Summary: Marinette lives the life of a dream. She had a loving family, wonderful friends, a good business, and she Literally has a Prince Charming that is deeply in love with her. Then when her happiness is at its peak, it all gets stolen away by a witch with a magic locket named Lila. This witch creates a horrible spell that forces Marinette to run for her life, and into the care of an old man with seven magical creatures called kwamis under a curse of their own. Before she can break the spell and save her Prince Adrien, she must make a vow to work hard and break the seven kwamis spell. Based on the fairy tale The Wild Swans.
An: This is a fairy tale alternate universe inspired by the story the Wild Swans. Much of it was me wanting to do a Miraculous Cinderella story without it being Cinderella. So, disclaimer: I do not own rights to the fairy tale, the show Miraculous and it's characters. This is just for fun, so I hope everyone enjoys.
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The Wild Kwamis
Chapter 1: A Dress for a Princess
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The sun rose to the small kingdom of Papillon, but it was not the start of the day for its citizens. The capital city was in a great hum of work and preparation, most of them continuing from the night before. The butchers and fishermen were packaging their goods for shipment, while the bakers had no time to make their daily bread because their ovens were filled with decadent cakes and treats. Even the tailors and cobblers were in a never-ending bustle of orders requested by many lords and ladies. Some of them didn't even have time for new customers.
It was such a situation that a young woman named Socqueline came up to when she reached her usual fabric shop. Apparently, this lady in front of her needed some mending to her ballgown, but the worker was not able to accept her request.
"What sort of business are you running here to have to turn down your loyal customers!?" The lady said in outrage. "Do you know who I am?"
"I'm terribly sorry, madame, but I have too many orders piled up as it is to mend your gown in time for the ball. All of my staff will be too busy as well." the tailor tried to reason.
"This is dress came all the way from Paris. It will be a waste if it is not presented for the ball the night after tomorrow." she started to fan herself desperately. Witnessing this, Socqueline wondered if she was actually going to faint.
"Again, I'm terribly sorry." the tailor apologized once more. "Perhaps you can find another tailor in the city that has some extra time to help you."
'Marinette is probably going to kill me for this.' Socqueline thought to herself before addressing the lady. "Excuse me, madame, but I couldn't help but overhearing. Can you please tell me what it is that you need done specifically?"
"The dress was meant to have pearls sewn into the gold finish. But in order to prevent thievery, they were sent to me separately. Now the final touches of my dress will not be completed, and it will be a complete disaster!" she fanned herself some more.
"If you like, madame, my employer is a very successful seamstress that works a few blocks from here. If you would bring the dress to her shop, I would be happy to finish the dress for you."
"How much is that going to cost me?" she snapped her fan shut.
"I would have to speak to my employer, but I could see about offering you a discount." Socqueline offered.
The lady didn't seem impressed, however. "And what guarantee do I have that your employer is reliable enough. You come here to purchase material from another shop." she snubbed.
"Most of my business is providing the fabrics for the clothing shops, madame." the shop owner made himself known again. "Socqueline and her employer, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, are loyal customers and highly recommendable in their own business. Mademoiselle Marinette is actually one of the personal designers to his majesty, the king."
"The king?!" the lady said shocked.
"Indeed. We do have a few orders at present, but we are always willing to include some patchwork when asked." Socqueline added.
"Well, if Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng is willing and able." the lady tried not to look too excited.
"Excellent, just bring the dress and pearls down whenever you are able today, and I'll have it ready for tomorrow." the young woman smiled, and after sharing the boutique's address, the lady bid farewell before returning to her usual shopping.
Things went at a similar pace everywhere she went. All of the other trades were overrun with customers needed some work done for the ball that's two days away. The wigmakers powdering and curling their pieces on the mannequins, the cobblers selling the last of their extra fancy shoes and having to deal with the shouts of the lords having to settle for the more mundane styles. Even the blacksmiths were busy fixing horseshoes for the carriages that would be riding around through the night, picking all the lords and ladies up.
