The sound of trumpets ring throughout the streets of Cordeno, the capital of the Kingdom of Enonum. It is a bright and sunny day, as flags fly from the colorful, gabled rooftops. Citizens of Enonum wave and throw confetti and flowers at the procession, led by the Royal Guard on horse, going down the main boulevard; they wear feathered crest helmets and shiny cuirassiers.
Behind the mounted guards is an open golden carriage, carrying two passengers, who are visible to the crowd. They are two youths. A young man with short, dark-brown hair; his face is fair and gentle. He wears a fine, red tailcoat and tie, along with black trousers. His blue eyes shine, as he smiles and waves to the crowd. Beside him, is a young lady of light-brunette tresses, with blue eyes similar to those of her companion. Her skin is fair and rosy. She wears a fancy and modest, blue dress and a frailly bonnet with a rose attached. She daintily waves at the crowd and is more stoic in poise than him.
"Huzzah, huzzah!" the crowd cheers, as they pass by.
Hanging from one of the buildings, is a banner that reads, "Congratulations and welcome home, Prince Marius and Princess Caroline."
The procession of the Prince and Princess travels down the main boulevard until they reach a giant, gated park. Guards, providing security, block citizens from entering the park. The procession of the Prince and Princess travels down the winding park road up and down the hills, sheltered from the sun by the tall trees, until they finally reach their destination. It is a massive and splendid, beautiful Baroque palace, which beams brightly on this warm, summer day. The Royal Guard and the carriage reach the courtyard in front of the palace.
Prince Marius stands and helps Princess Caroline out of the carriage first, and he follows after. The Prince and Princess walk up towards the entrance of the palace.
Trumpets are blown.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Their majesties, King Carolus and Queen Juno!" shouts a herald.
The doors open, and from the palace exits the King. He is a tall and strong man, wearing a fine suit and the red and white royal mantle. His face strong, his hair grey and dark; he smiles at the Prince and Princess.
"Welcome home, my dear son and daughter." He embraces his children. "Congratulations on your graduation. I'm very proud of both of you."
"You mean we are proud," says a bitter voice from behind him. Through the door comes a woman, in a tight and dark, modest dress. Her face is sharp and stern; her dark-grey and black hair is tied up in a tight bun underneath a hat.
"Hello Marius. Hello Caroline," she says to her children, sternly.
"Juno, love. Have some cheer, my dear; our children are home." King Carolus smiles.
His wife glares at him. "I don't take orders from you." Her voice is retrained; however, bitterness bubbles underneath.
"Come children," she says, and turns to lead her family into the palace. King Carolus, Prince Marius and Princess Caroline follow Juno into the magnificent palace.
They enter the massive hall, made of the finest stone, timber, and precious metals-- marble, granite, gold and silver.
The servants of the palace bow and applaud the arrival of the Prince and Princess. Marius and Caroline wave at the servants.
As Prince Marius is waving, he notices someone who catches his eye. He smiles and waves at her. The woman in the crowd smiles and winks at him. She is an older woman wearing a simple grey dress and a lacy mobcap upon her head. She discreetly points in the direction behind her, to one of the rooms. Marius acknowledges her with a wink and a quick nod.
The Prince and Princess tour the palace before settling down to the welcome-home dinner.
After the toasts, Marius sneaks out of the dining hall. He makes his way to the rendezvous room. It is a quiet parlor that is empty, until Marius arrives. There is no one, except for a folded note on one of the chairs. Marius picks it up and opens the note. It is written in a code Marius recognizes.
He quickly deciphers the code and the message reads, "Marius, my dear. Meet me at my cottage by the duckpond in the forest. -Love Miss Wickham"
Marius stuffs the letter inside his coat pocket and slips outside. Nobody notices the young prince, as he makes his way through the thick woods surrounding the palace. Marius walks under the tall oak and fir trees. Birds sing, and the occasional deer and rabbit race out from one of the trees.
As Marius travels through the forest, he hears the sound of quacking. He picks up the pace and races towards the quacking. He reaches the duck pond. Beside the duck pond is a cottage-- small, rustic and beautiful. Smoke rises from the stone chimney. Marius smells the smoke and the scent of warm, homely cooking. He approaches the door and knocks.
"Come in, dear."
He opens the door and enters the warm and cozy cottage. Standing by the stove is Miss Isabella Wickham, who is putting bread and cookies into the oven for baking. She turns around, and her warm smile shines. Isabella runs over and she embraces Marius. Her hug is warm and soft. She kisses Marius on the forehead.
"Welcome home, love." Her mobcap is off and her ash-blonde hair glows.
"Thank you, Miss Wickham." Marius embraces her and she kisses him on the cheek.
"Come, sit down, dear."
Marius takes a seat on the couch by the fireplace.
She goes over to the stove to pour Marius some cocoa in a dark and earthy mug. Miss Wickham delivers the cocoa to Marius and returns to her oven. Marius holds the warm cocoa to his face. He inhales the aroma and gazes into the fire.
Memories flood back to Marius. Of winter days with Miss Wickham and his sister. Playing in the snow, making snowmen and angels. Snowball battles with the children of servants, and visiting family and nobles. Afterwards, his sister and he would be treated to Miss Wickham's cookies, cocoa and warm milk.
Marius sips the cocoa. It is sweet and creamy. Marius also remembers the other tastes of the cottage. The taste of soup that Miss Wickham would give him when he was sick. As Marius reminisces, Miss Wickham opens the oven and pulls out her baked delights. Warm and soft, freshly baked bread with toasted and crispy crust. Flaky and creamy butter cookies. Miss Wickham serves the treats to Marius. As the Prince enjoys the bread and cookies, Miss Wickham sits down next to him.
"Well, tell me everything about school."
Marius tells Miss Wickham everything about school. She tears up as Marius tells her about his accomplishments.
"I'm so proud of you, my dear. You are such a good boy."
"Honestly, Miss Wickham..." Marius smiles shyly. "I have you to thank."
Miss Wickham blushes.
Marius pulls the coded message from his pocket. "All those games and puzzles you played with my sister and me worked wonders at teaching us. Better than any stodgy teacher or dry book."
Miss Wickham wraps her arms around Marius. The Prince sticks into the warm embrace of his wet nurse. Marius feels a pick on his arms.
"My dear Marius, you have gotten so thin," she says. "Are they starving you at that school of yours?"
Marius laughs. "Haha. Yeah, the food there is rather bland."
"What are they feeding you at that place?" Miss Wickham says, in a harsh and disappointed tone.
"Oh, lots of bread, porridge and raw vegetables." Marius winces when he thinks of the food. "It was quantity over quality. They had to feed all the boys and were trying to teach us prudence and temperance."
Miss Wickham shakes her head and scowls. "What about meats and dairy?"
"The bare minimum to keep us healthy. Hard-boiled eggs and dry chicken." Then Marius stutters. "Oh, and there was the dry and overly salted beef and pork. Nobody wanted to eat that."
"It is a crime that they would treat the heir to the throne and his classmates to such a barebones diet," Miss Wickham says, as she inspects Marius's skinny fingers.
"Did you make sure to have milk?"
"No, unfortunately. Some of the teachers and students claimed it was unclean." Marius and Miss Wickham both roll their eyes and chuckle softly.
"You poor dear," Miss Wickham coos. She kisses Marius on the forehead and cheek. The prince's nurse gazes into his eyes warmly. "Say, my dear. You need to get back your strength." Miss Wickham reaches up towards the neckline of her dress and pulls it down, revealing her bare breasts.
