Springalia

Chapter 3

As the door to the stairway shut behind her, Ivy heard the familiar rapping of fingernails on the kitchen table. Slowly, she walked down the hall towards the kitchen. She despised every piece of artwork on the walls around her, the grease smeared wallpaper that she had to clean so often, the ratty upholstery that provided no comfort under her feet, and the stench of the Tavern beneath her feet. Most of all, she hated the people that owned the greasy hovel that she cleaned day after back breaking day. She dreaded walking into the kitchen where Madam was no doubt awaiting her arrival. She feared Mr. Jones firing her for sake of money. She hated that she was the only one keeping her from quitting and living life the way most medieval teenagers including Vidia got to. The blame all pointed back to one person or family in particular though. The Royals were to blame. Her life could have been peaceful and enjoyable if they had not laid her father off. Or, she could have been in Autumnia if King Leo had not required her father's service.

"Ivy hurry up into the kitchen," Madam's cold voice disturbed Ivy's thoughts and she cautiously entered the kitchen. Madam sat at the table while Bobby Jones himself stood against the wall with his head down. "Where are the groceries Ivy?" Madam asked quietly.

"Well, I bought them and-"

"And now you don't have them or the money? Now tell me, are you stealing from us Ivy?"

"No, Madam, I swear I had them and you can find them sprawled across Bakers Street. Someone ran into me on the road and caused me to drop the groceries. I swear I am not stealing from you Mr. Jones. I swear it!"

"Well no matter, either way you have to pay. Whether or not you stole it was your clumsiness that caused my money to go to waste. Therefore, you must work off the money. It was how much?"

Tears threatened at Ivy's eyes, but she held them back. "It was five calcs Madam."

"Let's see, five calcs translates to one, two, ten months of work. To think, you were about to leave also. Shame, that is about a year of extra work for no pay. Maybe next time you'll think before showing up one hour late and stealing from me. What a shameful being you are."

"Madam no please-,"

"Ivy, go clean something. That's all you're good for anyways." A laugh came from the Madam's mouth as she spoke. She sauntered out of the room pushing Ivy as she did so. Bobby followed after her, looked at Ivy with a sad and pitiful expression, and shook his head before leaving the room. Now the tears started trickling down Ivy's face as she realized that not only was she costing her family priceless money, but her dream of going to University had just been shattered before her very eyes. It's always because of the no good, stupid Royals! Even the extremely handsome ones can only ruin lives.

~

That night, Ivy lay awake in her bed. How could she sleep when everything she had worked so hard for had been taken away from her? Then there was that prince or whatever his name was. Landon, that was his name right? He had been so charming and handsome before she realized that he was the reason for everything. She would have loved to waltz with him into the morning at the ball. The ball! Vidia was so lucky to be able to go to the ball. Her brilliant gown was so dazzling. The lavender color worked perfectly with her black hair. Ivy wanted more than anything to take Vidia up on her offer to live with her family. Maybe she could be able to see Landon that way. He is royal Ivy! He is probably already betrothed to Princess Florence anyway. Ugh.

In the midst of all her mental chaos, one idea was dependable. Silently, Ivy got up from her bed and put her cloak on over her night gown. She slipped into her worn boots and exited her room. All was still as she crept down the hall. Well, until she saw light streaming out from under the kitchen door. Hm, strange. She heard soft murmurs from inside.

"We can't keep her here forever, Rory," Bobby's distinct voice could be heard.

"I will find a way to keep her with us if it is the last thing I do," Madam, Rory, was now speaking in a soft voice.

"Why do you insist on ruining the poor girl's life Rory?"

"If we treat her badly, she will never doubt who she is. It's the only way to ensure her safety Bobby. I mean her keepers are already being suspected by some. We must make sure she doesn't leave or else we're all in trouble."

"She's been gone for eleven years and even before that she lived in a secluded cabin. I doubt anyone will think she is anyone special."

"Bobby, I'm just doing what I think is the only way to keep her safe. Please, trust me."

"I just hate seeing her so broken, especially since she is our princess."

"Shhhh- don't say it so loudly, you never know who is listening."

Ivy had heard enough. She decided to go back to her room and did not leave. Princess? I thought for sure she was talking about me, but I'm no princess. Besides, my parents are MY parents. Keepers? What are those? Her mind was so exhausted with all the thinking that she had done that she fell asleep. Her dreams were peaceful, but she could not help but think she was sleeping on a pea.