Socqueline was lucky enough to finish all the items on Marinette's list. She needed some new needles for sewing, and some special golden thread for the ballgown commissioned by the Duchess of Bourgeois. Now she just had to make it back to the shop without any mishaps. She was walking across the town square when she heard a familiar voice echoing in the center near the fountain.
"That's right, citizens of Papillon. In two nights time, everyone is cordially invited to attend His Majesty's Royal Ball." Alya Cesaire's voice carried out, gaining the attention of anyone passing by. "For one night even you will feel like royalty. Take this opportunity to enjoy delicious food, dance to wonderful music, and maybe even have a chance to meet the king and prince themselves. So put on your Sunday best and come join this momentous occasion!"
Alya allowed the crowd to cheer for a minute before stepping off the fountain to leave everyone to continue with their day. Socqueline weaved through the crowd to address her friend.
"Alya!"
Hearing her name, the announcer looked around find the voice. "Hey Socqueline! What are you doing out here!? I thought you and Marinette were too busy to step out into the sunlight." she joked.
"I'm just gathering some supplies we needed for the orders." she showed her basket. "That was some speech you gave. Do you think everyone will be attending now?"
"No doubt. I mean, come on, most of these people will be happy to have a free meal." Alya shrugged. "But it's always good to show that everyone is included, and that the king is willing to be a part of it."
Socqueline nodded in agreement. "Anyway, I'm just on my way back to the shop now if you want to join me?"
"Sure, I haven't seen my girl in a while." Alya followed behind her to head for Marinette's shop.
Along the way they could see the bakery next to the tailor shop. It was owned by Marinette's parents, Tom and Sabine. They were one of the only stores that still managed to prepare the daily bread for the city folk as well as the orders made by the palace for the ball. Alya wondered if maybe they needed some extra hands to help with all the chaos.
Both women passed the bakery, and entered the tailor shop with a little bell ringing at the door.
"Marinette, I'm back!" Socqueline cried out into the building to get her employer's attention. "I got everything you asked for."
"Oh, you're a lifesaver, Socqueline! Thank you so much!" They heard the voice before the young woman came in from the next room.
Marinette was a beautiful, petite woman with long, dark hair that she kept in two low pigtails, like Socqueline, only hers was more of a midnight blue rather than a dark black. Her blue eyes were tired from working late for several nights trying to finish all her orders. She had several threads and fabric pieces attached to her pink skirt that Alya was pretty sure could be put together to make a whole new spool.
"Hey, girl, you still surviving?" Alya asked teasingly.
"Oh, Alya, I didn't see you there." Marinette got busy going through Socqueline's basket and use the golden thread she needed. "I'm sorry I can't chat right now, I'm really busy."
"I can see that." Alya smiled. "What all do you have left to do?"
"Just some finishing touches for everything else, but the Duchess of Bourgeois made a change to her order, again." the seamstress sighed.
"What does she want this time, diamonds?" the announcer half-joked. Whenever it came to the duchess, you never know what she could ask for, and if you didn't comply you would be discharged right away.
"No, thank the heavens, but she did insist that I include sequins everywhere on the dress. Sequins! Does she have any idea how long that's going to take!?" Marinette cried out looking at all the tiny golden flakes and beads she had to sew into the gown. "I'm just glad we don't have anymore orders after this."
Her words made Socqueline wince, remembering the little business she made earlier. "Ummm, Marinette... about that..."
Marinette turned to her assistant in disbelief. "Oh Socqueline, tell me you didn't..." she begged.
"It wasn't a big deal. This lady just needed the pearls that went with her dress to be added to the fabric." she spoke quickly before Marinette could get upset. "I'll take care of it, I promise. I'm sure it won't take any time at all."
Marinette thought it over for a moment. "Well, I guess as long as it's not a whole new dress, it's alright. Well, come on, we got to get to back to work." she took the sequins and brought it over to the golden gown resting on the mannequin.
"Yes, ma'am." the assistant got to work with some of the other commissions that just needed some patchwork.
"And I'm sorry Alya, did you need something?" she turned her attention back to her other friend.
