by Anna Santos
“Of course, milord. I didn’t mean to overstep,” the minister apologized.
There was silence for several minutes. The Regent had many issues to contend with as he and his ministers tried to keep the kingdom from falling into anarchy. The prince was cursed, and only the love of a woman could fix the weather. Of course, the prince had to feel the same as well.
The Regent walked up to Sir Layton. “It is not that I’m ignoring the plight of the people. But the reality is, no one can leave. We are all cursed. If any of us cross the border in an attempt to flee, that unfortunate soul will freeze to death in an instant. The creation of the curse was ironclad. There is only one way to save us all, and this party every year is my way of trying to do so.”
The minister shuddered at the memory.
The Regent knew why. Others had tried in the past, and their bodies were stuck frozen outside their loved one’s reach. He never wanted to witness such an atrocity ever again. It was too heartbreaking and horrifying to think that this could happen to a loved one if they tried to leave.
“It has been fifteen years since the Queen of the Ruby Kingdom cursed our prince. The king died on the battlefield, but we all paid a hefty price. How long shall we wait until this dreaded winter ends? Will our generation die off, leaving our future selves to contend with this horrible curse forever, my regent?”
The Regent didn’t want to think of all his descendants living under this curse. Eventually, the entire kingdom would cease to exist. Whether from starvation, sickness, or full-blown anarchy. “Perhaps we will be lucky, and a commoner will, indeed, save us. None of the girls from the upper class have worked. I am not giving up on ending this curse, and neither should you, Sir Layton. The populace is counting on us to save the kingdom.”
“Yes, maybe this year, we will finally have a bride worthy of the prince after all,” the minister hoped.
The Regent walked to a cabinet and poured two glasses of wine. Despite his encouraging words, deep inside, he feared the worst. Whomever he picked this year was going to try and succeed at what so many before her had failed to do. Break the curse, save the prince, and restore their kingdom to its former glory. It was a hard task for a maiden with little education and manners. The maiden had to be more than beautiful, she had to be strong-willed and courageous.
Chapter 3
Claire was surprised that wearing a fancy dress and styling her hair transformed her figure. The maiden in the mirror didn’t look like she was from a low-income family with a sickly mother. Would her friends recognize the real person or mock her for looking like the snobby, noble girls who pranced around in fancy dresses, expensive wigs, powdered faces, and were accompanied by their valets? She never liked mocking others but was certain many commoners would tease her for trying to look like the very nobles who looked down on them.
She had started on her hair, styling it as best she could and wearing it down with a tiara of paper flowers. She couldn’t afford the fancy wigs worn by the upper-class girls. At least, powdering her face white, adding rosy cheeks, and painting on heart-shaped red lips was within her grasp. She knew her chances of being picked were slim to none. Attending was mandatory, nevertheless.
The prince’s cold heart and cruel nature terrified her, but she couldn’t help fantasizing about what the Diamond Palace above the clouds looked like with its rumored garden of beautiful crystal flowers. Would she, indeed, make a great queen as her mother said? Or was this fantasy just another way to drag herself from the drudgery that was her family’s circumstances?
Looking in the mirror, she felt more like a pretender than a real contender for the prince’s hand. She would never belong among the nobles, much less royalty. The white powder and red lips were supposed to be symbols. The former to portray the paleness of the prince and the latter to remind the prince of love from the heart. Blinking back tears, she felt like a clown and a joke. Why would the prince look at someone like her? Why would the Regent choose her? She was far from being the savior the kingdom needed.
After removing the dress and washing her face, Claire prepared to leave. The thought of going off with a horrible prince, leaving her sickly mother and father behind to do all the hard work made her feel ashamed.
Exiting the hut, which was the only home she knew, she kept walking until she reached the gravel roads where miners and women carried their food and other supplies. The snow had been cleared as a result of salt poured in the mornings. Hugging her winter fur coat, she adjusted the hood for better protection from the icy wind.
An overpowering stink found her nostrils, so she covered her nose and mouth and quickly moved along. Her boot-covered feet moved faster to reach the capital between the two mountains. She needed to get to the fair to trade the goods her mother and she embroidered to have enough money to buy medicine. Patrons would be eager to buy trinkets for the grand festivity, making the items in her bag all the more valuable.
Still, she kept looking up at the distant glimmer of the Diamond Palace atop the west mountain. The maidens who returned after being rejected spoke highly of its beauty and enchanting interiors. Despite everything, she wanted to see it up close one day. The next girl chosen by the Regent would get that chance in two days.
“Claire!” someone called out.
Claire turned around and saw her friend Myka dashing down the road with his huge backpack bouncing on his back. Soon, he stopped beside her, catching his breath.
Claire shook her head. “Being careless is only going to get you hurt on this slippery road.”
He scratched his hood and produced a goofy smile. “I have shoes to sell at the fair, and I was wondering if we could go together.”
“Of course, we can,” Claire said.
Myka leaned closer, his smile widening. “I made a new pair of boots for you to wear.”
