Page 104 of The Promised Prince
The room of women, including Renna, all gasped in unison. Seran looked beautiful in her simple, yet elegant wedding gown. White silk hugged her body, coming up high to the base of her neck then squaring off across her collarbone and shoulders. Billowing sleeves ended just below her elbows. Her tiny waist was accentuated as if it had been cinched together by the dress itself. Silk fabric fell straight to the floor barely above her toes in front, but in the back, it trailed long behind her. Pearls and crystals lined the edges of the dress in a classic way. Seran’s black hair was slicked back at her forehead, the veil resting on top. The rest of her glossy, straight hair rested neatly around her shoulders and chest, the coal-black contrasting perfectly against the white dress.
Renna always thought it was odd that a culture that attached so much emphasis and prestige to color would choose to wear a white wedding dress. It was one of the pre-Desolation traditions that had stuck all these years later.
Her friends jumped to their feet, gathering around her, gushing over every detail. Renna slowly followed behind. She stared with admiration at Seran until her mother caught her eye. There was the pity look again. Renna put on her best smile to reassure her mother. She didn’t want to ruin this moment for her mother or Seran.
“You look stunning,” Renna said from the back of the crowd.
Seran glanced at Renna, a timid look in her eyes. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Why was Seran askingher?
“How could he not?”
It was true. How could Trev not think she was the most beautiful woman alive when she walked down the aisle toward him? The thought of that moment flashing through her mind made Renna realize something; she didn’t want to be there. There was no need for her to be at the wedding—no need for her to see how the story would end. Her father had told her enough fairy tales for her to know thatthey would live happily ever after.At this point, she was only a distraction—a hurdle in the way of Seran’s happily-ever-after.
The luncheon was cleaned up. The dress taken off. The room cleared out, except for Renna. She remained on the fluffy couch, planning her future.
“There you are. I thought you had gone to your room.” Her mother walked toward the couch, sitting on the edge next to Renna. They had fallen into a polite routine since the night of the ball. They hadn’t spoken of the kiss or any of the other problems between them, but here her mother was. She had come back for her. That was more than Trev had done.
Renna stared at Queen Mariele, the woman who had held so many secrets and heartaches for years. Renna used to pray that her mother would let her guard down. Pray that she could understand what was going on in her mind. Now she did. She was more like her mother than she had ever thought. Mariele was the one person who could understand her pain. The one person who knew what it was like to love a prince and give him up. The realization flooded her with heavy emotion. Her nose tingled as her eyes welled up with tears.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” she said, her voice ragged.
“Oh, Renna.” Her mother grasped her shoulders, pulling her close. “Don’t cry.”
But it was too late. Tears rushed down her cheeks, rolling onto her neck, wetting her mother’s hair and shoulder.
“I know how much you’re hurting right now, but all is not lost. You will find happiness again.”
Renna shook her head against her mother’s neck. “It took you a long time.”
Mariele stroked the back of her hair as she spoke. “You have your father’s strength inside you. You’re much stronger than I ever was, and you’ll be okay.”
Renna pulled back and wiped at her eyes. “I want to ask you something.”
Her mother nodded for her to continue.
“I’d like to move back to Wellenbreck Farm. I own it, after all. Father left it to me.”
Mariele looked perplexed. “Why would you want to do that? The Government Center is so much more comfortable than Wellenbreck. And...you’d be all alone.”
“I wouldn’t be alone. I’d have Nellie and Preetis with me.” Renna swiped at her cheeks again, brushing away the last remnants of her tears.
Her mother shook her head. “No. No, we couldn’t possibly do that. The next few months are going to be difficult for you. You should be surrounded by people that love you.”
“I’ve never felt like I fit in in New Hope and I can’t bear to be there when Trev and Seran come to visit for the Council of Essentials in January. I can’t do it. I belong at Wellenbreck now more than ever. Please, let me go home.”
Her mother let out a sigh. “I suppose you living at Wellenbreck for a little while wouldn’t hurt.”
Renna lurched forward, giving her mother another hug. “Thank you!”
“Don’t get too excited. This isn’t permanent.”
“I know, but I’m still excited.”
Her mother pulled away but kept her hands resting on top of Renna’s. “Would you like to leave before the wedding?”
Renna bit her lip as fresh tears pooled in her eyes.