Alya could only smile. It was just like her Marinette. She could be buried in work and yet still find time to help her friends if they needed it. No doubt it was one of the reasons Socqueline liked working for her so much. She took a look around the shop, admiring Marinette's wonderful pieces. Then a thought occurred to her. "Did you finish your dress yet, Marinette?"
"Not yet. I'll be lucky if I finish all this stuff before having a chance to work on my own. But you know, I have a lot of dresses collecting dust around here. I'm sure I can fix one of those up in time for the ball, and I'll just wear that." she waved an idea around.
"What about the prince?" Alya smirked, and watched her question make the seamstress freeze.
"W-well, I hope that the prince will like whatever I wear." Marinette dropped some of the sequins and hurried to pick it up, trying not to let her friend see her flushed face.
"I'm sure he'll like what ever you wear. Maybe even more of what you don't." Alya whispered that last part, but Marinette still heard it.
"Alya!" she whined at her friend making fun of her. Still, she did hope that Prince Adrien would like what she wore. She wanted to make a good impression for him, after all. Her heart was racing whenever she thought about him, and she was lucky her hands were still able to work properly with the needle and thread. She prayed the Duchess wouldn't reject the dress, since she was widely known for always showing disappointment and appalment toward other tailors.
Marinette was so busy that she barely heard the bell ring on the door of her shop. "I'll be with you in a moment." She said with several pins between her teeth.
"No please princess, take your time." the familiar voice nearly made her prick herself with the sewing needle.
She hurriedly set everything down, and turned to see the handsome, well-dressed young man with golden hair and the greenest eyes she had ever known. "Oh, your highness, I- I'm so so sorry..."
"It's alright Marinette, I didn't mean to interrupt you." Prince Adrien held his hand out to stop her apology. "And you know you don't have to call me that, princess."
"Well, you shouldn't be calling me that." Marinette ran her hands down her skirt in an effort to straighten herself up. "I'm anything but a princess."
Adrien wanted to tease her further by saying not yet, but instead chose to say, "I believe you are a princess in every way that counts."
His words made her cheeks flush, and she brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You're too kind, Adrien. What brings you here today, anyway?"
"I wanted to see if you were prepared for the ball in a few days." Adrien took a look around at all her wonderful creations. "Everything looks beautiful. Which one is your dress?"
Marinette felt embarrassed, but she didn't want to lie to him. "I actually haven't gotten around to making my own dress, I've been too busy." she went back to adding more sequins to her current work.
"Really?!" Adrien was shocked by her admittance. "But the ball is only two nights away!"
"I know, and I have three gowns after this one to finish." she stated cutting away any loose threads she left of the bodice. "Actually, make that four since Socqueline picked up repairing another lady's gown."
"I'm sorry, Marinette, I just thought that you would have done the same thing if you saw her." Socqueline said guiltily, then remembered to curtsy to the crown prince. "Your royal highness."
"Hello, Socqueline, it's nice to see you again." Adrien greeted the other woman in the room.
Marinette sighed again looking at all the orders she still had to complete. "With all that's been going on, I may just end up fixing one of my old dresses and go in that..."
"No, that simply won't do." the prince said firmly as he stepped over and yanked the scissors out of Marinette's grasp, and took hold of her hand. "Come with me." he commanded.
"What!? Right now? I can't, I have all this work to do..." she tried to refuse.
"You can take a break for an hour or so, your shop's not going anywhere. Please, princess, it's important." he held her hand as he begged.
"I... I don't know..." Marinette didn't want to lose any extra time she could be spending on her commissions.
"Marinette, you can take a break for an hour and spend it with Prince Sunshine here." Alya saw Marinette turn to her in surprise, and just laughed. "Yeah, I'm still here, by the way. Hello, your royal highness."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Alya, I didn't see you there." Adrien blushed a bit for his rudeness.
"It's fine. I know how it is." The prince had a habit of not noticing anything but Marinette when she was in the room.
"Marinette, I can take care of the shop until you get back. You deserve a break." Socqueline said insisting.
"Are you sure?" Marinette asked, still apprehensive about leaving.
"Absolutely."
