Ariadne's POV

"You are a wonderful dancer. I don't know how you do it after all of these different songs," my dance partner said.

I had forgotten his name for the second time and was too embarrassed and tired to ask for it again. All I could do was nod. 

I didn't know how many dances I had already done, or how many more I had left. But I thought that my legs were going to fall off soon if they didn't play a slow song next.

"Have I told you that you are by far the most beautiful woman in the room."

"Only a few times already," I said trying to appear amused. He was, in fact, the fifth of my dancing partners to try this tactic. But I knew father would have been upset if I didn't appear anything less than amused and honored to be dancing with such fine gentlemen.

I just wish he was here to see it.

The song ended and immediately I was surrounded by gentleman hoping to steal me away from the one who had reserved the next dance. I sighed and forced a smile at the group.

"Excuse me, I have to find my next partner."

"I believe that would be me," a familiar voice said from behind me.

Finally someone you will actually enjoy dancing with.

"Prince Wilson," I curtsied. "I'm honored."

He smiled and led me back to the floor and I was relieved he didn't give his usual compliments.

"If I am allowed to say it, you look rather tired, your highness."

I laughed and the music started, finally a slow song. "Is it that obvious?"

His face got serious and he shook his head. "No, you look amazing."

I blushed and focused instead on the steps to the waltz. It was one of my favorite dances.

With one of your favorite men.

I looked back up at him to find him staring intently at me.

He pulled me in close and whispered in my ear. "I mean it when I say you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. And there is nowhere else I would rather be right now."

I smiled and allowed myself to relax in his strong grip as he led me flawlessly through the steps. So flawlessly it almost reminded me of someone else.

It's probably him, you have danced with him before.

* * *

Apparently it was possible to be more stressed about your wedding than your coronation. It didn't help that the party last night had lasted until early this morning and I had roughly two hours of sleep. I didn't know if I would make it through the rest of the evening. Luckily the decorations would not change too much from yesterday. Harriet just had the maids making some last-minute rearrangements so it would not look exactly the same.

Most were helping the kitchen staff prepare for the second load of enormous amounts of food. Everyone looked just as tired as I felt.

"King Henry Northshire of Tilimina has offered kindly agreed to escort you this evening. Their kingdom is always the first to send aid after all." She stared off in the distance for a second. "In any case, I thought you should know who is acting in place of your father this evening."

In place of father.

I nodded, too tired and overwhelmed to think of a response.

"I'll go find your maids and send them up to help you with the days' preparations, I believe they were helping Monsieur Jacque in the kitchen."

Harriet seemed a lot calmer than I had ever seen her on the day of a celebration. That was odd, but I suppose it was a good thing that she didn't explode at every person who accidentally brushed her or moved the flowers the wrong way.

I was grateful for it, however, because it softened my nerves a little.

A few minutes later, Grace and my other maids arrived and we once again began the preparations for a long day ahead. The only difference this time was that we had more time to get ready but also more things to put on. Harriet and Mr. Eli wanted me to look even more beautiful than on my coronation because yesterday I was supposed to represent the people. Today I was supposed to represent continuing on the royal line and giving a beautiful gem to my husband and his kingdom, Credarus.

By the time they were done dressing me up and putting on paints and powders, I truly felt like such a precious gem.

Then I was rushed to a room where I was to wait for Harriet to come and get me.

I felt like I sat there for hours before I finally heard any sign of life other than the guards outside my door. Why did I feel like a prisoner on my wedding day?

"Ariadne, are you here?"

"Amity? Is that you?"

A tiny head poked out of the hallway and I ran up and hugged her. "Oh, it's so good to see you."

"I brought someone else who wanted to see you."

I looked behind her small figure to see a man standing a few feet away. 

He certainly didn't look pleased to see me.

"Peter... What are you doing here?"

He looked desperately at Amity and she turned to me. "There is much we need to tell you and so little time. Come."

We walked back into the small prison of a room where Amity sat me down and began speaking, with Peter standing with his arms folded in a corner.

"Your husband isn't who you think he is," Peter growled.

"What do you mean?"

Amity stepped forward. "He's the evil man that you dance with when you go to the underground kingdom. He put that necklace on you to control you and make you love him, the same way he controls Prince Wilson's body - only Prince Wilson's mind is not as strong as yours.

The only reason he wants to marry you is so that he can leave that kingdom just to take over this one. And Ariadne... He plans on killing you sometime after the wedding."

I stared at her in shock. Her accusation are preposterous!  I thought we had already gone over this.

He would never hurt you. He has only ever shown you love.

I looked at Peter. "Why are you here then?"

"Amity thought I could convince you to not go through with the wedding, even though I told her I have no sway in your opinion whatsoever."

"Do you believe what she said? You think I have been under some spell this entire time?"

He just believes it because he wants to have you.

"To be honest, I don't know what to believe. Of course, I want to believe it because I..." He stopped abruptly. "Amity has never lied to me before. And she would have nothing to gain or lose if you married Prince Wilson or not. But we would all have a lot to lose if you married Estevan."

"How do you know that name?"

"I told him," Amity interrupted. "You don't have to believe me, just take off the necklace and test it for yourself."

I glanced at her warily.

"That's what he uses to control you," she cried. "Take it off!" 

She just wants to steal it.

I shook the thought away and unclipped the latch that had held the necklace around my neck ever since Prince Wilson had put it there. It was odd that I never took it off, I suppose.

Immediately my angry towards Peter and Amity disappeared. But my love for Prince Wilson was still there.

"I'm sorry, it didn't work. I still love him."

Amity snatched the necklace out of my hand. "Maybe it just takes a little while to wear off." All of a sudden a small mouse was where Amity used to be and she ran through a tiny hole under the window, the necklace in tow.

"That little thief," I said, but I wasn't as angry as I thought I would be. Yes, Prince Wilson had insisted I wear it to the wedding because it meant so much to him, but I knew he would understand if I didn't.

Unless... 

"She's just looking out for you."

I jumped, I had nearly forgotten Peter was still in the room.

"I know she is."

I looked down at the wooden floorboards and was suddenly very interested in the patterns on them.

"Ariadne, I... I wanted to apologize. The way I acted the last time I saw you was childish and you deserve to be respected and honored in all of your decisions."

"Even if you disagree with my choice?"

He nodded. "Especially then. You're a smart woman and will become a very wise queen to a very lucky king."

I smiled - Peter was back. "Thank you. And I appreciate your warning. Maybe the necklace didn't control my love, but when I took it off, all the anger I was feeling towards you and Amity disappeared."

He looked surprised. "You think the necklace did that?"

"I think that if it does anything, it just heightens the emotions that it wants me to feel."

"That could include loving the Prince?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so Peter. I mean I-"

Did I really almost tell Peter that I loved him? Where did that come from?

"I need to go. I'm sure the ceremony is going to start soon."

He politely bowed as I curtsied. Our relationship would never quite be the same again, I realized.

"Farewell, Peter Fairborne."

He smiled a smile that told me I was going to be okay. "Farewell, Queen Ariadne Cardwell of Glendowin."

With that, I walked out of the room and down the hall, where I almost ran into Harriet who appeared to be on her way to retrieve me.

"Right this way, your highness."

I turned back to look at Peter who was leaning against the doorframe, watching me go. He tipped his hat and grinned. "Go be remarkable." He mouthed to me as I turned down another hallway, out of his view.

And the wedding goes on! 

What do you think of the necklace? 

What about Amity and Peter's accusations? 

What's going to happen?