Chapter Text
On a desk sat a small music box. Round and a few inches tall; it was antique and made of brass. Along the outside was rose filigree etched into the metal. The top held it’s own intricate designs as well as faux pearls and green jewels. When the matching brass key was placed inside its slot and turned the precise amount of times the lid would lift and a small figurine would rise from the center. A princess adorned in a long pink dress. Her blonde hair fell in long curls around her shoulders. She had bright, but sad blue eyes. Her hands clasped together and she had such a look of longing on her face.
“I think she’s lonely,” the five year old, owner of the music box said.
“Why do you say that?”
She looked up at her father and sighed, “She has no one and look at her face,” she pouted.
He leaned down and looked at the tiny figurine, “I think she’ll be okay,” he plucked her from her desk chair and gently tossed her onto her princess bed, “Time for bed, sleepy head.”
“I’m not sleepy head, I’m Charlotte,” she giggled.
“Oh, right,” he kissed the top of her head.
Charlotte snuggled up underneath her blankets. Across the room, she could see the figurine slowly sinking back into the music box. She truly wished the princess had a prince. Someone strong and brave. And handsome too. Boys were gross, but she knew the princess would probably like one. Someone like her daddy.
If only the princess were bigger. She thought her daddy might like some company too. He was busy a lot and didn’t have anyone either. Well, he had her of course, but she could only give so many hugs.
“Are you lonely daddy?” she asked quietly.
“What?” he asked, pulling the covers up closer, “Why would you ask that?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“What’s on your mind?”
“The princess is lonely because she needs a prince, but you don’t have a princess either.”
“You’re my little princess,” he said.
“No,” Charlotte sighed, “Like Uncle Digg and Aunt Lyla.”
“I’m happy with the way things are,” he kissed her forehead, “That’s what’s important.”
“Okay.”
“Now get some sleep.”
Charlotte watched him leave before rolling over and facing the window. She watched the snow falling outside her window. The first snow of the winter season. She wanted tomorrow to be full of fun and excitement, but she could only think of the princess and her father.
Suddenly a light shot across the sky. It could have only been a shooting star. She closed her eyes tightly.
“I wish the princess and my daddy could find their true loves,” she whispered.
Oliver sighed as he sat down on the couch. The apartment was quiet now that Chuck had gone to sleep. Her toys were strewn everywhere, but he didn’t mind. After five years of raising her as a single father it would be strange not to see little toys all over the place.
Her question burned in his mind. Are you lonely? If he were being honest… yes. Charlotte’s mother died soon after she was born. Drunk driver during the holidays. He’d focused all his attention on raising his daughter to the best of his ability and hadn’t left time for having much of a social life.
He ran his hand down his face with a sigh. Maybe it was time to start dating again. Chuck was getting older, she was going to school, and she could probably do with some more female influence in her life. Female influence that wasn’t his mother or sister.
But he had no idea where to start.
The sound of something crashing startled Charlotte away. She shot up in bed, her little heart pounding rapidly in her chest.
“Chuck?” her father called, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, daddy!” she climbed out of bed.
“What was that?”
She spotted her music box on the floor, “My music box fell!” she yelled, but it was quickly followed by a gasp as she picked it up, “The princess is gone!”
Her father came into the room, still wearing his pajamas, “What?”
She held open the music box, “She’s gone.”
Her wish.
“She’s not on the floor?”
She looked around, “No.”
He took the music box, “I’m sure she’ll turn up.”
An excited thrill shot through her, “I hope so.”
“For now, it’s time to get ready to go,” he said, “We’ve got to go down to the bakery.”
“But it’s closed today,” she pouted.
Her daddy owned the best bakery in Starling, but it was so boring in the back where he spent time. Unless he was frosting cakes and cookies, she didn’t want to be there.
“I just have to pick up a few things,” he said, “I’ll get you hot chocolate from your favorite place.”
She jumped in place, “Yes!”
It took a little while for them to get ready. She was pretty sure her daddy took an extra long time getting his hair done. Charlotte was happy to have her dark and curly hair in a messy ponytail. She had her snow boots, pink polka dot pants, dinosaur t-shirt, and a poofy purple jacket. Her dad was dressed in jeans, a long sleeved shirt with two little buttons at the top, and a jacket. He looked very nice. Perfect for running into princesses.
She walked with him to Polymath Cyber Cafe. Her hand wrapped around his two fingers and she hopped more than walked down the sidewalk. She liked the cyber cafe. There were computers everywhere, but she really liked the hot chocolate. It was thick like melted chocolate and had the biggest marshmallows she had ever seen.
When they walked in the lady who was usually at the counter, Iris, wasn’t there. For a moment, she felt a little disappointed, but then she saw the woman in her place.
She stood there with a soft smile on her face. Pretty pink lipstick. Her curly blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and she wore a long sleeved pink dress. The princess. It had to be. She looked so happy to be bigger now. But Charlotte wondered why she would work here? She was a princess!
She pulled away from her father and ran up to the counter, “Why are you here?” she asked.
“Chuck!”
The woman laughed, “I own this place.”
Charlotte’s eyes went wide. “All of this is yours?” she asked, “Like a.. like a kingdom?”
“You could say that,” she winked.
Charlotte noticed she also had pretty blue eyes. Yes, this had to be the princess.
“I am so sorry,” her dad said, coming up behind her, “Charlotte, what has gotten into you?”
“Oh, it’s okay!” the princess said, “She’s so cute.”
Charlotte beamed, “I’m Charlotte, but you can call me Chuck,” she said, “This is my daddy. As you can see he is very handsome.”
She giggled again, “It’s very nice to meet you Chuck, I’m Felicity,” she said, “And your very handsome father would be…”
He cleared his throat, “Oliver.”
“He has a kingdom too,” Charlotte continued, “Little Arrow Bakery.”
“No!” Felicity shouted, startling them both, “You own that place? Oh my god. You have the best eclairs. I could get fat on those.”
He chuckled loudly as Felicity blushed.
Charlotte leaned on the counter, watching both of them. She had a very good feeling about all of this.