Red Seal

She arrived at the marketplace in her carriage driven by Jem and Jasper who accompanied her. Princess Elesha decided to go to Mirana's Gem Market. She found Mirana an elderly lady seated behind a large table that was surrounded by glass cabinets that had various colourful gems inside.

"Hello Ms Mirana."

"Your Highness, what a surprise. To what do I owe this visit?"

"I've come to exchange this stone for money Mirana. Would you kindly take a look at it and consider it for a price?"

"Certainly, Your Highness," she took out her magnifying glass.

"Please bring it to the table let me have a look at it."

Princess Elesha placed the large stone in her hands. Ms Mirana looked at the large turquoise stone and decided to buy it from her. She opened a drawer with a key and took out two heavy bags filled with gold coins and put it into the princess's satchel.

"This should be its value in gold," mused Ms Mirana. "Is it sufficient Your Highness?"

"Yes it is Ms Mirana, thank you."

Princess Elesha quickly left the shop and got into her carriage. "Back to the castle, Jem!" She yelled and heard two knocks on her carriage before it started moving.

"Has your business concluded, Your Highness?" Questioned Jasper as he studied the princess with intelligent blue eyes.

"Yes Jasper, it has. Who should I entrust little Felix to, while I am away at Rubicund?"

"The cook," replied Jasper with a small smile on his face.

"Alright, I suppose Martha would know what to do with Felix since she has a little girl around his age."

"Will you give this to her and tell her to see that Felix is taken good care of and to write to me if she should need more."

"Very well, Your Highness I shall," promised Jasper as the princess slid the satchel strap across his shoulders. Jasper was one of her most trusted companions whose father was captain of their armies. His family served the Royal family faithfully in making sure they were constantly protected. I would miss Jasper thought Princess Elesha as the carriage drove closer and closer to the castle.

"Elesha you're back, I looked all over for you!" Exclaimed Princess Estella loudly as soon as her carriage came to a halt at the back entrance of the castle. Princess Estella wore a deep shade of red that made her skin glow and her eyes sparkle, with her blonde hair pulled up into the latest style. She looked like a walking rose that had sprouted arms and legs.

"Estella you look like you are to attend a ball. Why are you dressed like that?"

"This is actually supposed to be for you. It is a gift from the King of Rubicund," replied her sister.

"We always address him as the King of Rubicund, doesn't he have a name?"

"I believe it is Hans."

"Hans, meaning God is gracious? Ha ha ha ha! goodness what a name for someone known to be so fierce."

"Yes I suppose so," said Princess Estella for a moment distracted by a bee that was flying close to her head.

"We best go inside."

Princess Elesha followed her sister inside the castle and was shocked at the site that was set before her. There were gift boxes everywhere.

"Who are all these for?" Princess Elesha asked her sister.

"For you but you can give me what you don't want," said Estella with a mischievous smile.

"Where are they coming from?"

"From Hans, he has declared peace and as such all the soldiers and our sailors are set to return for a grand feast," replied Princess Estella.

"This is for you," said Princess Estella placing a red envelope with a red seal into her younger sister's hand. "I suggest you read it in your room, it's addressed to me but I can't be bothered by it, I have plans to make with Gerald."

"Thank you, Elesha I shall not forget this act of kindness."

Princess Elesha merely nodded her head and took the stairs up to her room, holding onto the letter wondering what was inside it.

Princess Elesha unbuttoned her coat and sat at her dressing table, she broke the royal red seal as the curiosity was too much for her to contain. Inside the letter it read:

Dear Princess Estella,

I am inviting you and a companion if you so wish to stay at my palace. During which time we will be wed. Your father has been informed of this decision and has agreed to it. I wait for your reply.

Cordially,

Hans.

Princess Elesha was shocked and then she collected her wits about her and remembered that King Hans had never seen Princess Estella her sister. She knew she would have to conceal her identity until they had signed the matrimonial papers together. So she took a deep breath pulled out her feather and inkpot, dipped her quill into it and began writing her letter.

Greetings Your Majesty King Hans,

I would be delighted to accept your proposal, I will bring my ladies maid with me to the Kingdom of Rubicund.

Regards,

Princess Estella

She signed her sister's name and put it into a white envelope and used her rose pink seal. She doubted he would notice there was a difference between the seals used by the sisters. Her's was a pink rose while her sister's was the lavender purple. It was then that her cat Marsha showed up and jumped onto her lap.

"Oh Marsha I wish I could take you along as well with me but I know your kittens need you here," said the princess stroking her cat's white furry back.