Chapter 4: Horse Shoes and a Picnic
3 months later
"Miss Russo."
Alex turned around and saw Chad walking towards her. Chad was the prince of another kingdom from across the country. The prince's kingdom was famous for the Hollywoods, a huge forest with lots of different trees and animals.
The blacksmith and the prince met a month after Alex's arrival in the castle. Chad came to Manhattia because he wanted to visit his childhood friend, Sonny. Sonny and Chad used to play together all the time when the families visited each other. The Cooper family and the Munroe family had always been close even though the kingdoms were far apart.
"Prince Chad."
Alex was hammering on a piece of iron. It was slowly taking the shape of an 'U'.
"Are you working on Silver's horse shoes?"
The blacksmith held up the piece of iron "Yes." She slowly held it into a bucket with water in it. It hissed and steam streamed up out of the bucket.
Silver was Chad's horse, it was light grey and he loved it.
"Very well."
It was silent for a while the only noises were coming from the fire and from the blacksmith who was back to hammering on to iron.
"Tomorrow the horse shoes should be finished."
Alex's skin was coated with a thin layer of sweat. She had just finished the last horse shoe.
"Good day, Alex."
The blacksmith turned towards the soft voice and saw Sonny standing a few feet behind her. She had a basket in her hands. The princess wore a sunflower yellow knee-length dress. The two women became fast good friends. They fit together like two puzzle pieces.
"Good day, princess."
Princess Sonny took a step towards Alex and smiled brightly. "I am here to take you away from your work and have a picnic with you in the garden."
The blacksmith laid her tools away and smiled at the other woman. "Now I know what the basket is for."
They laughed.
"And I would be honored to have a picnic with you, princess." She washed her hands and turned back to Sonny. "Shall we go?" The blacksmith took the basket out of Sonny's hands and offered her her arm. Sonny took it with a gentle smile and they made their way to the beautiful garden.
In the garden, Sonny and Alex sat down on a blanket and began eating the food cook Eveline had made for them. The cook was a very nice old lady. She worked in the castle for almost 40 years and she loved it. Everyone in the castle loved her.
"This is so good." Alex moaned.
Sonny laughed "Of course it is. Cook Eveline made it."
The blacksmith smiled "You're right. She is the best."
It was silent for a moment. Until Alex broke the silence. "I heard there is a going to be masquerade ball?"
"Yes" the princess smiled exited "I love these. I like all the different kinds of masks the people wear."
Alex smiled at the princess. "Yes, that sounds very fascinating."