Chapter 4 - Without you.

I awoke the next morning feeling elated as I stretched out and felt butterflies rush through me at the thought of seeing Mallon today. I jumped up out of bed and began running through my dresses, trying to decide on which one to wear today, but my nose scrunched up at how shabby they all looked. I lost count of the times I had sewn and fixed the hems and the bodice. I made my mind up on the dark blue with white trim and my blue shoes.

I sat at my vanity desk as I began brushing through my hair, letting it tumble loosely down my back and shoulders. A faint knock at my door interrupted my peace “Come in” I called out and Maude walked in, looking downcast as she shut my door quietly behind her.

“Is everything ok Maude?” I asked concerningly

She looked at me sadly as she came closer, then reaching into the pocket of her apron, she pulled out a crisp white piece of folded paper and held it out for me to take.

“The prince just left” she informed me, with sympathy in her voice

I paused in an