Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 14

POV : Christine

Christine waited outside the kitchen. She had no idea what she was going to say to Haley. She knew she didn't really know them, but it didn't change the fact that she wanted to ask them out. She took a deep breath and walked in. She knew from the way that all of the chefs stared at her that she wasn't supposed to be back there. She stood straight through her blush and went right up to Haley. 
"Umm, hi. I am sorry to bother you, but I noticed you at The Prince's ball and I thought you were really stunning. I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner sometime?" She knew she was blushing more but she didn't really care. Haley looked astonished. 
"Oh, umm, sure. I get off in a few hours if tonight works." Christine straightened. 
"It actually works great. We could meet by the library and have dinner in my room. I have a few chairs and a table. I know it's not the best place for a first date-"
"No, it's perfect. I'll meet you there. It will probably be closer to sundown, though. I have to get through dinner." Christine nodded. 
"Ok, I'll see you then." She smiled and rushed away. I can't believe I just did that! she thought to herself. She was smiling like an idiot and she hoped she didn't run into any of her family. Who she hadn't expected to run into was The King. She stopped right before she ran into him. 
"Ah, Lady Christine. Just the lady I was looking for." She curtseyed, making sure to sink low just as her mother had taught her. 
"May I ask what you were looking for me for, my lord?" 
"My son and I have decided that should he and his boyfriend not find a way to produce an heir by the new year, find a way not have a child, that you and my son will be married." The joy of her previous encounter sank at that one statement. She knew it was foolish, she had come to marry The Prince. That was before she saw Haley. She didn't believe in love at first sight, but what she had was pretty close. She bowed her head in respect. 
"Of course, my lord. Is there anything else?" He studied her for a moment and she took a moment to go through anything she might have done wrong. Any way she held herself. The way she addressed him. 
"You have feelings for someone else, don't you." He said it like a statement, not a question. She nodded her head. He sighed. "I am truly sorry, but I truly am hoping my son finds a way. I don't want either of you to be unhappy. If fact, that is why I chose you. I figured if I was taking my son away from the person he loves, then I would at least pair him with someone tolerable." She smiled. 
"I understand. Thank you for telling me." She curtseyed once more then ran off to get ready for her date. She knew it would now be all the harder now that she had The Prince weighing on her mind. Nonetheless, she was determined to have a good time on her date. She didn't know what to wear. She had never been out with someone who wasn't of noble blood. It made her excited. She hoped their company would be more tolerable compared to others she had taken dinner with. "Margarett! I need you help with something!" Her sister came blundering into the room. Her makeup was running and her hair was a mess. 
"What do you want." She asked. Her tone filled with venom. 
"Well, I was going to ask for your help picking out an outfit. But now, I see I need to make sure you're alright." Margarett slumped down on her sister's bed and started weeping. 
"I am heartbroken! The woman I danced with at the ball rejected me!" Her sobs grew stronger.
"Is this the librarian I told you had a girlfriend. Margarett, who do you think she was dancing with the whole other time she wasn't with you?!" This made her cry harder. 
"I thought you were lying so you could have her all to yourself. Don't think I didn't see you chatting with her. I saw your blushes. I know you want her. Please you are probably dressing up for a date with her right now!" Christine threw her hands in the air. 
"I am not dating the librarian! I swear your pride will be the death of us all. I am setting up for a date with someone else." The statement ceased all of Margarett's crying. 
"Spill. Who are they? What do they look like?" Christine sighed. 
"Their name is Haley. They are going to be having dinner with me tonight, so please do not try to interject. I would like this to be a nice peaceful event. No, not even an event! I want you and mom to be in the other room minding your own business. If mom asks say I am entertaining The Prince. Make up anything you need, just please not to irrational." Margarett was thrilled at that. 
"Alright! Now for your outfit." She trailed over to Christine's closet. After riffling through it for a minute she turned and went over to her's. She went through a hundred dresses before finding a short, metallic bronze dress. Christine rushed over to her sister and smiled broadly. 
"It's perfect!" She rushed to the bathroom to put it on. After some assistance with zipping it up, she admired how it fit her. She and her sister were the same size so she didn't have to worry about that. She went back into her bathroom and began to arrange her hair in a way that seemed way to fancy. She braided her hair and wrapped it around her head before stopping and just letting the braid hang on her shoulder. She smiled at the results. When she went out to show her sister she had somehow already cleaned herself up. Her makeup was fixed and her hair was once again in a miraculously perfect french roll. Christine shooed her away as she glanced at the darkening sky out her window. She decided to give them a little bit to get cleaned up and ready. She went out to meet them at the library when the sky had all but fully darkened. She was only waiting a little bit when Haley came around the corner. She took in what they were wearing and blushed. They were in a gold tinted waist coat and matching pants. They had a white shirt on underneath and a black bow-tie. 
"M'lady." They greeted. 
"Distinguished gentleperson." They laughed and she offered her arm to lead them back to her room. She had set out bread and cheese and a lovely year of wine. There was a little ham and olives. She didn't have a lot to throw together and she did her best with what she had. They smiled when they saw what was laid out and it put Christine at ease. 
"It looks delicious."
"I'm sorry I didn't put out more. I would have it we had any more." She blushed. "Sorry, I hope it will be enough." Haley smiles and reaches into their pocket. They pull out a jar that Christine was surprised she hadn't noticed earlier. It had a soup in it. Haley blushed and their smile turned sheepish. 
"I didn't know what I could bring so I snagged some of the dinner and put it in a jar. It is potato soup with carrots, celery, melted cheese, and some fresh milk." Christine walked over to a cabinet and got out two bowls. Haley poured half in Christine's bowl and half in their's. While they ate, they talked about their interests, their families, their plans for the future, and just late night thoughts. 
"I had no idea you were this funny." Christine said, laughter ringing in her voice. 
"No one ever really notices the staff. I'm surprised you did." They blushed. Christine's smile broadened. 
"How could I not. You hold yourself with such confidence it was almost a light in itself. I hope to appear that way, though I believe I have fallen quite short on that road." She laughed half heartedly. 
"Christine, you were the literal most radiant thing in that ballroom. Every girl wanted to be you and every boy, and person, wanted to date you. And here I am. Beating all of them to the chase. I win, ha ha ha!" Her laughter was bold and loud. She wiped the tears from her eyes as they took in, with pride, her reaction. "I realize it is getting quite late and we are out of wine. I should be getting to bed and so should you. I will see you when I get off tomorrow. Meet me back at the library." She nodded as they got up to go. 
"See you then!" She called. 
"See you then." They replied.

Thank you for reading this chapter and I hoped you enjoyed it! i hope this added some depth to Christine and Margarett's characters. I have no idea until I see if the number of views continues to go up. Again, I hope you enjoyed and will continue reading! :)