I don't know when we fell asleep but it was the most restful sleep I'd ever had. The new bed was incredibly soft. 

I lay there, staring at Edmond as he snored softly. He looked so peaceful tucked under the massive comforter and in his flannel pajamas. I smiled lightly looking at my matching set.

Queen Amelia is really the sweetest.

Yawning, I climbed out of bed when the doors to our living space opened. I peered out the bedroom doors to see a young woman arranging food and coffee on the small dining table.

"Good morning, ma'am," she said, dipping into a curtsey.

"Good morning. What's this?"

"Breakfast, ma'am."

"Oh, that's nice. I'm not used to breakfast being brought to me."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah. Usually, I was up before everyone else and would just make breakfast for my family."

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking."

"Moon Mist. My father is Beta Kenrick."

"I'm from there!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Really?" I questioned.

"Yes! I moved here after finding my mate."

"That's great. Who's your mate?"

"He's a butler within the castle. I'm not sure if you've met him. Phil."

"Phil? He's great! He's been helping me and Ashley since we got here!"

A smile spread across her face. "Yeah? He is great!"

"You're not used to this kind of life are you?"

Her smile quickly faded. "You can tell?"

I laughed lightly and shook my head. "You're a lot more open than the others I've met."

"I am so sorry!"

"Please, don't be! It's refreshing. I love it. It's hard finding anyone around here who just talks."

Her smile returned as she held up the coffee pot. "Coffee?"

"Please. Do you have time to sit and have a cup?"

Her eyebrows arched and she stuttered. "I-I uh, I mean...am I allowed?"

"I am the princess or whatever now. So....I think?"

"Yes. I would love that. Nobody invites me to coffee!"

"Then sit. Talk! I don't think the prince is going to wake up anytime soon." I took a cup of coffee and sat down. "What is your name?"

"My name is Morgan."

I smiled and sipped at the hot beverage as we spent the morning talking about home and moving to the royal city. 

She was only slightly older than I was and finished school the year I started. Her family lived near the store they ran and were disappointed when it turned out her mate was just a butler. I thought it was awesome that Phil was her mate. They just went together. Her bubbly personality with his serious nature seemed to just work. She laughed as we joked around about things from Moon Mist and sighed heavily remembering our times running through the forests that bordered our home pack.

"Well good morning."

Morgan gasped and hurried to stand.

"Please, sit. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Prince Edmond, I am so sorry. Please forg..."

"No need to apologize. Please sit. Finish your coffee," he said, reaching for the pot.

She stared wide-eyed.

"It's really okay. I'm not as strict on the rules as my father. It's nice that Ellie found someone to talk to here. It can get lonely."

I smiled as Morgan continued to stare wide-eyed.

"I'm going to drink this coffee and eat this delicious danish before getting ready." He kissed my forehead. "And we have to meet with mother. Full moon is in a week so she's going to want to get the dress fitted for the mating ceremony and share her plans."

"Oh, right. The ceremony. We have a lot of those don't we?"

"We do. The duties of the royal family."

"I love you," I said, smiling up at my mate.

"And I love you."

"I must get back to work as well. I'm sure everyone are probably wondering where I am. It was so lovely to chat with you, Princess Ellie. Thank you for being so kind, Prince Edmond." Morgan dipped into a curtsey and hurried out of the room.

"She's nice."

"She is. That's Phil's mate, correct?"

"Yeah."

"She's an odd one. Not quite like the other staff we have."

"That's because she's not from here. Her family owns a store in Moon Mist."

"You know her?" he questioned.

"I do now. She's a few years older than I. We ran in different circles. Had different friends."

We hurried through our breakfast and met with Queen Amelia who had people running all about her office.

"Edmond! Ellie! Good, you're here!" 

"What is going on?" he asked.

"Lots of things! Right now I'm ignoring all of the bad right now and focusing on the most exciting thing of the year!"

"What's that?" I asked.

"Your mating ceremony! The full moon is in a week! We don't have much time."

"Hi, honey."

I spun around to see my mother holding up two cream-colored napkins.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"She's helping plan! You didn't think I'd leave out your mother did you?" Queen Amelia asked, shocked.

"Uh, no. Of course not." I glanced at mom who was beaming from ear to ear.

"Which napkin?" she asked.

"They're both bream?" Edmond said hesitantly.

Both of our mothers tsked and shook their heads sympathetically.

"The buttercream color is the best. It's so soothing."

"I agree!" Queen Amelia stated. "Now, Ellie. We need you. Edmond, go do something."

He was quickly pushed out of the room as I was surrounded by a bunch of women with cloth, a dress, and pins.

"What is going on?"

"The dress!" Mother said. "I saw it and it is absolutely incredible!"

"You saw it?" I questioned.

"Of course."

"Honey, you're going to love it," Queen Amelia said as the women hurried me out of my clothes, leaving me standing there in my undergarments.

"Hold up your arms," one of the older women said.

Obediently, I stuck my arms up. A soft fabric was carefully brought down over my head. The women quickly pin, pulled, and laced up the gown as I stood there.

"Okay, take a look." 

I was led to a full-length mirror and gasped. The dress, while very old-fashioned, was incredibly beautiful. 

Soft cotton against my skin followed by layers of tulle and satin. The top layer was black with gold embroidered flowers. The sleeves hung off the shoulders made of black and gold mixed tulle.

"Oh. Wow. I don't even..."

"I loved wearing the gown," Queen Amelia gushed.

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I'm just glad that it's you who gets to wear it."

I looked at my mother who was just crying.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded at me. "You just look so beautiful."

"Thanks, mom."

"Okay. Out of the dress! It must be altered!" 

"Sounds good. I'm heading to the library. Is Ashley still here?" 

"She is. I believe she's in our library with Beta Alastair right now."

I nodded and left the room, watching my mother and my mother-in-law go back to holding up napkins.