Art: 033/100 Themes: Expectations

"Jusangion." Expectations. - 33/100 Themes.

Oh, the stupid things you have to do when you are royalty.

 

Willow loosened the collar on her dress. It had been so heavily starched, it left rings on her skin. Her neck was sweating. She clenched and flexed her fingers within the thick, formal gloves. Her palms were sweating. She scratched the small of her back. Some sweat there, too. Gross.

"Don't be nervous. It's just like we rehearsed," Fenne whispered.

Too bad that telling someone not to be nervous just makes them more nervous.

He took her hand. A fanfare of trumpets sounded beyond the gold curtains. "I present to you the future king and queen of the Brennan nation."

The pair stepped out to a room full of people in expensive dress, starched collars and white gloves everywhere. The clapped politely, softly with stiff elbows. Willow searched for a familiar face, but everyone seemed much older, both men and women reaching middle age. They held their lips tightly shut with regal formality. She looked closer and saw the wrinkles at the edges of their eyes and mouths that came with making too many court decisions, too many judgements.

She swallowed the lump in the throat and stole a quick glance at her partner. With the same grim formality, he took her waist in his arm, and they began to dance.