Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
A second servant walked in carrying an exquisite rifle, clearly made by a master craftsman. Hugo’s fingers itched to touch it. He wasn’t one for hunting, but he could appreciate a fine weapon.
“His Highness specifically requested that you be given a rifle from his private collection, hoping it will make up for the one you lost last evening,” the official explained as he closed the red and gold folio. He bowed deeply, handing it to Hugo.
“This is all too much. I am so honored by His Majesty’s gifts.” Hugo bowed in return and accepted the folio. He was breathing a sigh of relief that nothing horrible had happened when his mother spoke up.
“I don’t understand. If the king is so grateful for Hugo saving the prince’s life, why didn’t he honor him with a title? Even just a knighthood.”
“Mother!” Hugo and his brothers gasped at the same time.
Hugo jumped into action to smooth over the awkward moment. He tucked the folio under his left arm and grabbed the rifle with his left hand while wrapping his right arm around the official’s shoulders, ushering him to the door as he stood aghast.
“Please forgive my mother. I think she’s still in shock and doesn’t know what she’s saying,” Hugo confided in a low voice. “Upon my return last night, I didn’t tell her about my encounter in the woods with Prince Everand and the bandits. I was afraid of what the news would do to her fragile mind.”
“Ah,” the official said, giving what appeared to be an all-too-knowing nod. “I’m sorry for dropping this news on your mother so unexpectedly. I hope she can recover from the shock and regain her senses.”
“Thank you. I do too. His Majesty’s generosity will enable us to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Maybe I will take Mother to the seaside to rest.”
“Oh! I’ve almost forgotten!” The official pulled away from Hugo as they were reaching the door. “Before you leave town, Her Royal Majesty has invited you to the royal ball that is to take place in one week.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a pristine white envelope with Hugo’s name written across the front.
The mention of the queen made Hugo’s stomach twist. She’d featured in more than a few of his nightmares since that fateful day where he had to spin straw into gold. While he was more than happy to see Everand, he’d prefer never to set eyes on the queen again. She made him deeply uneasy. One misstep around her, and he could so easily lose his head.
The official lowered his voice to a whisper and added as he handed over the envelope. “As I was leaving, His Highness expressed his hopes that you would attend the ball. He seemed eager to see you.” Hugo’s heart soared. “Her Majesty included all the details of your visit within the invitation.”
Hugo’s heart crashed.
Would she require him to spin more straw into gold in order to see her son?
Fourteen
Hugo didn’t get a second to catch his breath. The moment the door closed behind the royal official, he raced to the living room to catch his family poking through the chest of coins and gems, gasping at all the pretty sparkles.
“Drop it! Out!” Hugo shouted, plucking coins and precious stones out of fingers and putting them back in the chest before slamming it shut.
“Hugo!” his mother gasped. “I raised you better than that! Will you truly not share a small portion of your good fortune with your family?”
“Of course, I’m going to share it. As the male head of the household, it’s my duty to see that you’re all provided for. That also means I need to protect you from yourselves.”
“Huuuugooooooo!” Augustine whined. “Let us fritter a bit of it away. What’s the fun in having money if you can’t waste a tiny amount?”
“Please, I was going to buy only a couple of books,” Dorian added.
Hugo narrowed his eyes at his brother. He didn’t believe that for a second. Dorian would fill his room with books so that he didn’t have enough room for a bed and still claim he didn’t have enough.
“Yes, I’m going to give you some spending money,” Hugo stated as he clutched the heavy box to his chest. “Just a little. The rest goes to pay for my season and the seasons that Dorian and Augustine will have. We’ll also see to some repairs around the house and other, more mundane improvements to make our lives more comfortable and secure.”
As he spoke, he could see the eyes of his family glaze over. They didn’t care about repairing the drafty windows or getting the chimney swept. They wanted new clothes, new books, and new racing horses or whatever in the world Augustine fancied at that moment. It was on Hugo’s shoulders alone to be the responsible one.