A Grandfather's Legacy

​The next morning, I woke up right where I'd fallen asleep: curled in a velvet armchair in the parlor. It was real. I hadn't dreamed it.

​A moment later, a brisk knock sounded. “Donna, are you awake?” Grandfather’s voice boomed from the hall.

​He stepped in, holding a neatly folded stack of clothes. “The maid says her son’s clothing ought to fit for the moment. After breakfast, we’re going to O’Barlly Town Square to get you properly fitted. We’ll outfit you completely.”

​I took the clothes. “Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll promise to pay you back once I get a job.”

​He stopped, his brow furrowed in confusion, which quickly twisted into a look of hurt. “Pay me back? Child, you are my granddaughter. You shouldn't worry about such things.” He puffed up, indignant, and stomped out of the room. I stood staring blankly at the closed door, and from the hall, I heard the maid stifle a giggle.

​A New Look

​I quickly changed into the simple tunic and trousers. Grandfather was waiting outside, hands clasped behind his back, pretending not to pout. We proceeded to the Great Hall for breakfast.

​Once we’d eaten, we were off. The carriage ride was a blur until we arrived in the bustling square, stopping at a charming boutique called Madam Loffy’s. It was a whirlwind of soft fabric, shimmering ribbons, and the scent of expensive perfume. For the next hour, I was measured, pinned, and fitted for an entire wardrobe. I even had my hair professionally done—the simple act of letting someone else fuss over me felt unbelievably luxurious.

​“Grandpa, I’m done,” I whispered, stepping from behind the curtain, shyly looking at my new shoes.

​Grandfather looked up and his excited expression melted into something soft and nostalgic. I was wearing a vibrant, silky yellow gown embroidered with elaborate floral designs. It had a fitted bodice, a flattering rectangular collar, and a long skirt trimmed with ruffles. My dark hair was wrapped tightly with a matching yellow ribbon, falling in fluffy curls around my shoulders.

​“You truly do look like your mother, Anna,” he murmured, his eyes shining.

​My own eyes sparkled in response. Hearing him say that felt like a warm embrace.

​“Here are the rest of her clothes you ordered, Duke Miller,” Madam Loffy’s associate chimed in, walking out with what seemed like a mountain of boxes. “All with matching sets, including shoes and hair accessories!”

​My panic returned. All that?

​“That will be $56,000 Ton, Duke Miller,” the associate said in a rushed tumble of words.

​I felt dizzy, and one of Grandfather's guards rushed to check on me. My grandfather, Duke Miller, merely pulled out a ledger, signed a few lines, and paid the staggering amount away as if it were a trivial sum.

​He turned to the associate. “Would you kindly have these delivered to my home today, Mrs.? I’ll cover the additional cost of shipping.” He offered the woman a gentle, charming smile.

​“Of course, Duke Miller!” she exclaimed.

​Grandfather then turned to me. “We have time for a quick visit to the Imperial Palace before we head home, alright?”

​The Imperial Palace. My anxiety and excitement warred inside me, but I nodded. It was a place I’d only read about in books.

​An Unexpected Audience

​We were escorted past polished marble floors and towering statues until we reached the grand Throne Room of King Richard Thompson. He was every bit the commanding figure of the tales: a handsome man with chestnut hair and brown eyes that held a chilly, authoritative stare.

​The King rose, descended from the throne, and walked right past Grandfather, stopping behind him to examine my face with his hands on his hips. His expression broke into a warm, surprised grin. “Wow! So this is the indefinite one who encouraged Duke Miller to bravely skip my ball?” He chuckled.

​“She’s my granddaughter,” Grandfather said, a note of warning in his voice.

​The King’s eyes widened slightly. “Ah, that explains why she resembles Anna. Anna and I would have been married if it wasn’t for your father, little one.” He touched his chin, a playful gleam in his eyes.

​Grandfather’s face darkened with fury. “Married to you?” I asked, confused.

​“Your Majesty,” Grandfather said, his voice dropping to an icy, dangerous register. “I strongly advise you never to speak so loosely to a child.”

​The King gazed at him, seemingly shocked but also a little thrilled by the Duke's brazenness. Then his face brightened with a new idea.

​“Fetch my daughter, Helen!” he commanded his servants.

​A few moments later, a girl my age appeared, wearing a sophisticated lavender dress with puff sleeves and a soft yellow belt. She curtsied elegantly. “Yes, Daddy?”

