Into The Forest Fire!

Baker's Wife/Cinderella

I hate this. 

Beth Baker had no idea what she was doing. 

The week had started simple enough, with just the regular preparations to open the bakery, until a witch came storming in, screaming about curses and children. Now she was deep in the woods, looking for some of the items needed to lift the spell.

It was getting tiring when all you had to do was follow along with whatever your husband said or did, so it was a nice change to be doing stuff on your own, even if that stuff is for what your husband wanted.

Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of something shiny running her way, curious, she moved closer for a better look and ended up face to face with a beautiful woman holding a pair of slippers as pure as gold.

"SHHSHHSHSHHSSHHHH!!" The woman in gold whispered loudly before she quickly darted behind a tree.

Not even a second after, the prince and his steward came running in, looking around in a frenzy for who she assumed must be the girl behind the trees.

The prince finally noticed the Baker's wife while she was in a deep curtsy and asked "Have you seen a beautiful....young...woman in a ball gown pass through?" while sighing in a melodramatic manner.

"I don't think so, sir" Beth replied, almost speechless, while still deep in her curtsy.

The small Steward standing close to the prince suddenly shouted "I think I see her over there!" and both men took off somewhere deeper in the woods.

Beth looked up and dropped her bow when she saw the pair was gone, "I've never lied to royalty before. I've never anything to royalty before!" she exclaimed with a giddy sigh.

"Thank you..." a relieved voice behind her said.

The Baker's wife turned quickly to see the beautiful young maiden from before. "What a beautiful gown you're wearing. Were you at the King's festival?" she asked in a soft but excited voice.

"yes." the woman responded, preoccupied with finding the best route out and making sure the prince was far away.

The Baker's wife giggled softy "Aren't you the lucky one. if a prince were looking for me I certainly wouldn't hide. tell me about the ball!"

"It's a very nice ball..." The mystery woman started, still looking for an exit

"Yes- and?" questioned Beth.

"And.... they have far too much food." the woman said with a sigh, momentarily forgetting the situation she was in.

"No, the prince!" Beth exclaimed.

"Oh, the prince!"

"Yes, the prince."

"If he knew who I really was..."

"Oh? Who?"

"I'm afraid I was rude"

"Oh? How?"

"Now I'm being pursued"

"Yes- And?"

"And I'm not in the mood"

After a moment of silence, the Baker's wife finally questioned "Are you to return to the festival tomorrow eve?"

"Perhaps." said the other woman in a frustrated voice, she was tired of being pestered by this Baker and just wanted to get back home, and her slippers were a struggle to get on.