Springalia

Chapter 2

In this same land lived another girl from quite a different background. Unlike Florence, her dreams of love and education were not handed too her. Yet, I suppose you could say she was gifted in the matter of intelligence. All she dreamed of was going to University and supporting her father and mother. Her boat may be rocked, however, and maybe just maybe her dreams will change.

~

The sun had not even risen when the owner of the Tavern had his wife wake Ivy up. "Hurry up Ivy, we don't have time for you to be sleeping in all the time. Food doesn't cook itself." By this time Ivy was soaked with dirty water as this was Madam Jones' custom for waking Ivy up. As the Madam left, Ivy groaned and tumbled out of bed.

Her ragged dress was still drying when she slipped it on after washing her face. Her dark, curly hair was threatening to pop the band as she pulled it into a bun. Ivy was born an Autumnial citizen, but her parents moved her to the village Hillbrooke in Springalia when she was five. When her dad lost his job at the Palace when she turned eight, all three of them were forced to find jobs that offered crummy pay just to scrape by. Madam Jones' "generously" offered Ivy a job as the house maid for little pay. Ivy had worked in the Jones' residence above the Tavern ever since. When she turned 14, she moved into their attic because the walk to the Tavern became too dangerous to walk in the morning.

In the kitchen, the milk and egg supply was running low, and she had to use the last of it to make breakfast. I get to go to the Market today! A smile crossed her face as she realized that she would get to see Vidia, her best friend later that day. After she made breakfast, she got to cleaning the house. At three she planned to go to the Market.

The bustling of the Tavern beneath her was disturbing as she heard fist fights and glasses break. Ivy never understood why people found joy in alcoholism and fighting. "Deep in thought, huh?" Lindsey, the housekeeper, smiled down at Ivy as she scrubbed the floor boards.

"Just dreaming about leaving this place for University in a month." Ivy could not wait to further her secret education. For years she had stayed up late into the night reading books about every possible subject from fantasy to math.

"Girls don't go to University, Ivy. What makes you think you are any different?"

"The fact that I have the will and the brains, Lin."

"Well, I'm rooting for you Ives."

Ivy smiled in return and continued on the floor boards. Soon enough three o'clock rolled around and Ivy gathered her basket and put on her shoes. "I'm going to the Market Madam, I'll be back by six."

"Make it quick and get some bread from McLister's bakery while you're at it." Madam called back.

Ivy rushed into the street and breathed in the fresh air. A laugh escaped from her lips as she skipped down the lane. The sun bounced off of her caramel colored skin; it felt great. Her smile grew bigger as she saw a familiar face. "Vidia! Vidia over here!"

Her friend turned and looked shocked as Ivy pulled her into an embrace. "Ivy, you're here! Just in time also. Apparently the Royals' carriages have been seen on the roads today. Rumor has it they will come into the town today."

Vidia adored Princess Florence's style, personality, and attributes just like most of the townspeople. Ivy on the other hand did not mind the Princess, but she was bitter towards the King and Queen for putting her dad out of work. In her mind, the King had single-handedly ruined her life. He may have been rumored to be kind, but Ivy could not associate kind with firing her father.

"Oh Vids, the Royals are ordinary people, just like us. They just have... extraordinary jobs?"

"And blue blood brainiac. Please Ives, humor me a little just for one day."