1 – Shadow
“One, two, three, four…” a little girl said. “What comes after four again?”
“Five!” a muffled voice replied from the distance.
“Oh, yeah! Five, six, seven, eight nine, ten,” she said. “Ready or not, here I come!”
The wiggling behind a rosebush caught her attention. “Aha! Found you!”
Holly giggled. “Great job, Millie. Now let’s go find Amy!”
Beautiful roses of distinct hues bloomed in the magical garden. Holly soon spotted their other friend. She tapped Millie’s shoulder and pointed to a nearby tree.
“Boo!” Millie exclaimed.
“Oh” Amy laughed. “You found me!”
“Holly’s it now,” Millie said. “I found her first.”
Just then, a royal horn sounded from the palace.
“I guess Holly and I have to head back to our palaces now,” Amy said. “We’ll play again another day.”
“Alright,” Millie sighed in disappointment.
After seeing her friends’ carriages leave, Millie returned to the garden and flopped onto the soft grass. Staring at the cloud-filled sky above her, she tried to picture shapes out of them. She felt something nudge her arm and sat up, wondering if it was just her imagination.
She turned to see a small black kitten nuzzled against her elbow.
“You’re lonely too, aren’t you?” Millie said. She gently stroked the kitten’s fur. “Do you have a home?”
She knew it couldn’t understand her, but she took it as a no. “I’ll name you… Shadow.”
Shadow perked up as if she liked her new name. Millie grinned. “I’m glad you like it. You’ve got a new buddy, and I’ve got one too!”
Her smile faded a little. “But I’m not sure Mother will let me keep you. She’s fussy about critters in the house. Come back here tomorrow.”
Millie decided that Shadow understood, then left for the palace.
Later that evening, Millie felt a bit worried that her parents wouldn’t be happy about a pet in the palace. What if her parents said she couldn’t have a pet? Would they be upset she met a kitten? They couldn’t possibly be upset, could they?
Her mother looked concerned across the dining table. “Millie, are you feeling alright?”
Startled, she replied, “Yes, Mother.”
The queen looked at her skeptically, then returned to her meal.
Her father, the king, approached the table, appearing to be worn-out from work. “Sorry I’m late for dinner,” he said. “I fell a bit behind schedule today.”
Her older sisters Alyson and Lucy arrived next. “Our lessons took longer than usual,” Alyson explained.
Her mother nodded and resumed eating.
Millie couldn’t wait much longer. Questions weren’t to be asked over dinner, but this was an exception. “Mother, Father, could I ask a question?”
Queen Klaire looked at her tiredly. “This had better be important if you’re asking it now.”
“Can I have a pet?” Millie asked hesitantly.
King Devon looked at her quizzically. “Millie, I thought we went over this. You’re too young for a pet.”
Millie didn’t expect him to reply since her mother usually answered “unimportant” questions. She was always told “not now” or “you’re too young”.
“I know, but my kitten is special! I met her in the garden this morning. She’s got beautiful green eyes and shiny black fur.”
Her mother and father looked at each other. “Millie, you’re too young right now. What makes you think you can take care of the cat?”
“I promise to take care of her. You won’t even notice she’s here.” Millie pleaded.
Alyson looked nervously between her parents. “Wait, Millie, don’t you know that black cats are bad luck? You can’t allow such a creature into the palace.”
“How would you know?” Millie snapped, “you’re just jealous.”
Queen Klaire looked at her with a stern gaze. “No pets, and definitely not a cat.”
Alyson stuck her tongue out at her younger sister.
Millie glared back. “But-”
“That’s enough, Millie. End of discussion. Now finish your supper,” Queen Klaire said.
“Yes, your highness.”
