Forever and Always

Chapter 1

A new day is a new beginning, I think to myself. I just sat in bed for a few minutes, hearing the noise of my mother yelling, of course, her morning tantrum. I decide I'll get up and start getting ready. As the oldest sister I have the courtesy of having my own room, my mother has one and my two little sisters sleep in the living room.

After I finish getting ready I exit my room, my curly hair is free and I have on the best underbust I could find. It is decorated with little pink and white peonies. When I was younger I LOATHED the color pink, but now I wear it everyday even if sometimes it's just a little pink ribbon. I exited my room quickly. I headed quickly to the door before my mom could see me.

"Where do you think you're going?", she said in an meticulous voice.

"To find a job like you said."

"And who is going to watch the kids, I'm going out. "

"With whom??"

"None of your business."

"I've been in this house long enough, I plan to move out, without marriage and with my own money, I can't stand being here any longer"

"Well you've no choice , I'm your mother so whatever I say goes."

Well, then why didn't you're husband stay, I thought to myself. "I'm finding a job, I want to live in the town and start my own bakery in the kingdom"

"Like it'll ever come true"

"As long as I'm alive, it will come true, Goodbye mother."

"If you leave you're not welcome back."

"Tell Layla and Sherri they can have my room and I hope they don't turn out like you, but if I stay in this house I'll turn into a loon"

I slam the door and walk out to a new journey, except I have no where to go. I'll scout town for a job, maybe Miss Mary's Bakery is still hiring, hopefully. Last fall my mom refused to let me work there, even though she got fired from her job.

I walk into Miss Mary's and see her at the front.

"Hi Miss Mary, how are you?"

"Hello Ella, I'm doing fine myself."

"That's good I was wondering if you still needed a full time baker."

"Mmmm, I'm so sorry dear, no I'm not."

My heart is crushed, I jumped a little too far.

"We'll that hurts, but do you know any where that is hiring and has free lodging for workers.?"

"Ah, yes I do. I hear the king is hiring a baker, I can recommend you. He says traveling to my bakery almost everyday is such a hustle for him and his workers since they're always so busy. I'll give you the address and a flyer with a special note."

"Thank you so much!!!"

I walk out of Miss Mary's with some sweet bread and journey to the castle. I hope this works out.

I arrive at the castle tired, but I feel my energy rejuvenating as I lay eyes on the exterior of the castle. I walk over the stone bridge that has a pool of water I'd never want to drink. As I reach the gate I'm stopped by guards.

I explain how I'm here for an interview and show them the flyer. One of them rolls his eyes and says, "another peasant".

As soon as they open the gate I walk through, I'm too tired to come up with an insult. Im guided by one of the King's guard to where interviews are being held. I see the king, and old man soon to be dethroned by his son. The king was a great ruler, there was rarely any conflict, only drunkards.

I bow to the king and hand him the flyer.

"Good Evening Your Majesty, I was hoping you didn't hire a baker yet, though I am not well experienced I'm sure once you taste my treats you'll think otherwise. Miss Mary's recommended me herself I promise I'll work the hardest and give my all."

He reads the flyer and stares at it for what seems like ten minutes.

"If I hire you, you need to promise one thing."

"I promise"

"I haven't said the promise yet. Promise to not entertain my son, I've lost many great cooks and maids to my entertaining son, promise to not entertain back."

Hmm sounds a lot like my sperm donor.

"Yes Your Majesty, I promise not to, I hate men who behave that way." I cover my mouth.

He laughs and reassures me it's fine.

"My son is acting out because he has to leave in two months to go serve the army, but he's always been mischievous just not like this. I wonder what's going on with him. Anyways you will have a room on the first floor. Breakfast starts at 7:30, lunch at 11:00, and dinner at 6:30. We can fix our own snacks if we're hungry. You can eat after you are done handling the food between each meals. The first floor rooms are for employees, but for ballrooms parties you may come upstairs. I'll have Steven, one of my best guards to show you around."

"Yes Your Majesty, I can't wait to work"

As Steven shows me around I see the back of man with shoulder length black hair. He looks like a Viking from the back. His muscles bulge through his clothes from what I can see. He has this aura that attracts you.

"Oh that must be the prince, I should say hello."

Steven stops me by grabbing my wrist.

"You can't it seems he's too caught up with the maid"

I look and see them flirting and giggling, the maid looks like she's truly in love, but he seems as if he's just toying with her. We walk past them to the door of my room.

"Thank you for showing me around Steven, I'll see you in the morning."

He genuinely smiles and I see he has dimples.

"See you in the morning."

He's kind of cute, I think to myself.

I think of what i should bake for breakfast, the king says there are tons of ingredients in the kitchen and I can't wait to see. Im thinking blueberry muffins with bacon and egg omelettes. Yes that sounds good. I look in my closet to see the uniform. Its a white top with a pink midbust and a beige skirt that goes to the feet, the shoes are brown flats, that luckily won't be seen. I just wish they had more accessories, I didn't bring much money with me only all I had, hopefully when I have time off I can get more ribbons and necklaces.

I lay down falling to a slumber when I hear a loud knock on my door.