Almost Cinderella

Chapter 1

The morning was bright, brighter then Prince Derek cared for. He had been woken a few hours earlier in order to meet his parents from their travels. Usually, he was able to sleep as late into the day as he cared as long as when he woke he took care of whatever was needed. Derek was spoiled of course. As many would say, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The only child his parents bore, the Prince was more then just their son. He was the only heir and the Royal parents had to make sure he remained happy, healthy, and when the time came, ready to take on he throne. Today was no different, he had been in several meetings that morning, trying very hard to be like his father in the discussions that came about the military and various other simple things. His mother had promised a gift and she was sure it was one he needed. Sighing softly, Derek stretched before settling in to eat his breakfast. His parents had been travelling a lot lately and it wasn't that he minded. He enjoyed being in charge of the castle. What he did mind was the constant flow of possible matches his mother kept sending. Though he had said it many times, Derek wasn't ready to take on a wife, especially not one that thought of nothing but herself. That possibility was one he figured didn't exist. Shaking his head, he took a bite and looked around before taking a drink of the wine that had been brought out. He could hear his father's words even when he wasn't there. 'Son, you must take on a wife in order to get yourself an heir or two. It is high time you thought of someone aside from yourself.' he would say, only making Derek's dislike for the subject worse. Turning as the door opened, a maid came in to alert Derek that his parent's carriage was nearly there. Waving her off, he stood and wiped his mouth before heading out. His parents returning meant that later on he could do what he pleased while his father was there. When he stepped into the warm rays of the sun, Derek had to shield his eyes briefly as his sight adjusted.  

The sound of the wheels is all that she kept track of. Rose, a young servant sat in front of the queen. A few times the girl had dozed off, the silence of the carriage was almost deafening. Curiosity kept her awake though for she had yet to be told what her purpose was. All the queen would say was that she was a special present for a special someone. Who's present she couldn't help but wonder. As they neared the castle, Rose's gaze found the window of the carriage. She looked up at the gate as they entered the castle grounds, the towers of the magnificent structure creating a giant shadow in the sun's rays. Her jaw dropped a bit and she smiled as she looked at the queen.  The older woman, Queen Maria, returned her gaze and nodded before looking as well. "This will be your home." she told her, "You should never leave the grounds unless you are allowed to." With that, Rose nodded. The king, a man of larger build sat beside his wife. The man gave off a feeling that Rose didn't care find more out about. He was usually quiet, but at the moment he was going over a few papers he had in his hands. Rose moved her hair out of her face. The queen had ordered her to be bathed before departing from the town she'd been bought in. She had not received a bath for a while and was sure her smell was the reason. Now freshly clean, her red hair shined in the sun, her emerald eyes as clear as the gem itself and her pale skin was almost milky colored. She wore a simple green dress the queen had purchased instead of the rags she had been wearing for who knows how long. Softly, she ran her fingers along a scar she had received while still in the care of the slave driver. Rose couldn't remember her life before that of slavery and wondered if she should ever really wonder about it. Closing her eyes, she leaned back and her head drooped down. She felt tired again and rubbed her eyes a bit before feeling the carriage stopping. She looked up as a footman opened the door. The king got out first, straightening his crown as well as his top. The queen followed, smoothing her gown as they stood together. Rose was hesitant, wondering if she should get out or not. As nice as the queen was, she hoped that whoever she ended up being the present for was as nice as she was.

"Mother, Father" Derek started, smiling at his parents, "Welcome home. I trust your travels were well?" He bowed slightly and was embraced by his mothers almost immediately. "My dear boy, it has been too long since we saw you. I believe you were a few inches shorter. Don't you agree my dear?" she asked her husband who nodded in agreement but was soon stepping away with his advisers. "He will be back to see us for lunch." the queen told her son who nodded. "Well mother, i know it improper, but i can't wait to see the present you brought for me. And no, i am still the very same height you saw me with last. I believe the part of me that is different would be my hair. It is longer if you look at it" Derek told her, smiling a bit as he stood straight, letting a few servants take his parents bags inside before turning to his mother once more. "It's in the carriage my dear." She told him before the two turned. "Come Rose." the queen urged, knowing the girl might be a bit frightened by everything so new around her. After a long moment, Rose stepped out, straightening up once she was out. She took a breath as her hair fell down her waist. The ribbon it had been tied up with had unraveled itself. She looked up then and met his gaze. Derek stood, at a loss for words. "A woman. Mother you bought me a woman?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky as he looked at the queen. "Yes, i have. You're little home is in need of a female's touch. She will be your cook, maid, and anything your man servant can't provide." she explained, making Derek groan. "Mother, he is sick, not dying. He will be healthy once again in just a few days. I do not need a woman in my home to make it impossible for me to do important things." he protested. "She has already been bought Derek, there is no more to say." she explained. Derek groaned and looked at the servant. "Don't you just love her red hair? It seems like it's on fire right? Her story is interesting all on it's own" she asked him. Derek simply nodded, taking a breath. "I'm sure it is mother, what is her name?" he asked, his gaze returning to his mother. "Rose and rightfully so with her hair." she replied, smiling as she went to the girl and got her closer to Derek. "Take her to your home son. Show her around a bit." she told him. "Not yet mother, first you and father should eat." he explained before looking at the servant, "Go down to the kitchens. Get some food and uniforms. The one in charge should be Mrs. Shierton, she will get you some uniforms. Be back in the dining hall right after." Rose nodded and took a breath before passing the two. After she left, Derek looked at his mother. "You bought her for more then just cleaning didn't you." he asked her. The queen smiled before gazing up at her son. "I bought her for you because i have a sneaky suspicion that you and she will get along greatly. She will help you to choose a wife and you will be able to go to her for things that you may need." she replied. "Oh mother" Derek whispered, shaking his head as they walked into the dining room and found their seats. He turned, watching as his father came in and sat down with the group. "Has your mother given you the present?" he asked, before noticing Derek's demeanor. "Yes father and i have to say it is a present i certainly didn't expect." Derek explained as the food was brought to the table. "Good, sometimes it is a good thing to catch you off guard my boy." The king explained before taking a long drink of Ale. Derek nodded to his father, though he was trying to get out of having this new toy his parents had so graciously gotten for him. One he didn't really want.

