The King's Obsession

5

C19 - Doubting The Invitation

Lisa and Momo wanted to take a look at the contents of the letter, but their father put the message into the pocket of his coat. Mrs. Harris looked at Momo, to ask, "Didn't he give you his name?"

Momo shook her head, "The men I danced with last night had given their name, but none of it had the King's name. I didn't know I danced with him," her brows drew close in thought while trying to remember which out of the lot was the King.

"Maybe he didn't give you his actual name and gave a wrong one to hide who he was?" proposed Lisa because that appeared to be the more probable answer.

"It could be," Mrs. Harris agreed, "Good job, Momo," she couldn't tell how happy she was that Momo was able to gain their King's attention where the man had gone as far as to place a lunch to eat with them. It was a privilege to a family like theirs who had nothing to offer.

When both Mr. and Mrs. Harris retired to their room, the man couldn't help but go through the letter that had the King's seal on it. The letter had mentioned about the King being pleased by his daughter, but there was no mention of which daughter he had danced with. Somewhere it worried him with the thought that the King wasn't speaking about his older daughter, but the younger one.

He was holding a small book in his hand, but instead of reading he was staring at it, "What do you think the King wants from us?" asked Mr. Harris to his wife who was closing the windows because the night had turned cold and they didn't have enough logs of wood to use as they had to use it sparingly.

"Momo caught his attention. He might want to know about us, and maybe if things went well, he would ask for her hand in marriage," answered Mrs. Harris coming to sit on the bed, "What is it? Are you not happy about it?" his wife asked, looking at the pensive expression on his face.

Mr. Harris sighed.

"No, it is not that I am not happy about it. But the King didn't mention which of our daughter's it was. What if it is Lisa?" Mr. Harris was not supposed to have favourites, but he had a soft corner for his youngest child, knowing well how she was often shadowed under Momo's presence. But at the same time, it was what Lisa liked.

"Lisa barely danced with anyone. You and I saw her standing at the wall without talking to anyone," Mrs. Harris reasoned with her husband, "And even if the King is speaking about Lisa, we can always decline by saying she is going to be engaged soon."

The man gave his wife a look, "The King is no fool. He will find the lie the moment you utter about it."

"It isn't a lie. Lisa mentioned about Mr. Heathcliff's interest in her."

"The dressmaker?" asked Mr. Harris, "Why am I hearing this now?"

Mrs. Harris smiled. Getting into the bed, she fluffed the blanket and put it over her legs, "I heard about it today. Mr. Heathcliff is a good man, and he suits her," she said to him, "Lisa prefers a simple life, unlike Momo. If the King asks we will tell him that we have promised her hand to Mr. Heathcliff as they like each other."

When the next day arrived, the Harris family didn't have time to pick up dresses from the shop, therefore they wore the best clothes that they owned. With Momo who had woken up early to dress and look pretty, she had the top of her black hair tied while the rest was left open.

Momo had later tied Lisa's hair similar to how she had done hers, combing her sister's blonde hair to finally say, "Everything done," Lisa could tell that Momo was in a perfect mood. Her sister had wanted to see the King, and now he wanted to see her and her family.

Lisa didn't know if it was good news that they had been invited to have lunch with the King as not everyone had the luck to share a meal at the same table as the King, as he was someone of the highest standing in their lands. Momo was eager, so it was alright, thought Lisa to herself.