The 9 Sisters (Book 1:Princess of Snow and Ice)

          “Mother, do not worry. I will always remember you and love you even if I get a family of my own.” I soothed. “And I vow that I will try to be the best queen that I can be, although I know I can never be as great as thee.” I smiled warmly at our reflection in the mirror. Her grin returned and I felt a lot better.

          At the very next moment, my sisters burst through the doors. They stopped in their tracks and let out tiny, excited gasps.

          “You look so………so…….” Demetria sighed. “So beautiful.”

          “Well, you should wait until the day of her wedding.” Aquatica said, nudging Demetria at the elbow.

          I could feel a mindless smile spread across my face. Amber was weeping, but ever so happily. She rushed to me as best as she could in her amber-colored glass shoes. Her arms circled me in a warm, sisterly embrace. I wrapped my arms around her slim figure.

          She was always this thin being, even though she ate more than any of us. I laughed secretly to myself, remembering that.

          She then pulled away, tears making her eyes glassy. She whispered, “No matter what, you will always be the eldest, the most responsible, the one we will come to for advice.” I felt tears well up to my own eyes. Amber always felt like the closest sister that I have.

          I embraced her again. “Save that for the wedding.” I giggled.

          My sisters joined the embrace. They were also laughing, but partly sobbing. “And all of you will always be the sisters who I have gone through almost everything with.”

           With that, their cries became louder. Then our mother broke the weeping of the group.

           “My dear daughters, not yet. It’s only a month more until the wedding. Save those tears.” She reminded us.

           We broke away. My sisters whipped out their handkerchiefs of silk, but before I could take out my own, mother turned me around to face her. She wiped her thumbs under my eyes, wiping away evidence of our sobbing.

           The warmth of her hands was comforting. I think that I will miss moments like this.

           We finally gained more composure. I had already taken off the gown and changed into a simple but equally beautiful day-dress.

          My sisters were ushered out in order for some peace and quiet so that Therese can work on my veil. I laughed to myself as they protested to being let out of the room. My sisters are such nosy bodies.

           The seamstress asked me what type of veil I would like, showing me samples. I chose this traditional veil, the very same type almost all the Hampshire brides chose as their veil for the day. Then Therese handed me swatches of fabric to choose from.

           There were so many that looked so beautiful, and most of them complemented my dress well. There was a very intricately designed swatch of lace. Florals were stitched on it. But then I fingered fabric that felt exactly like the skirt of my gown, silky, soft and fluffy. I couldn’t decide easily. The two fabrics that I liked were extremely hard to choose from.

           I pondered it over for several minutes. Finally I chose the fabric that closely resembled the skirt of my gown. Therese smiled at me warmly, but it was tired at the sides. She took the other swatches and stored them in a box that was labeled : Fabrics for Veils.