The Sapphire Pendant

Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

Adeline

I woke up the next morning before Irene came to dress me for my date with Josh.  I wasn’t going, and my father couldn’t make me.

I walked into the large closet in my room and pulled out a blue cotton dress and white apron.  I was confused so I was going to the one place that I had sanctuary.   I know Chef Paul wouldn’t tell my father that I was there.

I opened my door with a push and winced when it creaked.  I looked down the hall and up it; no one was roaming the palace at this early hour.  I took a lit candle and held it out in front of me since no one had bothered to light the torches that were lined up along the wall.

I tip-toed past my father’s chambers and held my breath. Every time I snuck out I was just waiting for someone like Irene or my father to catch me in the act.  I stared at the door as I walked by but he didn’t open it.

I heard footsteps and I quickly put out my candle and hid behind a tapestry.  I tried to stare through the tapestry to see who was in the hallway.

“Bring the king his lunch,” a low voice said, “and don’t spill the water.”

“Why?” Another voice said.

“Don’t question me,” the voice said.

I heard shuffling feet as the two servants walked past the tapestry.  I waited for the footsteps to fade and I peered out of the tapestry and began to walk to the Royal Kitchen.

“Chef Paul?” I called.

“Yes,” Chef answered, “oh hello Princess.”

“Hi,” I said, “can I hide in here?”

“Why?” Chef said playfully, “Does it have something to do with Prince Joshua.”

“Yes, I’m hiding from him so I don’t have to go on my date,” I admitted.  Admitting things to Chef was different than telling things to my father or even my sister.  There was something about Chef that made me feel rest assured.

“I don’t think the prince is that bad,” Chef said, “he came in here last night.”  He reached into a cupboard fishing around for a missing ingredient.

“What did he say?” I asked.

“Pretty much ranting about how he has to get married,” Chef said, “like you.  Mostly that he misses his mother, she left his father.  She lives in Trebeth now with some farmer.”

“Well at least we have that much in common,” I said.  If he didn’t want to get married either why did he insist last night that we date?  I didn’t really hear the last part.

“Since you’re here,” Chef said surveying the kitchen, ignoring my question, “I need someone to make bread for our guest’s breakfast.”

“Okay,” I clapped.

I walked into a smaller room adjoining the kitchen.  Chef Paul gave it to me as a birthday gift when I showed him my interest in baking.  I loved that room almost as much as my library.  There was a hearth of the fire, numerous cabinets full of ingredients, and a table.

I took out the flour, water, and yeast and set them on the table.  As I needed the bread I wondered why I was against marriage.  I made a list of pros and cons.

I was about to be enslaved for life through matrimony, I didn’t want someone who saw me as a partner but a life friend, I knew nothing about him, and I didn’t want to get married period.

Marriage was like one giant compromise.  I didn’t do well with compromises.  I wasn’t one to say that I was right or agree with other people’s ideas, especially if that person’s idea is incorrect.