My Summer With the Prince

Several weeks earlier...

I made my way through the crowded outdoor marketplace, mentally reviewing the list of things I needed to buy. Carrots, lettuce, apples, and cheese already weighed down the bag which was slung over my shoulder. I had only bread left to buy before I could make my way home now. And this was a good thing, because I was almost out of money as it was.

I pushed through the crowd and finally reached the vendor I'd been trying to get to; a sweet old lady I knew called Mrs. Cooper. She smiled at me when I stood in front of her," Good morning Mia dear, how is your father doing?" she asked kindly.

I smiled back," He's doing fine, not much change but the doctor says to be hopeful," I said. My father had been sick for a while now. It was a constant fear of mine that he wouldn't recover like the doctor kept insisting he would. I honestly didn't know what I'd do if he died. He was the only family that I had in the world and if he did pass away I'd be all alone. I mean sure I had friends but...

"So what can I help you with today dear?" Mrs. Cooper broke me out of my thoughts.

"Um... just a loaf of bread please," I said handing her the money. I thanked her when she handed me the bread and then turned to begin my walk home. I counted the remaining money as I walked. There were only a few pennies left now. I felt worry start to creep into my brain. How could I continue on buying food and necessities along with paying the doctor for treating my father? I could only make so much selling the cloth that I made in the marketplace. There was little else I could do since we didn't own a cow or chickens for milk and eggs. Perhaps I'd have to consider selling my mother's old jewelry. But the thought of having to part with the few things I owned that connected me with my mother was not a pleasant one...

My mother had fallen ill and died when I was nine, leaving behind some jewelry and a few dresses, not to mention a husband and daughter.

Since her death my father and I had become even more poor than we'd been before. And now that he was sick and unable to help me earn money, we had next to the nothing. I prayed he would get better, but part of me doubted that he ever would. He'd never been the same since mother's death, becoming very depressed, though he tried to act cheerful for my benefit.

What would I do when my father died? I had no other family and no husband to help support me. Not that several boys hadn't tried... I'd had my fair share of suitors but had either been too busy to get to know them or found I didn't like them all that much if I did get to know them. It wasn't that they were so bad, but I wanted to marry because I was in love. And the boys I'd met were all totally consumed with chasing girls, bragging about the fine new animal they'd just bought, or going down to the local tavern for alcohol. I guess I had high standards. For a peasant anyway...

I took in the scenery as I made my way home. It was late spring at this time, almost summer, and there were flowers blooming on the side of the dirt road where I walked. The trees were also in full bloom, decorated with lovely white and pink buds. The sun was shining and I felt a kind of peacefulness come over me as I observed the blue sky and green grass around me. I was happy for the warmth as well. It had been a long winter.

I focused on trying to let the beauty of nature ease my mind and pushed away the dark thoughts I’d been having moments before. They could be dealt with when I was home...

I was broken out of my thoughts when I saw a man on the path ahead of me. He was coming towards me at a quick pace. I was far away from the crowded market now, and there were no other people traveling on the path. Nobody was here but me and this man. He stopped a few steps away from me, grinning. I took a step back. There was nothing friendly about that smile.

The stranger eyed me," Hey darlin'. What's in the bag there?" he drawled. I immediately caught on. He was a thief.

"Get away from me," I said taking another step back. He laughed darkly.

Come on just give me the bag and any money you have, there's no need for drama," he said taking a step towards me. No need for drama? I was being robbed here!

"Please," I begged," It's all I have, I have no other money," my tone was desperate and frightened as I backed away. I doubted I could not outrun him and if it came to violence I definitely had no chance. I felt panic claw my chest as I realized I was about to lose the only food and money that I owned. Even if it was only a few pennies, some vegetables, bread, cheese, that was a lot to me. I was poor after all.