Cassius watched as Theanore ate her food with a gusto, the flower crown on her brow.

“We have to send Mari and Lizzy something too, Cassy. I can knit! We just need some yarn and needles.” Said Theanore between bites. If the present had come from just Marinus, as all the rest, Cassius would be stewing in his own rage right now. But his friend, Eliza, had helped with it.

Why? Why was Eliza suddenly supportive of Marinus and Theanore’s friendship? Cassius looked at how happy his little nymph was. She was kicking her feet below the table and her eyes were twinkling. Why couldn’t he make her this happy?

“I’ll get you what you need.” Said Cassius, and he earned a happy smile and his mother’s approving glance. “But do I get a hug for it?”

And the approval was gone, a scow marred Empress Orlena’s face.

“Cassius Casimir von Eomis! How could you extort your own wife?” Said Empress Orlena, genuinely outraged.

“For a hug, my love. I don’t see the matter.” Said Emperor Casimir. The Empress send him a glare and suddenly the food in his plate became much more interesting.

“Casimir, my love, have you been teaching our son how to misbehave?” Asked Orlena. Casimir gulped.

Then they both watched as Theanore got off her chair and went and hugged Cassius. Both children patted each other’s back and separated.

“Have we ever been like this?” Asked Casimir, with a found smile on his face.

“You used to tug my ponytail every time you wanted to talk to me, Cas.” Said Orlena, but she was smiling too.

“How did you agree to marry me despite that?” Asked the Emperor.

“You were a dashing war hero. Every maiden’s dream.” Said the Empress, then she giggled. “You know, I am not too old for…”

“Are you certain?” Asked the Emperor, hopeful. “I, too, want another child, but the doctors said that you may take ill again.”

“I’ll manage. Let us try.” Said Empress Orlena, and she extended a hand towards Emperor Casimir. He took it and they retreated to their chamber. Suddenly, the children were alone at the table. There weren’t even servants around.

“Where did your parents go, Cassy?” Asked Theanore. Cassius shrugged.

“No idea. Let us go find you some yarn and needles. I can draw the gift note while you knit.” Cassius was a rather accomplished painter, his mother always said. His dogs even looked like proper dogs, even if their legs looked like circles.

“Ok.” Said Theanore. They finished their breakfast in silence and then hopped over to the wash basins to wash. Cassius helped Theanore, and then they dipped their fingers in rose water and were off.

Cassius had no idea where to find yarn, but he figured Old Dany could have some. She was his nanny and his father’s before him. Rumor had it she was his grandfather’s nanny too. She knew a lot about the palace and even had a chair to listen in during petitions. A great honor.

They made it to the first floor and then to Dany’s room and Cassius knocked. They heard a cane making clopping sounds on the ground, and then old Dany opened the door.

Theanore immediately hugged her, and the old woman laughed and petted her hair. They had become fast friends, Dany and Theanore. Mostly because old Dany was an inexhaustible well of stories and never repeated the same one twice.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite royal couple. Come on in, dear birds. Why have you flown to old Dany today? For a cookie? Or a story?” Asked old Dany. Theanore released her and began to bounce on her feet.

“Granny Dany, do you have knitting supplies? I need to make gloves and hats for my friends.” Said Theanore.

“You can knit? With these tiny fingers of yours? I do have what you are looking for, but can you trade me a story for it?” Asked the old lady. She enjoyed the company of the children and did her best to keep them with her.

“Sure. I will tell you of the grand Yule adventures of Petunia, the giant hamster.” Said Theanore. Old Dany let her in her modest room with a chuckle and then went and sat on the rocking chair.

“The knitting supplies are in the third drawer next to the door. Help yourselves. Now, my story? I do always like to hear of Petunia.” Said old Dany. Theanore rummaged inside the drawer and then again in the bag with yarn.

She picked a nice blue and green yarn for Marinus and a bright pink one for Eliza. Then, she began to knit with the needles she took out of the drawer.

“It all happened this Yule. Petunia ran out of milk for her children, so she, as any good mother, went to search for something else they could eat.” Said Theanore as she knit.

Cassius looked at what she was doing and found that there were holes between the knitting. He decided not to say anything. He had to be sneaky and have Theanore take knitting lessons from old Dany later.

“So, she came to me and looked at me with sad look number five. You know, the one she makes when she is hungry. I gave her a carrot and do you know what she did?” Said Theanore. Her small fingers worked to make something resembling a glove, but it looked like a scarf…with holes.

“What, dear bird?” Asked old Dany.

“She carried it to her babies and shared it with Chrysanthemum’s children too. She is a good auntie, my Petunia.” Then Theanore stopped knitting and became saddened.

“I miss her. I miss everyone at the grotto.” She said, and Cassius went and hugged her. Old Dany extended her hand towards them and Theanore handed her what she has done so far.

“This is not good, dear bird. It has so much holes in it that whomever you are making it for will freeze if they wear it out in the cold. I will teach you both. Cassius, there are more needles in the drawer. Help yourself.”

And so, both children began to knit as old Dany told them a made-up story of a Miller and his cat that had boots.