The boy Marionette was named Willow, as he was made of the wood of his namesake. Dressed like a little sailor, Willow was small but strong, standing slim and tall at 16 inches, lifting tool boxes and heavy gears with ease. He spent his time working with the toy maker, aiding him whenever the older man needed help. Willow would follow the toy maker whenever he must leave for town, setting up his horse and shop to sell the toys he made.

His sister was named Maple, as she was made from the wood of her namesake. Dressed in reds, the colour of maple leaves in the fall, she was slim and slender, creative and graceful, hardworking and kind, and spent her time helping the toy maker around the cottage. She had a voice rivalling an angel. She would help Willow feed the horse, do the chores and even design new toys for the toy maker. Maple loved painting, and would often be found with a paintbrush, painting details on to the toy makers various toys.

All the characteristics of the kind toy maker was apparent in the two marionettes. Tiny but beautiful in their own way, the two was definitely a sight to behold whenever they came to town. The town children would be delighted to see the two in action, and sometimes ask them to play, but they would always refuse. Instead, the two siblings would make puppet shows, starring themselves, to make the children happy. It was obvious they echoed the sentiment of the toy maker’s heart in their actions.

They were also a hit among the older inhabitants of the town. Their beauty and lifelike figure was a great way to reel in more customers for the toy shop. Soon, they were attracting more custom jobs from eager parents willing to spend a pretty penny to have the same lifelike marionettes as Willow and Maple. Business was booming, and since the toymaker had a lot of custom orders to do, visits to the town became scarce and rare.

Matteo on the other, became hollow and empty. The lack of his heart meant that he constantly felt empty and never fulfilled, which made him try to fill the gaping hole in his soul with money and fame. It never helped, but the now empty toy maker didn’t stop trying. There was no love between him and his most precious creations, even though just a while ago he had wanted children. He tried, but without a heart, he couldn’t even feel happy that they were finally in his life.

So, he delved himself into work and money, painfully and diligently trying to feel an ounce of joy that he used to while making toys to make others happy.

One day, a gilded carriage, made of the best fir wood and speckled with the most flawless of diamonds stopped before the toy maker’s little cottage. Maple, who was sweeping the fallen leaves off the small garden saw the magnificent ride, pulled by a smartly dressed horseman and his majestic black mare, with a white star upon it’s forehead. Entranced, she moved towards it in hopes to welcome the stranger.

With a soft creak, the door of the carriage opened. Slowly and steadily out came a stout man with the largest pot belly Maple has ever seen. The man wore a long coat buttons at the middle, knee breeches, hose, and buckled shoes. His sleeves were loose and cuffed, showing the undershirt underneath. His hair was worn long and curled, falling over his shoulders to reach his wide hips. She gaped openly at the grand stranger before her, and promptly called out to welcome him.

“Good day, kind sir. What brings you into these parts of the woods?” She bowed before asking, coming closer to the large man. He looked around, eyes roaming at the source of the voice until it landed on her. His eyes widened.

“It is you who has spoken? Yes? Incredible!” He clapped his hand, amazed at the fine work. “I heard of rumours of a toy maker who made toys so lifelike, they speak and talk like we do! I never thought the rumours were true!” He screeched, delighted at his findings.

“Yes, that is my father. Would you like to see him? My father is inside.” She asked, pointing to the cottage. After a terse nod, she led the stranger into the little cottage, leaving behind the gilded carriage and its majestic mare.

“Father, someone is here to see you.” She called, leading the grand man into the open space of the cottage. Every shelf was covered with toys of every kind. A cuckoo clock chimed from the tallest shelf, a monkey screeched from the lower shelf, and a gaggle of wooden ducks quacked noisily together in another corner of the home. A door swung open, and emerging from the depths was the toy maker, surprised to see none other than the Grand Duke of the South standing tall and intimidating behind his tiny daughter.

“Why, your highness!” Matteo realized, hurriedly bowing his head. Maple joined Willow behind the kitchen, watching the scene unfold, curious and excited.

“What brings Your Grace this far into the Valley?” He asked politely, while the Duke gave a cursory glance around his surroundings. “I was told of a toy maker who made toys so lifelike, they move and talk like a real one. I came to find a gift for my son.” He explained, taking a seat in the small living room. Matteo followed suit and glanced towards his children, signalling action.

“I’m going to fetch some water to make the tea.” Said Maple to Willow, moving to grab the pail hanging near the back door. “Brother, please fetch the biscuits. They’re next to the bread box, and the tray is below the wash basin. I’ll be back soon.” She rushed, leaving in a hurry. Willow stoked the fire to prepare for the tea and served the biscuits on a plate. He then placed them on the tray and made way to the living room, where the Duke and his father was browsing the toys on the shelves.

“Do you have anything that is small?” Asked the Duke. Matteo moved to a chest of drawers, pulling open one to reveal the daintiest of his collection. A globe, no bigger than his hand swirled on its own axis. Its content, a blue jay in its nest, stirred and bopped in its glass cage.

“Pretty, but too fragile. Anything more solid?” Asked the Duke, unimpressed and unconvinced.

Matteo moved to a large chest and rooted around. After a bit of searching, he procured a larger toy, one as large as his stocky arm, of a mechanical soldier that could walk automatically.

“Better, but…” The Duke hesitated, a hand coming up to stroke his sharp chin. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Willow, placing the tray on to the table, arms lifted high to push it on to the top. The larger man watched, fascinated at how strong the boy was.

“I would like that one instead.” The Duke pointed to Willow, eyes gleaming in delight.