Almost Cinderella

Chapter 4

Days passed and Rose spied easily in the castle, relaying to Derek what she heard. With every day passing, both grew angrier with what they were finding. Finally, Rose stopped and decided she needed to have a day to relax. Derek was up in his study, taking care of his daily duties and she was making sure the house was still top notch. Rose began their lunch, knowing the food would take longer then normal. Humming softly, she began to make the two tea. As she hummed, she didn't notice Derek walk into the room. He watched her as she swayed softly to her own music and he smiled. "Have you ever danced in front of someone?" he asked, taking a bite of the jerky she had made a day ago. Rose laughed. "No" she replied as she looked at him, "You think I have the confidence to dance in front of people?" Derek shrugged. "Why not? IT's simple and easy once you actually do it" he told her, going up to her. "Here" he whispered, taking the teapot and cup from her hands and placing them on the counter. He turned her to him and wrapped an arm around her. "Put your hands here, and here" he explained, directing where to place her hands. Rose nodded and smiled softly as he began to move, directing her on how to move. Soon, they were swaying through the kitchen and dancing to music that wasn't there. She met his gaze and smiled softly as he did as well. Derek leaned in again and this time, Rose didn't pull away. Their lips met and Rose felt it was to short of a moment when Derek pulled away. Rose took a deep breath and pulled away, going to the tea. "Um, so those kids you look after. They are very cute and adorable" she explained as she busied herself. Derek starting laughing with her question, making Rose jump. His laughter filled the house making it warm and cozy like a real home. "They are thieves and pick pockets." He said pointing his jerky at her. But with the smile on his face, it was hard to take him seriously as his eyes sparking thinking about the children "I went into town one day, dressed as a prince, and they had the gull to try and pick my pockets! I let them. They got away with a half a purse of coins. Well, I tracked them down and watched them for a bit until they noticed me and started to run. They thought I'd put them in jail. I told them all they had to do was ask. I talked to them for awhile and I liked them and they me. And we got along great after that. But in my outfit they don't recognize me; either that or they just don't say. Kids are pretty smart." He said before taking a bite. "There used to be others.....mostly elderly." He said with a softer voice. "They have passed on with very little and mostly no family. So, I make sure I'm there for them." He lost his smile for a moment remembering one particular old man, but then he smiled again, looking at Rose. "Do you know your parents?" he asked her, finishing the jerky he had. Rose shook her head softly. "I was told they died when I was young." she explained, "To young to have memories of them" Derek's brow furrowed and he went to her. "You've been a servant your entire life?" he asked her, getting her to stop again. Rose looked up at him. "Yes, I have been Derek. Now if you don't mind, i would like to finish my chores so i can enjoy this tea and maybe read a book. IT'd be less painful then reliving memories of my past." she explained as she stepped away, releasing a breath. Derek watched her and sighed, smiling as he did. He wanted to make her life easier and knew that may not be easy. "Well, I am off to the castle for the remainder of my meetings. After today, I will be able to address the issue we have been looking into." he explained. Rose listened and nodded. "I will do what i can as well." She told him, "And I am going to visit Sandy. I've not seen her in forever" Derek smiled and nodded, "I think that would be a great idea." he explained as he smiled at her. "I don't have to worry about Mrs. Shierton right?" Rose asked, making Derek laugh. "No, but you may want to try to avoid her." he explained. Rose laughed as well and nodded before she began to clean the kitchen, finishing the food and putting it away for later. 

After finishing with her chores, Rose and Derek went up to the castle. Rose made her way down to the kitchen and smiled as she snuck up behind Sandy, covering her eyes. "Guess who" she told her, trying to mimic Mrs. Shierton as much as she could. Sandy laughed and thought for a moment. "Hmm, Mrs. Shierton is in town today so that voice can't be hers. And no one else would do this. So, I'm guessing it is Rose." She told her friend. Rose laughed and let her down. "Well, that was a very good guess." Rose told her, sitting down and grabbing an apple. She began to eat it. "So, what have you been up too? It's been a few days when we spoke." Rose asked Sandy. She smiled and sighed. "Well, I did some digging as you asked and came to find that maids have started going missing. And we don't know why." she explained, "Along with the money the guards are stealing, maids disappearing is alarming." Rose nodded. "I agree" she told her before rubbing her arm gently. "Is there anything else that you found?" Rose asked, looking at her friend. Sandy shook her head and sighed. "Unfortunately no. But I will continue to dig into it. There are some guards that will do anything for an extra barrel of ale at dinner." she explained. Rose nodded and sighed. "Alright, I will go do some investigating myself." Rose whispered, "Meet me and Derek back here tonight. We will reveal what we have all found." Sandy nodded and picked up a basket of rolls, disappearing through a doorway to continue her own chores. Rose looked around and finished her apples before leaving the kitchen, deciding to explore a bit.