The way it had always been meant to be.
Epilogue One
Linnea
“Imerely mean to state that, as her role in the competition was not undertaken with her real identity, and her true one means that she could only participate as Pearl Court’s competitor, that?—”
“Lord Neel,” Azurill snapped, the ice in his eyes shutting the rambling lord’s lips at once. “If you mean to say that your future Queen was ineligible, I can assure you that’s not the case.”
“In fact, since Sania was not the true Pearl Court contestant, with Lady Linnea still alive, and with Sania working for Carnelian and all, we can actually consider her the Ruby Court competitor. In that case, Lady Linnea would be Pearl Court’s,” Emrys interjected, before Azurill could rip the lord of Sapphire Court apart.
His bitterness over the situation could be understood, since his daughter hadn’t won, but at least his second daughter had secured herself a great marriage to the future lord of Opal Court. Still, I was determined to help Safira get out from under this prick in the future.
We’d been round and round this discussion for over an hour after Azurill laid out everything that had happened to the lords. With Ruby and Pearl both needing new heads, and Emerald in a precarious position thanks to Zumra, the lords were all understandably shaken and all seeking to reassure their own positions.
“Now, the marriage and crowning will be taking place within the week, and at that time, we’ll announce our decisions on the fates of the courts in question,” Azurill announced, and with that, court was clearly adjourned. He stood, taking my hand, and leading me out of the room.
“Do you think they’ll fight against what we’re planning?” I asked him quietly, getting a small snort in return.
“I’m sure they’ll argue, but they won’t put up any real fight. Don’t worry, Mini-Dite,” he teased lightly, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
The rest of the week was taken up with so much planning, my head was about ready to spin off my neck. Thank the gods for Faiza, Amatista, and Allirea, who helped me more than I could ever express. But more than even them, the Queen-Mother, Elestren, had wasted no time in taking me on as an adopted daughter, thrilled that I was marrying into the family.
She and Juvela had teamed up to help me plan the wedding, and they took so much pressure off my shoulders. I was able to eagerly look forward to marrying the man of my dreams instead of wanting to tear my hair out.
When the day finally dawned, however, I was a bundle of nerves. As much as I was anticipating this, it was still a huge step, becoming not just Azurill’s wife, but High Queen of Gemaria. I was still adjusting to people even referring to me as Lady Linnea. And my friends made certain to chastise me for not telling them, lovingly expressing that they wouldn’t have said a word to betray my confidence, but with the teasing I loved from them. Amatista insisted every time that she had figured it out, and I always expressed my doubt with a laugh, despite fully believing her. She was too smart for her own good, and the look on her face was priceless.
If this was what my life was going to be like from now on, I couldn’t wait. And today would cement that, along with my marriage.
My ladies surrounded me as I was helped into my dress. It was beyond anything I ever imagined. The gown was silver at the top, with a sweetheart neckline, then shifted to blue at the top of the skirt, and faded into pink at the bottom. The sleeves were off-the-shoulder, ringed by large diamonds at the top, with sheer pink fabric that draped to the floor, split down the middle so my arms were free to move. The entire dress was encrusted with diamonds, kyanites, and pearls, matching the colors of the dress, and combining both of our home courts with the family I’d be marrying into.
In addition to my mother’s necklace and bracelet, Azurill had asked to take care of the rest of my jewelry, so I was waiting to see what he’d selected for me as Elestren, or El, as she insisted I call her, brought the boxes over.
“Azurill asked me to give you this before you opened them.” She smiled softly as she handed me a letter, and I took it with a shaking hand.
To the Love of My Life,
I am more excited than I can express to marry you today. More than any other man in history has been, I’m sure. You amaze me in so many ways. Your strength and resilience, along with your kindness and beauty, are unmatched and unequaled by all others. I know you will be a High Queen who shines through the years like the brightest of diamonds.
I wanted something that would represent everything you mean to me, how deeply my heart beats for you, but found everything lacking. How can I possibly give you any jewels that could compare to yourself, my perfect Pearl?
The best I can do is offer you this piece of myself. These items have been passed down in my family for generations, and I had them altered slightly to represent you as well. A piece of me and a piece of you, forever intertwined, as we will be after today.
You were the greatest surprise of my life, Mini-Dite, and I can’t wait for you to continue surprising me each and every day.
With all my love,
Azurill
Aka Veri Full of Himself
I laughed wetlyat the end, knuckling away tears so I’d wouldn’t destroy my makeup. The artists had worked hard to make me up just so, and they would absolutely kill me if they had to redo it now.
But that sweet, sweet man had a way with words. My fingers itched to open the boxes, and as his mother handed me the first one, I snatched it eagerly. Opening the top, I gasped, finding a stunning necklace that would layer perfectly with my mother’s. It had diamonds and sapphires worked all the way around it, but a few pink pearls had been added in, including one that was directly in the center when it was clasped around my neck.
The next box was larger and contained a diadem that would soon be replaced by a full tiara. This one was all diamond, with sapphires creating looping designs on the sides, and the center design had been replaced with pink pearls. It was absolutely gorgeous, and I immediately handed it over to be put in my hair. Most of it was left down and my curls were now highlighted by small diamonds that twinkled as I moved my head. The top of my hair was gathered up and pinned to create a pink waterfall that flowed down the back. The diadem fit perfectly right at the top, looking as if it was madespecifically for me.
“Oh, Nea, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Faiza gasped, leaning over to hug me tightly. I squeezed her back, thanking her with a kiss on the cheek.
