Steel Rose

Chapter 62

Belle POV

I scowl to myself as I wipe a thin layer of sweat off my brow and toss my hair back off my shoulder. Chefs and workers bustle thought the kitchen, focused on their given tasks while glancing my way and smirking as I struggle.

I've been here for almost an hour and still I'm scraping burnt eggs off my skillet. I push the scapula across the skillet and watch as the burnt mess flops into the garbage. I think I even see the white of the shell in that batch.

"Ugg!" I exclaim, tossing the skillet into the soapy sink. Carmadon all but giggles. "I can't do this."

"Of course you can, Belle," he says rising from his seat. "Practice. Practice is all it takes."

I wanna stomp my feet and smash a plate or two. I huff, "I didn't know cooking was so hard."

"Of course, nothing comes easy for everyone," he smiles down at me before glancing at the sad excuse of breakfast in the trash. Accompanying my eggs are equally matched blackened pieces of toast and ash of what was supposed to be bacon. "But I will admit, if you can't make it past eggs-," he looks at me and raises an eyebrow, amused.

I push him slightly in the chest. "I'll get it." I close the trash and head to wash my hands.

Carmadon follows, "You will. But for today, we will leave our chefs to prepare lunch."

I dry my hands and sigh. "Yea, but I will be back tomorrow."

"Bright and early," Carmadon finishes. "I look forward to it."

We exit the kitchens and a burst of cool air greets me. We continue our mindless chatter through the halls, a single destination in mind. A practice we've been executing for the past two weeks. So I've officially been in Monfort a few days past a month. And Carmadon has been my daily companion. Thankfully.

We stop at my room. "Are you sure you can't join us?" I ask.

He sighs, "Regrettably no. I do have business to attend to this afternoon. But you and Darcy go, enjoy."

We say our goodbyes and Carmadon leaves me to enter my room alone.

I'm greeted with happy talking. Claire sits in a rocking chair, Darcy in her arms, smiling as she rocks him. Her head pops up as I enter. "Hello, Ms. Belle."

"Claire," I greet as she stands. I meet her halfway and she hands Darcy over to me. Since my cooking lessons have started, Claire has been assigned to watch over Darcy for the morning. His nanny I suppose. For about an hour and a half before I'm back.

"No trouble I hope." I ask pulling him to me.

Claire smiles, "A little anglel," she smiles and tickles his stomach, "As always. I've never come across such a chill baby."

I snicker, "Chill?"

"Relaxed. He hardly cries." Claire clarifies. She steps aside and grabs a baby carrier, another gift from Monfort. "Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" She asks as she begins to strap me in.

I shake my head. "Yes, I'm sure. Darcy and I are just going to explore the city. We won't be long."

Claire doesn't bother to hide her concern. "Back for lunch?"

"Of course." I tell her. "And besides I'm sure I can always ask for directions if I were to lose my way."

Claire nods as she settles Dacry close to me and tightens the straps. "Does that work?" She asks.

I move my arms and adjust Darcy slightly his head resting on my collarbone. "We're fine." I tell her. Claire can't be much older than me, if at all. But she seems so knowledgeable and mature.