Once upon a long time ago, when I was around seven years old, there was this game I always played with by best friend James, he would always come around and help out with some chores, then we would play the imagine game while working.
It's a game you imagine something and you'd have to tell the other person what you imagined, it sounds silly but it's really not, once I imagined myself as a prince, not a princess because everyone knew that you'd dare not speak or think of a princess, so I imagined myself a prince the most bashing of them all, short golden hair and blue eyes, all the ladies would fall for me, well right now the person that just got down from his horse that I can't seem to get my I eyes of, the same person that just gave me the most beautiful warm smile as his lips said some words that I can't seem to catch and only stare into his blue eyes, that person has managed to completely undermine my imagination single handedly,
Was I staring? No I don't think so, he probably wouldn't even notice that I was looking at him, he's probably too busy talking to someone else that he doesn't even notice my existence, how could a brown haired blue eyed god like him ever notice me? Well maybe the fact that he was, is looking at me.
And that is when I was dragged back to reality "Eva, are you okay?" mother had a concerned look, I turned to father and he looked more worried, the annoyed look on General Hector's wrinkled face explained why.
The prince was talking to me and I was to hypnotized to even respond, with a smile on my face I replied my mother "of course mother, how could I be unwell when General Hector is here" I faced general Hector and continued "I was only distracted by the dashing outfits of the men in front of me, you look quite wonderful General."
The annoyance was replaced with a free spirited chuckle from the general almost instantly relief washing through my father's features.
"Hahaha, Miss Evangeline you never stop with your flattering, and you've grown quite well, into a fine woman, wouldn't you agree prince Charles"
Hector and everyone else including me looked at the prince waiting for his response, and for the first time since he got down from his horse I heard his voice and I hated it, he sounded condescending and content as he eyed me from my hair down to my feet.
"oh yes she's very pretty, I guess" He then looked once over again like he was disappointed, gave a mocking smirk shook his head and that was the last he glanced my way.
Okay I don't know this dudes problem but I look beautiful. Of course I can't tell him to go eat horse poo even if I very much want to, instead I gave a simple bow and acted like I didn't notice what he just did "thank you, your highness you are most kind" mother cut in "General, Your highness you both must be quite exhausted after such a long journey, why don't we all go inside for some refreshment". "Ah yes that would be wonderful Mrs.Woodson." General Hector replied with his smoke cracked voice.
The General and the prince are now each in their own rooms taking a bath, which the prince say "he honestly hopes it would be enough to wash of the stink" the general on the other hand complemented his new room, almost everything was painted in gold, it was almost blinding, other things that weren't gold were dark red and a huge painting of himself holding a sword looking all heroic was hung up, it was obvious he would like it after all. It took two weeks to fully build, paint and decorate everything thing to suit his taste , after the bath a meal served in their room would follow, then they would rest for the night as the arrived quite late in the evening.
Father had called for a meeting in his room which was exactly where he and mother were when I opened his door I went and sat with them on his master sized bed "father you called for me"
"yes sit" mother was the next person to speak "this is about the prince isn't it"
"yes, I am sorry I didn't tell you a member of the royal family was coming here, truth be told I didn't know myself" worry etched on father's features as I spoke out his fear.
"he doesn't seem to like this place very much"
"yes, that is true but who is to blame him, he grew up in the palace all his life, this place does not hold a candle to that place."
Mother held father's hand "This place might not be the palace but if we managed to make General Hector, of all people fall in love with our home, then I'm sure the prince can be convinced, so you don't need to worry dear, it will be difficult since we do not know his taste, and it might take some time to learn the things he likes but if I can figure Hector out then I sure will be able to handle the prince, until then I will have to speak to everyone, please go tell everyone to meet at the dining hall"
"yes mother" and with that I got off the bed to round up the towns people that volunteered for a meeting.
James was the first one I saw when I rounded the house, he was coming out of the stable he smiled when he saw me Hey Eva, what's up? You look beautiful by the way, don't tell me you dressed up for me"
"there's a meeting right now at the maids quarters, in the dining hall" my expression was my tone more so, my reply cut of his playfulness, his expression mirroring mine
"I'll call the guys".
