His Gift

2

It seemed as if time was slowly dragging by before the door reopened and it was dinner being brought into the room instead.

Rufus had worked very hard with collecting the gifts for the King, even requiring help from other guards at times; she wasn't surprised at their bewilderment either when seeing her.

Their reactions were very comical indeed.

She was also thankful to Rufus for the table and chair for her to sit at, any longer and her legs would of fallen off.

The servant rests the golden tray on the table, taking off the matching gold cover to reveal a beautifully designed plate of reddish potatoes and the Kingdom's most expensive salmon fish.

The meal truly showed wealth; and to her pleasant and most gratifying surprise was a small gold bowl of cherries.

She was quite surprised at how big they were. She's never seen cherries so large before.

"I guess it's expected for the King to only acquire the best for himself." She softly mutters, picking one up and examining it.

"Enjoy your meal, my lady." The servant says, and she kindly thanks her, resting the cherry down.

She watched as the girl hesitated to leave, curiosity burning in her eyes, causing Lume to smile.

Her father was adamant on no one being able to see her face unless it was the King; so much so that he had her Mother acquire a designer from one of the other Kingdoms, that held the power of design.

Lady Merni designed a type of veil that allowed her to see from on the inside, but no one could see from on the outside.

The silk like material went greatly with the cream-white dress they had her wear, that was designed with the finest silk as well.

"What is your name?" Lume politely asked, causing a small gasp to leave the girl lips, who then proceeded to quickly apologize for staring.
"It's quite alright, you did nothing wrong. My name is Lume, what is yours?"

"Jasmine." She softly responded.

"Such a beautiful name." Her cheeks became so red, that Lume couldn't help but want to pinch them. They were so chubby.

"Why must you wear a veil?"

She thought of it for a moment. It would be suiting to give the true answer, but she couldn't help it.
"If I am to remove it, I will have to journey treacherous forests and stormy seas to safeguard myself from fairies that despise beauty." Jasmine stares at her for some time, just blinking; Lume's own cheeks becoming red as she let a fragment of her personal humor slip through.

"Oh no." Jasmine says placing her hand over her mouth. Lume eyes filling with amusement at her action. Her lips were already lifting into a smile before her next words.
"I will announce to the guards to be on watch for the enemies of beauty." They both begin to laugh.

—

"Aren't you afraid the King will not accept you?" Jasmine asks her as she returned once more to retrieve the empty tray, but they got held up in chatter.

She was thankful Jasmine had not fought to see her face, but simply joined her in conversation.

"My father tends to believe strongly that he will. I am to believe as will and not speak against it." She slowly nods.

"Do you not feel hurt that they are giving you off to the King, instead of keeping you with them?" She shakes her head.

It is what I have been born for.
"How old are you Jasmine?" She changes the subject. Jasmine smiles softly, understanding that she no longer wanted to speak on the subject prior.