The gown matched his eyes. It was much more suited for a queen, every inch of it was dripped in elegance. Doris watched herself in the mirror as maids puffed out her large skirts and tied the ribbon on her bodice to cinch her waist lightly, but not too much because of her baby. The lace sleeves had small diamond sewn into the fabric and she knew it was all too much.
But she loved it.
This was what William wanted her to wear at his side, and she felt proud that he cared enough to have her as a vision of his dream. It was silly, really. She still saw a maid in the mirror instead of the mate of a king.
Doris had her long hair trimmed to a more reasonable length and curled before they pinned it up. They positioned her hair so carefully, she almost felt as if she was the one that was getting prepped for the crown.
"He's ready for you." Beth called from the door. Doris turned to see her friend and instantly, she saw her eyes water. "Oh my... oh my goodness. You look like a queen." Beth said breathlessly. Beth was dressed in a beautiful green gown that Doris had requested was made for her. Tonight, she wasn't her maid. She was her beautiful best friend.
Soon, Doris would make sure she would never be referred to as a maid again.
Doris gripped her hand. "You are too kind to me, Beth. Please tell me you'll be close by so I can run to you if I feel like I might faint."
Beth laughed. "All you need to do is call and I will be there."
"Wonderful... but please ignore me if you're dancing with a handsome lord." Doris winked. Beth smacked her arm lightly as she heated up instantly.
"Doris?"
Doris sobered instantly at his voice. She turned to see the room was emptied and William stood alone in all of his glory.
He wore a blue suit that matched her dress. It fit perfectly to his body as if it was painted on. His hair was slicked back and his light shadow around his jaw was shaved off. He looked... he looked like a king in more than his attire. The way he stood with his shoulders back and chin high. He looked like he was finally able to be who he was meant to be.
When her eyes finally lifted to his own, she noticed how bright they glowed. She couldn't explain it, they just looked as if they were brighter with him in that suit. She also noticed that he was looking over every inch of her with an admiration in his gaze rather than any sort of lust.
"You look... beautiful." He breathed.
Doris lifted her skirts and closed the space between them, She was surprised that she could even move in this dress, she swore she was going to need to be carried or sitting the entire time. But no, it moved with her like water.
"You're the most handsome king I've ever seen." Doris whispered. She was half positive that Beth had already left, but even if she didn't-she didn't care.
Doris leaned up on her toes to kiss him. He leaned into her as she gripped his shoulders. Even with heels, he towered over her and made her feel so small.
William pulled away after a moment and held out his arm for Doris. She held her skirts up with one hand and held onto him as they left the room and headed straight for the loud music.
Classical, yet haunting music filled the halls. Doris knew it was the right choice to wear dark colors rather than the lighter ones that were originally presented. It was indeed a day of celebration, but first they had to mourn.
The burial took place behind the palace where all royalty were laid to rest. Every inch of the grass was coated with people of the kingdom. Towards the front were people who were closer to the palace and people the king had known in his life. William led them past all the curious eyes filled with sorrow as a guard cleared their path.
The king's casket was white with gold trimming. William led her to the front and had her stand close to him as they took position. Every breath she took was studied by hundreds of eyes. She knew why she never envied the royalty-this made her feel as if she could jump out of her skin.
"It's the same colors as my mother's." William whispered to Doris. She gripped his hand tightly, but his face remained hard for everyone to see. Deep down, she knew his heart felt something even if he refused to show it.
"Thank you all for gathering here today. We can begin now that our majesty has arrived." The priest bowed his head in respect towards William. Doris glanced out into crowd and saw Beth near Enzo, but didn't see Daniel. She realized he must not have fully recovered in time for this and her heart broke for him. She bet he would have wanted to see his father buried.
Especially since his siblings had been done so quietly days before.
The priest went on with his speech and she could feel William tense up beside her the longer he went on. She could almost hear his heart beat and sweat form at his forehead. The inevitable was coming for him.
"....I leave you here today with a word from his son." The priest bowed again and stepped off to the side to give William the space.
He reluctantly released her and stood right where everyone could see him best. For a moment, there was only loud silence to fill the area. The anticipation could have been cut with a knife.
William finally cleared his throat. "My father... my father was a lot of things in his short life. He was fearless and brave. He never let anyone step on him even when he was wrong." William glanced around the area, but his eyes landed on no one. Doris noted all of the tears that fell from the eyes of people who knew the king and even those that didn't.
"Of all the things he left uncertain, one thing was always crystal clear. He loved his crown, he loved his title and he loved the kingdom even if it didn't seem like it-" William cleared his throat again as if he was trying to suck his own words back in. "My father loved the kingdom in his own way. He devoted his life to be a leader than could be admired even when he was gone, and I see now that he succeeded when I look at all of you. My father may not have been perfect. He might have made mistakes, but he took pride in this kingdom. And for that, I will always admire him."
William bowed to the crowd and it surprised her. It wasn't often that he bowed to anyone, but today he did. William tossed a rose down in the grave before he took Doris by the hand and walked back to the palace without a single glance back at the coffin.
Doris swore she saw a weight lifted from his shoulders. But he still had so many more that held him down.
"Your majesty, we need to get you to the main ballroom to prepare yourself before the crowd comes in. They're set to be moved in immediately after they pay their respects." A servant said as he bowed. Doris didn't recognize the man, she wondered what happened to the old head of servants.
William nodded once and followed the servant down the long halls. He kept Doris firm on his arm as if he refused the idea of letting her go. She followed him to the back behind the ballroom where curtains hid them from any crowd that would soon come.
"How are you feeling?" Doris asked quietly once they were alone. Her head started to ache and her chest felt a bit sore-she longingly dreamed of a nap but it was no time to let her symptoms get in the way of this day.
"I feel fine." He said distractedly. He fixed his suit serval times and gazed out of the small slit in the curtain. Already people started to trickle in and Doris could see the rogues as being the first.
Doris turned his chin so he looked down at her. His blue eyes looked so far away in that moment, she knew he was lost in his thoughts.
"You're going to be great. I'm going to be right here for you."
William said nothing. He stared out of the curtain again but this time, it was to look at the throne that once sat his father.
"Are you ready for this, William?"
"I've been ready my entire life."