
She began to get nervous as the maids did her hair makeup and put on her jewelry.
"There's nothing to be scared of." One of the maids smiled into the mirror. "You will be the envy of all."
"Wendy, are you almost done?" Her mother asked as she came into the room.
"Almost," she answered as the maids finished putting on her veil.
Her mother's eyes grew, as they looked at each other, then tears started welling up.
"You look so beautiful." Her mother barely kept herself from sobbing.
Wendy smiled. "Thank you."
She looked at herself in the big mirrors that had been set up for the occasion.
She looked refined, in her white dress, veil, and matching gloves, and jewelry that matched her eyes. Her hair had been braided back into a beautiful bun.
Wendy hoped Eric liked it just as much as she did.
The Baroness gushed when she saw her too. "You look like Midsummer's dream come true."
She and her mother and the Baroness got into a carriage and went towards the church.
"You would think we were royalty." Her mother chuckled to herself, as the carriage went into the city, the streets were lined with people who waved at them.
"It is a big day for all." The Baroness smiled warmly.
Wendy felt like butterflies were going to pop out of her stomach, as she waved to the people that cheered her on.
Her arm almost hurt when they stopped in front of the church.
Wendy was helped out and treated like she was made of glass.
Two matches adjusted her skirt and her veil, as her father hobbled closer.
"My dear sweet girl." He whispered as his eyes shined. "You look more beautiful than the Elven Queen herself."
Wendy blinked away her tears. Her father was wearing a brand-new suit and he looked very handsome in it. He had a crutch underneath one arm so he could guide her down the aisle with the other.
The four bridesmaids smiled at her. Two were from nobility and two were from her village. However, you couldn't tell Maya apart from Elena when they stood there in their matching dresses with matching hairstyles and shoes.
An organ played from within the church.
Her father reached a hand out to her. "It's time now, my little girl."
She did her best not to shed a tear when she walked down the aisle.
The veil luckily didn't obscure her vision too much, and she could see Eric at the end of the aisle.
He smiled brightly and in awe as he looked at her.
She looked out at the village guests as she walked towards the altar.
Many of the nobility were there, a few friends from her village had come, her tutors ... her brothers were sitting up in front with her mother. The Baron and Baroness sat on the other side.
When they reached the altar, her father left her to go sit with her mother.
Eric smiled at her as they stood in front of each other.
The priest spoke. She had been memorizing everything about the ceremony, but right now, it took all her concentration not to lean in and kiss Eric right this moment.
He stood there in his military uniform and looked so, so handsome. His eyes twinkled at her and his smile was sweet.
He squeezed her hands as they stood.
It felt like an eternity, as they exchanged rings and vows.
"I do," Eric said with shiny eyes.
"I do," she said as well.
"This may be a fairy tale, but it is not the end." The old priest remarked to them quietly with a knowing smile, then continued loudly with outstretched hands. "You may now kiss the bride."
Eric lifted the veil and kissed her.
Wendy leaned into the kiss and placed a hand on his cheek.
As their lips parted, they smiled at each other.
Wendy was happy. The world could end tomorrow, and she would still be happy.
So ... I hope you like it :)
We are nearing the end