I wake to the sound of my door being broken down, or nearly broken down. I step out of bed as the obnoxiously loud knocking continues before finally opening the door to see Ameera face on the other side.
"Ameera, what the hell are you doing? It is seven am," I ask, my tone laced with annoyance.
"You are never going to believe what I just heard the kitchen staff say," at the mention of kitchen staff I immediately perk up, wondering if it is related to James in any way. "James Rolfe is being moved to serving duty, at his request," she tells me with excitement.
"WHAT?!" I immediately sprint back into my room and check the time. As of right now, I have 20 minutes to fully prepare myself to see James again. In other words, not. enough. time. "Ameera, call Betty right now and tell her that she needs to be here as soon as possible. Also, can you get Mother? She may have time to do my hair." Suddenly frantic, Amber and I begin rushing around in order to ensure that I am in decent shape by the time breakfast is served at eight. On a normal day, I wouldn't even show up to breakfast until nine, usually eating whatever was served cold and by myself as I prefer that to the idea of waking up earlier than necessary.
By 7:58 I am rushing out the door with my hair half done, but passable, and a semi casual dress fitting my form. When I burst into the dining room, I see father look up from his paperwork with a mildly astonished look painting his face.
"Darling, do you know what time it is?" He asks me, obviously confused at my sudden promptness.
"Yes Father, I am aware that it is eight am. I am also aware that for the first time in five years, I am actually on time for something other than riding Victoria," I tell him with a smug look on my face.
"Ah, yes. It is quite early for you to be up and about. Is everything alright?" He asks as I seat myself down at the table.
"Yes, everything is fine. I heard there was some new serving staff and simply couldn't miss it." A quizzical look appears on my father's face. In hindsight, I probably should have planned a better excuse ahead of time, but it was too late now, so I was sticking to that story.
"Interesting. Darling, you do know that the kitchen staff changes out every month, right? This is the first time you have showed any interest in such an insignificant event," flustered, I realize that no matter what I say now, I have been caught in a lie that is nearly impossible to get out of.
"Fine Father, I am early because of a boy. I know, shocker, your 16 year old daughter is interested in boys. Who would have guessed? I would like for us to end this conversation here before said boy hears me," I say, frustrated at my fathers pushing. I see my father begin to snicker as I finish what is probably my most embarrassing outburst to date. I watch Father's eyes as they go over my head, in the direction of the doors to the kitchen. Instantly, I know that James is probably standing right behind me, and it is very likely that he just heard everything that I said. I am not embarrassed that James heard me, I am embarrassed that I just had a totally cliche, movie moment, in which the main character always gets caught doing the thing they said they don't want to be caught doing. A smile splits my face as I turn around and see James.
"Hello James, it's a fine morning is it not?" I say, trying to cover my butt in hopes that he will omit the conversation he overheard from memory.
"Not really Owens, it has been pouring all night," he says with a smirk. Instantly, my checks flush a bright red and my face grows very hot.
Embarrassed I respond, "I enjoy the rain, Victoria loves to prince in puddles so the rain is perfect for the both of us. Now, what are you serving for breakfast?" I am instantly regretful at my demanding tone. Unbothered, James tells Father and I we will be having fried eggs over toast with ham. In my opinion, bacon is better, but considering that I am not the one cooking, I tend to keep my mouth shut.
Without even thinking about it, I suddenly blurt out, "James, you should eat with us. For breakfast I mean. But only if you want to, obviously I'm not going to force you to eat with us." I immediately regret not keeping my mouth shut. My eyes huge, I turn to my father as he lets out a low chuckle and shakes his head slowly.
"James, if you would like to eat with us, you are more than welcome to," my father says, much to my own surprise. Considering his reaction to James yesterday, I am baffled that he would allow him to sit with us for a meal.
"I would love to. I'll go wash up," James says quickly.
Just as he leaves, I turn to Father saying, "That is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me! How could I possibly be so stupid? What if Mother comes to breakfast? Or Ameera? Oh my god, how will I explain this to Ameera? I already know the kitchen staff is gossiping, everyone will know by tonight. And-" Father abruptly cuts me off.
"Would you just calm down, Owens? Everyone already knew that you had your sights set on the boy, you didn't exactly do a good job at keeping it a secret. I don't mind that he is eating with us and I doubt your mother will either. Now please, calm yourself down so you don't embarrass us even more." Just as Father says this, James walks back in the door from the kitchens with a plate in hand and no apron on. As he takes a seat across from me, he lets out a small smile and we all begin to eat in a comfortable silence. As I finish my meal, I set my fork down next to my plate and look up to make eye contact with James.
"So James, have you always worked in the kitchens?" I ask, hoping that the question doesn't make him uncomfortable.
"No, I only started in the kitchens last week. My mother is above the age of work and my father was injured in the stables years ago, so I left school to come pay for our home," he says, a proud look on his face.
"That's incredibly selfless of you," my father interjects, "your father has been missed in the stables, even after ten years, I can still feel the difference between his job and Carls."
"His leg never was the same. Mothers job as a seamstress was enough, but when she turned sixty they had to ask her to leave," James explains.
"Wait, exactly how old are you?" I ask, realizing I have no idea.
"18," he says with a chuckle, "I have three much older siblings but my mother had me when she was older."
"Ah, that explains it. If it is too much of a burden for you, I imagine we could find your father work here at the palace again. Something that would be less strain on his leg," my father says, looking slightly guilty for the obvious hardship the Rolfe family endured.We continue idle conversation for what feels like just a few minutes until I hear the clock chime nine behind me. I excuse myself from the table and leave the dining room to go get ready for the day. I leave the dining room and head back upstairs to my chambers so that Betty will have enough time to prepare me for lessons. When I reach my chambers, I notice that the door is partially open. I assume that it was because I left so quickly but as I enter, I see a drop of blood on the floor, just a few feet from my door. Suddenly alert, I grab the fire poker next to the fireplace and carry it with me into the bedroom, just as I enter, I feel a pain in my chest andlook down tosee blooodd. My headhu rts. mykneesbuc kle itisdark
YOU ARE READING
Doing it all Wrong
FantasyOwens Beaufort has had everything handed to her for her entire life. As the daughter of royalty, all that has been asked of her is that she attend her lessons and conduct herself properly in public. It is safe to say that Owens does not do this. She...
