Babette

She was happy.

Babette stroked her horse again before taking it to the stable. After that she went to her room. Her stepmother had promised to go with her to Castle Town in the evening to order a wedding dress. She also needed a new ball gown.

She couldn't wait.

Finally, she would get married.

She had waited so long for this and now the date was set. There would be a big ball at the castle to celebrate her and Peter's engagement. She also needed a dress for that. She was in a hurry. The ball would take place in a week.

In a week, she would be known as Peter's fiancée. And soon afterwards as Babette, Princess of Sonnenhof. Even as a child, she had dreamed of being called that.

Babette did not love Peter. However, she saw the benefit of that marriage. She would rise in the hierarchy, gain prestige and play an important role in politics. As a princess, she had more influence on things than a daughter of a baron. Babette dropped on her bed. Soon all her dreams would come true.

She did’nt understand, why Peter did not seem to share her joy. So far, he had never shown anything but interest. It was also a mystery to her why he suddenly walked around with women's jewelry. It was silly. Very silly. Once they were married, she would match his wardrobe with hers. And she would make sure, that the silly jewelry disappeared.

She wouldn't let him make a mockery out of her. It was her destiny to be a princess. The queen liked her. Everything went according to her plan. Soon her dream would come true. All would be perfect... Except for one small thing. She was not allowed to have a wedding in the snow, but that was a small price to pay for fulfilling her wishes. Of her fate!

Princess Babette von Sonnenhof.

Didn't that sound wonderful?

Yes, she was happy.

And Peter would be too.

Agathe

"And they communicated via letters?" The queen looked at her daughter angrily.

"Right. During the interrogation, all the detainees told us, that they had coordinated their uprisings by mail. The uprisings in their capital were only the largest. In the meantime, there were also minor riots in villages, which could be quickly stopped." Cleo turned one of her mother's paperweights in her hand. A round glass ball. She sat at the Queen's desk, who was walking up and down her office in anger. "Was it possible to trace who received all the letters?"

"Unfortunately, no. Apparently, the letters were always burned as soon as they were read. At the villages, the posted soldiers were instructed to search the houses, they even started to do that at the capital of the elves, but nothing has been found yet. We know from interrogations that they planned more riots, but the prisoners refused to say more." Cleo saw her reflection inside the crystal ball. She looked tired.

"We have to stop the correspondence. Neither elves nor werewolves are allowed to communicate through letters. I don't want to risk the werewolves starting to rebel too. Even servants are no longer allowed to keep in touch with their families through letters."

"That sounds very reasonable," Cleo agreed.

"When will the prisoners be brought to justice? Shouldn't that have happened long ago?"

"The day after tomorrow. The date was postponed to have more time to interrogate them."

"Very good. Are you satisfied with the developments? You did a good job. I'm proud of you."

Cleo smiled. "I am very satisfied, mother."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Did Julia write? How does she like it at the Academy?"

"She writes letters to Peter. The two were already inseparable as children. It's a good thing that his rebellious character didn't rub off on her. For a while I was worried. But Peter will soon be married. Then he will come to his senses. Babette is a wonderful, reasonable and polite witch. A good choice. As for Julia, among her servants is an elf... Do you have any concerns?"

Cleo shook her head and put the paperweight back in place. "If I had concerns, I would have chosen someone else. The elf seemed to me as particularly quiet and obedient."

"Good. You've been working a lot in the last few weeks. Rest, Cleo. You deserve a break."

"Thank you, mother. I think I'll travel to Fritz for a few days."

"That sounds wonderful. Greet him from me. There are rumors that he has found a young witch with whom he gets along well? Maybe even more?"

"I've heard about that too, but he hasn't said anything about it yet."

"I would be happy for him."

"Me too. But Fritz is married to his work. It wouldn't surprise me if it ended up being just a rumor."

Peter

It was quiet in Castle Town. Peter strolled through the alleys and looked at the windows of the small shops. Two guards followed him for protection. He ignored them.

His mother wanted him to buy an engagement ring for Babette. Actually, she wanted a jeweller to come to the castle, as it was customary among the nobility and especially for the royal family, but Peter had insisted on going to Castle Town himself. He needed to get out of the castle, urgently.

Away from his mother, away from her expectations...

And above all, away from her opinion.

He didn't want to buy an engagement ring and therefore decided to buy the first ring he saw. He had found what he was looking for at a street vendor who sold rings made of cheap, roughly decorated metal. He had bought a slightly bigger ring, as it was not custom-made and he hoped it would fit.

He knew what ring size his 'fiancée' needed, as Babette's parents had told his mother the right size. Without a doubt, Babette expected beautiful, expensive customization. But she wouldn't get it.

Peter ran his hand through his lengthening hair. His mother had mentioned that he needed a haircut. He disagreed. And now he was even more of a different opinion.

He stopped at a jewelry shop. So far, he used his sister's jewelry, which she had not taken with her... Except for some bracelets that he had bought himself... He wore one of them on his wrist. Compared to Julia's jewelry, it was boring...

He looked at the pretty jewelry inside the shops window. Filigree necklaces and bracelets with beads and glass pendants. Julia would like a lot of that. Nothing was crudely made, or stuck out to much. The jewelry was discreet and looked slightly enchanted.

 Beautiful.

The shimmer of the glass beads in the sunlight made them look like diamonds.

Without hesitation, Peter entered the store. One of the chains in particular caught his eye. A glass butterfly on a thin, silver chain. He wanted to send it to Julia.

She would be happy about it.

The seller was friendly and eagerly showed him the most beautiful pieces of jewelry. Anything a young girl would like, as Peter had mentioned that the necklace should be a gift.

"How about this?" The seller, a young man wearing a colorful vest with glass buttons, held up a fine pearl bracelet. Peter wanted to ask him later where these buttons were from because he liked them. "Any young lady would be happy about such a bracelet. Or how about a brooch? Or hair accessories?"

"Hair accessories?" Peter got curious. "What kind of hair accessories?"

"Hair clips, clasps and needles." The seller pulled out a box from under the counter containing various hair accessories . Among them was a hair clip decorated with stars.

Peter smiled. "It's all really pretty."

"Isn't it? Is there something to your liking? The necklace with the butterfly? Or something else?"

"Certainly."

Marie

Theo put the stuffed horse in a box and labeled it. As soon as they arrived at the academy, he had pulled Marie to the post office. An employee took the package from him a little later. It would be sent out in the evening.

"I wish that school year was already over." Theo sighed." Then we could give her the horse instead of sending it."

"She'll be happy either way, Theo."

"Yes, you're right."

"Do you think she misses me?"

"Definitely. But next summer we will go home for a few weeks. Then you will see her again. Until the second school year starts. I must get to my homework now. Go to the laundry rooms. You will certainly be needed there. I just signed you off from work there for the way to town. I'm sure they're already waiting for you."

"I'm hungry. We should have eaten something at the city."

"I didn't have enough money for that. Come on, we'll get you an apple from the dining room. There is always fruit there. You can eat it before you go to the laundry."

"An apple is not lunch... And I missed that." The two set off. They passed the gardeners sweeping the sidewalk and some students sitting on the benches chatting. Two boys practiced fire magic with candles and drew patterns in the air with small flames.

Marie heard Theo's stomach growl loudly. "If it comforts you. I also missed lunch and just get some fruit." She regretted not having enough money to buy something to eat at one of the stalls. But her pocket money was limited and her parents wouldn't send her anything until the beginning of next month.

"That is of little comfort. Do you have a lot of homework to do? Can we play cards later?"

"Pia said it was a lot. But let's play cards later."