"Come on, princess, you'll be right back here before you know it, I promise." he gave her a warm smile, making her surrender to him pulling her out of the shop and into his carriage.
Her shop and her parents' bakery were not that far from the palace, which made it easier for the bakers since they were the main suppliers for the breads and pastries. It was a lucky break for Marinette as well because she had been able to gain a business as a seamstress for many nobles that visited the royal family. The carriage stopped at the front gate. Adrien stepped out first, and like the gentleman that he was, held his hand out to help Marinette out. The way he was looking at her made her heart thump like a rabbit's foot.
"Your highness, do you promise this won't take long? I really do have a lot of work to complete." she insisted.
"You have my word, princess. I just have something that I think will be a great help to you." he presented his arm for her to take, and they made their way into the palace to the wing that had Adrien's rooms.
Marinette would never get over how extravagant the royal palace was, or that she was even allowed in such a place to begin with. She had been through these halls ever since she was a child. A child that disobeyed her parents and stepped away from the kitchens only to find a lonely little prince that wanted someone to play with. Ever since then, Adrien and Marinette were inseparable whenever they could see each other.
They made their way past Adrien's rooms and to the area Marinette knew to be the late Queen Emilie's old rooms. Adrien hardly ever went this way, or let anyone else for that matter, so it must be important.
"Right through here." the prince gently instructed her past a set of doors to what looked like a bed chamber. Then they went across the room to some more doors, and Adrien slipped his arm away from hers to open them. "Now let me see if I can find it."
"Find what?" Marinette asked as she observed him looking into several chests.
"Something very special to help give you a break- Ah! Here it is!" he called out as he picked up a bundle of pink material from the chest.
When he shook it off to open it up more, Marinette was able to recognize what it was. It was a beautiful ballgown, and he held it out for her inspection. The gown had a soft cherry blossom color with a heart shaped bodice and a small group of black stitching at the center arranged to form a six point flower with vines. The skirt was in light silk layers that frilled and overlapped each other to look like flower petals, like a carnation or peony. The sleeves were small, off shoulder, and petal like to go with the skirt. Finally, the trim of the fabric was blacklined to match the stitching on the bodice. Marinette couldn't help but gasp at such a lovely dress.
"Oh Adrien, it's so beautiful." she stepped closer to admire the stitchwork.
"It was my mother's." he responded. "My father had it made for her in the early days of their courtship, so I think with some adjustments it would be about your size."
Marinette's head shot up at his words. "Wait- what!?"
He could only smile at her shocked expression. "I want you to have this, princess."
"Wha- But- A-Adrien... highjesty... err- your mightness I c-can't..." Marinette held her hands up at the thought of such a generous gift.
"Why not?" Adrien was unaffected by her reaction. "It would be perfect for you."
"But... but it was your mother's, the queen..." she turned sad, knowing it always hurt him when his mother was brought up. "It's special."
"Yes it was, and it is special, which is why I want the girl that matters most to me to have it, because she is even more special." he set the dress aside to take hold of both Marinette's hands.
"Oh, Adrien." she didn't know what else to say, and she didn't need to say anything when the prince reached down to give her a gentle kiss. She barely had her voice when he pulled away after a moment. "Are you sure it's okay for me to have the dress?"
"Absolutely, my princess is going to be the belle of the ball, and the dress is going to make sure everyone else knows it, too." he smirked at her.
She didn't even have the strength to deny him calling her a princess again, and turned away holding her heated cheeks in embarrassment. She pretended that she was going to get a better look at the dress to give herself more time to get her heartrate under control. Really looking at it closer, it truly was a beautiful gown. The late queen must have looked radiant in it, and he was right about it needing adjustments. Marinette was a bit shorter than the average woman like his mother was, so she would have to shorten the skirt. But the bodice looked close enough to her size, so she didn't have to worry about that too much.
She turned back to the prince and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Adrien, this is perfect."
"Just like you." he said without missing a beat, making her blush come right back.
"Oh, you are so shameless, my prince." She picked up the dress and held it to her chest.
"I only speak the truth."
"Well, I should really head back to my shop and finish those dresses." she got ready to head out the door.
