Becoming A Queen.

4

Miranda sat in the fancy carriage on her way home.
The taste of the sweet tea served in delicate china cups with the King's insignia on them still lingered on her tongue. For some reason, having tea with the king had been like meeting with an old friend.
Her cheeks still hurt from smiling, but it was a good ache that came from genuinely being happy.
Just being able to share the worries of being a single parent with someone was a relief.
The stories of Prince James and his repeated mischief had her bowed over with laughter. Who would have thought that the young prince was capable of hiding a toad in the cook's favourite cookie jar?
And princess Amber. The king was worried about her growing up too fast. Since their mum wasn't around, the young princess had taken on a Queenly air and a public role far beyond her age. His greatest worry was that his daughter never relaxed enough to be a child, and Miranda could understand.
Between Sofia's schoolwork and the duties in the shoemakers' shop, there wasn't a lot of time left for Sofia to play. There was barely enough time for the two of them to just relax and have time together as a family. Being without a father had forced Sofia to become a mature and responsible girl. If Miranda was busy fixing shoes, Sofia could be trusted to take correct orders and payment in the shop. Miranda was just worried that she was taking on too much responsibility too young.
It just amazed her that the king had the same worries for his daughter as a lowly cobbler had for hers.
Thankfully, Sofia had a natural grace that made her sociable and easy to get on with. She made friends with everybody with practically no effort.
Miranda quietly hoped the princess had the same ability. As a Royal, the status itself could attract both hostility and false friends. The lack of a mother made princess Amber even more vulnerable. The poor girl had a lot of pressure to behave in a certain way without a queen as a main female public figure.

Alfred sat in the carriage, observing Miranda's far away gaze and subtle smile. Subconsciously, her fingers were touching the spot on her hand where the king had left a subtle kiss goodbye. The servant looked at the motion with a soft smile. Discreetly he gave the driver a nudge. The driver turned to look at her before the two servants exchanged a nod.

"Miss Miranda?" Alfred asked.

Miranda looked up and realised she was almost home.

"Oh..." she exclaimed wondering how she could have gotten so lost in her own mind.

"It was an honour, Miss Miranda," Alfred smiled as the carriage stopped and the driver jumped down to extend the stairs.
Alfred with a gallant bow handed Miranda down.

"At his majesty's order, I will pick you up again in a week," Alfred informed.

"A week?" Miranda asked in confusion. She would have to work hard to complete the order in just a week.

"No need to worry madam. He isn't expecting the finished product that quickly," Alfred smiled.

"I can have his boots..." she said carefully. There was a stock of pre-made soles she could use for the everyday boots he had ordered.

"Of course," Alfred smiled again with a bow and jumped back into the carriage.

Miranda watched them drive off before she turned to see Sofia jumping and skipping on the steps of the cobbler shop.

"Riding boots. Everyday boots and slippers!" Miranda muttered with a heavy exhale.

"Can I tell Ruby and Jade that you are making the king's shoes?" Sofia asked once her mother had gone in to check her store of materials.

"I prefer if you don't, Sofia," Miranda smiled.

"But..." Sofia started.

"We don't want to be boasting, my darling. True grace is humble and the king is just another customer," Miranda explained.