xxx

A week had passed since the coronation. Ophelia had signed multiple documents and listened to multiple cases. There was only one thing taking over her mind, though. It was getting through the wedding tomorrow and figuring out if her intuition is true.

"My queen, you must rest. You have such a big day tomorrow!" Anaieese said, trying to bring Ophelia closer to her bed. She shook her head and held up a finger. Ophelia walked back to the balcony and walked out onto the balcony. A cool breeze ruffled her hair as she looked up to the starless sky.

<i>If only you guys were here to see me walk down the aisle.</i>

Ophelia bit her lip and blinked back the tears that sprung up in her eyes. She spun around and walked into the bedroom and shut the doors, hands gripping the handles tightly. Anaieese walked up and gently rested her hand onto Ophelia's left wrist.

"They wanted to see you on your special day," Anaieese smiled sadly as Ophelia turned towards her. "That's what they talked about a lot. How beautiful you'd be walking down the aisle to your husband."

Ophelia looked down and closed her eyes, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. Anaieese pursed her lips and wrapped her into a hug. Ophelia hugged back, tightly. She released a sob as Anaieese rubbed her back.

"I miss them." Ophelia whispered out after a few minutes. "I know." Anaieese pulled away and patted her cheek gently. "Lay down and get some rest."

Ophelia nodded her head and walked towards the bed and laid down, pushing her legs underneath the blankets. Anaieese made sure she was alright before walking towards the door and shut it quietly.

Ophelia tossed and turned for hours. Not being able to sleep was something she struggled with on the daily. It didn't make it any better now that such a large date loomed just hours away.

She sighed and tossed the blanket to the side before getting out of bed and grabbing her robe and slipped it over her shoulders. Ophelia walked to the door and opened it, walking through the halls until she went into the kitchens.

Caspian was already standing there, drinking down some water.

"Couldn't sleep?" He asked her, setting his glass down onto the island in the middle. Ophelia shrugged. "No." Caspian sighed and leaned his hands onto the island. "Me either."

"Why is trying to sleep so hard?" Ophelia asked, pulling herself up onto the island beside Caspian. He reached over and lightly squeezed her knee, smiling at her.

Ophelia reached down and gripped his hand, stroking his knuckles. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Ophelia cocked her head to the side. Caspian smiled.

"Me? Nervous? No, never."

They were quiet for a few beats before bursting out in laughter. Once they calmed down, Ophelia's face turned serious. "It never felt real until now, you know?"

Caspian nodded. "Yea. I know." He reached out and held her hand tightly. "I'll walk you back to your room. You need to get some sleep."

Ophelia sighed and slipped down from the island and looked up at him. "You're right. Beauty sleep for the bride is important." Caspian smiled. "Exactly." He slipped his hand into hers and they walked towards the exit of the kitchen.

For some reason, Ophelia felt like they were being watched, so sure turned her head and looked over her shoulder. No one was there.

---

Anaieese came into the room the next morning and flung open the curtains, turning and calling out to Ophelia. "Up, up, Ophelia!" She rushed into the bathroom to start a bath for Ophelia to soak in.

Ophelia groaned and stretched, sitting up. She moved the covers and stood up, shuffling towards the way Anaieese went.

Anaieese walked out of the bathroom and almost fell over from fright. She wasn't expecting Ophelia to be up so quickly - even though she looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep and her hair had tangled. "What about beauty sleep, Ophelia?" Anaieese put her hands on her hips and looked at Ophelia like a parent would look at a misbehaving child.

"I did sleep," Ophelia said, yawning. "I just had a bad dream, that's all." Anaieese shook her head and ushered the girl into the bathroom before grabbing a brush off of the countertop and brushed through the tangles.

Ophelia's head was pulled to the side multiple times, but, despite her hair being pulled, her eyes started to droop. "Wake up, your hair's brushed." Anaieese said, patting her shoulders gently. Ophelia opened her eyes and looked up to Anaieese and smiled. "Take your sleepwear off, you need to be washed before you can get into your wedding dress." Anaieese commanded, pulling Ophelia up from the stool.

Ophelia raised her arms above her head and Anaieese lifted the dress up by the skirt. Once it was off of Ophelia's body, Anaieese draped it over her forearms and walked out as Ophelia slipped into the steaming water.

The water wrapped her into a warm hug and she closed her eyes, sighing before reaching over the rim of the bathtub and grabbed a loofah and the soap. She started to scrub her body before sinking below the surface.

It was quiet. It let her think without being interrupted.

What if Kahlil isn't a traitor? I would've blamed him for no reason. I can't believe that I didn't find out if he was before automatically deciding that. The plan we have will tell us the truth.

Ophelia's lungs felt like they were going to burst if she didn't get her head above the water soon. She pulled herself up, sucking in a deep breath before wiping the hair away from her face. Ophelia turned and looked at the door, noticing Anaieese standing there, holding up a beautiful white gown.

"Oh wow." Ophelia gasped. Anaieese smiled. "It was your mother's. The handmaidens gave it a touch-up." Ophelia smiled and told her that she'll be out in a little bit.

