Father dressed me up like a doll. A glass doll with paper white skin and rosy cheeks. I don't know who I'd impress looking the way I do. I'm too old for bows in my hair, so I was allowed to leave my hair how I wanted it.

"You look like a child."

I'll admit. My dress does resemble something that I would've worn as a child. I smooth down the pink fabric, pursing my lips. "That's my father for you. He had my ladies pack my clothes."

She eyes me. "If you're going to become a Ro'meave, or be proposed to at least, you are not looking like a child. I'm going to dress you."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Garroth decided he would personally show me around. We briefly saw O'Khasis, but His Majesty felt it was too dangerous for us to be out for long. It's upsetting that I cannot see more of the kingdom, but it pleases me that Garroth wishes to show me what he can.

It's noon. My feet have begun to tire, but I don't want to admit it out loud. I had been sitting so long recently, but I feel as though I've stood for too long today.

"You look fatigued. Do you wish to sit?"

"Only if you wish to," I tell him. Selfishly, I want him to desire a break. My feet ache, and sitting wouldn't do any harm.

His lips turn into a smile. Somehow my words are humorous to him as he begins to laugh. Garroth sits down on a nearby bench and pats beside him. "You are trying to please me too much. Just be honest."

My feet defy me and walk towards the bench. "In complete honesty, my feet hurt. How are your feet fine?"

"Oh, they're not. I was looking for an excuse to sit down. It just so happened you appeared as tired as I felt."

I smile softly at this, casting my eyes around this section of the garden. Hydrangeas and dahlias scatter the section in front of me. Geraniums and daisies on the side. It takes everything within myself not to stand and smell each individual flower.

"Any flower that piques your interest?"

A faint blush coats my cheeks at being caught. I stare down at my hands on my lap, trying to tame the pink color. "I do love a good peony or carnation. . . even a tulip during spring. But I enjoy roses far more."

I feel his hand lay on top of mine. He gives it a soft squeeze before talking. "We'll plant more roses for you. Anything you'd like," he says. This interests me. "But you said carnations. I believe those are what I sent you."

I nod my head. "You're right. They're beautiful and were in full bloom. It saddens me to know they wilted."

"I'll have to send more."

He's charming. I'll give him that. Now if he'll fulfill his words is what will change him from everyone else. Laurance will say something, but he doesn't carry through. I'll be surprised if a new bouquet of carnations is sitting on my vanity in the near future.

"You must. I'll be disappointed if my chambers can't smell like this all the time," I state.

We return to a state of quietness. Garroth appears lost in thought, and I've brought myself into an uncomfortable state of the unknown.

"Alex?" My name sounds foreign against his lips. I turn my head towards him. He reaches for my hand and pulls me up to my feet, forgetting to let go."Is it alright if I call you Alex? I heard my sister call you–"

"It's alright. Please continue your thought."

He stares at me, blankly. Perhaps he rarely acts like this, and he is not used to being cut off the way I have. He's clearly flustered now, and I want to shrink down into the depths of my dress.

"I know we're young, and this is incredibly. . . intimidating. Irene, I sound like such a fool."

I squeeze his hand like he did before. My stomach does a flip. I'm no fool. I am well aware of what is going on here.

"Please stand by me for the remainder of our lives as my queen. We'll tackle many challenges. This is true, but we'll do it together. . . So, please, marry me?"

I'm seventeen.

"Yes. I'd love to do nothing more than marry you."

Had he been hiding a ring in his pocket this entire time? How had I not noticed this before? I was well aware of what was going to happen today. It only took a matter of time for me to narrow down where it would be.

I'm only seventeen.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Garroth was called for business before dinner. Zianna took me under her wing, and she hasn't allowed me to escape ever since. There are so many questions.

Who would I want to invite? The food? What would my dress look like? What flowers? Season? She's making my head spin endlessly.

Had Cadenza gone through this much trouble preparing her wedding? Her's wasn't as grand, of course, but it still sounds stressful. Her Majesty speaks of returning to O'Khasis in the future as a permanent stay.

I'm thankful when one of her ladies comes out to tell her that dinner is nearly finished, and it's fine for her to dress. Though, this doesn't stop her from smothering me as she waves them off and tells them to prepare her attire for her. She sent the message to the lady I brought with me.

"We're going to the throne room," she states. To whom, I'm not entirely sure. "It will only take a matter of minutes."

For being older, she's quick on her feet. I nearly had to run after her to keep up with her quick pace. By the time we arrived, she sat on her throne. Even in an informal event such as this, she looks so regal. So important.

She stands. "Alright," she starts. "Your turn."

My eyes widen when I realize what she means. "What? No, no, I couldn't. That's your position. It's not mine."

"It will be yours. Now sit."

She nearly forces me down onto the throne. I feel so small in the center. So unimportant. I feel as though I'm playing dress up in shoes too big for me.

She claps her hands together with an adoring smile. "I would've had a crown picked out to make this feel all the more special, but Garte felt it unnecessary. Even this took some convincing, but I always get what I want. You'll need to start wearing our jewels, of course. Oh! GarGar and I have already picked out the first set to give you."

I try to stand from my position, but she stops me.

"I know this may seem frightening now. . . being married so young and suddenly rising in position. I did that once, too. You get used to it. I'll be there to help you whenever you need me."

She lets me stand once more. If I wasn't afraid before, I certainly am now. I'm crawling in my own skin.

"Your Majesty, I couldn–"

She dismisses me. "Zianna. We'll be family soon enough. You best get ready. There should be a new dress waiting for you."