The Day

Madeline stared at the bag in his hand with her mouth wide open. She wondered why the king was treating her so specially when she was just a mere subject expected to present him with what she sells.

Her brow furrowed as she pondered this. "Why?" she asked, but bit her lip, not intending to speak aloud in the presence of the king messenger. However, she couldn't help but wonder why it was her.

"I am only a messenger," he said. "I have come to deliver what the king has asked me to." With a bow, he raised the bag towards her.

Madeline hesitated to take it at first, but eventually accepted it and peeked inside. A gasp escaped her lips. "I can't wear this," she looked at the messenger. "This is not for me. I am only going there for work."

"The king insists," the messenger cleared his throat. "Goodbye, my lady. The carriage will be here to pick you up."

Without waiting for her response, the man left, leaving Madeline in utter shock.

.....

"It is indeed a very beautiful dress," Mrs. Catherine muttered behind Madeline. The whole family had gathered around Madeline's bed where she had placed the gown.

The white corset gown could sweep any man off his feet at first glance and make the ladies envious to own such a beautiful dress. One part of the gown was sleeveless, while the other hand was tiny enough to hold her body. It was as same class as the big ball gowns she had seen on ladies flocking about the street.

This one was a velvet gown that seemed like it would hug her upper body perfectly. It had tiny gold stones on it and was long enough to flow on the ground when she wore it.

Madeline stared at the gown, shocked, flabbergasted, and curious. What could make the king gift her this gown, and why would he let her wear this kind of dress when she was only going to present him with their weapons? This was for business and not a ball she was attending.

"Father," she averted her gaze to her father who leaned on the door, his gaze fixed on the gown with an unpleasant look on his face, "Why must I wear such a beautiful dress?"

He shook his head, "There are no words left to say, Madeline, and one cannot reject the king's offer."

Josiah sat on the bed and stared at the gown with awe, his curious eyes turned to Madeline, "Are you going to marry the king?"

Madeline shot him a glare.

Their mother laughed and waved her hand, "It is of no big deal. I'm sure the king just wants you to fit in."

Not just Madeline, but even Mr. Gavin stared at her with an open mouth. What happened to the woman who was against Madeline from going to the castle, who was against Madeline from going alone? Had she changed overnight or were they in the same room with another person?

Madeline knew how strict her mother is when it comes to things like this.

"This is the king. I had thought about it all night, and I would not decline whatever he says if it were me," then she placed her hand on Madeline's shoulder, "Fear not, the king might not be as frightening after all."

That night, Madeline kept rolling on her bed. She tried to sleep, but it refused to come. Why was she receiving princess treatment from a king she had never met, from a king who was yet to buy what they sell?

No matter how she thought of it, she couldn't help but think there was something fishy going on. Or did the king know her? Did they play together when she was young?

She had been surrounded by different children her age before she joined her father in his business. Back then, she had the most flawless skin and all the boys would love to flock around her. Was he one of her admirers?

She groaned and shut her eyes. No matter how she tried to put it, it just didn't make sense, especially since she had to be the only one who was to go and not with her father.

...

Madeline tossed the rouge on the cupboard aside, neither did she agree to look at her mother when the kohl was brought. Why would she have to look pretty just to persuade the king?

She had worn the velvet dress because her mother was suddenly strict about her dressing this morning, insisting that she must wear what the king had brought.

The velvet was soft against her body, the lining and the stoned endowment on the dress almost felt as if she had just been swept from her home into the wardrobe of a royal castle.

Despite wearing this fine dress, she had refused to see her own reflection in the mirror, too scared to know how she must have looked like in this dress. But her mother had forced her to sit in front of the mirror and was now attempting to decorate her face with what the girls wear when they would want to attend a ball.

"This will look good on you," her mother pushed the rouge back to where she had left it.

Madeline stared at the reddish powder. She shook her head, "Mother, please, I do not wish for that to be on my face."

Mrs. Catherine stared at her daughter in the mirror, "Look at yourself, Madeline."

But Madeline shook her head, her head hung low, "Why do I feel like this has nothing to do with a king who wants to buy our goods," she muttered to herself.

Her mother snorted and held her chin in place so she could make her look at her reflection, but Madeline closed her eyes.

"You have nothing to lose if the king chooses you even if he does not buy from you,"

Madeline's eyes flew open the moment her mother said those words, and this made her see herself in the mirror. Her tanned skin was less visible because of the powder applied to her face, and there was a slight red paint to her lip.

The dress she wore and the way her mother put her hair up caused her to blink at herself over and over again, wondering if this was her in the mirror. "I have no words, Mother," she blinked again.

Her mother smiled behind her, "I am very sure the king will be utterly speechless when he sees you."

Madeline's mouth formed a thin line, and she stared at her mother through the mirror, "Are you not frightened of the king?"

She could see the way her mother looked uncomfortable from the constant blinking of her eyes, but it was dismissed by a wave and a small laugh, "Of course, I am, but it might not be that bad. Besides, he is the king, and I heard he has no wife."

"Mother-" Madeline twirled her head with her eyes wide open, staring at her mother with horror, "I am not going there to marry the king."

Mrs. Catherine nodded but was still smiling, "If the king should marry you, my dear, please do not hesitate."

Madeline growled and looked back at the mirror. Talking with her mother seemed pointless at this moment. She seemed to have really changed her mind after not wanting Madeline to go to the castle. How could she want her to marry someone they do not know? He could be the king, but what if he was a monster?

"The carriage has arrived," said their father, who walked in and leaned against the door, watching them.

The moment he said that, Madeline's heart started beating. Two days ago, ever since the gown was brought, her mind has not settled.

Wearing the dress now and about to enter that carriage to go meet the king almost felt like a nightmare when she should be excited that he was about to buy from them, which could change their lives forever.

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'Dear wonderful readers, this author would be so grateful if you let your voice be heard in the comment section below, please don't hold your thoughts back..(⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠)