Fellowship & Fairydust

Dominic nearly stumbled as a dark figure rushed into his arms.

“I just saw the list of challenges Father wrote up. I have been sworn to secrecy, so I can’t tell you what they are, but I can tell you that Father will announce the first one tomorrow,” she said.

“It’s alright, Philomena. I’ll figure things out as the situation presents itself, and I shall be myself. That’s how you fell in love with me to begin with, remember? I want your Father to see me the way I am, the person you fell in love with, alright?” he assured her.

She looked up at him and smiled.” I wouldn’t want it any other way, though I fear some of these challenges were chosen so that you could lose. But I believe in you, and I will pray that you do win.”

“If we are meant to be together, we will be, don’t worry. But know that I will always love you,” Dominic said, pulling her back into his arms. They stood in their embrace for what seemed like only a few minutes before she began to move.

“Oh, I must return quickly before Father comes to see me. I will see you tomorrow, though we may not speak. Goodbye, my love, and good luck.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and went back the way she came.

He watched her vanish into the castle before he quietly followed and returned to his room. He crawled into bed with several scenarios running through his head.

The cock’s crow followed by a horn blast woke him up early the next morning. He quickly washed and changed, then dodged out of his room.

A servant was waiting outside his door. “Mr. Savio, the king wishes to see you. Please follow me.” The servant led him through a maze of corridors before halting in front of a set of double doors. The servant held a door open for Dominic and whispered, “Good luck.”

Dominic glanced at the servant before going through the doors and joining the rest of the suitors. There were a good dozen or so, and all from different walks of life, though the majority were rich. On the other side of the room, opposite the doors, sat the King, the Queen, and their youngest daughter, the Princess Philomena. A few more suitors walked into the room after Dominic, and once everyone was assembled, the King stood.

“Welcome, young men who seek my daughter’s hand. By the end of this week, one will have my permission to marry the Princess. I have decided to give you three challenges this week. The one who passes all three challenges shall marry my daughter. For today, you will be given a set of problems for you to solve. Those who pass this test will continue on to tomorrow’s test. Those who fail shall go home immediately. Now, you may go eat your breakfast, and I shall see you in this same room tonight.” With those words, the royal family left the room, followed sometime later by all the suitors who were eager to begin their morning meal.

Dominic noticed something was different this morning when he walked into the dining room. There were enough tables for each of the suitors to have his own, and there was enough space between them to ensure privacy, and so that more chairs could be added, if the need arose.

A few servants came and started showing suitors to their tables, explaining the setup along the way, and handing out papers. “His Majesty wants you to be able to work on some of the problems here after each meal. You are to go to the garden after breakfast, where you will have more problems to solve. Then, after lunch, you are to go to the library. The last problems will be given to you at dinner. When you are done with those, go to the room where you saw the royal family this morning and His Majesty shall tell you who stays and who goes. Good luck!”

Once the suitors were all seated, the food came out. Not too long after the servants left, a crowd of people came in and proceeded to sit at the tables. Several of the suitors managed to shoo them away, but Dominic and a few others let their intruders stay, offering food and an ear. Dominic’s intruders began speaking all at once, though.

“Whoa, hold on! I can’t understand you when all three of you are talking! Now, when I point at you, I want you to tell me your name and your business. Once you’ve done that, then we shall continue. Let’s start with you,” he said, pointing to the only woman in the group.

“My name is Sara, and my husband had a son with one of our servants so that he can have an heir, as I was unable to have any children. Now I have a son of my own, thank heavens, but the boy who is the son of the servant is older and I do not want him to kill my little boy because my husband’s fortune will naturally be inherited by my son. What should I do?”

“Do you or your husband have any family who does not have any sons?” asked Dominic.

“Why yes, my husband has a cousin who lives rather close to us. He has two daughters.” replied Sara.

“Well, then, if your husband’s cousin doesn’t mind, I would suggest sending the servant woman and her son to him. Then the boy may inherit your husband’s cousin’s fortune and possibly marry one of his daughters,” said Dominic.

“Why that’s a splendid idea! Why didn’t I think of that? Thank you, young man, I must go tell my husband.” She bent over and kissed his head before heading out of the dining room.

“Well, that was nice and quick. Let’s hear your story next,” he said, pointing to the man who had been sitting next to Sara.

“Alright, my name is Jacob and I fell in love with a girl named Rachel. Her father and I made a deal that if I worked for him for seven years, I could marry Rachel. The wedding is supposed to be today, but I found out last night that her father was going to give me her older sister, Leah. I talked to him before I came here and he said that it seemed unfair that his youngest should marry before the oldest and that if I marry Leah today and work another seven years, I can have Rachel. But you know the King’s laws, I am only allowed one wife and if I marry Leah, then I cannot marry Rachel. Do you think there is a way around this?” asked Jacob.

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