Wishful- a Powerless fanfic novella

Chapter 2: Cam

Crap, I'm going to be in the biggest trouble ever after this. If I make it out of this.

I stare down at the stew that I have been tasked with preparing for the royal's family dinner. Gail has made it very clear, maybe clearer than necessary, that I should stick to what I'm good at. Making my "famous" stews. Although, staring at what looks like 2 pounds of spices I have accidently dumped into the food does not do her statement justice.

My eyes water. From the steam of the liquid, by the way. Not a fan of crying, doesn't bring me anything except unwanted attention. I've got to find a way to make up for this, and fast. Gail will arrive back anytime now, and Plagues if she sees this a shit ton of time will be wasted listening to one of her motherly lectures. Of course, I love Gail as if she were one of the family, her kindness to take me under her wing in the kitchen has not gone unnoticed. Seeing that I don't have a lot left (of family, I mean), it would be too easy to let myself get carried away with this specific fantasy.

Anyhow, I'm getting off track. Carefully, I lift up the giant pot with two tanned hands, and carry it over to a nearby window, the smell of fresh roses lingering nearby. Guilt rolls around inside of me, yet I don't have any time to question my decision as I pour the whole concoction out of the opening. As I watch it spill onto the crisply cut grass outside (perfectly green as well, which only adds to the butterflies in my already weak stomach) I hear the soft taps of shoes heading in my direction outside. I glance up hurriedly and...

My stomach plunges. Kill me. Kill me right now.

Her hips swivel side to side as she walks, dark eyes that stay pinned on me, apron perfectly tied and ironed. Gail arrives smack in front of the window, her angry expression much clearer now that my eyes can properly inspect her, though her current inspection of me is likely to do much more damage. Hands positioned on her hips; she frowns at me, causing wrinkles to bloom around her perfectly round face.

"Now kiddo, what in the world do you think you just did back there?" Her wide eyes bore into mine, scolding me. "Wasting food, I see?" She sniffs at the food spilt all over the manicured grass between us, and I see her posture wilt slightly, before straightening in a blink.

"No! No, I....." How could I tell her that I hate seeing her like this? Hate that I have just wasted her precious supplies just because of my clumsy nature? Anything I could say from now would just sound pathetic. So, I keep my damn mouth shut.

"What? Too scared to tell old Gail? Come on, nothing gets past me. We all make mistakes sometimes."

"Welllllll" I drag the word out, planning to come up with some sort of lie less atrocious than the act I have just committed, when someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around carefully, glancing at Kai Azer's very own face in surprise and then stepping back from the window. Plagues, now I can finally get away. But that is not the case. As I make to leave, a steady arm reaches out and stops me in my tracks, applying firm pressure against my chest as I attempt to push against him looking like the idiot I am.

"Gail" He smiles at her warmly, while holding me back, the ass. Unlike me, Kai has no problem with conversation. "May I steal Cameron away for one minute?" Huh? What could this man possibly want to do with me?

"Of course, Kai darling. Cam, I hope to see you soon" She clucks her tongue, a sign that motherly hen Gail has emerged, yet that lecture I predicted may come later than I thought. I don't suppose Kai wants me to talk to him for anything of good purpose.

She strides away from the window, towards the royal vegetable garden where I just know she'll be flirting with one of the poor farmers in a few minutes from now. I push away from the white bench I find myself pressed against, and turn to face Kai, head down. "Yes?"

"Cameron" He starts, because of course he always addresses me by my full name, "As the upcoming trials approach, I must prepare and train harder than ever". Yeah right, the whole of Ilya already knows who'll be winning these trials, no need to appear modest. "And so, it would be kindly appreciated if you go to my father's study right now to retrieve some papers for me, as I am too busy to do so." Too busy flirting, I bet. His frowned expression surprises me. I've never been the closest with either of the princes, so why on earth is he asking me to complete his tasks?

But it's not my place to question royalty. "Of course, your highness" I raise and then dip my head again politely, already thinking of the many things I would rather be doing right now. "What sort of documents do you require?" I say this to the floor, my best friend.

"Oh, just silly playthings, any information on the upcoming trials. I'd like to be prepared." A slight smirk appears on his face, revealing a shallow dimple. I narrow my eyes in suspicion. The prince, cheating? Maybe I'm just dreaming. Maybe I just dreamed the past five minutes and no trouble shall come to me.

I pinch myself, just to make sure. I sigh inwardly. Not a dream.

"Yes" I reply shortly. Yes, I can help the prince cheat.

"Many thanks" He simply states, and then swiftly turns around on the polished marble floor and strides off, the clip of his navy boots against the floors that can be heard from miles away. Well, with my freaky ears at least. As soon as I am sure he is nowhere near, I let out a huge sigh and make my way out the door quickly, wondering what on earth I have just agreed to.

Lets get this over and done with.