The Cobbler's Wish: A Short Story

Part 6

The ball was nothing like Aidan had imagined. The room was filled with colorful people and the suitors' gifts. Rosalind stood on a dais next to her father and Count Nikolai. Aidan felt sick for a moment, and it had nothing to do with his method of transportation. Had he failed? No. He refused to be defeated.

"Your Majesty," he called as he descended the stairs, "I would like to present my gift to the Princess." Heads turned towards him and so did Rosie, who was a vision in a sapphire blue dress.

"Aidan!" She cried, her face lighting up.

The courtiers and suitors parted, allowing him to approach the dais. There was a commotion to the side, but he remained focused on Rosie and the king.

"Approach, young man." Aidan walked to the dais and handed the box to a page, who delivered it to the king. "Shoes?"

"They're glass."

"Glass?"

"Yes, Sire."

A murmur ran through the room at the declaration. Glass slippers. Who had heard of such a thing?

The king turned to his daughter, glancing between her, the slippers and Aidan. He contemplated the gift, then let out a deep laugh. "My boy, you have won the contest. Congratulations."

"Objection!" Sir Kristopher's voice rang out but was quickly subdued when a group of guards dragged him out of the room, followed by a stewing Wilhelm and sobbing Celine.

"The wedding will take place in the spring, unless there are any objections?"

"No, Sire. I love your daughter greatly and I hope that, with time, she will love me too. I swear I will ensure her happiness until the day I die."

"Very good," the king gestured to the musicians, who began to play a waltz.

"May I," Aidan asked Rosalind. She accepted his hand, and he pulled her out onto the dance floor.

"I love you too, Aidan." She whispered as they twirled in the sea of courtiers. "And I will love you until the day I die."

Aidan and Rosalind danced many times during and after the engagement ball. They were married on the first day of spring and in time celebrated the beginning of their family. When the king was finally laid to rest, they ruled the people well and the story of their love became known far and wide, being told in many times and many places and throughout the ages. And that was how a poor cobbler won the hand–and heart–of a princess with the help of two elves and a pair of glass slippers. 

The End...For Now ;)

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Author's Note:

Hi all!

The final installment of "The Cobbler's Wish" is here! I finished this short story in less than 48 hours back in October and I knew I wanted to do more with the story. I hope to expand this into a novella and publish it in the Fall of 2025. 

Any constructive feedback is very helpful and much appreciated. Keep your eyes out for updates from me, both in this book and on my instagram account which is linked in my bio. 

-K.