"I'll have the carriage give you a ride back. I have to take care of some things here, but I hope to see you before the ball." he walked beside her as they headed back for the front.
"I hope so, too."
They both saw the carriage pull up, and Adrien took that last moment to take Marinette into his arms and give her a quick but passionate kiss. Marinette felt like her whole body would melt every time he did that. How did she ever get lucky enough to win the heart of the crown prince? She knew how he was everything to her, but to have that reciprocated still felt like a dream.
"I love you, Adrien." she whispered.
"I love you, too, Marinette." he replied as he reluctantly let her go into the carriage and it drove her away. He could still see her looking back at him and waving goodbye, giving him one last look at her sweet smile. She really was the most amazing girl.
.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adrien hadn't been able to wipe off the goofy grin from his face. He was so happy that his princess liked his gift. While he knew that she would want to make her own ball gown, this would help shorten her time greatly. Plus, she could alter the dress any way she wanted. Even more important was the other gift he had planned to give her at the ball. He couldn't wait to see her reaction then.
He was so lost in his daydreams that he almost didn't hear one of the footmen calling out to him. "Your royal highness..."
"Huh? Oh, yes Jacque, what is it?" he turned to the young man in uniform.
"His majesty, the king, has requested an audience with you, sir." he bowed and waited for the prince with his response.
"Yes, of course. Where is my father now?" Adrien wondered what his father wanted to see him about. Probably something about the ball preparations.
"In the east drawing room, sir."
"Great, I'll go straight to him. Thank you, Jacque." Adrien took off before the footman could give a final bow.
He found King Gabriel at his desk in the drawing room, going over his usual affairs of state with that same stone-cold expression the prince had always known him for. The king had always been a stoic ruler, but that wasn't to say he didn't make time for the prince, and he was a much warmer man during those times. It did get darker for them when the queen passed away and Adrien was still a young lad. If it hadn't been for Marinette, he wasn't sure where he would be. Marinette had actually been the one that broke the king from his depression, saying how he still had his son as the last piece of his wife, and that father and son were able to mourn and heal together.
The young prince came up to the desk to greet the king. "Father."
"Hello, Adrien." Gabriel set the papers aside before looking up at his son. "Have a seat."
Adrien obeyed by taking the lounge chair beside the desk. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I heard we had a visit from Ms. Dupain-Cheng earlier. I take it that means you gave her the dress?"
"Yes, father, I did. Thank you again for allowing me to give it to her." Adrien made sure to add his gratitude. He knew how reluctant his father was to part with anything that belonged to his mother.
"I'm sure she will look marvelous in it at the ball, which brings me to the matter I called you for." he looked through some more state papers as he spoke.
"Yes, sir?"
"As you know, many lords around the kingdom will be attending the ball with their families..." Gabriel started.
"Yes, it will be the first real extravagant gathering we've had since..." Adrien paused.
"Since the one your mother hosted." the king finished. "Yes, which brings me to the matter of our guests. Many of the lords and ladies will be bringing their daughters that are about your age, Adrien. I know you haven't voiced your intentions openly to the public and I feel that this ball would be an appropriate time to do so. That is, if you are truly set in your final decision?" he looked at his son again.
Adrien kept a firm look of determination. "I haven't changed my mind, father. Marinette is the only one I could ever want."
The king laced his fingers together and held them against his chin. "If that is your wish. However, I hope that you understand some of the negative effects a union with a commoner rather than titled bloodline will have."
"I'm not worried about that, father." the prince said, not backing down. "Marinette has had business with some of the most elite throughout the kingdom with her designs and creations. And even before that, she was always helping others around the town in some way. She had great relations with all sorts of classes, from the simple folk to the Baron von Stone and the Duke of Bourgeois themselves. So, from a political standpoint, Marinette is good for the throne."
"Hmmm, I can see that you have thought this through diligently." Gabriel said impressed with his son.
"And even if she wasn't all those things, Marinette would still by my choice. I've been in love with her since we were children. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."
