I was halfway through the week, and I was already dreading the end of it. I could already imagine having to speak to the many people who were awaiting my return. Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine. I shook my head trying to get the idea out of my mind. I had been having the best time these past few days. I’d accomplished most of my goals. The old man had trees of any fruit I could imagine; and I was filling my arms with them to bring back the cabin I was staying in. He’d also let me pick my new pet and I’d chosen a rooster. He was just so charming and still pretty young too. His comb wasn’t even fully grown yet. He stayed in the corner of my room where I’d put a blanket on the ground. Though by the end of the day he’d leave a mess, so I had to wash the blanket repeatedly. I was trying to think of ways to keep him from pooping on the floor for when we got back to the palace and the only idea, I came up with was a diaper cloth. I’d have to test it when I got there. Not sure it was the best idea I ever had.
For now, the only thing on my mind was the dinner the town was throwing last minute. Word had spread that there were guest and people had become curious. They all decided they wanted to welcome us themselves. When I was first told the socializing part gave me mixed emotions, but when food was mentioned, how could I refuse? There would be apple pie and cherry pie, maybe even pumpkin pie. I could feel my tummy start rumbling just thinking of all the different flavors. It’d be a pie dream come true.
“Princess, are you ready? Everyone is in the wagon.” I carefully grabbed my rooster, I hadn’t come up with a name yet, and gently placed him in a bag. His head was the only thing anyone could see of him. Putting the bag across my shoulder I shut the door behind me and followed Derek towards the wagon. He held out his held for me, which I politely took thanking him in the process. I sat down next to Mia who was dressed nicely for the evening. She had her bright red hair hanging around her shoulders with a green ribbon. Contrary to that, my brown hair had blonde streaks going through it and hung to the middle of my back. I never liked it down, so I decided to put it in ponytail without a ribbon might I add. I hadn’t exactly remembered to bring any. My dress was a light blue with only a few ruffles where the sleeves were. I almost didn’t bring it, but I wanted to be prepared in case, so it was a good thing I did.
The drive there didn’t seem as long as it did the way here. The old man talked most of the ride explaining that the townspeople tried their best to make it look nice. He said when night hit, they had arranged lanterns that way there could be dancing. I didn’t think there were many people who lived here seeing as it was as small as it was, but he said there were a good amount people here. Most didn’t live that close to the town, for some of them it was 30 minutes to an hour drive, but once word got around by those who traveled in from those areas they had agreed to come. They had come just to meet me? Well, and the guards. Did they really not have any visitors come here? He must have read my mind because he answered with “word travels fast here, plus we rarely get a reason to throw a good get together. They heard you would be staying for the week and wanted to leave a good memory. That way you might want to come back.” I couldn’t argue with that, if that’s what they wanted then I’d let them. As long as they had that pie I had been waiting for I’d agree to a lot. I licked my lips thinking about it, which probably looked strange to the others.
Derek and the other guards whose names I figured out were Flemings, Rye, and Lennix stepped down from the wagon first. Lennix the shyer guard helped me down, while Derek helped Mia. The town actually looked slightly better. They decorated the exterior with ribbon and there were a few men with instruments. There was a decent amount of people here and all eyes turned to get a view of us. And I do me all. If they could run over, they probably would have. I saw one lady slap her friend’s arm whispering, I’m guessing, along the lines of stop staring so much because her friend’s face turned into one that was mortified to be caught in the act. She shouldn’t have been, though, everyone else was doing the same.
The old man had finally made his way out the wagon and asked, “What’s the hold up?” As if he didn’t know.
“I don’t know my way around, so it’d be better if you showed us,” I replied back raising an eyebrow. He laughed at me and waved his hand towards them telling us to follow him. As soon as he took us closer to the crowd, I could feel everyone waiting to pounce. The only thing holding them back was the old man’s guided tour, which was over as soon as I saw the desert section. I immediately tuned out whatever he was saying and felt my legs take me to the table. There were so many flavors, and I was going to try them all. I could feel my fingertips touch the white porcelain plate when I heard, “You must be one of the guests staying at Mr. Lock’s place?” My heart sunk in my chest. Why me? When I was so close to the love of my life. I thought about letting my rooster at whoever had just spoke to me,294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv6cuuy7Uy
but he had fallen asleep. I don’t know how, there were so much noise. I swiftly turned around, “Yes, I am.” I hoped I sounded at least…not to upset.
“Everyone has been so elated to meet you and look I’m the first one. Bragging rights,” she said cheerfully. I nodded, but never got a chance to say a word because another person came over and then another. It was as if the first woman gave the all clear signal because not long after a crowd swarmed me. I internally cried. My pie would be gone before I even tasted a bite. Please wait for me, my darling. This might take a while.
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