The invitation

After Jess left the room, Mia could not fall asleep. She was too lazy to prepare breakfast and do the house chores, so she lay in bed for a while. The aroma of food from the kitchen was all Mia needed to know that her sister was already cooking.

As she lay in bed, her thoughts wandered to what her friend told her about the gala being held in their village that night. The gala featured excellent food and drinks and the possibility of finding rich husbands.

She wished she could have an invite or sneak in as one of the servers. Only people of high society and those in the king's service get invited to the annual banquet.

Why wasn't I born rich, she thought?

Seeing that her sister was already preparing breakfast, she decided to walk through the courtyard. She knew her sister was probably tired as she went straight to bed immediately after she got home without eating the night before, but cooking was not her thing.

She dreamt of a life in the castle, with maidservants and mansions. She wanted the life of the upper class, but unfortunately, she was not born to parents who could afford such luxuries.

Her background did not deter her from her dreams of becoming a nobleman's wife as she had the looks and height. Features that men mostly desired in a lady.

She was thankful her parents gave her the best of both genes. Her long, dark, wavy hair, which rested on her shoulders, and her charming smile drove her many admirers crazy.

She was sure that her beauty and her knowledge of etiquette, which she had picked up from her friend Lisa, a nobleman's daughter, would make her suitable to be picked by a handsome nobleman.

Just as she headed back inside to join her family for breakfast, she saw a man who seemed not to be from their village. His attire and the fact that he was on a horse made Mia realize he must be a courtier.

What would a courtier be looking for in their village? Let me see if I can help the man find his way. I want to curry his favor in attending the gala tonight.

As the horse drew nearer, Mia quickly ran towards the road to meet with the man.

Greetings, said the man to Mia as he drew his horse to a standstill after seeing the young lady standing in the middle of the road.

Greetings, Mia replied.

You don't seem to be from around here? What brings you to this part of town? She asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I'm going to the Smith's house to deliver a letter from the palace, said the man.

When she heard this, Mia's eyes widened in shock. A letter from the palace? What could it be about? She thought.

I'm Mia Smith, daughter of Michael and Vera Smith. Please welcome to our home. My parents and elder sister are inside the house. Mia said with a smile as she bowed her head slightly.

There would be no need for that, said the man.

He handed Mia the letter and said, the crown prince will be expecting you at the ball this evening. He gripped the saddle and kicked the horse with his heel. Startled, the horse quickly stepped forward, relaxing into a gentle walk, picking up speed, and galloping away.

Mia looked at the letter and became even more curious about its content.

Why would a palace courtier be instructed to deliver a letter to the Smiths family? Is Papa in trouble with the local council? She thought.

Unable to contain her curiosity much longer, she opened the letter when she reached the front porch.

Special invitation to the Smiths family on the crown prince's birthday occasion." was written boldly.

The king's seal was at the end of the letter. Mia couldn't believe what she was reading, and the joy that sprang up within her heart was so overwhelming that she didn't know when she screamed at the top of her lungs.

What happened, Mia? asked her mother, who had just awakened and heard Mia scream. Her heart had leaped out of her chest as she had thought of the worst possible scenario.

Mia turned to look at the worried expression on her parent's and elder sister's faces. She took a deep breath to contain her excitement before handing the envelope to her father, who only looked at it suspiciously.

After the war. The king placed a tax on farm produce and livestock, which was to be collected by the local representative, who was known as the chief and was in charge of each village's administration.

Mr. Smith thought the palace had sent a letter inviting him on the late payment of his tax for the year. His heart skipped a bit as he had not come up with the complete money.

Jess saw the expression on their father's face and took the letter from his hands. She was skeptical if the letter was from the palace or the local authorities, but seeing the seal on the already opened envelope made her smile.

She realized that Walker Lane had sent one of the courtiers to deliver the invitation for the gala.

She read through the content of the letter, and her smile broadened.

Papa, Mama, we have been invited to the gala held in celebration of the crown prince's birthday," she said with excitement.

What? Asked her father in shock. At the same time, he was relieved that the letter was for a different purpose and not because of his late payment of this year's tax.

But how is this possible? Vera Smith asked in shock.

It was surprising to Vera Smith because Poor farmers like the Smiths lacked the social standing to attend such high-profile events, especially one organized by the palace.

Mama, does it matter how we got invited?" Mia asked, already thinking of what to wear to the gala. She could not appear as a peasant, as people from the upper class would be there. She saw it as a chance of a lifetime that she could not miss.

Who knows if the crown prince would be there? Mia said, raving about borrowing a dress from Lisa and getting her hair done. Who knew that her birthday would have such a surprise in store for her, she thought.

Jess turned to her parents and looked at them with pure joy.

Please, can we attend the crown prince's birthday gala? she asked, hopeful they would say yes.