Gabriel smiled, thinking how he once felt the same about his dear departed wife, and turned back to his work. "Very well, son, you have my support. Now you'd best meet with some of the tailors about preparing your suit for the ball, and then the musicians need to be reviewed for the composition choices." he handed Adrien some paper.
"Yes, sir. And thank you, father." Adrien got up to bow and make his exit, but then another thought occurred to him. "By the way, father, has there been any news on Nathalie's condition?"
Gabriel wasn't surprised by his son's inquiry about the royal advisor. Nathalie had been struck with an illness for some time now, and they feared for the worst after the loss of the queen. She had become somewhat of a strong column that the king could lean on during tough times, and she became somewhat of a second mother when Adrien needed guidance. Both men had prayed for her recovery.
"The physicians have told me recently that she has been improving. They also said she would be able to attend the ball for a short time as long as she doesn't overexert herself." the king gave his answer.
Adrien gave a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear. I'll take my leave now, sir." with that, he slipped out of the room. He didn't even care that he had to go over the ball plans some more. Nothing could possibly ruin this day for him right now, nor the days to come.
.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outside of the capital was a small inn that was a great deal more busy than usual. Some nobles were taking residence for the night before heading to the palace, so the innkeeper and his wife had their hands full. The innkeeper was currently working in the stables while his wife, Hildegarde, was serving ales at the bar, having her full view of all the town gossip.
"Did you hear about the ball at the palace that's happening in a few nights?" One man asked after taking a swig.
"Who hasn't? It's all I've been hearing about this past month." Hildegarde said in reply.
"It's very good o' the king to invite everyone in the kingdom, and not just the rich blokes." a second man added.
"I heard their announcing a match for the prince so the whole kingdom would hear the news right away." said a third drinker.
"Is that right?" Hildegarde asked intrigued. It was always good to hear new stuff on their little side of the road.
"Probably one of them rich blokes given their spoiled rich daughters to 'em." The fourth and final man, Francois, said in a slight slur. It seemed apparent he had one too many.
The men at the bar discussed several different things for a few more minutes when suddenly the front entrance opened to reveal the innkeeper holding what looked like a young woman in his arms.
Hildegarde was surprised to see the state of her husband. "Dear, what on earth happened?!"
"This poor girl got thrown off her horse a little ways back, and she hobbled all the way to our inn to get some help. I think she hurt her knee." the innkeeper answered as he set the girl at one of the dining tables.
Hildegarde came from behind the bar to get a better look at the girl. She was a young and pretty thing. She had long burgundy hair and fair olive skin with green eyes full of tears. Her dress was dark forest colors, but was also smeared with some mud and grass stains proving her husband's tale. She was also clutching her right knee in pain.
"Oh, you poor sweet thing. Is there anyone else with you?" the innkeeper's wife took her wet and tattered cloak off to dry.
"Well, not right now, ma'am." the girl answered in a soft voice. "I sent my valets ahead to the capital while I was helping this poor, deaf milkmaid with her work so she would have enough money to feed her starving children."
"Really?" the innkeeper wasn't expecting that answer.
"Oh yes. Luckily, I was able to finish in time before the milk spoiled. But then when I tried to take a short cut through the woods my horse got spooked by a mouse and threw me off..." then she suddenly gasped.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Hildegarde asked concerned.
"I was so distracted by the pain in my knee that I didn't even think about all my horse ran off with. My clothes, my money, my jewelry... Oh, no! And my invitation to the king's royal ball!" Now the girl got more upset and started crying again.
"There, there, dear." Hildegarde gave her a pat on the shoulder. "What's your name?"
"Lila, I'm the daughter of the Duke of Rossi." she answered as she wiped away some of her tears.
"Well, Lila, why don't I prepare a bowl of soup for you? It will make you feel better after you've had something in your stomach."
"Oh, that's so kind of you, madame, but I don't have any way to pay you right now."
"Call me Hildegarde, and don't think about that right now, dear. Just focus of getting yourself right." the innkeeper's wife took off into the direction of the kitchens.
Lila turned to the men at the bar smiling. "She's so sweet. She reminds me so much of my mother when she was alive, may she rest in peace." she said that last part more to herself, but everyone still heard her.
