Aide Me

Chapter Three - Free Me

"And just one more flower right there," Her mother corrected the florist who was arranging her bouquet. "We don't want any gaps, just pack them in there."

"Mother, let the florist do her job, I'm sure she knows what she's doing," Emaia drawled when her mother kept stepping in to do her job, "I need you to help me with this shoe buckle."

Her mother finally gave up her flustering and rushed to her daughter's side. "Of course, my dear, hold out your foot for me."

"The shoes, mother... they hurt," Emaia grimaced when her mother tightened the buckle. "Are they suppose to be so tight?"

"Of course they are, we don't want them to fall off your feet and cause you to trip," Her mother replied and chuckled fondly. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control."

Oh, she didn't doubt that.

"There!" Her mother smiled and stood up to admire her daughter. "You look so beautiful sweetheart, oh, I think I am going to cry!"

"Mom," Emaia flatly replied and looked at how a little tear ran down her cheek, "It's not until tomorrow you get to cry. Remember? This is just my finale fitting."

"Oh, but you look so stunning in that dress and now with your jewelry, you just look so—"

"I get it, I'm beautiful, can we move on now?" Emaia snapped and sighed by the look of herself in the mirror. She was absolutely nowhere near beautiful, and her mother couldn't tell because she was so fed up with wedding jitters.

"Alright, I'll get it together," Her mother finally said and dried her face with the corner of her sleeve. "Let me see you walk in your shoes."

Emaia took a deep breath and carefully set one foot in front of the other. The shoes were at least one size too small, and just like her dress, they were way to tight. It hurt to walk, just as it hurt to breathe.

"Honey, could you try not and grimace when you walk?" Her mother chimed with a concentrated look, "The frown makes for a very unattractive bride."

"Sorry, mother," Emaia said through gritted teeth and pressed her lips firmly together when a curse was about to make its way to her tongue. She very well knew her mother wasn't the reason for her frustration, though she wasn't any help either.

"Perfect!" Her mother sang and clapped her hands together. "I think that will do for today. Save the rest of your strength for tomorrow."

"Oh thank God!" Emaia sighed and quickly headed for the closest chair and sat down. Three steps in those shoes had nearly killed her. How would tomorrow go?

Her mother helped her out of the shoes while the seamstress untied her corset and helped her out of the dress. It felt good to get out of all that tight clothing and she felt thankful as she slid into her nightgown. Despite her mother's many attempts of getting her to wear appropriate clothes, Emaia had always preferred simpler dresses over gowns. All that costume, and for what? To look good for a man she didn't even know yet.

"Get into bed while I talk to the florist outside," Her mother ordered her while her and the seamstress folded everything neatly away for tomorrow. "I'll just be a moment."

Emaia jumped into her bed, making a chaos of red hair fly behind her. She bundled up in her bedsheets and covers, realizing just now how much she loved sleeping in her own bed. She loved the space and she loved having everything to herself. Tomorrow her life changed. Right from her bed, to her clothes, to her own habits. All of it; gone.

The florist and her mother, along with the seamstress, left her room and gave her the blessing of loneliness for a short moment.

The day had passed by so quickly. Yesterday had been so exciting with meeting Dashel and learning about the rebellion and all that, but today had gone by so fast, she swore the sun was rushing more than usual. Suddenly she couldn't even believe that the day was gone and that when she was awoken tomorrow, she was going to get married.