Page 31 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
Days later, the king arrived in the village with much fanfare.His entourage was so large, it coiled like a snake throughout the village.At least, that’s what it looked like to Serena.
Snow fell in earnest, blanketing the rooftops and muffling the world as if the village itself held its breath.The horses churned the road into gray slush as they clopped through the square.All the villagers were out to watch the processional.All were bundled in their cloaks, hoods pulled tight around their heads.Even Serena, Papa, and Maris stood outside in the falling snow, their breath fogging in front of them as the king arrived in their small village of Stonemere.
Despite the cold and her threadbare gloves, Serena’s palms broke into a hot sweat.Her nerves jangled as the King’s Guard, riding two by two, passed.The carriage was in the center flanked by more guards.Even more were behind it.The heraldry of the king—flags in gold and plum with his sigil of a roaring gold lion—flapped in the chilled wind at the front of the line.
The line slowed and came to a halt.The carriage only a few steps from their modest cottage, which made her heart ram in her throat.
“They’re stopping here?”Maris said in a roughened whisper.
Serena glanced at Papa, whose eyes were fixed on the carriage, his brow creased with worry.He said nothing as he looked her way, and she saw the fear there.And it was her fault.She alone had put them in this position.
They had not discussed what would happen should the king turn up on their doorstep.Now, it was too late for that.
Maris shivered, pulling her cloak tighter as she peered at the ornate carriage with unabashed awe.Serena turned her gaze forward and tried to steel her nerves, but her heart continued to pound like a drum.
A footman was at the door in an instant, pulling it open and standing aside, waiting for his majesty to exit.
A moment later, he stepped down from the carriage, his labored breath wheezing in and out followed by a watery cough.
Serena did not get a good look at him as she curtsied with the rest of the villagers, bowing her head low in respect for the king.
“Ah, so this is Stonemere,” he said.The king had a big, booming voice.He did not sound pleased to be there.
“Yes, your majesty,” the Grand Duke replied.
Serena peeked to see the man standing next to the king.His thin frame was wrapped in his fine cloak as it was the day he visited them.His steely eyes moved across the villagers.
Then a woman said in a pinched voice full of disdain, “What awretchedplace.”
“My dear, please try to refrain yourself,” the king chastised.Then to the villagers, “Rise, please.”
Serena lifted her head as did Papa and Maris.They stood side by side, snow dotting their shoulders and heads.She got her first look at King Leonidas.
He was a short, portly man wearing the finest clothes.His fur-lined cloak was pulled tight around his thick frame.His head was uncovered.His cheeks red from the cold.His eyes, bright blue and flicking from one person to the next, paused on her.Then back to her father.The wind tousled his thinning hair, making it stick up from his head.He emitted another cough, low and deep in his chest.
Next to him, the queen.Her pinched expression was full of contempt as she looked down her nose at each and every one of them.She, too, wore a fur-lined cloak, but her hood was drawn up to cover her head.She clutched it tight with a gloved hand that was be-ringed, the jewels glinting in the late afternoon light.She clearly looked as though she wished to be anywhere but there.
The village mayor bustled up, his breath see-sawing in and out as he hurried to greet the king.He bowed low.
“Your majesties, you honor our humble village with your presence.I’m Mayor Whitesmith.I welcome you both to Stonemere.”
The queen glanced at the mayor but said nothing.The king clapped the man on the back in a good-natured sign, as though they were long-lost chums.
“I understand this is the village of miracles,” the king said.
Mayor Whitesmith did not hide his confusion.Or perhaps it was merely his way of refusing to acknowledge the gossip.
“Miracles, sire?”
“Yes, yes.”Then the king’s gaze moved across the three of them.Then he looked at the Grand Duke, the mayor forgotten.“Lachlan, did you not tell me this was the house?”
He gave a bow of his head.“Indeed, I did, your majesty.”
“I’m sure that’s nothing more than local gossip, your majesty,” the mayor said with a weak smile and weaker voice.
But the king ignored the mayor as his gaze swung back to the three of them and stopped on Serena.He stepped closer to her, and she smelled the rich scent of port and cigar smoke wafting off him.
“Mistress Serena?”he asked.
