Chapter 7 Your Highness

18th century

The Earl of Lehnrose's manor was bursting with chaos and liveliness. It was their Lady Deyanira's wedding to the prince after all. Stewards of varying duties were rushing everywhere while the commoners stood watch, buzzing in anticipation.

"My Lady, you should see this! Everyone has come out to see you!" Leah, who had grown after four years in the Valens' care, squealed in elation.

Lady Alice faintly chuckled as she made several adjustments to her daughter's posture. "Now, now, Leah. She will see all of them once the carriage passes and so will they. You should refrain from moving too much. We don't want your best dress to be wrinkled when we arrive at the palace, do we?"

Leah's cheeks turned beet red, thinking of the embarrassment her less-than-perfect clothes would bring to the family. She jerked her body straight and refused to move a muscle, remembering everything Deyanira taught her about lady's etiquette. "Of course, Your Ladyship. I shall make sure nothing ruins this day."

Deyanira laughed, covering her mouth with her lace-gloved hands. "Oh, mother! Don't tease Leah like that. And Leah, move as you always do. Not even my dress getting a big, striking stain would ruin my wedding."

She stared into the distance, picturing the man waiting for her at the altar. Just like her, he must be shaking in nervousness. If only their residence was close to the palace.

"Hush now, my child! Don't tempt the fates with those words." The Countess began wiping away invisible dust on her immaculate dress. "You shall be presented to the royal family and the subjects like a gleaming snow with no imperfections."

This caused Deyanira's shoulders to sag, something the teenage Leah noticed but her mother didn't. She had always hated the idea of being an unapproachable snob of a noble. As much as her parents were kind, they held very traditional beliefs that she didn't agree with.

"Subjects shouldn't fear their rulers as rulers shouldn't look down on their people. It is creating an unhealthy disproportion," she once tried to argue but was told that as a future queen, she shouldn't let other people get too close to her.

She feared that Richard felt the same way as them but was relieved when the prince told her, "We shall not control every aspect of our subjects' lives. They are free; choices are for them to be made, and consequences to bear."

He has matured considerably since their first meeting. Though he still had his playful charms and carefree manners, some of the reasons Deyanira fell for him.

The entrance to her chambers made a loud sound as the Earl made his way inside. Once Lord Edmund raised his head, tears began to form in his eyes. "Oh, dear Deyanira, how you've turned into a wonderful lady."

His daughter gave a small bow as she too looked at her reflection. She was a vision to behold, like the goddess of the moon and stars with her white wedding dress made only of the finest garments adorned with glistening gems. Draped on her head was a veil made of the same material and the simple, diamond-graced tiara that Queen Helena gifted her.

"' Father, please don't speak as if this is our last. We shall still always see each other." Deyanira gently laid down her bouquet and took her father's hands to hers.

Lord Edmund sniffed, "You're right, you're right. Anyway, I am not here to bring you to tears. Someone has been sent from the palace." He extended his arm towards the door and beckoned, "You can enter, Sir."

Before they could see the person, they first heard the clanging of metal on metal and heavy footsteps. In came a tall man covered with armor from neck to foot. On his waist was a sheathed sword and on one hand was his iron helmet.

He bent on one knee and bowed his head while Deyanira watched with a gaped mouth. "I am Sir Garrick Kane of the Royal Army. I have been assigned as the head of Your Highness's guards. From this day to my very last breath, I pledge to you my loyalty and services."

This was the very first Deyanira was addressed as 'Your Highness'. It gave her a sense of discomfort that she couldn't help but make a joke.

"Why does it sound like you are the one marrying me?" Deyanira and Leah shared a hearty giggle while her parents gave a disappointed glare.

Sir Kane stood and took her seriously. His tone was of dismay, not on Deyanira's remark but himself, "I apologize, Your Highness. I should have been more mindful of my words."

Deyanira panicked and waved her hands in opposition. "No, no, I'm sorry, Sir Kane. I was merely jesting. I was the one who should have thought first before speaking. You are at no fault."

Her now guard only gave a small nod, making her wince. First impressions never were her strong suit. "I shall escort you to your carriage then, Your Highness. I shall be with you, riding alongside my steed."

Well, that gave her small comfort. All the way to the palace, she had to be alone in her carriage while her family would go ahead in a different transport.

It was exhausting but as her training taught her, Deyanira was never to show that. So she kept waving to the cheering crowds, smiling, and stating her appreciation. But once in a while, she was able to share short conversations with her guard as they learned more about each other.

By the time they reached the place gates, Deyanira felt worn out. She took a peek at what awaited her and it was another mile of walking along the carpeted pavement outside of the royal cathedral while people kept watch. She felt every muscle in her face twitch in pain as she imagined a longer path to walk once inside the church.

Garrick opened the carriage door and offered his hand. "Your Highness."

Deyanira let out a tired huff and got down. "It would be impudent to ask you to walk me down just so someone could stop me from tripping, would it?"

For the first time, the knight showed a modicum of expression. The corner of his lips moved up. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I simply could not do so. But if it's any consolation, His Royal Highness Prince Richard had come to me personally before I arrived at your home."

"Why?"

"He asked me to ensure the safety of the one person he'd been praying to be with for the rest of his life."

This made Deyanira blush, a new wave of vigor in her veins made her forget the fatigue. "Thank you, I needed that."

They both watched as the long procession of her bridal party, her family that included Leah fighting the urge to look back at her, and future courtiers disappeared into the cathedral.

Her vision was not the best due to her veil but felt every eye on her. People would scream her name and cheer for their new princess. That was a relief, she was welcomed by them so the least she could do was bear this.

While waiting for her turn, Deyanira looked up at her knight. "Sir Kane."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Since you are to be my guard from now on, I expect you to drop the excessive formality with me. Time will allow us to get more acquainted but I have to let you know now, the trappings of royalty give me such unease."

The knight was surprised at her honesty when they were in the middle of her becoming one. But Sir Kane kept quiet for her to continue.

Deyanira grimaced at her lack of response but she explained. "But despite that, we do what we have to for those we hold dear. And for me, that would be Prince Richard and the very people we encountered today. I shall carry out my duties, so I appreciate you making it better by just addressing me 'Deyanira'."

Sir Kane's expression was of turmoil. How dare someone like him call the Royal Princess by her name?

His new charge resumed making him more perplexed. Deyanira said, "And since you have been at the palace longer than I have, do not hesitate to offer your corrections for any mistake I create. I shall be looking to you for guidance."

The head of the Princess's guards sputtered out some words but couldn't form a proper sentence, "B-But, Your High-"

Deyanira began to hum a made-up song, pretending not to hear him, "La, la, la. My ears seem to have stopped working. La, la, la."

The church bells began to ring as the symphony of choirs and orchestras changed that for the bride.

The young woman let out a determined exhale and smiled at Sir Kane, "Well, I'm off to get married. Wish me luck!" With that, she took her steps towards her expectant groom.

The knight sighed and even if the new princess hadn't heard her, he said, "May fortune smile upon you... Deyanira."

"I now understand why the King and Queen placed you under my protection." Sir Kane looked around the crowd and nodded at a few of his men operating in disguise to keep watch while the princess walked in the open.

Before they became the Princess's guards, Garrick Kane and his men were separate from the Royal Knights. Their tasks were more of the secretive sort ordered by the King and their accomplishments were rarely celebrated.

He gazed with worry and began making his way to the back of the church. "A woman like you would certainly make a lot of enemies. More so now that you have a crown on your head. But I shall ensure no harm befalls you."