Rumpelstiltskin [On Hold]

One day the old miller came boasting to the king...

One day, the old miller came boasting to the king…

Chapter Two

At dusk, Selena came home with her straw basket full of their daily supplies-bread, barley, fish and meat and rum for her bastard of a father. She still felt the same eerie feeling she had when she passed the woods. It always felt like there was a pair of piercing eyes watching her every move.

Her poor brother, Nick, was crying his throat dry-again. Fortunate for her and her brother, their father was not around. Selena quickly ran to his brother’s crib and placed her poor brother in her arms. She gently cooed. Her voice seemed like music to Nick’s ears. The two-month old baby miraculously stopped crying and cuddled in her arms.

Selena’s naturally crimson lips formed to a beautiful loving smile. She began humming a song she herself does not know, but it felt good so she went along with it. Her brother doesn’t seem to mind as he buried himself deeper in her chest enjoying the warmth of her body. He seemed healthy for now, but months will pass, he might catch an epidemic disease.

Selena was utterly worried about her baby brother for she knows her father would not care. Hector was happily drowning his self in a bottle of rum. Around him were his drunkards like him. They were all pests who knew nothing but cause damage to their surroundings.

''The king has extended the range of our kingdom once again. '' One of Hector’s so-called friends spoke. He was older than Hector; the freckles around the bridge of his nose grew larger and darker as years passed by. His plump cheeks were blushed due to alcohol. ''Lucky bastard, he is. Do you know how much gold he got from the last town he took? ''

Hector looked at his companion with interest. He was not only a worthless drunkard but a greedy one as well. ''How much, my friend? ''

''Enough to fill the town’s church, Hector! ''

Hector’s dull gray eyes widened, filled with desire and ambitious thoughts. A wicked smile planted across Hector’s crumpled lips. He was as cunning as a devil. He dropped his bottle of rum and came out of the old tavern. He came stomping to the palace with his chin up showing how proud he was despite his pathetic suit.

King Victor, together with his lovely wife Leta, was in the garden. True, the king was old, but he still got his handsome features. The queen, on the other hand, was only a year or so younger than the king and her beauty was timeless.

Behind the royal couple was a pair of royal guards looking from left to right trying to sense if there were any danger.

Queen Leta bent over to look and admire at the beautiful daisies in her garden. This was her joy. Her graceful fingers touched the flower’s soft silky petals.

''Aren’t they a delight, my love? '' Queen Leta’s sweet voice spoke as she wrapped her arm around her husband’s muscular arm.

King Victor replied with a charming smile to his beloved consort. His calloused hand reached for soft cheek and stroked lovingly. ''Yes, delightful. ''

''Let me in, you bastards! '' A scandalous shout distracted the royal couple. The king turned to see a couple of royal guards arguing with a man of filthy clothing. He was the old miller. The king’s thick brows furrowed. ''I’ve something to tell to the king. ''

''Whatever that is, you have to get a slot first, old mutt! '' Shout the guard looking exasperated by the old miller. ''There are about thousands of people waiting for the king to come and talk to them, and you came here thinking it’s just that easy? Don’t make this any harder, old man. Just turn around and leave this fort at once, and you shall face no consequence from your daft action. ''