Just a Girl

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

 Winnie woke up in the same place that she fell asleep in. When she rolled over to see if Mary was awake, but there was nobody lying there. Winnie looked around confused, as she sat up to examine the whole room. She didn’t see her in the room they slept in. She got up and went into the room where they sat and had tea. She wasn’t there either.

 Before Winnie could go anywhere else she heard blaring trumpets and loud voices announcing something. She looked out the small round window in the room and saw the red carpet going to the front of the castle. At the end of that was the most beautiful carriage she had ever seen. The horses were standing perfectly, their manes and tails swishing in the air. The carriage looked fit for a king, which technically it was.

  Winnie didn’t expect to wake up this late. She didn’t realize how tired she was from just one day at the castle. She looked out at the sun and, from its positioning, showed that it was close to noon. Winnie rushed out of Mary’s ‘apartment,’ down the flights of stairs, and to her room.

 She went through the pile of clothes that Liz had left her yesterday. She picked out the marvelous red dress with white ruffles at the sleeves. She figured that with all the announcing something big was going to happen and she needed to dress accordingly. With that, Winnie raced down the corridors until she found the door that said Banquet Room on the gold plaque.

 Winnie burst through the huge wooden doors, past the long wooden table that Winnie figured would soon be filled by the king and the guests he had with him. Winnie scurried into the kitchen and got cooking. Winnie lined the table with meat and various fruits and vegetables, cooked over the blazing fire. She took the goblets and filled some with water and the others with wine since it was sort of in between breakfast and lunch. She prepared the table like anyone would for a luncheon. All the golden plates and silverware lined up perfectly.

 Winnie started to wonder to herself why Mary hadn’t woken her up. ‘If I was needed down here and I slept in who would have cooked lunch?’ Winnie walked into the back room of the kitchen. She heard a loud gasp as she came out.

 It was Mary. She was standing there wide-eyed and her jaw dropped to the ground.

 “You are supposed to be sleeping! Although the dress adds a nice touch.”

 Winnie laughed as she saw Mary here to make the food for the luncheon while she slept.

 “Sorry I had to leave. I wanted to be with the king for the arrival, and then go make the food quickly. You were so tired that I hoped you would sleep through all this, well, at least until the part where I needed you.”

 “Thank you so much. This is probably the only time I will be able to sleep in like that in a long time.”

 “Don’t be too sure about that. You never know when the king will leave and if he will take you or not.”

 “That is true. I heard Queen Loretta saying that I would soon go with them to the other king’s castles.”

 “Yes, yes you will. Some castles will be farther away than others. It isn’t that bad when you go. It’s actually sort of fun, especially when you’re there with Liz.”

 “How long have you been here?”

 “I’ve been here for almost three years. I know a lot of what you will be doing. The other cook wasn’t that good. It was a perfect opening for a new cook.”

 “What do you mean?” Winnie asked, confused about where the conversation was going.

 “I mean,” Mary started, “that there is always a way that the king will find out about every person in the family. A poorer family, I mean. One who cannot support the whole family. With that being said, the king begins to know the talents and, if there are any, he will know about them. You see, I guess he saw some sort of talent in you, that you were worth letting into the castle. So that is why you are here now.”

 “Oh, I see. So how did he know I was good at anything if the king didn’t meet me or anything.”

 “Well, I guess it could be his instinct. I’m really not sure I mean people talk, Winnie. Nothing in this kingdom is a secret. Not unless the king wants it to be.

 “Wow.” Then it hit her with what she was here to do. Get ready for the king.

A/N

I'm sorry that this chapter is really short! Most of the short chapters are just little fillers :) THANKS