Princess? To whom could he be referring? Why would anyone bring news of a princess' engagement age to a family of lowly farmers in a country with no monarchy? But, in the pit of her stomach she could feel she must be involved somehow.
Just as she was about to "accidentally" walk into her poppa's office, momma walked up behind her.
"What are you doing, Noelle? Did you get your chores done? It's time for you to freshen up so we can make our deliveries and get you to school!"
"I was just going to say good morning to Poppa before I go up. But, it looks like we have company. Who is in that carriage, momma?" I asked shyly
"That is adult business and if and when it concerns you, you will be told!" momma scolded. "Now go upstairs and get freshened up!"
Who could it be? Why was he here?
Deliveries went smoothly, as always. Momma dropped her off at the schoolhouse and drove her wagon twords the marketplace to set up her usual produce, jam and dessert booth. As she drove away, Noelle wondered why her momma, who is known for her sweet disposition, would have reacted in such a harsh way when she mentioned the carriage this morning..
At school Noelle went mindlessly through her lessons, preoccupied by her thoughts. Her best friend Jenny could tell that something was bothering her. She caught her after school on her way out of the building.
"Hey, Noelle! What's bothering you? You seem so distant today." Jenny asked
Noelle told her about the carriage and what the carriage, the comment from the strange man in her poppa's office and the way her momma reacted.
"What do you suppose it means? Oh my goodness! What if you're a princess? I mean, your parents always said how they couldn't conceive and what a blessing it was that you 'came into their lives'. What if you're adopted or something?
"That's all I've thought about all day!!" Noelle replied "The strange thing is that every time I think about such absurd things, I get this like 'warm' feeling in the pit of my stomach. Am I crazy? Could they really be discussing me?"
"You're not crazy,Noelle. I've always thought you were so elegant and beautiful just like a princess!"
"Thank you, Jenny. You're such a good friend! I've gotta get going to catch momma before she heads home without me! Please keep this between us!"
"Of course, Noelle. You're my best friend. I would never tell your secrets! I'll see you tomorrow!"
Noelle ran twords the market to find momma's booth and help her pack up to head home.
On the ride home, Noelle couldn't contain her questions any longer.
"Momma? Who was that man in poppa's office riding in the beautiful carriage?"
"Noelle... I told you that it is not the time... ughhh" momma sighed and dropped her head.
"I'm sorry momma." Noelle said in a sweet, cautious tone. "It's just so unusual. Why would someone in such a beautiful carriage come to the home of a simple faming family and discuss a princess and her engagements? Are we selling them produce or sweets for the engagement?"
"No, Noelle. I told you, I am not at liberty to discuss these matters with you just yet. But, yes, that carriage is one from the royal family of Mariville."
"Mariville?" Noelle exclaimed.
That was the country that bordered theirs. Legend had it that the queen of Meriville had terrible feud with a mage. He threatened to take any royal heir that she produced and raise it as his own before he left the palace in a cloud of smoke. It was said that she never reproduced for fear he would steal her baby. The king refused to rest until he had the mage's head. Last year, it was said that the king did finally hunt down the mage and his head was on a spike outside of the castle for weeks. Everyone has since been waiting for the royal family to announce a pregnancy, but so far, nothing.
But why would the palace send someone here talking about a princess if they never had any children?
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