Chapter One

The first leaf of the cold. Its arrival dominated the village, starting a series of falling leaves in the streets covering what was once steaming hot roads by a sea of colorful petals. The winds were strong enough to drive them out of the trees, but not nearly as strong to swipe it far from their roots to somewhere it did not recognize. It almost looked like it was telling them to live what was left of their short lives, looking up at the tree that once embraced them.

Some people called it fate, saying that the only reason that the leaf grew in the first place was to fall off at some point and be replaced by another in early summer. Others called it destiny, emphasizing the experience that the leaf had when it was homed by that tree. We, however, called it life. Where those leaves in reality were people.

"So, this is it?" he said, looking into the sky. "My last day here."

"You know usually, from the stories that I've read, it's the prince that takes home the princess. Not the other way around."

"I'd gladly be the princess if it means that I don't leave."

"Well, there's not much you can do about that."

William turned to her. "Aren't you supposed to be crying your eyes out? A little bit more emotional at least? "

She raised my eyebrow at him confused. "Why would I be upset? You're getting married. It's a joyous occasion, Will."

William decided not to answer to that, knowing that it would lead to one of their long arguments which lasted days before they could come to an agreement. He slowly started strolling along the side of the river, and she quietly followed him, stepping on his shadow and letting him say farewell to the place where they first met. At the time, William was laying down on the grass, with a wood branch sticking out of his mouth as he held a book up to the sky completely lost in what was written.

That was the day that the village chief's wife passed away from an incurable disease. Everyone was mourning and saying and how bad they felt for the child except for her. Sharlee was the only one who wasn't feeling that much agony or sympathy towards him. She went to lay down next to him, her eyes silently wandering through his pages, and that was the first effort she ever put into reading. Even though he was flipping a lot faster than the teacher at school, that somehow motivated her to read faster and thus put more effort into it.

And they have been inseparable since then. Until the proposal order came.

"The orphanage kids give the carers a hard time, so make sure you drop by every now and then and help discipline them." He started.

"The heavy rains are in two weeks or so, and usually they bring along storms, so it'd be good if everyone started packing firewood now"

"The troupes from the center may come as well so-"

"William." she cut him off. "I can't take over your role.I don't have that much patience." She reasoned.

He stared at her for a bit, trying to choose the right words to convince her how helping other people was only within one's nature, which she didn't agree with.

"Don't worry Will, I'll make sure everything goes the way it has always," Xavier said. They both turned back to see him, looking slightly more presentable than he did in the morning.

"They're here already?"

"Yes " Xavier confirmed. "and you both need to change quickly."

Unarguably, the only area within the village that could contain hundreds of people at the same time was the front yard of the church. It was vast and spacious that all announcements and ceremonies of importance were held there. Like the villagers, the decorations were kept simple; with colorful flowers and their fragrance contributing to most of the work. Setting up the tables required a lot of carpentry and a lot of physical work that the villagers weren't used to, along with the preparation of various foods that they were hoping would appeal to the liking of the guests.

Sharlee rarely participated in any of the work, with her habit of sleeping on things, she decided to stay hidden in the cellar of her late father's shop. Despite hearing screams and callings, she preferred to keep her peace instead and lay there trying to force restlessness to take over her. She wasn't a guest person, that much everyone who knew her was aware of, but they expected a bit more of her since this time it was her friend's wedding.

Her short-lived peace came to an end when she heard the familiar footsteps approaching her corner. Out of respect, she pulled her back to a sitting position and looked up finding a displeased woman with sweat covering her forehead staring angrily at her. She could tell from the posture of having her hands on her hips that she was about to hear a handful of good old scolding which she was used to by now if not known to her by heart.

"What in the world did I do to deserve such an unagreeable daughter? All week you have been laying in this dumpster ignoring all the duties that you, out of everyone, should be carrying on!"

Despite the high pitch and screaming, Sharlee recognized her mom's voice as not so angry and she smiled.

"Would you like an answer to that?"

Her mother glared at her. "You've got it from his side, that much is for sure."

"That makes it your fault for marrying an unagreeable man." Sharlee pointed out, not bothering to hide her amusement.

"He wasn't such a bother back then."

"Then you're the unagreeable one."

"You're certainly not turning this on me Sharlee, we are here to talk about your lack of participating in the royal preparations!"

"I did participate." She defended herself. "The other day I helped sew one of the buttons for William's dress shirt."

Her mother sighed. She pushed off her rough dirty shoes and sat on the old rug on the wooden floor flexing her numbed legs. It has been too long of a day for her.

"Well, you're right. You do need your rest before tonight."

Sharlee tilted her head, nodding before her mother's words sank in properly and she turned to her.

"Before tonight? "she asked confused.

"It's not my fault, I only encouraged it."

"Encouraged what, mother?"

"It was William's suggestion, and he already told them that he had someone so it's too late to back out now."

"Mother, what are talking about?" Sharlee asked once more.

Her mother turned to face her, with a satisfied smile she said, "You'll be pouring the celebration drink tonight."