Joan nods vigorously.

“All right, then.” I head over to the array of breakfast foods.

The morning flies by. Mrs. Dawson and Claire arrive just as we’re finishing eating. I talk to them for a while before I’m pulled into the salon section. I lose track of time as I receive the full beauty treatment. My makeup is painstakingly applied. Each section of my hair is curled and brushed before being pulled back from my face in an elaborate braid. The rest of my hair is left loose. A diamond tiara is nestled in intricate twists, and then all that’s left is my dress and veil.

I rise from the chair I’ve spent the last several hours getting ready in to find everyone else is already dressed. My mother has changed into a champagne-colored dress that shimmers as she moves. Jace’s mother is wearing a blue silk dress, and Claire’s is a similar style in pale pink. Katie’s wearing a strapless navy number I helped her pick out a few days ago. And I’m still in my pajamas.

“Hurry up, get on your dress!” Katie urges. “Joan says we have to leave in five minutes.”

“It’s that late already?”

“Yes! Everyone else is already at the church. Hurry up!” Neither my mother nor Jace’s say anything, but I can tell from their eager expressions they also want to see my dress before they leave. Claire is bouncing eagerly.

No one has seen my wedding dress. It’s the one part of today I took complete control over. I selected the designer months ago and described what I wanted for my gown in excruciating detail. A sewing team took over a suite in the furthest wing of the palace and literally created the dress under lock and key.

I hurry into the changing room to find the black bag is already hanging. I unzip it slowly, careful not to snag the delicate fabric. It’s exactly how I pictured it. I slide it off the hanger and let the white material pool on the carpet as I take off my robe and pajamas and step into the very center. I pull the dress up over my body slowly, luxuriating in the sensation of the flawless silk against my skin. I button the dress up as far as I can. There’s a couple of inches I can’t quite reach.

“Joan, can you come help me?” I call out. It’s silly, but I want everyone else to get the full effect.

A moment later, I hear the curtain whisper as she enters. I look behind me to see Joan standing with her mouth agape. “Your Highness…wow.”

I smile. “You like it?”

“I do,” she confirms, coming over and helping with the rest of the dress. I pull the veil out of its bag and burrow the comb between two braids, allowing the silk tulle to float into place. I fling the top layer over my head and watch it drift down to my waist.

“Okay, I’m ready,” I state. I pull back the curtain and walk out into the ballroom.