by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2023
(Aug. 4, 2023) — Late at night, when everyone in the village had long been in bed, and only the mice ventured out to hunt for crumbs left from the evening meal, one young man, in the tailor’s shop, leaned close to the fire, using the dying embers to light his work.
Elian had been the tailor’s apprentice since his parents’ death when he was a small boy. He had learned much from the great master of cloth and thread. But, as the years passed, Master Perrault became lazy with his success as the tailor to the palace and his creativity ran dry. It was then that young Elian’s blossoming talent caught his eye. But the vain man was not about to share credit, let alone give it to another. So he stole the lad’s ideas and claimed them as his own. Finally, he completely threw all the work onto poor Elian, threatening him with expulsion from his employment (and consequently room and board) if he should ever take credit for the work.
But, this night, Elian didn’t think about his misfortunes, or the way Lord Martine and Lord Louis looked down their noses at him and called him “Cinderelian” (due to the ash he collected upon his person from working too closely by the fire). No, he had been appointed the great honor of creating a gown for the princess, herself (in Master Perrault’s name, of course), and nothing else mattered!
He had only seen Princess Charmaine from afar till just that morning when he entered the palace, with shaking knees, to fit her for her gown. There was to be a ball in honor of her twentieth birthday, at which time, it was presumed, she would make the announcement of marriage. No one was quite sure who the groom would be, or if he had even yet been chosen, but it was certain that only the best had been chosen for the princess by her father, the king!
Now, Elian sighed as he stroked the marmalade cat that leapt up onto his lap, interrupting his work in order to get attention. “Oh, Percy! She was beautiful, wasn’t she? The richest cloth and my greatest work cannot do her justice, but I’m trying. But what makes her most beautiful is her gentle, kind spirit! She didn’t treat me like I was beneath her. She conversed with me as if I were a friend. I think she needs a friend, in fact. While her entourage spoke to her of her schedule and her impending marriage announcement, she looked so sad and lonely. My heart truly ached for her!”
Percy swooshed his tail as he narrowed his gaze. Softly, he gave a contented purr, knowing the plans he had for young Elian. Soon he would reveal the truth of his powers to his good master. He would repay Elian for his kind heart by enabling him to attend the ball, as the prince of a man that he was! Then, perhaps, the young man could befriend and woo the princess of his dreams!