Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 11
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And now, for the next part of our story.
Chapter 11
Nicholas walked out a few minutes later. He didn’t see them, but quickly turned the other way and started down the street.
“Now what?” Avaleen asked.
“We keep following him,” Celsiana said.
“How did I know you were going to say that?” Avaleen replied.
They hurried after Nicholas, who walked very fast, and they almost had to run to keep up with him. When he finally turned a corner, they almost ran into him. He stopped at a large building and was looking up at the sign above the door.
“It’s the guild,” Avaleen said. “We should have guessed he would come here.”
Nicholas started to open the door, then glanced over and saw them. “Avaleen, what are you doing here?” he demanded. “And why did you bring the gardener?”
“Better than the help,” Celsiana whispered.
Avaleen ignored her and focused on Nicholas. “I was dropping off vegetables to the tavern.”
“Really?” Nicholas looked at her and they both waited for the other to say something. Finally, Celsiana asked in her deepest voice, “What’s this place?”
“Surely, you know of the guild,” Nicholas replied. “I’m dropping off some papers for my father.”
“Where are the papers?” Avaleen asked.
Nicholas glared at her. “Go home, Avaleen.”
“We want to know…” Celsiana began, when the door opened, and the head of the guild walked out with two other men.
“What are you doing here?” one of the men demanded.
“I need to see you, Master Orris,” Nicholas replied. The other two men glanced at the head of the guild, who shook his head slightly.
“This isn’t a good time,” the man replied. “Make an appointment and come back later.”
Nicholas glanced from Orris to his sister, then shrugged. “I’ll make an appointment.”
The men turned and started down the street as Nicholas walked over to Avaleen. “Go home and tell Father that I’ll be back by dinner.”
Avaleen started to reply, when Nicholas spun around and followed the men.
“So much for getting answers,” Celsiana said.
Avaleen shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to wait until tonight.”
“I have to be back in the castle for dinner,” Celsiana replied. “I’ll see what I can find out about the guild tonight.”
“I doubt Nicholas will tell me anything, but maybe Father can get him to talk.” Avaleen smiled. “I can hear everything from my room.”
They walked together to Avaleen’s house, then Celsiana hurried back to the castle. She had just returned to her room, when her mother knocked on her door.
“I wanted to let you know we have the dressmaker coming tomorrow,” her mother said as she walked in.
“Really?” Celsiana smiled. “How lovely.” She wondered how she was going to get out of this.
“We need to make you a dress for the wedding…and maybe some extra things for traveling.” Her mother smiled. “I think we’ll take a trip once the wedding is over.”
“We will?” Celsiana had never left the kingdom.
“Your father and I think it’s time you visited some of the other kingdoms.” She smiled. “There are really no eligible young men for you to meet here.”
Celsiana had hoped this would wait another year. “Mother, I’m in no hurry.”
“I was in no hurry, then I met your father,” the queen replied. “It was so romantic. I want that for you, too.”
“And that would be very nice,” Celsiana replied. “Perhaps, next year?”
Her mother just smiled. “Once you see the lovely fabrics tomorrow…”
“Could I do it next week?” Celsiana asked. “I have to finish my work in the garden, and then all my attention will be on dresses.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “You can finish in the garden tomorrow, while I get fitted for a dress. Then, all your attention can be on dresses the next day.”
Celsiana smiled. “I’d better get ready for dinner. Thank you, Mother.”
The queen nodded and walked out of the room. Celsiana realized she was running out of time. She would have to find out all she could about the guilds tonight. Tomorrow might be her last chance to visit Avaleen for quite a while.
At dinner that night, Celsiana listened to the elaborate party plans and tried to look enthusiastic. She lingered over her dessert, waiting for the princesses to go with her brothers for a walk around the garden.
“Father, I would like to ask you a question,” she said as her father stood to leave.
“Very well,” the king replied. “Is this about your garden?” He looked over at the queen and smiled. “I understand you’re working on a project tomorrow.”
“Not exactly,” Celsiana said. “Mother said I might be doing some traveling soon and I was wondering if our guilds interact with those in other kingdoms.” At his look, she smiled. “Princess Seraline was telling me about the wonderful items they make in her land, and I would very much like to bring some home…but after the bench, I don’t want make any missteps.”
“And what brought about this change in perspective?” the king asked. “I thought you didn’t like the guilds.”
“I didn’t like it when they objected to my bench because that was made by my friend’s father,” Celsiana explained. “However, buying foreign goods and bringing them back to the castle might be seen as an insult, and I wouldn’t want to do that.”
The king nodded. “Very royal of you, my dear. We must always consider our subjects first.”
Celsiana hoped her father really meant that. “Of course.”
“I don’t see any problem with you bringing back whatever you like,” the king said. “I doubt the guild would have the same products since we specialize in carpentry and masonry, while Seraline’s kingdom is known for their jewels, luxury fabrics, and blown glass.”
Celsiana nodded. “And Princess Arabella’s kingdom?” She smiled. “Just in case we visit there as well.”
The king glanced at his wife. “I would imagine you can bring home anything you like, but Arabella’s kingdom specializes in precious metals, which is why the two kingdoms are so close. Together, they make the most beautiful jewelry available.”
Celsiana remembered the rings. “I see. And do they make anything else?”
“All types of metalwork,” her father replied. “Many years ago, they were known for their weaponry, but those days are over. Now, their steel is used to make all types of items.”
“How interesting. Thank you, Father.” Celsiana wondered why she’d never heard any of this from her tutors. She knew about past disagreements and long-ago battles over disputed lands, but not that the kingdom had been known for their weaponry as well as their metalwork.
“I believe all our kingdoms will benefit from our future trade opportunities.” The king looked over at the queen. “I’m glad our sons have found a way to combine duty with romance. They both seem quite happy with their choices.”
The queen smiled. “Very happy,” she agreed. When she glanced over at Celsiana, the princess wondered what trade opportunity her marriage would create. She tried not to think about it.
She stood up and curtsied to her parents. “Good night.” She walked back to her room and thought about all she’d learned. Something was bothering her, but she wasn’t sure what it might be. If she got some sleep, maybe it would come to her in the morning.
Read another chapter next Friday!