​“You have a brand-new friend,” the King announced. “This is the grandchild of Duke Miller. Come, reintroduce yourselves.”

​Princess Helen walked over to me, her face alight with curiosity. “My name is Princess Helen Thompson. Hello. It’s lovely to meet you.”

​Grandfather nudged me gently. “Don’t be shy, greet her.”

​I turned to the Princess and bowed low. “My name is Lady Donna. Princess Helen, it is an honor to meet you.”

​The King clapped his hands together twice, a cheerful sound in the vast room. “I have it! Why don’t you two enjoy a pleasant, private tea party picnic? Your grandfather and I have… affairs to attend to in the interim.” He gave Grandfather a sly smile, which only seemed to irritate the Duke further.

​Princess Helen, however, was delighted. She seized my hand and led me out toward the Royal Garden, where she quickly arranged a picnic of food and drink.

​Royal Tea and Twin Trouble

​“It’s been ages since I’ve had a visitor,” Princess Helen confided, picking up her cup of tea. “To be honest, I don’t have any friends. They used to try, but it was always a scheme to exploit my family’s name or get closer to my elder brother.”

​The idea of a princess having trouble making friends intrigued me. Feeling safe and comfortable, I found myself speaking casually, explaining the upheaval of my life until just a day ago.

​Princess Helen teared up as I spoke, but I reassured her that everything was alright now. “Honestly, the fact that you genuinely want to be my friend surprises me even more. I never had any friends either. Everyone always shunned me, siding with my half-sister the moment she showed up.” I sighed, looking into my teacup.

​A voice cut us off. “You have company, Sis? This is not common.”

​A boy dismounted a sleek horse and approached us in his princely clothing.

​“Lady Donna happens to be the granddaughter of Duke Miller. Come greet yourself,” Helen instructed.

​He took a step closer and froze. His heart seemed to skip a beat as he took in my appearance: the yellow dress and my chocolate-colored skin, gleaming in the sunlight.

​Princess Helen giggled. “Hello, Lady Donna. I’m Prince George. It’s nice to meet you,” he finally managed, bowing to me, a blush spreading across his cheeks.

​I blinked as I looked from one to the other. “Wait—are you two identical twins?”

​“Yes, George was born a few minutes before me,” Helen replied, waving a dismissive hand at him.

​“I traveled a great distance to check on you, and you have the audacity to dismiss me?” Prince George huffed, frowning and crossing his arms.

​Meanwhile, high above us, from a Royal Palace window, King Richard watched the scene below. He was barely smiling, dressed in a loose robe. He watched the children laughing and talking.

​“Your grandchild seems to have a powerful influence on my twins,” the King remarked to someone unseen. “I rarely see them open up like that. Interesting.”

​He glanced at Duke Miller, who was sitting on the lavish bed, flushed and covered in hickeys.

​“Shall we proceed with round two?” King Richard grinned, leaning closer.

​“You beast!” Duke Miller yelled, grabbing a pillow and hurling it at the King, who caught it with a laugh.

​“You aren’t still cross about my comment regarding your granddaughter, are you?” King Richard teased, climbing onto the bed, looming over the gorgeous old man who was glaring and blushing fiercely. “Part of it was true, you know. If it weren’t for her father, I would have been forced to marry Anna. And I never would have had the chance to truly be with you.” He looked admiringly at the Duke. “I turned down every planned engagement when I was an adult, of course. I needed heirs for the throne to be complete, but I didn’t need a wife. I hired a financially-strapped woman to carry my child. Who would have guessed I’d end up with twins? She was very grateful when I paid her handsomely to help her escape her own forced marriage.”

​Duke Miller turned to face him, seeing the love-filled truth in the King’s eyes. He reached up, his blushing hand brushing King Richard’s cheek. The King turned his head to kiss the palm. With a deepening blush, the Duke leaned forward, and their eyes closed as they met in a passionate kiss.

​The Duke’s Commission

​Later that day, on the way back home in the carriage, Duke Miller was silent, occasionally shifting awkwardly. He pulled out an official document and handed it to me.

​“Your residence name has been changed,” he explained, avoiding my eyes and blushing slightly. “Ensure that your father signs it. I won't be able to stay with you, but I’ll send you backup.”

​I held the document tightly, the paper rustling in my hand. My grandfather was leaving, but he wasn’t abandoning me. He was sending help.

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