The curse of Heavengate

As they both left, his mother closed the door.

"What was you thinking, Aaron?" His mother whirled around with an angry face.

"They were starving, mother. I can't let-"

"That was after you saw them. What made you enter that area in the first place?"

Good God. His mother was furious.

He stood up and coming around the desk, held her shoulders. His mother looked at him with hurt eyes. "I must find a witch, mother. How else will I get rid of this curse?"

She yanked his hand away. She had

never done that!

"You don't need to find a witch. You need to find your destined woman. The witches might not spare you if they knew you were your father's son".

Aaron flinched. His mother rarely talked about his father. She must be really upset. Aaron decided to deal this with tenderness.

Holding her hand in his, he placed it on his chest. "Mother, I am a king. If something wrong is going on in my kingdom, I must see to it", he said softly. "A king always provides justice and security to his people. You taught me this".

His mother's temper seemed to be melting.

"I won't interfere in your duties, Aaron. But you must keep my son safe. No king must put him in danger".

He smiled at her with affection. Covering her hand on his chest with his own, he said, "He is safe. He is very strong".

He witnessed a beautiful smile on his mother's face as she raised her hand caressing his hair and pulled his head down to kiss his forehead.

In the evening, Mariana sat on the dinner table with Voilet and aunt Penny. She had talked to her aunt about the king's offer.

First, she was thrilled to know that Mariana met the king and nearly threw away the pot of soup she was stirring over the fire.

Mariana also informed her about what Mr. Roberts had said and her aunt readily agreed him.

"You must never say no to a golden opportunity if you have the capacity to fulfill it, dear", her aunt had said and so Mariana had decided to go with it and do the only thing she could do. Try her best.

"Can I come tomorrow with you to the palace, Marie?" Voilet asked holding a very large meat bone in her hand and the innocent request in her eyes. The two things really didn't match and Mariana smiled at her little cousin.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Voilet but the palace guards only allow people based on the cards".

Voilet's face fell and she tore a large chunk of meat from the bone with her teeth.

"You must also work hard, Voilet", aunt Penny said sipping her soup. "Then you too, will be invited one day to the palace".

Voilet nodded with a mouthful.

Mariana thought about tomorrow and realised that she didn't have any more professional gowns to wear. She wondered about what she sould wear the next day.

"What are you thinking, Marie?" She heard aunt Penny ask.

"I don't have any more professional looking gowns. I'd already wore the two I had. Shall I repeat the first one again tomorrow?"

"No way". Aunt Penny placed her spoon down and placing her elbows on the table, folded her palms beneath her chin. Looked like she was trying to remember all of Mariana's clothes.

Mariana continued eating until her aunt shook a finger. "Wear that white one you wore at the tea party last week".

Mariana wrinkled her eyebrows as she remembered the gown she was wearing at the tea party. "That is a very informal gown, with lots of shining work, aunt Penny. Not to mention very deep necked".

Her aunt leaned towards her, covering her mouth with one hand and whispered, "Perhaps you can entice the king with your cleavage".

Mariana gasped and looked at Voilet who was very busy eating.

"Aunt Penny!" She widened her eyes and laughed.

"You have good breasts", her aunt winked.

Mariana closed her eyes as she blushed. "You must not tell your neice such things!"

"What things", Voilet asked while chewing the food.

"No things. Just eat". Her sister was very happy to obey.

Mariana looked back at aunt Penny who waved her hand. "No loss to try for a king".

Mariana shook her head, laughing at her aunt's imagination.

As her aunt continued eating, Mariana thought about the king's handsome face. She wondered how he would react if she went in front of him wearing that white gown. Perhaps it might wipe off that smirk from his face. It did capture every man's attention whe she had wore it.

Waking up the next morning, Mariana wore a brown, high necked and full sleeved gown. It was plain but still quite fetching on her, matching her brown eyes.

She and Mr. Roberts reached the palace and were seated in the same parlor again. For the first time, they waited for the king rather than the princess. Mariana missed her.

Mr. Roberts stood behind her and rubbed her hands. "I hope he likes your designs, Miss Mariana".

She had drawn two designs last night before going to bed to present the king. But this time, she did not have any miniature samples as she hadn't made any. Mariana thought small pants and shirts would look really cute but it wasn't very manly. So the king might not have liked it.

A moment later, the butler entered and bowed his head as he welcomed the king.

The king entered, striding all relaxed, hands in his pockets.

Mariana stood up and greeted him. "Good morning, Your Majesty". This time she had watched her pocket watch again and again.

Looking at her, the king smirked. "Good morning, indeed". He stressed extra on the word 'morning'.

Insufferable teaser!

Mariana eyed him head to toe. With his black trousers, he had clad a black shirt today. His black hair looked a bit damp indicating he just had a bath. Seeing his whole look with his contrasting blue eyes made a hot sensation run all over Mariana's body. Involuntarily, she sighed.

The king dismissed the butler and gestured for her to sit. As she sat, he placed himself on the sofa in front of her, placing his long hand on the back of the sofa.

He didn't say anything, merely looked at her. So she spoke first. "We would be honoured to serve you, Your Majesty. Mr. Roberts and I would try our best to not disappoint you despite the fact that we don't make suits often". The last part was necessary to make him remember that they were not experts in the category.

The king smirked and then gave a nod. "That's great".

Mr. Roberts came forward with his satchel. "I've got the designs, Your Majesty. If you will-"

The king held up his palm. "That won't be necessary. My sister trusts you and so do I. Just make sure to make it fit for a king". He eyed Mariana.

"Of course, Your Majesty", she and Mr. Roberts said at once.

They heard some noise from outside and then in the parlor, entered the red-haired man Mariana had seen last day with the king. After him, Princess Amelia entered. Mariana stood up as the princess came to her.

Squeezing her hand, she smiled at Mariana. "Nice to meet you again, Miss Clifton. Allow me to introduce the royal secretary of Heavengate. Mr. Jasper".

Mariana looked at the red-haired man who was grinning widely looking at the king. As he looked at her, she curtsied.

"Jasper, this is Miss Clifton, my new seamstress".

"Ah, nice to meet you finally, Miss Clifton". He stepped forward and bowed down at her hand. Again, he looked at the king and this time, he lowered his grin.

"I will let you do your work, Miss Clifton. I have another errand", saying this, the princess left. Mariana blinked. She thought the princess would stay with them.