…
In less than thirty minutes everyone was in the meeting room in the cottage with mother on a higher board, so the whole room could see her, every where was pin drop quiet,
These meeting were only called in dire situation and since the history of the generals visit it has only been called twice.
The room we were in now was the dining area filled with four long tables and enough chairs to fit about twelve people each table, there were a total of forty seven volunteers including James, but only forty were presently seated the other seven where inside in case the prince or general needed anything.
Mother stood at the front of the room on a podium "The long awaited general as you all know have now arrived, and as predicted he appreciates the warm welcome"
The small cheer that started filling the room stopped almost instantly when mother raised her hand, when the room went completely silent she then continued. "however, what we did not predict was that the guest he would arrive with would be no other than his royal highness, the prince, this visit will last for almost a full month, and as he is the prince it would be more difficult to serve him"
There was a low murmur, Mr. Jacob Franklin the eldest male here and also the one that saw to the horses was the first to speak up "What do you suggest we do Mrs. Woodson"
"We need to impress the prince, but before we can find out what he likes or does not like everybody most be on their toes, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Grace and Mrs. Raymond you three would be in charge of serving the prince, you women are the eldest and most respectful people I know"
"okay Mrs. Woodson" the three replied in sync.
"apart from them everyone else should by all means avoid the prince, do not cross his path, every other thing is business as usual, duties are as it was before, that will be all for today"
One by one they all started to file out I stood from the chair I was sitting on about to leave as well when mother called out "James, Isabella, Sharon and Timothy please stay back, I'd love to have a word"
I would have stayed back myself had she not asked me to leave myself, I left the hall wondering what she had to tell them.
Every other person had left the dinning hall except from five, Mrs. Tessa Woodson stayed back along with the four names she had previously called, Isabella the first daughter of the family of the Williams, her mother a seamstress her father a common trader, respectful, friendly, obedient, from a humble background, Sharon's daughter of a business man. Mother house wife, her family is a little bit better of than the others, persuasive, obedient, true to her word, Timothy the second son from a family of farmers, likeable, kind, trustworthy, and last but not the least, James Mr. Fredericks ward, intelligent, obedient, gets things done, these four may seem like a scattered team, but they are perfect for the job Mrs. Tessa Woodson was about to give them.
"I need to give the four a of you a very special task, I need to know you won't tell anyone about this"
Isabella was the first to reply "I won't tell anyone Mrs. Woodson" the boys looked at each other before replying "we won't tell any one ma'am"
Sharon was the only one who said something different "shouldn't we know what it is before we agree not to tell anyone" Mrs. Tessa looked at her with a brow arched and a small smile on her face that told Sharon that what she just said didn't make sense but she still replied
"All you need to know is that it will help this visit run smoothly and keep us all safe, so will you help keep your home safe, or not?"
Sharon might be persuasive but she had nothing on Mrs. Tessa "okay ma'am I won't tell anyone" Sharon sounded defeated, but in truth she always loved to play these game with Mrs. Tessa Woodson her mentor.
"The four of you have a very important task, you need to befriend the prince's servants, find out every thing you can about the prince, it would help us know how to treat him, but keep it discret, no one is to know of this task, do you understand"
"yes ma'am" Timothy feeling a bit confused spoke up "but Mrs. Woodson, why did you call us out for this it's not treason, I mean we've done so before with the general"
James was the one that answered the question "any act of spying in any way on the royal family, would be considered a direct threat and act of high treason and the person caught in such an act would be publicly executed"
Now their expression turned serious, no more playful smirks or smart mouths just mean serious all looking towards Mrs. Tessa Woodson but she didn't even blink as she continued "you all have to be careful, report to me when you get any valuable information, and for all our sake do not let anyone find out"
They were all speechless and only responded with nods "you may all leave" they turned and left not uttering a word.
Tessa knew what she had done, she also knew that she would not be able to handle the prince without the information they will get her, if the
Prince was so openly rude on the first day then neither would she nor the town last till the day he leaves, it was either this or she sits and waits till the prince crumbles every thing she has worked so hard for, this was not a game of dice rather it is a game of chess, you win as long as you play your pieces right, it was a game she was willing to play, for her family, her child a child that was found in the forest, but hers nonetheless and for her town.