This is Chapter One of my fairytale novella The White Wolf.
“Goodbye, Father!” Elaine cried. “Don’t forget my pearl necklace!”
“Or my silk dress!” Corinne called.
As her elder sisters waved lace-edged handkerchiefs from the door, Brianna ran down the palace steps.
“Oh, Father,” she said, “can’t I ride with you just to the gate?”
“Of course,” the King said, holding out a hand to help her into the carriage.
As the carriage rumbled across the stone pavement, Brianna leaned her head on the King’s shoulder. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, Father.”
“And I don’t know what I’ll do without you, little Brianna. I wish you could have come with me.”
“I wish so too,” Brianna said. “But I guess Mother knows what’s right.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” the King said. “But I’ll miss you all the same. Are you sure there’s nothing you’d like me to bring back for you? You don’t want a dress, or jewelry, or—or anything?”
Brianna shook her head. “No, Father—but wait! I do know what I want. It’s a wreath of wildflowers, because to bring that, you’ll have to remember not to stay away too long.”
“I will bring it, then, my dear,” the King said. “I promise.”
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