Little Prince [✓]

XXVⅠⅠⅠ

Max's POV

"Maximus, is this how you plan to spend your wedding morning? Anxious and awkward?" She walked over, her heels clicking against the floor.

"How I spend my wedding morning is none of your concern!" I sunk further into my oatmeal honey rose petal bath. "Today is not about you, dear auntie."

"Of course it isn't! I just...want everything to be perfect for you." She sighed, "You still have a funeral to plan not to mention you are pregnant."

"How did you-" I paused, remembering the change in my scent, "-I suppose there is no point in hiding it if everyone can tell..."

"Do not fret! No one will dare mention it, after all, they all want to be your ally now that you are the new king of the global economy." Her perfectly manicured hands passed my servant a towel as I stepped out of the bath. "They all want to be you, they all want to impress you."

"You say that like the old hags in our family will stay silent, once they smell me they'll shout and scowl!" I stood still as my servants wiped on my lotion, "And I know they'll try to comment on Nathan."

"Do you love him?" She draped my robe over me as I walked over to my bed, "Do you?"

"I love him," I smiled. My anxiety, my fear, was all related to my love for him. What if I disappointed him at the altar? What if he realized he deserved someone as selfless as him? "I love him so much it scares me..."

"My dear, when I married your uncle I was just as terrified." She gently brushed my hair as servants held up the mirror in front of us, "Love is unstable- yet it provides security. Do not let your insecurities control you on this special day."

"But you were forced to marry uncle Albert! Father said that uncle ignored you for months-"

"He did! Your uncle was a rake who was unhappy about being forced to settle down. It took time, but we learned to love each other." She tilted up my chin, "Love is a choice. It is a commitment as well. There will be times where you will question your heart, but know that love requires learning."

"And if one makes the wrong choice?" I did not realize I was trembling until she held my hands.

"You are not making the wrong choice. I've been here only three hours and you spent two of those hours boasting about this Nathan of yours! It is quite adorable-"

"Silence! I will not be teased by you!" I grumbled as I laid down, "I wish to rest before I wed. Leave."

"Your mother would be so proud of you," she smiled.

Mother...

"Wait, you cannot say that and then leave!" I grabbed her sleeve as she stood, "I...do you truly think Mother would be?"

"Your mother wanted you to marry for love like she did." Auntie closed her eyes as her cheeks tinted pink, "She was infatuated with your father. She wanted you to feel the same with your spouse and have a blessed marriage."

"I wish she was alive...I wish she was here to see me." Tears stung my eyes, I rarely thought about my mother because I always got too emotional. I did not remember her besides faint lullabies and photos but I still grieved for her.

"I know I have been absent just like your father was, but I will try my best to be your substitute...if you'd like."

"I suppose...I could learn to love you." I teased as I wiped my eyes.

"Very funny, Maximus."

The wedding was at eleven and it was already nine, which meant people were being seated at the venue and I needed to start getting dressed. I had tried not to stress about my wedding dress, knowing that I could just find something in my wardrobe to wear but Auntie had other plans. She surprised me with my mother's gown, in perfect pristine condition and in my exact size. I had never hugged her so tightly, but I could not contain myself when I saw the beauty of the fabric.

"Oh my..." A servant gasped as the others gawked.

"Does it suit me?" I twirled in the mirror, watching the skirt spin around me.

"Yes, your grace!" The servants cheered as my aunt giggled.

I held out my foot as a servant slid on my jeweled shoes, leaning against another servant as I slid on my hair clips. Today was the day I would commit to eternity with my mate, a physical ceremony to show our bond. As the clock ticked my heart raced and I squeezed my aunt's hand as we walked to the car. The ride to the beautiful garden was full of squealing and cheering as my aunt and I giggled over wedding night jokes and glasses of sparkling cider.

"I cannot wait for you to meet Nathan," I smiled. Just thinking about him as my future husband made my face flush.

"I'm sure he's quite special if he's managed to calm your temper." Auntie sipped from her glass, "How did you two meet?"

By the time I finished telling her our epic tale of love, loss, and cake, we were already outside the venue gates. My hands trembled as I held my skirt, stepping out of the car and following servants to my temporary bedchamber. I watched from my window as crowds of people- only a quarter of them my distant relatives, gathered outside and walked to their seats. The garden was massive and the walk down the aisle would be at least five minutes! My heart hammered in my chest as someone knocked on my door, my body shaking as I trudged over to open it.

"Hello-wow." My heart skipped a beat as I peered into the hallway.