Claire’s eyebrows raised. “New boots? I really appreciate it, Myka, but I can’t afford them. I need all the money that I’ll make for Mum’s medicine and supplies.”
Myka nodded in understanding. He reached into his backpack and presented her a pair of fluffy boots made of dark brown leather.
Claire caressed the leather and admired the embroidered designs. She grabbed them despite herself. Expecting closely, she noticed that there was an overlay of wool on the inside.
“These are magnificent,” she breathed. “The yellow floral decorations are exquisite. You can sell these for good money at the fair.”
“Your mother did the embroidery work, and I can’t sell them because they’re yours.” Myka wore a huge grin that made his blue eyes seem even brighter.
Claire looked at the beautiful boots and then at the face of her best friend since forever. Their parents were neighbors. Myka was a year older, and they grew up together. Their fathers worked in the mines, and mothers were artisans. “My boots are still good. Sell these to feed your family.”
Myka shook his head. “I made them for you to wear to the selection. You need to look good to be chosen. These boots are yours. End of story.”
“Why do people keep thinking I’ll get picked?”
“The money offered will take care of your parents while you are gone,” Myka pointed out. “You are one of the most beautiful girls in the village. Look on the bright side, after the six months are over, you’ll return with a story to tell and a better life at home.”
“You have a wedding coming up. Why so quick to get rid of me? Is there trouble in paradise?” Claire folded her arms.
“Of course not.” Myka blushed. “Tanya and I are doing fine. I still need you to help her with the wedding dress. We also need to save more money to get married, so you don’t have to worry about missing it if you are sent to the Diamond Palace.”
“Well, I guess you want me at your wedding, after all.” Claire smirked. “Anyway, where is Tanya? I haven’t seen her for a few days now.”
“Thanks to her mother, she now works as a maid in the city. She’s been working for the past three days. We’ll see her at
the fair.” Myka stuck his hands in his pockets, probably for extra warmth.
“Good for her. Please put the boots back in your bag,” Claire instructed, giving the boots back to him. “Now, hurry along, so we can have a good vantage point to sell our goods.”
“Of course, milady.” Myka obeyed and helped Claire along the path all the way to the fair.
Chapter 4
The capital of Diamond Realm was situated near a lake and surrounded by frozen forests. Burbank District was where the noblemen lived with their families in the most beautiful structures. There were ample streets that they could walk on without trash or fear of being knocked over by transportation. Also, sleighs of reindeer and wolves carried the merchants and the wealthy. The nobles had horses, and some even had bears as white as snow to bring them around, displaying their money and status for all to see.
Every Wednesday, merchants gathered in the main square, in front of the Regent’s stone mansion, to sell their products. They would pay a fee for a booth and advertise their goods to the customers. Each year, more and more foreigners would come to sell food and medicine because the perpetual cold wouldn’t let the crops grow. Taking advantage of their predicament seemed low, but there was little the Regent could do to stop that. The Diamond Kingdom needed food to survive, and the merchants from the other kingdoms came there to sell it.
From the balcony of his office, the Regent watched how the booths were filled with products and the pits were stocked with wood, so they could light them up and warm the streets. Some workers were still spreading salt on the roads to clear the last remains of ice that had formed during the night. How he longed for spring so that would no longer be necessary. If only for a few months.
“Daddy, I need new shoes!” his daughter screeched, racing into the room and carrying a breeze of rice powder and flowery scents with her. She was a beauty to behold and, thankfully, not the girl who would have to go forth to try and break the prince’s curse.
“What is wrong with the last three pairs I bought you?” He turned around, keeping his hands behind his back. This was a formality now. He had long gotten used to his daughter’s flying fancy with things despite the hard times. She was used to luxury and had little patience for waiting or holding back.
“I need new shoes to look my best for the festivities.” Deborah pouted. “Everybody has already seen me in these. Do you want people to think I like wearing old things to important events?”
“Darling, you know times are difficult in the kingdom as a result of winter stretching longer this year.” The Regent caressed her shoulders. “I can’t just keep buying new clothes and shoes for you all the time. There are more important expenses to deal with in this house.”
Deborah stomped her feet as her face reddened. “I need new shoes, now! I’ll be the next one visiting the prince. I need to look my best to satisfy him. You are wealthy, so you’re just being mean instead of taking care of me.”
“Deborah, this is not a game to try and win the heart of a man.” The Regent frowned and added harshly, “The prince is under a dangerous curse, and I don’t think you understand the true consequences of being chosen. I don’t want to lose my only daughter.”
“I want to be queen, so I can rule the kingdom as I see fit,” Deborah insisted. “If you give me a chance, I can prove that the prince will be putty in my hands. I can make him fall in love with me. I just know it. The curse will lift, freeing everyone.”
Sighing, her father walked to his desk and sat in the chair. He entwined his fingers and looked at his dark-haired daughter. She had sapphire eyes and a pretty round face—just like her mother.
“You are a child. You have no idea how to seduce a man. After the selection, you will be free to choose a suitable partner among our noblemen. Who knows? If the curse is lifted, I could send you to the other courts, and we will find you a prince or a count to marry.”
