Evelyn's POV

The final pin was placed to keep my hair in place. Loose curls framed my face as the rest was tied back into a neat topknot. I examined my reflection in the mirror.

The lady clucked her tongue in disapproval, "We need some more rouge for your cheeks."

She was right; my face was devoid of color.

"Your Majesty, are you feeling well? Your complexion is drained of color." She asked while applying the red powder.

I watched as my hands visibly trembled. I quickly hid them under the folds of my skirt.

"Yes, just a bit tired."

She nodded and finished the job, leaving me to myself.

My reflection stared back at me with a glum expression. I stretched my lips, forming an empty smile. This wouldn't do. I tried to smile again, but something weighed me down. I looked at my hands again, attempting to stop their slight tremble.

I couldn't.

I was nervous.

Beyond nervous.

I was scared. No, terrified.

The door opened and I couldn't help but jump up from the stool. Ash's smug smile teased me from the mirror. The smile reached my eyes this time.

Yes, that's it. With him, I knew I could do this.

"Scared you, huh?"

I shook my head, "You already know I have my reservations about today."

He laughed and took my hand into his, "Your fingers are cold. And quaking."

"I can't help it."

He brought my hand up to his lips, warming it with a soft kiss, "Not if I can."

"Is Sir William ready with his men?"

"Not quite. We have time for a moment to ourselves." He answered, running his fingers up my arms.

He proceeded to plant soft kisses down my neckline. 

"The Royal Guard has a contingency strategy, correct?"

He let a frustrated sigh out into my collarbones.

"Love, there won't be the need for a contingency strategy." He murmured, his breath tickled my bare skin. "But yes, for your peace of mind, there is."

I lightly pushed him away, "This isn't just for me, Ash! It's for your sister, your mother, this entire damn kingdom that awaits the great future you have in store for them! This isn't a joke. We can't lose you, not at any cost!"

He stood there, frozen like a statue, possibly unsure of how to react to my outburst. Fearing that my legs would give out, I sat back down on the stool, unable to meet his gaze.

Ashton's POV

I watched as the rouge failed to hide her pallor. She was sick with worry and it pained me to no end to bear witness to her decline. Personally, I was fully aware of the risks that this public appearance entailed. I knew more than her that there was a possibility, even if in the slightest, that I could be targeted this evening. Not just by the "King's Will", but by literally any member of the kingdom that could possibly hold a grudge against me. Considering the denouncement of my father and the passage of the parity clause, I could imagine there being enemies in every corner of every class despite the popular opinion.

The majority usually doesn't incite assassinations, anyway.

All it takes is one man in the shadows.

I kneeled in front of her, meeting her at eye level.

"You think I don't know that I could die today?" I asked.

The dam she had built up all night had cracked. The tears pooled down, effectively washing away whatever powders and paints the help had carefully brushed on to hide her sallowness.

But she still looked breathtakingly beautiful.

I leaned in and kissed her. She responded, wrapping her arms around my neck and locking our lips together out of pure desperation. I savored in her sweet taste, praying that this would be far from the last kiss that we'd share.

It was too good to end, what we had.

Fate wouldn't dare be so cruel.

I pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Love, I know. I know what's at stake but I'm going to protect it. I only played it off so that you wouldn't worry; yet look at the state you've brought yourself to. Trust me, okay?" I held my hand out to her.

She took it and whispered, "If you weren't such an idiot, I'd have just a bit more confidence."

"At least this idiot knows how to re-ignite the fire in you." I chastised, pleased with the blush that radiated from her previously barren cheeks.

I led her out the door before she could retort.

Sir William met us out at the front, ensuring that we boarded our carriage safely. Armed soldiers on horses flanked the carriage on all sides, while a lengthy procession of soldiers preceded and followed in a parade-like manner. Sir William rode directly in front of the carriage. We were advised to keep the windows closed until it was time to get off, but the idea to take a peek was too tempting as the delighted cheers of onlookers penetrated the moving fortress.

Ev swatted my hand away as I reached for one of the bolts to open the window on my side.

"Don't be mad, Ash!" She hissed.

I shot her a lopsided smile, "Just a peek, Ev. A tiny slither of a crack."

Her eyes narrowed at my insistence, but gave in nonetheless. I peered through the tiniest of cracks, straining to see past the soldier that flanked that side. I caught glimpses of the crowd that only seemed to grow with every foot that the parade moved forward. Parents with their children hoisted above their shoulders, elderly leaning on canes for support, youth shouting at the top of their boisterous lungs, poor and rich... everyone was gathered together to celebrate progress.

My head bumped into Ev's as I craned my neck to look further, prompting an accusatory look from me.

"Who's so curious now?"

I couldn't help but muse at her amazement.

"This is incredible." She breathed.

My fingers inched at the edge of the divider, slowly sliding it to reveal more of the view outside. That, of course, effectively revealed more of us to the crowd, prompting a few perceptive onlookers to become increasingly vocal with their welcomes.

"Ash!" Ev chastised as she shut the divider completely.

What she failed to see was that my fingers were caught in the middle, prompting me to yelp out in pain as I pulled them back and caressed the poor appendages. Fortunately, my middle finger took most of the damage. Before I could closely examine it bruising a deep purple, Ev had taken my hand into her own.

She gasped, as if she was the one in pain, before apologizing.

"But, if only you hadn't broken protocol, this wouldn't have happened." She added at the end.

"I broke it for you, who seemed more interested in the scene than I." I retorted.

She pulled my fingers to meet her soft lips, which sent a euphoric anesthesia through their tips and momentarily relieved my pain.

Carriage rides were never a good idea for us.

As I opened my mouth to respond, the carriage came to a halt.

It was time.