Chapter 67: Gold-digger
On the day of the fair, the snow fell heavier than usual, a strong cold covering the kingdom. The biting cold could have frozen anyone bold enough to venture outside, but that didn’t deter Belle and Mia, nor the many inhabitants of the werewolf kingdom, who seemed just as determined to enjoy the festivities.
"The fresh air of liveliness!" Mia exclaimed, inhaling deeply as they walked.
Belle rolled her eyes, tugging her coat tighter around herself. "More like the fresh air of freezing to death. I will be an icicle before I even get to eat my rice cake," she grumbled.
Mia stepped in front of her, fussing with Belle’s head warmer until it sat snugly. She finished with a dramatic pat on Belle’s cheeks before dropping her hands.
"The clown show has started!" A pair of children squealed as they ran past, their small hands clasped tightly together. Mia’s eyes lit up, and before Belle could protest, Mia grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the crowd gathered around the performance.
Despite the harsh weather, the fair buzzed with life. Families milled about, their cheeks rosy but their spirits unbothered by the cold. It was as if the joy and warmth of the occasion rendered the chill powerless. Belle’s thoughts wandered to her mother and how much she loved the rice cakes from the fair’s most famous baker.
A voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Your Majesty, I am Belle, and I need your love and attention," one of the clowns declared theatrically, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Belle’s brows furrowed as she edged closer, intrigued. The performance appeared to be a parody of her and Hezekiah’s life.