The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Faerie Tale Collection) Read Free Page A

then. He stepped back and said, “I have spoken with her. She knows that I felt it was improper to be walking with her. But …” He suddenly trailed off, not willing to say the rest.
    “But you like her?” guessed Hallen.
    “Of course, the fool boy likes her!” Smoot threw his hands in the air. “To have a princess flaunting about him would turn any young man’s head.”
    “She does not flaunt about me.”
    Hallen laughed.
    “She does not. Besides, she had a specific request of me to fulfill, and I will attempt to do so.”
    “And what is this?” asked Smoot. “Will it interfere with your gardening duties?”
    He had not thought of that. “If it does, I will work doubly hard and make them up.”
    “You see that you do, or you will be sent packing.”
    “Smoot.” Hallen folded his arms. “I know you will not do anything without just cause, now, would you?”
    Aleck tried to hide the dread he felt building up within him at the thought of losing his place as a gardener. How would his mother cope without his wages? He cleared his throat, trying to dispel the tightness that had come up. “May I go to my room now? Or was there more you wished to say?” he asked Smoot.
    Hallen dismissed him. “You may go, lad. Smoot and I need to discuss some other matters anyhow.”
    “He is still under my charge!” Smoot snarled. “I would kindly like you to remember that fact.”
    “Oh, I do. Often.” Hallen nodded his head at Aleck as if to tell him to leave.
    Aleck did not need another incentive. He quickly turned on his heel and rushed up the stairs. Once in his small, sparse room, he paced the floor a few times and allowed his thoughts to mull over his mother and his five little brothers and sisters still at home. All had been well before Pa caught the influenza while working abroad two years before and eventually died.
    Prior to his father’s death, Aleck’s meager earnings were not anything to concern himself over. They allowed him to purchase a few gifts for his family, a sweet every now and then, and possibly some new clothes or boots for himself every couple of months. Now that money could not be spent on such frivolous items as sweets or gifts; now it was a good chunk of his mother’s income to support his family.
    Rebecca, the next eldest sister, was a lady’s maid from time to time for the wives of some of the wealthier landowners, and she even had some odd jobs doing cleaning. But her pay was not near as fine as the few coins a month Aleck was able to send home by working here at the castle.
    Aleck looked at the small wooden bed. Its blue quilt had nearly faded to white. It was threadbare and worn, but served its purpose of keeping him warm at night. He had no use for another blanket when he knew there were nights when his siblings would huddle two or three together to share the heat under their blankets as they slept.
    His eyes drifted toward the window, from which he could see the garden below his room, the same garden he and the princess were walking toward earlier. He sighed and sat down upon the bed. Placing his elbows upon his knees, he rubbed his face with his hands for a bit.
    No matter how stunning the princess was, he simply could not risk his family’s livelihood chasing her mysteries for her. He was a fool even to believe it was a possibility. Especially with these young princes who would come and no doubt solve the matter in a heartbeat, allowing one of them to wed her.
    How would he even be able to attempt such a thing? What did he know about castle life, or enchantments such as she was most likely under? Nothing. Smoot was right. It was not worth the risk. Princess Cascadia may have a pretty face, but he simply could not jeopardize the livelihood of all those he loved to come to her aid.
    But when he was around her, his soul felt alive. And her eyes sparkled like none he had ever seen before. Was it true? Was he as handsome as Hallen believed him to be? Is that what drew her to him?
    He