Nothing Is What It Seems

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Once again music filtered down from the ballroom into the Kitchens. Sarah dragged a bucket of water across the floor. Everyone was rushing around. Well, at least she now knew that Cinderella no doubt had been very kind to the servants once she married the prince. After doing this she would really nice to anyone else that was in her shoes right now. Shaking her head, she frowned. She really didn't need to think along those lines. Unless she could find something else, she was stuck in the Kitchens.

The Cook looked up from the pot of soup he was stirring. "Jenna, why don't you take a break? I'll finish up the soup and when you get back I'll head up to watch. Maybe she'll make another appearance."

Sarah rested the bucket next to the fire. She wasn't sure she would. Although, she didn't know whether the rumor was true or not, but that didn't mean she had a death wish or something. It didn't help the rumor mill of the Castle was saying that this ball was being thrown with the hope that the Mysterious Woman would appear again.

Slowly, she stood up. “I'll take a break in my room. I don't really care about going up for a peek.”

The Cook nodded. “All right, but if you miss seeing her again, you might regret it.”

Sarah gave a slight nod before walking out of the Kitchens. Quickly, she made her way to her small room in the servants' quarters. Closing the door, Sarah debated once again over going or not. She walked over to the box and stood in front of it. Slowly, she opened it anyway and pulled out one of the other two gowns. It was just as lovely as the first. It was shame for it to sit in the box unused.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah looked into the mirror over her dresser. Well, she had a choice. To go or to stay in the shadows.

XOXOXOX

Here he was yet again, sitting in his throne bored, watching his subjects and neighboring rulers wander around his ballroom. They were all parading like proud peacocks. Fathers were leading their daughters like lambs to the slaughter. He was never going to do that. What father could do that? Sighing, he glanced towards the far wall. Well, most fathers would, if they thought it might improve their own lot in life and not about their daughter. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen for any of them tonight.

Seeing something at the top of the stairs, he turned his head just as she glided down and began to mingle within the crowd. This time she was in a silver flowing gown. He could see the death glares some of the guests were sending her, but she seemed to not notice as she drifted close to the wall.

He still couldn't figure out why she seemed so familiar. The King remained seated on his throne as she moved slowly through the crowd. He really didn't want to add more fuel to the fire, but he none the less, he slowly stood and began to make his way towards her.

He watched her as he circled closer to her. She seemed to be looking for something. Damn, why did these feel so familiar?

Eventually, they were face to face.

She curtsied to him, “your majesty.”

Something about her doing that just felt wrong. Who was she?

He gave her a slight nod, “my lady, may I have this dance?"

She looked up at him with pale green eyes. Why hasn't be noticed that before? "It would be an honor, Your Majesty."

He lead her out amongst the dancers. They seemed to waltz more to a faint song that he heard in his mind more than to the music the orchestra was playing. Although, he only was watching her, he could feel the stares of the other guests.

The King looked down at her face. "Have we met before? I mean before my last ball. You seem so familiar."

She seemed to pale a bit, but she seemed to be hiding her fear. "Once a long time ago, as the world fell down."

So they had met before, but why couldn't he place her. He doubted she was one of the women his mother had tired to push on him. He would remember her if she had been one of them; he was sure.

She glanced behind him and frowned. "I have to go." She pulled away even though he tired to hold on her.

Once again he watched as she pushed her way through the dancers and disappeared from sight.

"As the world fell down." What had she meant? He quickly conjured a crystal in his hand. The ball was over as far as he was concerned. He tossed it up into the air and disappeared.