Adele's Stories

The crown felt heavy on my head. In the mirror I looked almost regal, but on the inside I felt like dirt. The crown was my mother’s. It didn’t belong on my head. I placed the crown back on it’s velvet pillow and turned away from the mirror with a grimace.

It was too soon. It was all too soon. Mother and Ada had only been gone a month. I’m not meant to be queen. I have no idea what I’m doing. That was Ada’s job. What she trained for.

I put my head in my hands and fought back more tears. The door to my room creaked open and I heard the sound of small paws patter across the room.

Snowfall put her nose in between my hands licked at my face. The black and white puppy had been my constant companion throughout this whole ordeal. But the stress of coronation day weighed heavier than even Snowfall could lift.

I looked out my window as the sun began to climb. The coronation won’t be for hours. Before I could talk myself out of it, I changed into my plainest dress and flung my cloak around my shoulders.

Snowfall followed on my heels as I snuck around the castle. I slipped through the back garden and climbed the back wall. Snowfall yipped sadly behind me. I felt bad I couldn’t take her with me, but there were just too many risk factors. I scurried down the hill and entered the village through a side alley that let out on the main square.

It was the first time I second guessed my plan. What if I was recognized? But as I looked around no one seemed to play me any attention. Everyone was walking around smiling and laughing, and going about their business. Children played in the streets and waved banners in the air. I could tell everyone was a little extra excited for the coronation today.

I slipped my hood off my head and took a deep breath. I drank in the fresh air and the smell of freshly baked bread. The bakery nearby was preparing for the coronation festivities.

A group of children came running past me with their ribbons flying over their heads. A young girl, no older than seven, slipped and fell to her knees at my feet. Without thinking I knelt down and put placed my hand on her back.

“Are you alright?” I asked as I helped her to her feet. She nodded and smiled at me. I picked up her ribbon and handed it back to her.

“Thank you.” She smiled wide at me and laughed as she ran after her friends. My heart warmed as I watched her go.

My stomach growled and I made my way over to one of the bakeries. As I sniffed the sir my stomach growled again and I quickly bought a strawberry pastry.

I walked as I ate and looked around at all the market stalls. I stopped at a stall selling colorful shawls and ran my fingers along the fabrics. The lady behind the stall picked up a beautiful emerald green and held it out to me.

“This would look lovely on you.” she smiled at me. I couldn’t help blushing a little.

“You think so?”

She nodded. “Oh yes. It brings out the green in your eyes.”

I reached out and felt the fabric in between my fingers. “How much for it?”

“Five silvers.”

“Is that all? It seems much more expensive. It must have been imported at least.”

The lady shrugged. “People can’t afford much these days. We’ve all felt it.”

“Felt what?”

The lady eyed me suspiciously. “You’re not from around here are you?”

I shrugged and averted my gaze. “Just passing through.”

She nodded slowly. “Our exports aren’t doing well. Ever since the storm destroyed three of our ships we haven’t been able to send much away. And our usual trading partners across the sea seem to be getting tired of our products. We think they may have found somewhere new to get their goods from since we can’t get ours out fast enough.”

I nodded in understanding, soaking in every word. I silently vowed right then and there that my first act as queen would be to commission new ships. And I will send an ambassador with the next shipment of goods to reassure our partners that we are still fully capable of delivering our goods. I might even send more ambassadors other places to find new trading partners.

I smiled at the lady before pulling five golds out of my purse and trading them for the green fabric. When the lady realized what I gave her she exclaimed, “Oh! No, you have given me too much.”

I smiled gently at her as I began to walk away. “On the contrary, I believe it’s just the right amount.” I carefully folded up the beautiful fabric and tucked it into my waistband, wishing I had brought a bigger bag than my purse.

Barefooted children skittered across the street, giggling as they were followed by a yapping puppy. The oldest child turned around to scoop up the puppy in his arms. The other children gathered around to pet the puppy’s silky head.

Suddenly the children scattered to all sides as a man on a large horse came barreling down the street. The man paid no heed to the children that he nearly bowled over as he passed by. How could anyone be so careless? Especially when it came to children.

As the rider passed me I realized it was neighboring nobleman who’d come for my coronation. I suddenly realized that I would rather have my own people witness my coronation than a bunch of nobles I’d never met. I made a mental note order the gates opened and the people invited in for the ceremony.

As a cloud passed over the sun, I looked up and nearly cried out in alarm when I noticed where the sun was in the sky. I needed to hurry back and get ready.

I wove my way back through the people and the stalls and made my way back over the garden wall. Snowfall was waiting for me as I dropped to the ground. She yipped excitedly and wagged her tail.

With her by my side, we ran through the castle and burst into my room where my attendants had already gathered. They gave me strange looks but never questioned me as they began to dress me.

The dress was a big white ballgown with pearls and diamonds sowed into the bodice and skirt. And I made sure to include a certain special emerald green fabric as a sash going from my right shoulder to left hip.

The attendants hurried me along to the Great Hall while tying off the last braid in my hair. The door opened wide and I walked in slowly. I tried my best to make eye contact with all of my people. When I passed the lady who sold me the fabric she gave a look of surprise then immense joy and pride.

I stopped at the end of the hall in front of the priest who stood just in front of my throne. I knelt in front of him and he began to speak. The whole ceremony was practically a blur. But when the crown was placed on my head I noticed it didn’t feel so heavy any more.