I groaned as the sunlight streamed through my window. Time to bloody get up, huh? I rolled out of bed and pulled on a simple dress. Undoubtedly, Diana has a list of chores she wants me to see to. As I walked upstairs, I could hear Tara and Rachel giggling in the kitchen.
"Tara? Rachel? Are you two up yet? We should get our chores done before Mum gets up." I walked in and saw my sisters flirting with Daniel, the baker's son. I smiled lightly at him. "Good morning, Daniel. Were you bringing us our morning bread delivery?" I teasingly smiled at Tara and Rachel as I walked over. "I hope my sisters were not too much trouble." Daniel laughed as he looked at Rachel, his eyes lingering a little longer than usual.
"I promise your sisters were no more trouble than usual."
"Girls! Get on with your chores! We have a busy day ahead of us!" Diana called as she walked out of her room. Tara, Rachel and I jumped and turned to face her.
"Yes, Mum!" We answered in unison.
Daniel left and we each grabbed a basket. Flowers, herbs, fabric for mum's dressmaking, spare parts for my invention, milk, fresh fruit. None of that should be difficult to acquire. Diana carefully tossed her newest dress into my basket.
"Can you sell this for me in town? We need the money." I nodded.
"Of course, mum." Diana smiled and kissed the top of my head.
"Thank you, loves." And sell Mum's newest gown.
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"Ella!" I looked at Tara, pulled out of my thoughts. "Ready to go?" I nodded.
"Of course! Let's go!" We rushed out the door, walking toward town. "How long has that been going on, Rach?" Rachel flashed me a confused look.
"What do you mean, Ella?" Tara laughed and gently nudged Rachel.
"She means the longing looks between you and Daniel, of course!" Rachel and I laughed.
"I honestly have no bloody clue what you are talking about!" Tara and I laughed as we headed into town.
"Come off it, Rach. Tara and I can both see it! You fancy Daniel and he fancies you!" Rachel's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Why would he go for a big girl like me?" My smile faded and I pulled Rachel into a tight hug.
"Because you have a kind heart and because you are courageous and think about others before yourself." Tara nodded.
"Agreed." She smiled teasingly. "You make the rest of us look bad with how incredible you are, sister." Rachel's cheeks turned slightly pink and she turned back toward the marketplace.
"I will get the flowers for our dinner table and the herbs," Rachel said, walking toward the florist's shop. I glanced at Tara.
"I can get the milk and sell Mum's dress." I nodded and handed the dress to Tara.
"Then I will go to the dressmaker's shop for fabric and the farmer for the fruit."
I turned toward the south end of the marketplace as Tara went to the apothecary. I walked toward the dressmaker's shop, excitedly. Perhaps they will have some spare needles and thread. And the farmer's stand, which is right near there. Then I can go to the inventor's shop. He may have some spare parts I can use. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize I had bumped into someone until my basket fell from my arms. I dropped to the ground to pick up the little money I had and the little bit of fabric to show the dressmaker what I needed. And the random parts I have for my machine.
"I am so sorry, sir! I did not mean to bump into you! I don't know what I was thinking!"
I reached for the money when I realized it was not there. Did he really take my money? I needed that! I grabbed the fabric and the spare parts, standing up. I looked up and opened my mouth to say something.
"I don't believe that belongs to you! Give it back now! You have no idea what I need that for!" The handsome, young man in front of me held out his hand.
"I believe you dropped this when I bumped into you, miss." I stared at him, surprised, as I took the money.
"Th...thank you, kind sir. Forgive me for knocking into you." The young man shook his head, smiling, as he put a hand on his chest.
"I believe it is me who should apologize, miss. I was not looking where I was going."
Henry:
"Mum, you cannot be serious! If I do not marry Princess Titania of Áragranatased, you are going to throw a ball for me to find someone to marry?"
"My darling phoenix—" She raised her hands to gently cup my face.
"No!" I stepped away from her. "Only Father ever called me that." My mother dropped her hands and sighed.
"Henry, you are getting far too old to go gallivanting through the forest on hunts just to avoid your royal duties."
"Mother, I should not have royal duties yet! Father should still be here! This should still be his responsibility!" My mother huffed angrily.
"Don't you think I know that, Henry? But he is not here! Roman is dead and you are next in line for the throne! So stop being so lazy and get to your duties before Galdiyatazíu is left vulnerable and attacked!" I froze and stared at my mother. She immediately softened and reached out for me. "Henry, I..."
I turned around and walked back to my room in silence. I cannot stay here. Not when my duties threaten to crush me under their weight. I changed into what I hoped was a simple outfit and slipped down the vines covering the trellis outside my window. Perhaps I can find a place to hide in town. Hopefully no one recognizes me. As I walked toward the center of the marketplace, I spotted three beautiful, young peasant women. Two of them appeared to be sisters, but the third looked nothing like them. She walked with a kind of grace that didn't seem to suit her status. Who is she?
I shook my head and walked toward the blacksmith's forge on the southwest side of the market. I cannot focus on young women when there is a chance that one may be forced onto me. Perhaps Aurelius can give me a job in his forge. A place where I can hide out until my mum changes her mind. Suddenly, I bumped into the young woman who had caught my eye. She dropped her basket and everything in it.
"I am so sorry, sir! I did not mean to bump into you! I don't know what I was thinking!"
Why is she apologizing? It was me who bumped into her. I noticed a small bundle of money and scooped it up before someone else did. She reached for the money after picking up everything else and seemed to realize it was gone. I held out my hand as she stood up.
"I don't believe that belongs to you! Give it back now! You have no idea what I need that for!" I held my hand closer to her.
"I believe you dropped this when I bumped into you, miss." The young woman stared at me, seemingly surprised.
"Th...thank you, kind sir. Forgive me for knocking into you." I shook my head and gave the woman a hopefully reassuring smile. I put a hand over my heart as I answered.
"I believe it is me who should apologize, miss. I was not looking where I was going." The woman shook her head.
