The Proposal
White cotton filled the sky, the air was cool, and the garden roared with life. William’s chest pitter-pattered as he took it all in. He could do whatever he wanted. Everything was his.
“Come, son. Today, you will learn some of your future duties as king. First, you’ll meet with the Franchesters, and…” William sighed and followed his father, performing as instructed, though almost every word flew in one ear and out the other.
At his first chance, he snuck away. He wandered by his mother’s gazebo to hide in the rose bushes. “Ouch,” he scowled and stepped back from the thorns.
“Hehe!” the bush rustled.
“Hello? Who’s there?”
A girl’s face emerged from the bush, cracked in a grin, “Me. I’m here.”
Upon seeing her, William plucked a rose from next to her, gave a bow, and offered the flower to her- some of his father’s words had stuck with him before he ran off. “I am pleased to have you here, Miss.”
The girl’s mouth dropped open. She pulled out her arm to accept the gift, showing that she was covered in leaves and moss. “I love it. I’m Jabina. What’s your name?”
“There you are, you little monster. You’ve had your mother and father worried sick. Get back to them now,” came from Mrs. Stout.
William rolled his eyes, dropped the flower and did as he was told, leaving Jabina without an answer. She watched him walk away, then retrieved her flower. Her wings fluttered and she twirled with glee as she zipped off, “I’m going to be married!”
