A few days after the party, a letter with the royal sigil arrived at our house. And it was for me. My mother invited me to have tea when she gave me the letter. I could see her boiling, waiting to see what the prince had to say, because it was obviously from him. I was terrified if there was something in there about our little talk during the vals. Mother would kill me if she were to find out. Fortunately, it was a very formal letter in which he thanked me for the rose and was interested in how I was able to make it. He proposed to see the process himself. When mother heard that, she was on cloud nine and started planning for a royal visit.
"Mother, please, there is less than a month until school starts and I will be able to show him there. I think the prince is a very busy person and might not be able to meet us on such a short term." I pleaded.
She finally let it go and I was relieved. I hoped the prince would quickly forget about it all. I had more important stuff to take care of. I was going to town again the next day and looked forward to it. My parents agreed after my exemplary behaviour at the party as they only heard the good parts.
After arriving in town, the first place we went was the bakery to see if Damon was there. We found out that he will come later to buy some bread. So we planned to go back there after a little stroll at the market. Mia gave me a smirk when I told her the plan. Can you people please stop smirking at me, thank you?
I was captivated by the tumult of the market. People were always chatting and shopping and enjoying themselves. I thought again about working hard to keep the place as it is right now. Without seeing how the lively people were here, I wouldn't think about their well being. Before not long ago, I didn't think too much about others outside my family and the others who lived with us. I didn't care too much about what was happening outside my own home. One day I will have to take over my father and I will think about it then. Right now I will enjoy my time and try not to make any royal angry.
It was almost lunch when we returned to the bakery and, as Greta promised, Damon was there eating a muffin. I smiled when I saw his face enjoying the sweet desert and approached him.
"Hello Damon! Would it be alright if I joined you?"
He immediately looked down at his shoes and nodded slightly. I took a chair in front of him, across the table and Mia brought me a muffin as well. She then went to talk with Greta.
"It's been a while since we last met, isn't it?" I asked in an attempt to start a conversation.
"Yes, Miss."
"You don't have to call me Miss. My name is Fredrika so just call me that."
"Yes, Fredrika."
"Say," I started "do you know any fun places around here? This is my second place in town and I mostly saw the market and nearby places. Is there some place with yummy food maybe?" I think I was too eager when I asked about food because Damon looked at me and started laughing.
"Of course. Should we go now?"
"Let's go!" I said quickly. After just a few seconds we were out the door and I followed him not too far away, it was almost across the street. It was some kind of booth where they had mostly fried meat and vegetables. I immediately laid my eyes on some fried octopus. Oohhh, I didn't know they had something like that here. Damon saw me looking intently at some of it and went to speak with the seller who seemed to know him. He then came and handed me one while holding one for himself in the other hand. We talked about the food and laughed at our faces while trying to munch on our octopus. It was a little gummy and kinda hard to eat. Finally, Damon stopped looking at his shoes and as I gave him a big smile, I received one from him as well. Well, it seems that food brings people together.
"Oooo, your girlfriend, gloomy?" I suddenly heard from behind us. There were three boys who were laughing.
"It can't be, she must have just pitted him and gave him some food. I mean, look at how skinny he is." Another of the boys added. Damon was looking at his shoes again, but I could see that he was really angry. It must be the same boys as last time.
"I'm sorry, but who might you be?" I tried to stare them down and it seemed effective in the beginning, but they soon started laughing again.
"It seems your girlfriend has more guts than you do!" said one of them.
"Is there a problem here?" interrupted Mia. The boys seemed uneasy to see someone much older than them so they started to retreat. But not before glaring at Damon and adding a last threat.
"See you at the festival! No one will be there to help you then?"
After they had finally left, I immediately asked about the festival.
"There will be a summer festival in three days. Many will be out until late and have fun. There are also some games if I remember correctly. It's been a while since I last went." Mia explained.
Hm… I would really like to see that. Will my parents let me go, I wonder. When making eye contact with Mia, she shook her head as if reading my mind. No, of course not. The festival will be in the evening when it can be considered dangerous.
"Will you be going?" I asked Damon.
"Yes, I promised Mrs. Greta I'll help her with selling products from the bakery." He looked a little defeated. I could think that he might want to go and have fun like other kids, or maybe not go at all since that little gang is after him. Really odious to bully a younger kid.
"We have to go now, Miss Fredrika, or else your parents will worry." Mia added before I had time to investigate more.
"Goodbye then, Damon!" I said, but right after Mia turned her back I added "see you at the festival." and I left, leaving him standing there with a surprised look on his face.