~.~

Rose walked through the castle, her gaze finding various interesting things. Armor, weapons, and portraits. She looked up at the wall that held the paintings of previous royal families. A king only with his two daughters. A queen with sons. A king and queen with multiple children. Then came the current family. The only picture they had were of a young king, queen and their small son. Rose smiled as she stepped closer, wondering what he was like as a child. Hearing voices, Rose was quick to hide behind some armor. Two guards passed by and Rose let out a breath once they were gone. She looked after them and stepped out of hiding. She quietly went along, still observing everything as she walked. Curious, she wondered where this kitchen Derek spoke of was. She turned a corner and came to a set of hidden stairs. "I wonder if this is the way." she whispered before smiling again and heading down the stairs. It wasn't long until she came to the bottom, the smell of something good dancing across her nose. "That smells wonderful" she whispered as she hurried up, coming into a nicely decorated kitchen. At the fireplace stood a girl about her age. She didn't bug her but instead went to find this Mrs. Shierton. After failing to find her in the pantries or in the kitchen, she stopped and sighed. "You're the new girl the carriage men have been speaking of, aren't you?" the girl by the fire asked. Rose turned to her and nodded. "It's that obvious?" she asked as she rested a hand under her chin. Nodding, the dark haired girl smiled. "I'm Sandy. Here, you must e starving after the long ride. The royals never each as much as we cook so we always end up with a good deal left over." she explained as she set down a small plate of food. "You'd better hurry, Mrs. Shierton will be back soon. She only left to make sure the queen's chambermaids were doing their jobs." Sandy looked around and smiled as she too sat down, nibbling on a fresh apple. "Thanks, I'm glad someone here is able to help me a bit. It took me a moment to find my way down here. I'm Rose by the way." she explained, smiling back at the cook. "Nice to meet you. And yes, this place can get confusing. Lucky for you, I've lived here my entire life. So, i know this castle like the back of my hand." Sandy told her. Rose listened and smiled again as she finished speaking. "Well it is good to know i already have a friend." she explained as she ate. As the two ate, Rose imagined her life again. In her thoughts, she missed a man about Sandy's age walking in. "Is this her?" he asked. Sandy nodded and smiled. "This is Rose. She is the Prince's present from his mother." she explained, for some reason making the man laugh. "Jeez, his mother is desperate if he's actually buying women for her." he explained, snatching an apple and biting into it. "Oh leave her alone Andrew, I'm sure that isn't why the queen bought her." Sandy retorted, making Rose question the relationship of the two. The boy named Andrew smiled at Rose. "Well, keep your skirts from him. He isn't one to chase them" he explained. "Thank you." Rose told him as she finished her food. Sandy took the plate and washed it before looking at Andrew. "Are we still on for tonight?" she asked. Andrew nodded, "Everything is set up, we just have to finish our chores." he told her. Sandy smiled and nodded before sitting. "Good, i don't want to be interrupted like last time." she explained. "Interrupted doing what?" Rose asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. "We enjoy having a bonfire by the beaches here." Sandy explained, "A bunch of us servants get together after our chores are finished and having fun." Rose listened, wondering what a bonfire was. "And you two are going together?" She asked, "You are quite a cute couple" With her words, both Sandy and Andrew erupted in laughter. Andrew pretended to kiss Sandy who laughed. "Me be with him?" she asked, "No way. He's my best friend. We grew up together." she explained as she pushed Andrew away. "Ya, i can't think of her as anything other then a sister." he replied as he sat down. "Oh" Rose whispered, feeling her cheeks heat up. She returned her attention to her food, wondering if she would have friends working for the Prince.