His daughter narrowed the distance between them and leaned over the desk to look him in the eye. “Father, if I’m not chosen, then I’m not the prettiest girl in the land,” Deborah reasoned. “If my own father doesn’t choose me to court the prince, what other nobles will want me? I don’t want to grow old all alone and childless!” she wailed, falling back on the chair behind her.
“Don’t be silly. Many nobles want to marry you. Besides, your prospects would worsen if the prince rejected you and sent you back. Trust me, you are better off waiting for a true husband.”
Deborah straightened her back. “What happens to the ones that don’t return? Does he eat their hearts to prolong his life? I’m sure you know the truth.”
The Regent averted his eyes as a cold shiver raced up his back. “Believe me, you don’t want to know, child. I’m not going to deny or correct those rumors because I don’t want you near the prince and his fortress of solitude. We will sacrifice a maiden this year, but it isn’t going to be you.”
Deborah huffed as she balled her hands. “I would make an excellent queen. I can’t allow you to choose another girl. She might steal my crown. Wouldn’t you want to see your only daughter as the queen of this kingdom?”
“My decision is final,” the Regent said.
Piercing him with her eyes, his daughter added, “Well, if I won’t be queen, at least, I can look like one during the celebration. Will you buy me a new pair of shoes now?”
The Regent sighed, knowing it was a losing battle fighting his daughter. Thankfully, no matter how fancy she looked, the prince would never get his hands on her. Having Deborah safe mattered more than a few extra measly gold coins.
“If you want a pair of shoes, then let’s go to the fair, my darling. Pick any that you want.”
Chapter 5
Claire and Myka arrived early to get the best spots at the fair. They each had wares to sell along with the other vendors present. Luckily, they found stalls close to the front and were able to fend off anyone wanting to bully them out of their spots. The fair was a beautiful and hard place to sell. The competition was fierce as everybody had things for sale and wanted those with the deepest pockets as customers. Having a prime spot was just the beginning. They had to be able to haggle and deal with the best of them just to get noticed, much less make a sale.
“Think you will sell off your wares before me?” Myka teased Claire. “At least, before you become our queen, that is.”
“Please, stop. You are worse than my mother. The prince would never want some commoner for a wife,” Claire reasoned. “He is from the highest class of royalty. A noble girl will one day melt his heart and become the queen of the kingdom.”
“Whatever you say, killjoy.” Myka shrugged. “Sometimes, I don’t understand you, Claire. Many girls would kill for a chance to meet him. Why wouldn’t you be excited about that honor?”
“Maybe you should petition for guys to go and offer yourself,” Claire countered. “Then you can see what the fuss is all about. Of course, you will have to delay your wedding. Also, if he suddenly falls for you and the curse breaks, you’ll have to forget about Tanya.”
“I should tell Tanya that you’re trying to sell off her husband right under her nose,” Myka joked back.
“I think she would give you up for the greater good,” Claire retorted. “But if you rat me out, I will never forgive you. Tanya would kick my butt all across the kingdom.”
Myka laughed out loud.
“We need to focus,” Claire said as she looked around. “The customers are arriving, and we need to tout our products.”
“I won’t tease you about this anymore if you accept the boots without protesting.”
“Fine. But I plan to give you some money to compensate you for your work.”
Myka’s smile widened. “You can make me a nobleman when you are queen.”
Claire rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. Instead, she focused on selling her goods. Her family needed the money. Thinking of pipe dreams and palaces were not going to make that happen.
Several pieces sold quickly a
t base price. The nobles liked the look and feel of the fabric. Myka also had positive sales, with several stating he should go work for a noble family or become an apprentice to an expert. Claire knew that he would never leave his family hanging to do that. Not unless there was something in place to help them while he was gone.
There were also the losses. A woman wanted to buy several pieces at less than half the price, citing noble birth from a far-off kingdom. Claire had to decline and spent several minutes being berated before the woman stormed off. It took a while before people came back to her stall. Myka had a few people trying to lowball him on the price, pointing out his inexperience and shabby clothes. He just told them to buy from another seller and refused to budge on price. These people usually had no idea what it was like living on the edge of homelessness. Underselling the wares held no incentive. Claire and Myka were better off returning another day than wasting their talents.
Claire’s attention piqued at the sound of a girly voice.
“Father, I need a new pair of shoes for the celebration,” the young woman whined. “You promised me I could have them.”
“Deborah, please calm down, we are in public,” the Regent chided. “There’s a stall over there with more shoes. I can only buy a pair once you like them, dear.”
“Those other shoes were not worthy of my noble feet,” Deborah insisted, moving forward. “We’ll have many noble guests at the celebration. I must be the most beautiful of them all.”
“Please, don’t come this way,” Claire prayed under her breath.
“Hey, I need to sell my shoes,” Myka reminded his friend.
“She never likes anything,” Claire complained.
Myka puffed out his chest and gave them his best smile. “Good day, Regent and lovely daughter. I’m Myka, and I sell some of the most beautiful shoes.”
