Almost Cinderella

Chapter 5

As the summer grew on, fall began to take it's place. Leaves began to turn and fall. As the crisp air stung the morning, Rose got up to help Derek get ready for his day. He had a few meetings with his father and she knew she wouldn't see him until late into the evening. As she made breakfast for the two of them, she thought about what to do with her day.

 While lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear when Derek walked into the room. He watched her carefully, quiet as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I wonder what could make you focus so much that you don;t hear something going on behind you." he pondered out loud. Rose turned and smiled as she flipped a hot cake. "I was thinking of what to do with my day." she explained as she looked at him. Derek took a drink before going to her. "Well" He said, reaching around her to help her cook, "You could always try to get us more leads as to what is going on." he flipped the hot cake and it landed perfectly. Rose ducked under his arm, letting him finish the hot cakes as she began to slice some fruit and squeeze some oranges for a drink. "I suppose I can. How exactly do you want me to warn you if I find anything?" she asked, looking at him before popping a grape into her mouth. He thought for a moment as he flipped another. "We will meet when the meetings end for lunch. In the kitchens." he told her, "You can tell me what you found and if I found anything, I can tell you." Rose chewed on another grape and nodded, thinking the plan was at least something to start with. Maybe she could get Sandy's help. Sighing softly, she set the table as he worked on the last set of hot cakes. Once all the food was prepared, the two sat together and Rose smiled at him. 

"You know" She whispered after finishing a bite, "Your mother has been hounding you a lot more about the subject of marriage. Have you given her an answer?" Derek took a drink of his orange juice and shook his head. "I think I may go with your idea about the ball. It's simple and a very easy way to find someone I match while not being forced to just choose." he explained as he smiled at her. Rose felt her cheeks heat up and nodded as she took a bite. She thought about that. Maybe there would be someway for her to attend. She smiled a bit at the thought of her dancing with the prince. "What's so funny?" he asked her, a brow rising. Rose shook her head. "Just imagining your mother's reaction to you finally deciding on what you are going to do about finding a wife." she lied as she looked at him. Derek smiled again and shook his head. "I can imagine a few scenarios myself", he told her, "Now eat. We need to head up soon so we aren't late." Rose nodded and soon finished her meal.

With dishes washed and put away, breakfast cleaned up after Rose looked about as she followed Derek up to the castle. Once inside, she was met by a hug from her best friend. Sandy looked her friend over as she normally did. The slightly older woman trusted Derek but knew sometimes things could happen. Once satisfied, she smiled at Rose. "Well, I am certainly glad you decided to come up here today. I've tried a new recipe and you have to try it." she exclaimed, making Rose laugh as she followed her, more like being dragged along. "Alright, I will try whatever you want. Just release my arm." Rose joked, knowing Sandy missed her at times. She rubbed her arm gently once Sandy released her grip. "Sorry, after kneading bread for so long and beating meat, you don't realize your own strength." she whispered before perking up as they entered the kitchen. A few maids and servants waved to Rose and greeted her kindly. Rose waved back and replied to the greetings as Sandy led her to her own oven. 

Sitting on a stool behind the prepping table, Rose watched Sandy get into a basket and pull out a few cookies. "They're sugar cookies. I've been practicing them awhile and wanted you to try them first." she exclaimed. Rose nodded and bit into the cookie. The warm dough practically melted in her mouth and Rose smiled. "This is so delicious." she hummed as she continued of the one she had. "Oh, before I forget, I am here on business." she told Sandy.

 Looking about, she grabbed her friend and pulled her into the pantry. "Derek has me here trying to find clues to the stealing from the village case." she told her. Sandy's eyes widened. "He left you to handle this alone?" she asked, gasping from shock as Rose nodded. "What do you need to know? And who do we need to interrogate?" Sandy asked, making Rose smile a bit more. "You need to act as if you know nothing. We both do" she explained, "If something is going on, we don't want to let on that we know." she whispered before another maid opened the curtain to the pantry. After apologizing for being in the way, the two went back to Sandy's corner. "We're supposed to meet here when the council goes to lunch. So I have until then to get information. Get what you can okay?" she asked. Sandy nodded and took a breath. "I will do my best" she promised. Rose nodded before stealing another cookie and heading to start gathering information.