Almost Cinderella

Chapter 3

Days passed and soon, it began to snow, the changing of the seasons had brought several more princesses, all of which the prince turned down with ease. Rose had grown used to the routine of making sure that ale or rum were ready after each meeting with a princess. Sitting quietly, Rose smiled as she read by a window, waiting for Derek to return from a meeting with his father's council. The sun was slowly moving and Rose wondered if he would be there all night as he had for the last few nights. It had begun to worry her, how little she saw of him. Sighing softly, she looked outside, watching a butterfly go past her window and settle on the now blooming roses. After another hour, she stood and went down to the kitchen. She'd received word that the Prince was expecting a visitor that evening and knew it had to be another princess. She looked at the recipe she was following that evening. When she heard Derek walk into the little home, she went to greet him and smiled. "Hello Your Highness" she told him before freezing. He was escorting a Princess into his private home. "Rose, we have visitors. By the smell of it, you've started dinner. Please add more to the dinner." he told her. Rose nodded before returning to the kitchen. Releasing a breath, she pushed back the feeling of jealousy she felt and added the Princess's chicken to the rest. After doing so, she made drinks. Making a simple tea for the Princess, Rose made the Prince tea as well but added a pour of ale into his cup. After mixing it, she took it out and set it down. As she finished, she listened as the Princess spoke. "Honestly Prince Derek, does this maid stay here every day and every night?" she asked, "It seems suspicious to keep a woman here. I thought perhaps you'd have a man servant to keep my lady in waiting busy so we can have no babysitters." she sighed, picking her tea up and taking a drink. Derek gazed at Rose before sighing. "I don't know why my mother decided for me to have her. But she has a reason for everything so I'm sure the answer will appear shortly." He told her, taking a drink of his own tea. He tasted the ale and smiled lightly, reminding himself to reward Rose after the Princess had gone. Rose returned to the food and finished, adding some potatoes as a side and starting a small cake for the group. Once she set the table, she walking into the sitting room. "Prince, your dinner is served." she told him. The princess looked at her as if she were crazy, addressing him differently. 

Once the group was sat down, Rose poured more to drink and returned to the kitchen to eat. "Well, she's not much to look at, but she is a wonderful cook" the Princess remarked, making Derek look at her. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked, he'd heard her but he wanted her to repeat herself. The princess looked offended and repeated herself, making Derek stand promptly. "That would be twice you've insulted my staff. I would like for you to leave. Now" he told her. He took the Princess by the arm and lead her to the door. The last thing she heard before a slamming door was the princess asking what she had done. Rose had brushed off the insult but when Derek defended her, she was taken off guard. While he stood calming down from the outburst, Rose cleared the table and began the dishes. After a few minutes, he joined her, rolling up his sleeves to help her. Rose remained quiet while they worked, only speaking when Derek did to her. After they were finished and she was drying the last of the dishes, he got himself a glass and poured some liquor into it. "Princesses Rose, they drive me crazy. They are selfish, ignorant, dressed up porcelain dolls that get on my nerves! And my mother keeps shoving every one of them at me. I have yet to meet a proper princess with love in her heart, compassion, kindness and selflessness. My search thus far has turned out discouraging." he told before downing his first drink. He poured another before looking at her. After a moment, he picked up the bottle and went to his little balcony, sitting on a chair placed on it. Rose finished drying the dishes and went to the balcony. "You could always hold a masque" she offered, though she knew it may not be the best idea. "All the woman there would be hidden behind masks. So, you would have to get to know her, not her looks" Derek looked up at her and smiled lightly. "My mother would throw a fit. Masques are her least favorite. She can't control much of anything" he joked, but Rose could sense the seriousness in his voice. He was silent for another moment before standing. "I'm going to bed." he explained, "Don't stay up to late. You'll burn all of your candles reading as much as you do." Rose smiled, smelling the alcohol on his breath. "Good night your highness" she told him, wondering how much he'd actually drank. Derek smiled at her before going up to his room.