Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 8

POV : Clarice 

Clara learned the next day, after her and Mel's date, that the ball was to be a masquerade. It didn't change the flowers, but it changed what she was hoping to wear. She had found someone to watch Tamara that night so she had been hoping to go. She wondered if Mel was going. It didn't matter much, but she still wondered. She smacked her forehead. 
"What am I doing?" She sighed and got back to stacking flower vases into a cart. When she was done she left Tamara with her mother and went off to the castle. When she arrived, she was surprised to find a middle-aged man waiting at the door for her. 
"Miss Terren, I was instructed to lend help with the flowers." She smiled and grabbed a vase. 
"Well thank you. What might I call you?" She asked.
"Jasper, miss." She led him to her cart and he picked one up with surprising ease. She instructed him on where to put them and went back for more. Her flowers had drawn quite the crowd from those there for the public access things. She smiled and gave greetings to a few people but tried to focus on her job. She and Jasper got it done in half the time she thought it would take. 
"Thank you for your help, Jasper. I really appreciate it!" He smiled warmly.
"Of course, miss." He bowed and went off down a hall she hadn't explored. She didn't think she was allowed so she got to making a garland of holly and mistletoe. She hung a few branches of mistletoe above a few doorways and wrapped the garland around the banister and railings. She realized she would need more if she wanted to do the whole main entrance, balconies, and the ballroom. She'd have to tell Mel to tell The Prince. She started up towards the library but was stopped by a lovely lady. 
"Excuse me, I'm sorry, but may I ask what you are doing here?" She had an air of snobbery and she dressed like a noble. Clara curtsied and smiled. 
"I am the florist. I am doing the flowers for The Prince's winter ball." She sniffed and Clara wondered if she said or did something wrong. 
"Do you know who I am?" She asked, rather angrily. Clara shook her head and the girl rolled her eyes. 
"I am Lady Margarett Baldwin. I am here with my sister for the ball." She smiled sourly. "I sure hope you aren't planning on going to the ball." Clara's smiled turned mocking.
"M'lady, I have no reason to go to The Prince's ball. I have a girlfriend and I have no need to try and get The Prince's attention. However, I will be going to the ball, it sounds like it would be fun and I would like to have a dance, with my girlfriend." Margarett scoffed and stormed off. Clara grinned in satisfaction and she heard a snort from behind her. 
"Remind me not to make you mad." She whipped around and The Prince was leaning against the railing. "The flowers are looking great, by the way." Her grin had temporarily faded from the surprise but it returned with the compliment. 
"Thank you. I was actually going to talk to you about flowers. I need some more if I'm going to do  garland throughout the designated places. I have some winter ones left, but with them being out of season here right now, my garden hasn't sprouted any yet."
"Don't worry I understand. Oh, and have you seen Jamie recently?" 
"Yes, why?" He blushed.
"N-no reason. Did he enjoy the date?" She nodded, a gleam of humor in her eye. "Speaking of dates, how was your and Mel's date?" She blushed at the memories of the previous night.
"It was delightful. I had a lot of fun. Less fun when we got up in the middle of the night to go home, though." She laughed at the thought of her bed head. "Can you tell her for me? I mean, the fact that I had a good time." He nodded and Clara relaxed. "Well, I need to go relieve my mother of Tamara. I'll probably see you before the ball, but if I don't, I'll see you then." She gave a small wave before heading back to her cart to go back to her house.

POV : James

Jamie smiled at the small bundle of herbs. He was making a special order for old Mrs Holbrook. She was widowed and her sheep was sick. He knew it was a strange thing to ask. To ask a witch for a remedy for a sheep's upset stomach, it was the weirdest one this month. When he was finished he went to the back of his shop to grab his horse. Krenn, his horse, was ridden every so often. She helped him with deliveries and on just normal rides in the forest. He said goodbye to Marrubiam and ran out the door. He saddled up Krenn and they were off. It was a relatively short ride to Mrs Holbrook's cottage, but Jamie always wanted to take his time. He liked riding past the houses and waving to everyone. He probably could have walked, but Krenn needed the ride. He knocked on the door and the wrinkled face of Mrs Holbrook appeared behind a window and then in the doorway. 
"Ah, James! Larraine has been waiting very patiently for her medicine. Come in, come in." She walked away and he followed, closing the door behind him. "Larraine! Mr. James has brought you your medicine!" He smiled at her wild antics and got the bundle out. 
"Just boil it for about twenty minutes and then make her drink it. I'm sure you know not to give it to her too hot." She nodded and took the contents. She grabbed a bowl from a large, seemingly unstable pile that wobbled as she walked away. She went to the fireplace and put water on. "I'll take my leave, if that's alright with you." She shooed him away with a hand motion. 
"My purse is on the entry way table. Take what you need." He smiled and left. He took two coins and ran back out to Krenn. He smiled and stroked her nose lovingly. 
"If only I was allowed to act like that. It would be so much fun." He laughed at himself and hopped on her. He passed back through the town and got back to work. The forever going work of keeping his shelves stocked and his customers satisfied. Though, this time he passed through his shop, he went right to the back. His suit he was making was there. It was made of woven together ferns and the mask was going to be made out of lilacs and lavender. He would wear a bowtie of applemint and he would be the one Adrian would want to dance with. He had had the plan since the ball was announced, but things had only gotten more sure after their date. He sighed. He couldn't wait to be out dancing!

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed and will continue!