The Wish Rewrite with the Cat

Chapter 1

Six years later

March 7, 1258

Asha

The morning sunlight shone on the pages of my notebook.

I finished the last lines of my drawing. I wasn't supposed to draw in my census notebook, but if no one complained, that rule didn't stop me.

"There," I held up my latest work to my baby goat Valentino. "What do you think?"

It was a goofy picture of Magnifico holding one of his cookies, which he'd bit into. He was looking out of the page and saying with his mouth full, "Is this cannibalism?" He'd even spilled crumbs down his beard and shirt.

"Maa?" Valentino cocked his head.

"He thinks he's a cannibal because he's eating himself."

"Maa!" Now he laughed.

"I don't know whether I should paint it or not." Magnifico's clothes and hair were white, so, it felt like overkill. It looked better plain, anyway. I stuck my notebook in my teal pouch and strung my tasseled magenta belt through the pouch's loops. I tied my belt around my lavender surcoat.

The belt's silver Rosas emblems glinted in the morning sunbeams seeping through the window. They marked me as the new official census clerk of Rosas. I hadn't wished for Sr. Alfaro to retire—he'd suddenly lost all interest—but the promotion put me one step closer to becoming the wish clerk.

Queen Amaya had even reminded me of it when she gave me the news. She'd also told me King Magnifico wanted to speak to me before the coming wish ceremony on March 7. Now March 7 had arrived, and I had to be ready.

What did Magnifico want to talk to me about? Was I being demoted? Fired? No, I couldn't be getting sacked; I just got promoted! Ugh, why didn't Amaya tell me what Magnifico was going to say so I could prepare myself? Would he make me the wish clerk? Gabo would want me to be realistic. Magnifico probably just wanted to ensure I could handle the full load as he didn't oversee my promotion himself.

Aside from the meeting with the king, the work in March was slow. No new arrivals had sailed in, and Mama's only project was a pair of gardening gloves. The only other busy thing was Papa's goats; this was the first birthing season. Maria had a "February surprise" that resulted in Valentino coming early, but the other kids were being born healthy and strong. Sabino was still going strong as he was turning 100—

Wait, March 7. That was his birthday! I pulled out my notebook. I flipped it open to the latest calendar section.

Red light oozed out of the square labeled March 7. A tiny gold star leaped after the light, followed by the words King's Meeting at 3 and Saba's Birthday!

Saba was 100, there was a wish ceremony, and I had a meeting with the king! This had to be a sign. "Valentino! It's Saba's birthday and a new moon! He has to be getting his wish today!"

"Maa?" Valentino cocked his head.

"Oh, right," I chuckled. "You haven't been to a wish ceremony before. They're incredible." Magnifico always had an amazing magic show.

"Asha!" Mama called up the stairs behind the door. "Breakfast's ready!"

"Coming, Mama!" I stuck my book in my green pouch. I opened the door. "Want to go down for your milk?"

"Maa!" He skipped out.

Mama, Papa, and Saba were sitting at the table for breakfast.

"Happy birthday, Saba!"