“But we’re not even engaged yet!” My voice comes out higher than I expected.
“Not to worry. That will be taken care of soon.”
“Taken care of soon?” James and I have been seeing each other for a few months. An engagement is not something that should be “taken care of.”
“Yes. Your engagement should be announced within the next two months, so it’s best we start preparations now.”
The room is getting hot around me, the heavy perfume of the flowers doing nothing to help. I never thought much about my wedding growing up. Not having a mum made it hard to think about my wedding. I always wished I had my mum here to share in my special day. Not some tightly wound royal wedding planner.
“We’ll need to decide on flowers and cake today. Dresses will be for a later time, once we have a list of approved designers to choose from.” So much for the magic of planning your wedding.
“Shouldn’t James be here for this?” The grand room we’re in is filled to the brim with flowers. Cakes that are taller than I am line one wall.
Thea laughs, pinning me with a look that tells me this is for women only. Figures. “He is otherwise preoccupied. Now, if you’ll please come with me.”
I follow her farther into the room. “Now, the flowers will need to make a statement,” Thea starts. “Orchids and roses are acceptable. We don’t want anything too out there. We don’t want to offend anyone.”
“Heaven forbid the flowers I choose for my wedding offend anyone.”
Thea gives me a piercing glare, her tight bun making her features even more harsh. “A great deal of research has been done as to the proper bouquets for royals. One misstep and everyone will remember your wedding for those reasons.”
I try to listen as Thea goes into far more detail than I ever needed to know about flowers, but my mind is spinning. When James and I were summoned to the palace today, I never thought it would be to start planning my wedding.
“Zara? Which of these do you like?” Thea sweeps her hands to four different bouquets laid out in front of me. All are a combination of white flowers. The differences are subtle.
I chew on my bottom lip. There has to be a test in here somewhere. Did they put the unacceptable flowers in here to see if I would pick the right one? Why is there so much pressure on this one decision?
“Am I able to decide later?” My voice is hardly a whisper.
“I’m afraid the flowers and cake must be decided upon today. To get everything scheduled for a royal wedding requires quite a bit of time.” Thea’s voice is curt. From the look she’s giving me, I doubt she likes me very much.
“How about this one?” I grab the one closest to me.
“I think this one would be best.” She points a different one out to me.
“Then that one will be fine.” I don’t know why I’m needed here. It makes no difference to me which flowers or cake I have at my wedding. If Thea is just going to tell me my decision is wrong and guide me towards the correct decision, I really don’t need to be here.
“Fab. We will incorporate these flowers throughout the abbey and will also have them as the boutonniere flowers.”
I give her a small smile as she leads me in the direction of the cakes.
“You’ll love getting to taste these cakes. Some of Britain’s best bakers have been hard at work these last few weeks to prepare these for you.”
“How is this not all over the tabloids right now?” Cakes of all different shapes and sizes are laid out before me. Some are lined with gold leaves, others with intricate flowers covering them.
“We have very strict policies as to who we can work with. All sign non-disclosure agreements. If it were leaked, we’d know.”
I guess there can be one good thing to be said for being a royal.
“Want to have a taste?” Thea’s face is in direct conflict with mine. Whereas she is beaming, I’m dreading this.
I try to put on a happy face, but this is just a bit overwhelming for me.
“Just tell me where to start.”
James
“Mother.What did I do to be beckoned to the palace today?”
