"I do not believe a word of this." I eye her suspiciously. 
"Good because I do not think I will live if you do proceed in this marriage." She blows out a breath in relief. We begin to laugh, the room is filled with our laughter and Josie walks in with a smile. 
"There is no time is preparing a bath for you, the king's guards are here for you," she exclaims. 
"Thank you, Josie," I say, standing from my bed and smoothing my dress. "Mother, I would like to have a word with Josephine."
"I will wait for you downstairs." Mother nods, eyeing Josephine as to why I could possibly say to the maid of the house. 
Jospephine holds a curious gaze to mine, I clutch her hands into my sweaty palms and blow out a breath. 
"I am making you a promise..." 
"A promise of what?" She questions. 
"We are friends, Josephine. I will need you at the palace when I officially am queen," I explain my promise that I will have her there as my friend. "You will be right by my side as you have always been."
"Bella-" She goes to shake her head in denial, but I interrupt. 
"I shall have you there," I confirm and she nods. 
"Alright," she agrees, giving me a soft smile. 
"I will be back for you, promise."
"You do not have to promise me-"
"Josephine..." 
"Yes?" She tilts her head, her big doe eyes stare back into mine. 
"You are coming."
***
A golden carriage is what awaits me, to carry me back to that palace I was in last night and to my soon to be husband. The man I will spend forever with. Nerves strike me down- a feeling I do not ever spend time feeling, but with Jaxson, my world has completely flipped. 
My family stands outside while the guards containing the carriage pack my bags into the carriage neatly. With sweaty palms, I look back to my family. My mother watches with pitiful eyes, sadness overcomes her when tears flood her eyes. 
Father stands there as proud as he could, and Serena has her arms crossed sharing a simple smile. Even though she and I have always bickered, we still loved each other. 
"Do not become a stranger," father states, earning laughter from everyone. His arms wrap around mother's waist in a firm hold, which makes me smile softly.
"We should hear from you soon, shall we?" Mother questions in hopes that I would not disappear from the family. 
"I will be back, of course. Jaxson wishes for me to see his home, meet the princess and get to know the palace, so I must," I explain. "I will come back."
"Alright." Mother's voice cracks, tears escaping her eyes and she unties herself from my father and opens her arms for me to enter. Once her arms surround my being, I am invaded in a squeeze and I hear mother's cries. "This just does not seem real, does it?"
I shake my head. "No, it does not."
"You will be a beautiful bride, Arabella. I see the way the king gazes at you..." She trails, letting go of me and wipes her eyes. 
"Thank you, Mother." I smile gently. 
"Come here," father orders with laughter, his arms enveloping me and my face is buried in his chest. I was his little girl, sailing off to become the queen of this country.