Chapter 2 Miranda

"Ugh!" Miranda huffs as she slams the door of her village home. "How can someone be so insufferable; s-so despicable and self-centered?" Miranda says to herself with a low growl.

"Who's despicable and self-centered, mom?" a little voice says.

Miranda recognizes it the instant the first word is said. "Oh, Sofia! I'm sorry sweetheart. I forgot you were here for a moment."

"That's okay. Who is self-centered?"

"Oh, just one of my clients that I got today," she replies.

"Oh, okay. Can I help you with the shoes or anything?"

"Don't you have homework to do?"

"Yes, but I can do it later."

"No, you can do it now."

"But you always let me help you with the shoes."

Miranda sighs. "Sofia, I really don't have time for this. Now stop arguing with me and go do your homework, now!" she says with an elevated voice.

Sofia hangs her head. "Sorry mom," she says quietly.

Miranda watches as Sofia leaves the room. She sighs and sits down at her workbench. She slips her apron on and takes the slippers out of her briefcase. She begins her work.

Flashback

Miranda was busy working away in her shop when the bell above the door rang. "I'll be with you in a moment!" she says.

She stopped what she was doing and took her leather apron off. She went into the front room of her shop and brushed her hands off as she looked up. Before her was a gray-haired man with glasses, dressed nicely. He didn't look like any villager she had seen.

"Can I help you?" The man was silent. He seemed to be in shock by the look on his face. "You're not here about the taxes or the rent, are you? Because I assure you, I paid both."

The man cleared his throat. "No, I'm not here for the taxes, or the rent. I'm here to inquire about your shoes."

"My shoes?"

"Yes. It seems His Majesty is in need of your…services."

"And if I refuse?" she said.

"If you refuse, then I'll have to get King Roland to come here personally, and I don't think he'll be very happy to have to come all the way down here."

"Okay, but you can tell him that next time he comes to me instead, if there's a next time."

"Very well," the man said gesturing to the door.

Miranda grabbed her briefcase and key to the door. She locked up and stepped into the coach. With a snap of the reins, they were off. Miranda crossed her arms over her chest as they rode through the streets.

"May I ask your name?" the man says to her.

"No, you may not," she says without looking at him.

"I get the feeling you don't want to be going to see the king."

She looks at him with a scowl.

"Alright. That answers that question."

"Do you enjoy your work?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just making conversation. Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Actually, yes. Why do you continue to work for King Roland, even though he's ruthless?"

"I think he is just confused, and that confusion often manifests itself in the form of anger and aggression."

"What is he confused about?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, because I'm not- as they say- in his shoes."

"Cryptic, I see."

"As I said-"

"Youre not at liberty to say."

Miranda crossed her arms over her chest once more and kept her gaze focused on the houses she was passing. At least it's another customer, she thought to herself. Let's just hope I can give him whatever he needs and be done so I won't ever have to see his face again.

Present day

"Mom?" Sofia says pulling Miranda from her thoughts.

Miranda looks up from her work and over at Sofia. "Yes, honey?"

"Um, well I just wanted you to know that I called your name twice and you didn't answer me."

"I'm sorry. What is it you need?"

"Where were you that you didn't hear me?"

"I was here, sweetheart," she replies with a smile.

Sofia crosses her arms and cocks her eyebrow, silently telling Miranda that she is not convinced of her answer. "Mom, you were not here. Your mind was miles away. Where did it go?"

Miranda smiles. "Honey, I promise you, I was just thinking about all the things I have to do. That's all." Sofia uncrosses her arms, but keeps her eyebrow raised, telling Miranda she's still not completely convinced.

"Okay," she says suspiciously.

"Did you finish all your homework?"

"Yep."

"Good job."

"Did you finish the pair of shoes you started this afternoon?"

"Actually, they're slippers this time and they're nearly finished. I just have to do a little more sewing on them."

"Do you need some help?"

"I think I have this covered. But I still might need your help a little later with the finishing touches. Do you want to help me with that?"

Miranda watches as Sofia's whole face lights up and she jumps up and down in place, clapping her hands together. "Yes. I'd love to."

Miranda chuckles. "Alright. I'll let you know when I need it. For now though, why don't you go draw a picture?"

"Okay, but what are we making for dinner?"

Miranda tries not to sigh. Instead, she forces a smile. "I don't know, sweetheart. Why don't you go into the kitchen to see what you can find for us to cook, while I finish up here? I'll just be a few minutes. Then, after dinner, you can help me with the shoes."

Sofia smiles. "Okay mom." With that, Sofia skips down the hall toward kitchen. Miranda turns back to her work and let's out the sigh she's been holding in. Just one more day with him, and it'll all be over for good, she tells herself. Just one more day...

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter guys. I wanted you to kind of see how Miranda's encounter with Roland affects her attitude throughout the rest of the day. So now it's your turn to tell me how I did in your reviews please!