Enchanted Tale

Four: Future Duties

{Prince Harry's POV}

"Sire, if you would stay still. I shall not keep you too long." The seamstress asked at my feet.

"My apologies, madam. I'll be still."

My father, King Jack, made his presence known by forcing the doors open, slamming them against the wall. The seamstress immediately stood to her feet and bowed to him in respect.

"Rise seamstress." He said sternly.

"And what do I owe for this fine visit from my loving father?" I asked sarcastically.

"Your ears son." He answered. I sighed, rolling my eyes. Which thankfully he didn't notice. "The next assembly is upon us. New dilemmas have arose in the kingdom that must be addressed."

"Father, I don't want to deal with politics right now." I complained.

My eyes followed him through the mirror as he sat down in a chair that one of the servants pulled out for him. "Harry, I will not hear it. You have a duty to this kingdom and you must abide by it."

"But I'm just not good at any of that! Wars, executions, laws! That's your expertise, not mine."

He stood up from his chair and held onto my shoulder. The seamstress stopped and stood back. " I'm not going to live forever you know. I'm growing old son. That's why your mother and I had you. So you can take over when I pass."

"I just don't think I'll be fit for the throne."

He stepped to the side of me and with me being on a platform I had to look down to him. If it was in my father's character, I would almost believe he was begging. "Listen son, I knew a boy back when I was just a lad. He had a responsibility to this kingdom as well as you do. He didn't think he was fit to run it either." He said with sympathy in his tone.

"So what happened?" I asked interested.

"He ran away. And there was no other heir to the throne. The kingdom fell to pieces! And before they could retrieve him, word came back that he had died . I don't want that to happen to you son."

"So you're saying if I don't run this kingdom, I'll die?" I laughed in disbelief.

"Take it however you may wish, but the lad's life did not turn out for the better... Do y'know what? I reckon you just need to see what you'll be running. Tomorrow you will tour the streets of Lathance! See the kingdom soon to be in your hands. That will be of some motivation to you!" He cheerfully laughed putting a firm grip on my shoulder.

"Excellent plan, father..."

---

{Elle's POV}

We walked back in the direction we came from. We thought it better if we went back to the village gate so we can take the direct route to the cottage.

"Did we run that fast?" Peter asked.

"It didn't feel like we did." I answered.

"Then why aren't we at the gate yet?" A growling noise erupted from Peters stomach. "This is not a fun feeling." He complained clenching his stomach.

"I know... But we now have two silvers. We can eat whatever we want!" I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Elle, look!" Peter exclaimed.

I looked in the direction where he was pointing. There was smoke emerging from the trees. Smoke meant people, and people meant directions. Peter and I didn't hesitate to run towards it given it wasn't a far distance.

Fortunately, the smoke was coming out of a chimney. It was a small cottage made up of stone. It had a beautiful garden in front, vines were growing up the sides. Like my cottage it had windows on both sides of the door, only this glass was patterned in the most beautiful way, like stain glass but no color. It couldn't have been for a whole family. It looked like it could only hold two at most.

"Do you smell that?" Peter asked breathing in the delicious odor.

I took a deep breath in. It smelled of sweet bread. My stomach started to growl as the scent entered my body. We smiled at each other with the pleasant aroma filling our nostrils.

We went to the door and began to knock. We were eager to get in and eat. Our stomach's clouding over our common sense. It wasn't very smart to knock on someone's door expecting to their food, but it made complete sense to our empty, grumbling stomachs.

The door slowly creaked open. Confusion crept on our faces. The smell was even stronger inside. I could tell we had the same crazy idea, that should not be enacted.

"Should we go in there?" Peter asked.

I peeked my head through the open door. The bread was no where in sight. The fireplace had no fire in it. Not a single flame. Where was the smoke coming from? There were shelves of wrapped bottles behind the table. Some of them had funny shapes. There were stairs leading to the second floor which made me want to see what was up there, because the roof of the cottage was just straw so there wouldn't be much room to move. Something was off with this cottage, and I am still debating whether I wanted to find out why or not.

"Peter, it doesn't seem safe here." I said grabbing his arm, leading the way to leave. As we turned around, a short middle aged woman stood in front of us with no expression on her face. She held a basket with a cloth tucked into it the items beneath bulging through.

My heart nearly fell to the floor at the sight of her.

"May I help you, children?" She asked. Her expressionless face formed into a bit of a smile. Personally, the lack of expression was more pleasing and less scary than her smile.

I, nor Peter were able to say anything. We stood there frozen, as I choked on the words I was about to say. "N-no.. We're fine. We were just on our way." I explained pulling Peter along as I walked.

To my surprise, and a bit of horror, the lady stepped in front of us blocking our path. Her smile grew, "You really must stay. I've all this food and no one to share it with."

"Sorry, but we really must be going." I tried to smile. "C'mon Peter..." I mumbled. I hadn't noticed my grip on his arm grew tighter and tighter.

"But what about the bread!?" Peter scoffed in a whisper.

"Did she not scare you, even a bit?" I whispered back.

We were almost off of her property when I heard the old lady call. "Bu- ELLE!" The lady called.

I stopped in my tracks. A frown formed on my face. I turned around letting go of Peter's arm.

"How do you know my name?" I asked sternly, taking a few steps toward her.

"I would love to tell you dear, but it is such a long story. Come inside, and I'll tell you everything you need to know.."

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There is a trailer out for this story so if you would like to see it it's in the video & pictures area.

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"Knowledge is Power"

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