"Take as much time as you'd like, Ophelia. They can wait until their queen is ready," Anaieese hung the dress onto the door and walked into the bathroom and set out two towels and a bathrobe. "I do not understand why Kahlil automatically chose the date of your wedding! Tsk, that should have been your's and Caspian's choice."

Ophelia nodded. "That's what I thought!" She pulled herself out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her body and the other one around her hair. Anaieese smiled. "Once you're finished, just come out here and I'll start working on your hair."

Ophelia nodded, smiling before turning back towards the large mirror. She started drying her body before grabbing the robe and shrugging it onto her shoulder.

Ophelia started drying her hair, working the towel around it so the moisture would seep out onto the towel. She set the towels onto the counter and walked out of the bathroom, turning out the light.

Anaieese gestured for Ophelia to sit at the vanity and pulled out a hairdryer. She plugged it up and turned it on, drying Ophelia's hair thoroughly before turning it off and brushing through the strands of hair.

"Your mother talked about wanting to do your hair and dolling you up for your wedding." Anaieese stated, looking at Ophelia briefly in the mirror before setting the brush down and pulling her up.

"Time to get into your dress." Anaieese stated, leading Ophelia to the room divider and unzipped the garment bag. She draped the dress onto the dress mannequin, and turned to help Ophelia with her corset.

Ophelia was admiring the dress while Anaieese was tightening the corset. The bodice of the dress had beads sewn all around it. The sleeves draped delicately down. The skirt was long, and had the same beads as the bodice sewn around it.

Anaieese walked around her front and smiled. "I have something else from your mother." Anaieese turned and walked into her closet, coming out with a pair of black heels. Ophelia gasped, reaching her hands up to her mouth.

She slowly grabbed them from Anaieese, turning them around in her hands. "These are beautiful." Ophelia whispered before looking up at Anaieese. Ophelia smiled and wrapped her in a hug.

"Although I do wish my mom was here, I'm glad that you're here to help me." Ophelia murmured into Anaieese' neck. She wrapped her arms around Ophelia's waist and hugged her back.

"You remind me of my daughter, I couldn't have let you figure this out by yourself." Anaieese pulled away and patted Ophelia's cheek lightly.

Anaieese took the shoes from Ophelia's grip and set them onto the floor and gathered the dress. Ophelia knelt down to help Anaieese get the skirt over her head. Once it was situated, Anaieese walked around her and zipped up the dress.

Ophelia ran her hands down the front of the skirt and looked up, blinking quickly. "I feel beautiful." Anaieese smiled. "You are beautiful."

After her hair was curled and her makeup was applied, Anaieese put Ophelia's veil onto her head and helped her put on the shoes. Ophelia stood up.

"Are you ready, Ophelia?" Anaieese asked, folding her hands in front of her. Ophelia smiled and nodded, letting Anaieese lead her from the room and into the hallway, where another handmaiden handed her a bouquet of crimson flowers. Anaieese and the other handmaiden led Ophelia down the hall and to the grand staircase.

Ophelia stopped walking, gripping her stomach. "Are you alright, My Lady?" The handmaiden that gave her the flowers asked. Ophelia nodded. "I'm just nervous." She sucked in a deep breath before looking to Anaieese.

"You've got this." Anaieese reassured. Ophelia nodded once more and continued walking. Both handmaidens rushed forward and opened the throne room doors.

Everyone turned and faced Ophelia. Caspian was the last one to look up. When he did, his heartbeat sped up. She was more beautiful than he could've ever imagined. Everything faded into nothing at Caspian stared at Ophelia.

She demanded the attention of the whole room. Ophelia finished walking up the rest of the aisle and turned to face him.

Kahlil cleared his throat and started speaking. "We all gather here today to witness the marriage of Queen Ophelia and soon-to-be King Caspian." He droned on and on about holy matrimony and how the Gods' fate brought the two of them together. Both of them was focused on themselves.

"Repeat after me, at the same time." Kahlil said. "I solely agree to stand by your side, to stand behind you, be your shelter, and your warmth. From this day forward, I will stay with you until the end of time."

Ophelia and Caspian repeated Kahlil, smiling to one another. "Let us celebrate this day by binding it with a kiss." Caspian stepped forward and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Ophelia's mouth.

The throne room erupted into applause. They pulled away from each other and smiled. Caspian led her down the aisle and towards a quiet nook. They smiled at one another. Caspian nuzzled his nose against hers.

"We need to get out to the courtyard before the guests do, My Love." Ophelia smiled and rested her forehead against his.

"I know. I just wanted to see you up close without everyone else gawking." Caspian responded before pulling her from the nook and made their way to the courtyard.

They had made it on time. A little bit after they had sat down at the table up front, the guests walked through the doors.

---

The party progressed into the night. Caspian and Ophelia talked between themselves, perfecting the rest of the plans. Ophelia stood up, followed by Caspian, and walked up to Kahlil, who was talking to a couple of guests.

"Kahlil." Ophelia called his name. Once he turned, she gestured for him to follow her. They walked away from the party. "Caspian and I are leaving tonight so we can have some time to ourselves. Please protect the castle, and don't tell anybody that we have left." Ophelia told him.

Kahlil nodded.

"Of course, my Queen."