Diary of a Reluctant Ruler

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Of course, when you get engaged you never quite realise how much of a stress it’s going to be. You don’t quite realise how many times you’re going to go over that moment in your head and wished you’d considered the thousand-and-one things which should have made you say no, and wait a good few years until you’re absolutely one-hundred-percent sure of what you’re doing. But then, maybe nobodies’ ready to get married… A week later and back in Adria, I was holding tightly onto James’ hand before entering Mum’s sitting room. There was a ring on my finger and I intended to let it do the talking for itself.

“It’s gonna be fine,” I repeated to myself under my breath.

“It will,” James laughed, squeezing my fingers.

That’s what you say! But what if one of them turns into a dragon?!

It’s a little unlikely.

I took one last glance at the ring, twisted it around so that it faced outwards as it was slightly loose – an heirloom with a dash of good luck in it, a series of pearly jewels nestled in a gold band, which James had found amongst family jewels – and took a deep breath.

“Ready?” James asked.

“Ready,” I nodded.

We pushed open the door together, and walked in to find my mum talking to Erica, Dad pacing behind them, Grandmother standing by the window. Felix was sitting fidgeting on the sofa.

Shizer. I have to tell my baby brother that I’m getting married.

Protect his innocence!!!

“Oh, Meredith!” cried my mum, relieved, “You had us so worried!”

“Sorry,” I mumbled for the thousandth time, as she swept me into a tight hug.

“You tell us next time you want to go AWOL, ‘kay kid?” Dad said, ruffling my hair.

“Yup,” I replied, feeling myself go red. I smoothed my hair self-consciously.

I caught Grandma’s eye from across the room, and knew immediately that she knew. She had that distant smile on her face, a sort of knowing look which told you her thoughts were further away than immediate matters.

“Does your left hand feel a little heavier, Meredith?” she asked, subtly.

“Not much,” I smiled, twiddling my fingers experimentally.

“Why would her hand be heavier?” Mum asked, confused, looking down at it.

I held my breath.

“Oh my goodness! Edward!” Mum’s voice oscillated into higher realms than dogs could hear, “James! You darling!”

James found himself enveloped in a bone-crushing hug. Slightly disassociated, I realised that my mother was comically shorter than him by about two feet.

“So he finally got his act together, ‘ey kiddo?” Dad commented, giving me a lopsided hug with one arm, looking dangerously sentimental, “Hope you’re happy… my little girl!”

Mum stopped suffocating James and ran out of the room in a frenzy. A few seconds later and she was back with Erica, who had surreptitiously left when she’d realised what was going on. She began ranting a plan of campaign for the papers and publicity immediately. It was my turn to squeeze James’ hand as he went a little white beside me. Felix stared angrily at us from where he sat on the sofa.

“Do I have to wear a suit?” he asked, eyebrows knit and mouth pouting.

“Nope,” James replied, “You have to wear a pink dress with frills.”

“What?!” Felix cried, outraged.

Heehee, funny mental image.

I tried not to laugh as he stood up, horrified.

“Phi-il!” he moaned, “Please, I don’t want to wear a dress!”

“I’m only joking, Felix,” James grinned, “You can wear what you like.”

“Can I wear my cadet uniform?” Felix asked, eyes lighting up.

“That would be perfect, very smart,” I nodded.

“Yay! Can I have a sword too?” he asked, “For ceremonial reasons only of course!”

“We’ll have to see,” Grandma cautioned, coming to sit down by Felix on the sofa, “Have you thought about practical things yet?”

“Not really,” James replied, still a little white.

We sat down together on the opposite sofa.

“We’ll have to have a proper meeting to discuss publicity etc, but…” Grandma paused to think for a moment, “You might want to keep the engagement secret for a while.”

The word engagement gave me a little thrill.

“Why?” I asked, a little confused.

“The paper’s still haven’t gotten over the drama of your rocky split. You should make it obvious that you’re serious about each other before making the engagement public. That way the papers won’t assume this is a spur-of-the-moment thing,” she replied.

“It makes sense,” James nodded, “What do you think Phil?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “It’ll give us more time.”

“I’d marry you today if I could,” James whispered in my ear.

My tummy lurched into some malformed acrobatics, and I blushed.