The Cobbler's Wish: A Short Story

Part 3

The following evening could not arrive soon enough for Aidan. Not only were Sir Kristopher and Wilhelm unbearable, but news of the proclamation had spread like wildfire throughout the city, and any man who could afford a new pair of shoes had made it his priority to visit the shop. It was already dark when Aidan managed to finish tidying his workspace and finally made his way to the forest to meet Rosie.

Many months had passed since they had been able to meet, the result of their steadily growing obligations. Even so, they always tried to make time to see each other and escape the realities of their lives. Their meeting place of choice was a young weeping willow, which Aidan, Rosie and Aidan's mother had planted several months before his mother fell ill and passed away.

When the willow came into view, Aidan felt some of his life's stresses and heartaches fall away. The glen was the site of many fond childhood memories for both Aidan and Rosie. It was where they would run off to whenever her mother, a stately, noble lady, would visit the shoe shop, back when it was run by both Sir Kristopher and Aidan's father. After their mothers died, visits became less frequent, especially after Aidan's father died and Sir Kristopher took advantage of his business partner's hardworking, orphaned son.

"Aidan?" The voice was soft and feminine, but in the silence of the glen it felt loud. He spun toward the sound, his heart skipping a beat when Rosie stepped into view. The moon was bright that night and illuminated her features perfectly. Features that grew more distinctly feminine every time he saw her.

"Rosie?" He whispered her name almost reverently. The woman standing before him was not the Rosie he had seen seven months ago. Her blonde hair, which had always been tightly curled as a girl and adolescent now hung in soft waves to the middle of her back. Aidan swallowed hard, realizing that she was truly a woman now, not just a childhood friend who had grown taller.

"It's me." Rosie smiled at him, walking closer. "You're taller, Aidan. And thinner," she frowned as she reached for his hand.

Aidan held his breath, hoping she couldn't feel his pulse racing from the contact. Seventeen years of friendship flashed through his mind. Had he only just realized his friend was a very pretty girl? It made sense why her father was going to marry her off. A pang of jealousy raced through him. He envied whatever nobleman she wed.

"Don't they feed you?" A pretty flush spread across her cheeks as she realized what she had asked. "That was foolish. Of course, that rat snake doesn't feed you. What would you do without Beatrice?"

"We probably wouldn't be standing here, if Beatrice didn't keep me fed." It was the unfortunate truth.

"Is Kristopher still underpaying you?" Rosie's forehead crinkled in concern. "That isn't right! You should–"

"I should what, Rosie? You know as well as I do that Kristopher has built himself a reputation almost as good as my father's." Aidan ran a hand through his hair before glancing down to meet Rosie's eyes. "I was underage when Father died, so no one questioned when Kristopher became my guardian. No one noticed when I didn't inherit at least half of the business. It would be pointless to try and say something now."

"Why?" Rosie looked up at Aidan with clear blue eyes, and he was momentarily lost by the way the stars reflected in them. "You could appeal to the king. He will listen and justice will be served."

"The king is too busy a man to be concerned with the inheritance of an underpaid cobbler," Aidan sighed. "Especially with his daughter's upcoming engagement."

Rosie flinched but continued pressing. "My-the king loved your father! His Majesty was quite saddened when he passed. In case you haven't noticed," Rosie whispered, "the palace hasn't officially selected another royal shoemaker."