A Beautiful Bride

Three days went by and Princess Elesha did not catch sight of King Hans. Meanwhile, within the castle walls there was a flurry of activity as all the servants began to prepare for the big day. Princess Estella's wedding day where she would marry King Hans in a ceremony that would have both attendees of their royal courts. Well in this case it was Princess Elesha under the guise of Princess Estella who refused to panic as her wedding day came closer and closer still she reminded herself of her people and what this meant to them. According to her father, they were slowly but surely losing the war as King Hans men began to take more and more of her country's territory. When the King's proposal had come to her father, he had nearly fainted in relief, for finally all the bloody wars they had could come to a standstill. Her father was exhausted and the wars only began to drain the royal coffers of the Kingdom of Weiss.

Nervous about her next encounter with the King she sought to distract herself by visiting the royal gardens. The Kingdom of Rubicund has magnificent gardens, filled with various beautiful blossoming flowers and trees that had fruit. Princess Elesha couldn't resist plucking a few raspberries from a bush and tasting the fruit. The raspberries were sweet and juicy and as it burst into flavour against her tongue, Princess Elesha wished in that moment she were anywhere but in the Kingdom of Rubicund. Ironically, she admitted to herself the Kingdom of Rubicund was indeed a glorious kingdom but still her heart yearned for home to be safe with people she were familiar with. She was a stranger within these walls, even if she were to become the next Queen of its people.

"There you are I've been looking everywhere for you, didn't think I would find you in my mother's gardens. What's wrong is everything all right? You look like you've been crying."

Princess Elesha was not just sad she was stunned to find the King had caught her unawares yet again in the gardens this time.She didn't want him to see her like this so she quickly wiped her face with her handkerchief and blew her nose.

"I think I'm just coming down with the common cold, so it's best you keep your distance." She replied stiffly. Standing up straight she walked past him and went straight back to her bedroom, ignoring his soft voice calling out her name. Well calling out her sister's name not hers.

"Your Highness, you must eat as much as you can, you're looking thin and pale, dearest." Bea her ladies maid kept the tray close to her as she could, while she rubbed coconut and almond oil into her hair to untangle it and to nourish it. Bea had noticed that her hair had been falling after seeing a clump of it hanging from her comb. She had gotten to work to ensure her hair would become thick once again by applying oil frequently throughout the week.

"Bea don't worry about the hair," said Princess Elesha.

"Your Highness, you must look like the beautiful bride that you are on your wedding day, it is my duty to see that is exactly how it should be."

"Both kingdoms will be witnesses to such an event and my dear you must look your best."

"I will rub a mixture of lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus oil to your forehead and shoulders before you sleep at night, keep stress at bay."

"If you think it will help, I won't stop you Bea. Thank you so very much," said Princess Elesha with her eyes closed as her ladies maid massaged her forehead and shoulders.

"Your Highness, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you, you're most welcome."

Bea combed her long hair and plaited it so it would stay in place. Princess Elesha had to wait with her oiled hair for a couple of hours to go by before having a bath. She peeled off her sweaty dress and immersed herself into the warm bathwater that was scented with vanilla and cinnamon. She thoroughly washed her hair to get all the oil out. Once satisfied that her hair had been soaked in water for a couple of minutes, she stepped out and dried herself with a long pink bath towel. She put on her nightdress which was thick that night as the weather had suddenly turned freezing cold. It didn't snow, but the winds were chilly and just then a gust of wind blew into her bedroom, causing the temperature in the room to fall. The princess was glad that Bea had packed her thick nightdress for nights like this one. She got into bed, said a quick prayer and fell into a restless sleep. She dreamed of King Hans and in her dream he turned into a hideous beast that snarled at her, that she woke up and sat straight up in bed. She spoke to herself and commanded herself to go back to bed as it was only but a dream.