The third man at the bar chose to talk with her first. "So, you got your own invite to the ball? I thought everyone was allowed to come?"
"Oh, they are." Lila answered. "The invitation was more of a formality. I received it with one of the letters I got from the prince."
"Wait, Prince Adrien you mean!?" The first and second man both said.
It was at that moment that Hildegarde came back with a bowl of vegetable soup. "Here you are, dear, fresh from the pot."
"Thank you so much, Hildegarde, this looks delicious." Lila set the cloth napkin on her lap and took the spook to stir the broth around for a moment.
The first man left his seat from the bar to get closer to Lila. "Were you really exchanging letters with the prince?"
"Say what now?" the innkeeper's wife asked surprised. What had she missed while in the kitchen?
"Yes, we've been exchanging letters for over a year now." Lila answered. "We haven't really met face to face yet, but the letters he has sent me are so romantic and personal, I feel like I would know him even if I were blind." she placed her hands over her heart and let out a long, dreamy sigh.
"So then all those rumors about the prince wanting a bride must be for your pretty little head." the second man tipped his ale mug to Lila before taking another drink.
The young woman giggled at the man's words. "Most likely. The prince tries so hard to prepare surprises for me, but he's never been able to fool me. He just doesn't have a good poker face."
Everyone laughed at her joke, and then Lila let herself wiggle in her seat in anticipation. "Oh, just the thought of being together at the ball just fills me with exhilaration!"
She flung her hands out to emphasize her feelings, but unfortunately her bowl of soup took the front of it and flew onto the floor in a loud clang. Everyone paused and looked to the noise seeing the large splatter of broth and veggies. Lila gasped and held her hands over her mouth.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. How careless of me." she tried to make a move to get on the floor to clean it up, only to wince in pain from her knee.
"No no, don't you move now, deary, it was an accident." Hildegarde beat her to it and started to pick up the pieces of vegetables and put them in the dirtied bowl.
"I feel just awful, and you went to so much trouble to prepare that for me." Lila said guiltily.
"It wasn't any trouble. I tell you what, why don't I get a nice meat pie for you to make up for it?" the innkeeper's wife said as she started wiping away the rest of the soup with a cloth.
Lila gave a yawn before finally rising from her seat. "You're most gracious, but I think I would much rather have a room and then get some sleep. I can always have something for breakfast in the morning."
"If that's really what you want, ma'am." Hildegarde got back up to face the young woman.
"I'm sure, it's best if I just rest my knee anyway." Lila replied as she rubbed her hand against her left knee.
The innkeeper chose that moment to step in. "In that case, I shall prepare our finest room for you."
"Please sir, no. You don't have to do that." Lila held her hands up trying to refuse.
"Come now, not every innkeeper can say that they served the future queen of the kingdom." he gave her a wink.
"Oh, that's so sweet, and I know it wouldn't feel true without your support."
Lila tried to follow the innkeeper up to her room, but seeing her struggle made the innkeeper pick her up again and carry her to the room. When the two were out of sight, Hildegarde was left to return to her place behind the bar, and the men back to their drinks.
"What a nice young lady, and she seems like a perfect match for Prince Adrien." Hildegarde commented while cleaning off one of the mugs.
"Are yo ssssure 'bout tha..?" Francois finally spoke up again.
"What do you mean?" a man beside him asked.
"I dinno... sumthin seemed offf with her..." he struggled to say through his slur. "And Immm pretty shhure there was someone else... Tha the prince has summon else..."
"Who?" Hildegarde asked.
"I dunno... no one sways names around there..." he waved it off.
"Well, I think you've had one too many, my friend." he gave the man a pat on the back, and everyone laughed before continuing on with their night.
Conversation continued on through the night, now with the inclusion of the apparent suitor for the Crown Prince of Papillon that will one day be his queen.
.*~*~*~*~*
So that's chapter one. I hope everyone enjoyed it, and will want to come back for more. Please leave a review if you like, tell me what you think so fat. I'll be trying to update weekly, maybe Friday, we'll see how it goes. ;);)