The Princess's Rebellion

Chapter 26: Grave News

Rebecca's POV:

The tasty fragrance of fresh baked bread woke Rebecca up. She stretched before slipping out of her bed, her thin nightgown barely shielding her from the cold air. Shivering, Rebecca glanced out the window, and upon realizing there was no light outside, she sighed. It won't be long until the cold mornings force us to dig out the warmer clothes, she thought.

As per her new morning routine, she got herself dressed in her training outfit, which contained a fading gray tunic with tights and long leather boots. The boots were a gift from Jasmine's mother for scaring away the man from the bakery while Jasmine was able to find the tunic in the small pile Garrett brought for her to choose from. He also added a sheath to Jasmine's father's belt for her dagger as well as a small pouch. Rebecca topped it all off with her stolen black cloak. Even though it was considered something to be worn for training purposes, it was the most comfortable apparel she had worn in a long time. Way better than any silk dress she had worn.

A small yawn made her turn to the bed across the room from her. One of the twins was waking, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. The other one started to stir as well, before both started blinking at her. An evil grin formed on Rebecca's face as she silently gestured towards Jasmine's sleeping form on the other side of Rebecca's bed. They shared it once they caught on before quietly tip toeing over. With a nod, Rebecca signaled them to initiate their mischief. A cry of surprise came from Jasmine as the two children jumped on her, making the bed creak in the extra weight. Rebecca chuckled, mentally adding another point for her against Jasmine.

From staying with her low class best friend, they had both learned they shared a mischievous side. Which has lead to some rather entertaining tricks. Rebecca usually launched her plans when Jasmine was asleep, while Jasmine gave her inconveniences ranging from minor to nasty when she wasn't looking. But Rebecca had some advantages that Jasmine didn't; Rebecca didn't sleep as well as her friend, and her friend didn't have an alliance with her sisters as she did. Rebecca payed her siblings in immunity to her own pranks as well as valuables such as food or trinkets. Sure, it was dirty, but she ensured that her antics to just under bothersome. She wanted to have fun, not drive away her friend.

Rebecca got up from the bed, stretching as if she had gotten a good bit of sleep. She could feel her friend's glare buring into her back as she made her way out of the room. And she could of sworn she heard Jasmine mutter "witch" as well.

It wasn't long after Rebecca had settled at the table for the two elves to tear down the stairs, followed more slowly my their older sister. Rebecca pretended not to notice her scowl as she ate her bread in silence, leaving Jasmine to explain to her mother of the scream she heard upstairs. Rebecca finally smiled sweetly when she finished, adding, "I'm finding ways to wake you up in the morning. Don't want you sleeping in so you're late to your employment."

That earned a snicker from the twins, but they soon were silenced by their mother's harsh stare. Jasmine only rolled her eyes and murmured something inaudible while Jasmine's mother took their plates away. Once they were ready, Rebecca went to hold the door open for Jasmine and her sisters to file out of. The girls skipped ahead of Jasmine and Rebecca, occasionally picking up something on the ground and chasing each other with that item while Jasmine scolded them. Rebecca only snorted at their horseplay while scanning the alley ahead and behind them for anyone uninvited. Over the time that she has moved into the village, Rebecca had made it clear to those who tried anything with them that they will not be tolerated. They now can walk on their way without so much as a glance in their direction from anyone she and Garrett had deemed innocuous. They didn't actively pick fights to make their point, but most have seen enough scruffles and their visible weapons to know that they mean business.