Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 3
Exciting news! Kristina just finished this third Enchanted Fairytale and is now working on Magical Garden. You can find them all here and on Audible.
Have a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, wonderful weekend…and enjoy the next part of our story!
Chapter 3
Over the next few weeks, Celsiana’s friends came to visit several times. They spent most of their time in the gardens, but they also enjoyed their afternoon snacks with lemonade or tea. As she spent more time with them, Celsiana could see that they had worries she had never considered.
“My mother wanted me to thank you again for the plants,” Avaleen said as they sat down to tea. “She hopes they’ll make a difference this harvest, and she appreciates you taking such an interest.”
“Do you think you’ll make enough money to repair the roof?” Janine asked.
“I hope so,” Avaleen replied. “And my father hopes to get more work in the next village in a few weeks.”
“What does your father do?” asked Celsiana.
“He’s a fletcher, but there hasn’t been much call for bows or arrows lately. He also makes lovely furniture, which he hopes to sell in the next village.”
“Why not here?” asked Celsiana.
“The Chancellor is very strict about craftsmen, and my father cannot afford to join the guild right now.” Avaleen shook her head. “It’s been difficult, but Mother says such challenges make us stronger.”
“Your father makes such wonderful things,” Laurena said, glancing over at Janine. “Didn’t he build a bench for your mother?”
“He made one as a wedding present for them years ago,” Janine replied. “She has it in the garden, and it’s lovely.”
Celsiana just nodded. She decided to speak to her father about this after dinner.
“But I don’t understand,” said Celsiana, pacing back and forth. “Why do we care if a man sells furniture from his own home?”
“It’s not the way things are done,” her father replied. “Not the way things have always been done.”
“But you are the king,” Celsiana said. “You can change things.”
“Why should I?” her father asked.
Celsiana took a breath to calm herself. “If a person creates beautiful things, it seems a shame not to let others enjoy them.” She smiled and added, “I would like to buy one of his benches for the garden.”
“I cannot allow…” her father began, then stopped and smiled back. “Very well. I can see you have your heart set on this, but I warn you…I will expect a bench worthy of being in our gardens.”
Celsiana simply nodded and hoped her friends had been right about Avaleen’s father.
The next afternoon, the girls came to the castle after school. When Celsiana said the king had agreed to commission a bench for the garden, Avaleen was overjoyed.
“Celsiana, this is wonderful!” she exclaimed. “You are a true friend” she added, hugging her and twirling them both around. Avaleen paused and let go of her, taking a step back. “I am sorry.”
“I’m not,” Celsiana replied, hugging her back. Then the others joined in and they all laughed until they were almost crying.
As the other girls started walking down the hall, Janine took Celsiana’s hand. “You did a very good and noble thing today, Your Majesty.” She smiled, then added, “And I am very happy to call you my friend.”
Celsiana smiled back as they followed the other girls out to the garden.
School ended, and the girls spent more time at the castle. They had fun working in the gardens, going riding, walking in the meadow, and they even spent a few nights in the castle. Everywhere they went outside of the castle walls, they were followed by at least two guards. The girls soon got used to it, but Celsiana wished it wasn’t necessary.
One day, Avaleen’s father brought the finished bench to the castle. It was indeed beautiful, carved with ivy leaves winding around the edges and even had a few small birds hiding in the leaves along the back. Celsiana was very happy when her father paid him a bonus and stated that perhaps it was time to re-examine the rules for independent craftspeople.
She asked that the bench be put in the garden, near the Celsiana rose bush. The queen had said there was a legend that the flowers changed color because they gained wisdom as they aged. Celsiana always liked that legend and hoped she would live up to her namesake. Looking at the bench, she decided there was more she could do to help her friends.
Read another chapter next Friday!