Celestial Love by Juli Blood

back to sleep.
    Edward waited until he was halfway down the hall before he called Princess Alexis, careful to keep his voice cheerful.  “Good morning, Your Highness.”
    “Yes Edward is the prince ready?”  Alexis asked excitedly.
    “No , Your Highness, I’m afraid that he is not.  It seems he retired rather late last night.  I’m sure that he will be ready to eat at about seven,” Edward answered ending on a somewhat tentative note.
    “Oh, well that’s fine.  We will definitely be ready by then.  Now Edward , I need your help with some of his staff.  They are awake and I can’t understand a single thing they are saying.  Please meet me in the kitchen as soon as possible.”
    “Yes , Your Highness.  I will be right there.” Edward quickened his pace, as he ended the call.
     
    ~
    The sunlight marched down the distant ridge , lighting the trees as it scattered the night.  Princess Kalea rose from her bed.  Sometime in the night she had moved from the window seat but she couldn’t remember when.
    Stretching and yawning she headed for the bathroom and a nice long soak in the tub.
    ‘Today is my wedding day.’  The thought echoed again and again as she prepared the bath water. When it was filled to capacity, she climbed in and relaxed.  With her chin tipped back out of the water she rested her head on the cushioned head rest and began to pray. 
    “Good morning, Holy One; thank You for the blessing of today.  Not just the wedding and all, but simply for another day of life.  Thank You for Alexis and everyone’s hard work in preparing for today.  Thank You for Crown Prince Bryan’s willingness to be my husband.  This must be a lonely time for him with no family able to come.  As hard as this is for me, at least I’m home with my family surrounding me.
    “Please be with Bryan today.  Sacrificing his crown and marrying a stranger can’t be easy for him.  I know he has breakfast with everyone this morning and then the Royal Council and extended family luncheon.  I pray that Alexis was right about keeping him busy today.  I pray he doesn’t feel too overwhelmed.”
    Glancing at the clock she realized that she only had ten more minutes before her breakfast arrived.  Not really wanting to get out of the tub she closed her eyes and continued.  “Holy One please bless all those involved today with peace and joy.  Thank You for the opportunity to serve You in this way.  May I be the woman You want me to be, now and when I am queen.  I rest in You.  Amen.”
    Slowly she scrubbed and then stood to rinse.  She had just pulled on her softest dressing gown and started to dry her hair when her maid entered the bed chamber with breakfast.  The smell of fresh bread drew her from the bathroom.  Dropping her towel on a chair she quickly took her place at her breakfast table.  Offering a quick word of thanks for the food, she began to eat.
    Linda, her maid, retrieved the towel and continued to dry Princess Kalea’s hair while she ate.  After a moment Linda picked up the comb and began gently working out the snarls.
    This had be en their normal routine for, eighteen years and Linda wondered how it would change after the wedding.  They never exchanged more than a smile before the meal was finished.  But when the food was gone they would talk about everything, or so it seemed to Linda.
    It had all started when Princess Kalea was five years old.  She had wanted to talk while she ate but always made a mess.  Some days she would talk until the food was cold or she had no time left to eat.  It was then that Linda suggested they smile their “Good Mornings” and talk after she had eaten.  And so it was that even after the princess was grown, their morning routine never changed.
    Just as Linda was finishing with her hair, Princess Kalea asked, “Is everything ready for this evening?”
    “Yes, Princess,” Linda replied.
    “The dress and everything?”
    “Yes, Princess.”
    “Good.  So