Ever After

Chapter Three

What am I doing! He is the prince. And I just slapped him! God this is not going to end well.

"May I ask Your Highness-" He cut me off before I could finish.

"Just call me Adam, I don't need anyone else knowing who I am."

"Ok Your Hi- Adam. What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story, but basically I got tired of being cooped up in the palace all my life." I could relate. He looked out of the ally. "I think it's safe to go out now." Adam walked out of the ally and I followed. I still had my basket and most of the contents were still in there, so when I went home I wouldn't completely be punished. Maybe.

"Where did you learn to fight like that by the way?" He asked when we were in the open. I hesitated before answering.

"My father taught me." I said straight out. I couldn't lie to royalty. We walked and talked for a bit. He told me that the real reason he left, was because his father had told him about a ball that he was supposed to attend and find a wife at. And he didn't want his life to be controlled like that, so he ran. I continuously felt awkward being in the presence of the prince, but he seemed quite calm about it. But he kept his hood on to keep his identity a secret. Some people looked at us weirdly, but none bothered us. Then we heard the clock from the church tower ring twelve in the afternoon.

"I have to go." He said turning around in the direction of the palace.

"Me too."

"Wait. When will I see you again?" I glanced at the clock tower and thought for a moment. Why would the prince want to see me again. But he held onto my wrist and I don think he intended on letting go until he got an answer.

"I'll come back here at twelve tomorrow. Meet me here." I turned the other direction back to my house but I turned my head to watch him run back to his home. And as I walked the other way I couldn't help but feel he did the same thing.

When I finally got back to my house I was greeted by my Step-mother screaming her head off at me.

"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? MY POOR DAUGHTERS HAVE BEEN STARVING BECAUSE OF YOUR IGNORANCE!" I felt a cold hand rush it's way across my face, and I held my cheek, still feeling the sting. I blinked back my tears and walked down to the kitchen with my basket. I set to make lunch and tried ignoring my step-mother. I kept repeating my slogan over and over again until I managed to suck it up.

Lunch was served and I was pouring tea for Anastasia, when I heard the doorbell ring. I put the teapot down and went to answer the door. There a messenger stood holding an envelope for me to take. I took it cautiously, and the man walked away indigenously.

I closed the door behind me wondering what the envelope contained. I walked over to the table and was about to open it when my Step-mother said.

"Don't you dare open that you filthy servant. Here, give it to me." She held out her hand and I was so tempted to twist it until she begged for mercy, but I knew that it would not do me any good. I handed her the envelope and was dismissed downstairs. But I stood in the middle of the stairs and listened to what they were saying.

My step-mother read it out loud by I couldn't make out what she was saying. That is until Drizella started shouting.

"I'M GOING TO MEET THE PRINCE! AND WE'LL DANCE, HE'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH ME, AND WE WILL GET MARRIED. JUST IMAGINE. ME! A PRINCESS!" Anastasia joined in her shouting, and I could tell they were jumping up and down in excitement from all the noise.

"OR RATHER ME A PRINCESS YOU MEAN! I WILL MAKE PRINCE ADAM MINE!" My step-mother did nothing to quiet them, but rather joined along.

"Anastasia, Drizella, both of you have an equally good chance of capturing the prince's heart at the ball. And if one of you were to become his wife, just imagine how rich we would be! We could finally leave this retched house and go where we belong. In the luxuries of the royal palace." My step-mother seemed overly sure that Anastasia and Drizella would become the prince's bride. From what Adam told me, he didn't seem to want to be married yet.