Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 7
We have a surprise today. Stories that are not usually FREE are free this weekend! You can download Spell Bound: An Enchanted Fairytale 2 AND Storm Front: Memoirs of a Secret Agent 1 at our Lavender Cottage BookShop and most retailers!
Now, let’s continue our story.
Chapter 7
Celsiana didn’t have a chance to leave the castle for the next few days. She was stuck spending time with her mother and the visiting princesses. Arabella and Seraline were excited about planning the party, where they would announce their engagements. Celsiana could understand the kingdom wanting to host their families and even having a ball, but the demands they made seemed a bit extreme.
“Live doves?” Arabella asked. “Are you sure we’ll have enough to release after the announcement?”
“And what about the orchids?” Seraline stopped and put her hands on her hips. “My family will expect orchids. Hundreds of them.”
“My dear, we don’t have orchids here,” the queen explained. “We could import them of course, but…”
“Then, do that,” Seraline replied, flouncing out of the room.
“And don’t forget the live doves,” Arabella reminded them, following Seraline back towards the guest chambers.
“Those young women do try my patience,” the queen admitted, glancing over at Celsiana, then they both started laughing.
“I don’t know what my brothers see in them,” Celsiana said. “I know they’re pretty, but…”
“It’s not just that,” the queen replied. “Arabella’s father has the kingdom between ours and Seraline’s, and your father is hoping to negotiate a trade agreement with the latter. That means we need good relations with both kingdoms, and this seemed the easiest way to accomplish it.”
“I hope I don’t get caught up in something so commercial,” Celsiana began, half joking, but stopped as she caught the look in her mother’s eyes.
“Darling, I was very lucky to marry your father and of course, we’ll do all we can to assure you have a good match…but as you know, being a royal means putting your kingdom before your own happiness.”
“I know we all have to do what benefits the kingdom.” Celsiana glanced back towards the guest chambers. “How exactly is this trade agreement going to do that?”
“It’s complicated,” her mother replied.
“Which means father wants something they have,” Celsiana said, shaking her head. “What is it? Some rare jewel to add to his collection?”
“Celsiana, that’s not fair. Your father is a great king, and everything he does is to benefit his subjects.” He mother gave her a disapproving look. “This agreement would mean more opportunities for our craftsmen and especially help the guilds.”
“The same ones we offended, when we had Avaleen’s father make our garden bench?” Celsiana knew a few of the guildsmen had been upset by her interference. However, she didn’t realize how much until the next day.
When she was finally able to leave the castle, it was almost too late to go to the village, but Celsiana wanted to see Avaleen. Or at least, that’s what she told herself. If Nicholas was still there, that had nothing to do with it.
As she helped Avaleen in the garden, she saw Nicholas walk out of his father’s shop. Behind him came his father and one of the guildsmen.
“I don’t want any trouble,” Avaleen’s father said. “The king commissioned the bench, and I could not refuse him.”
“We don’t want other craftsmen wondering if they can leave the guilds,” the man said. He glared at Nicholas and added, “Or getting above their station. Why aren’t you working here in the village, rather than studying with the masters?”
“That is none of your business,” replied Nicholas, taking a step towards the man. “But if you continue to make threats towards my father, I may stay here a bit longer than I’d planned.”
The man turned to go, then looked over one shoulder and added, “I trust we understand each other.”
His father nodded and followed Nicholas into the shop.
“What was all that about?” asked Celsiana. “Has that man been here before?”
“A few times,” Avaleen admitted.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Celsiana said. “I could have talked to my father.”
“And done what?” Avaleen asked. “You’re my friend, and I am so grateful for your help, but even your influence has its limits. I don’t want to see you, or my father, get into more trouble over this.”
“Why would your friend get into trouble?” Nicholas asked, walking up behind them.
“He wanted to know why that man was here,” Avaleen said, “and I told him we don’t need more trouble.”
Nicholas nodded. “That man is a pain in everyone’s side, but he’s got influence with the king. I’m afraid he has even more since the king set his sights on accessing those ports to the south.”
Celsiana wanted to ask more, but she was afraid to say too much in her fake deep voice. She merely nodded and went back to her weeding. That evening, she would try to find out what was really going on.
Read another chapter next Friday!
We also have a new Kickstarter campaign this week:
Make 100 - Historical Nonfiction with Photographs!
We have short WW2 and early 1900s electric railroad books, with plenty of endnotes, but now photos will bring those moments to life!
