Unbroken

Chapter 4

I tossed and turned at another useless attempt to sleep. I couldn't remember what it felt like to actually sleep. I would just get to sleep then be jolted awake by a terrible image of that man's face. The way his jowls hung down and swung back and forth as he talked. I would see that gap in his two front teeth making him look like a child. He terrorized my mind. In defeat I swung my legs over the side of my bed and walked barefoot down the hallway towards the staircase. The castle was full of extra guests here for my engagement party which was to take place in less than twenty four hours. Except I wouldn't be there. I smiled at that thought. Mother would go crazy as she searched the entire castle for me. With Julianne's help I planned on making my escape right as the party started.

I would explain to mother how excited I was for the party but I needed a breath of fresh air to calm my nerves. When I stepped outside I would make my way to the edge of the gardens where Julianne's nephew would be waiting to take me away. It was a simple plan really. With an extra outfit concealed underneath my party dress I would be able to make my escape.

In just my nightdress I made my way down to the kitchens where I knew the cook would already be awake and preparing for tonight's meal. Instantly after I opened the door I was enveloped by the heat of the kitchen. Smells of delicious foods greeted me at the door. There were two women already awake and cooking. Large pots hung over the fire and enormous pans sat in the oven.

Finally Ivy noticed me out of the corner of her eye. "Princess!" She gasped. "What are you doing awake at this hour?!" She looked shocked at my appearance when she noticed my nightdress and bare feet against the cold floor. She quickly covered her shocked expression with a smile. "I mean, your highness, is there anything we can do for you?" She asked with a curtsey.

"I'm just so excited!" I giggled like a child when I really wanted to run away screaming.

She smiled a knowing smile at me she was a newlywed herself. Ivy appeared to believe my lie but then again she wasn't very bright when it came to people. Her specialty was food. Ivy was one of the best cooks that had ever graced our kitchen.

Our other cook Sarah was much older than Ivy. Sarah on the other hand was very quick and she could instantly tell that I was lying but she would never tell anyone. Sarah had always snuck me a plate of delicious food when mother punished me by sending me to bed without any supper. Julianne would take the food from her and deliver it to me.

Sarah held out a spoon for me to stir "as long as you're awake you might as well be helpful." She growled with a smile on her stern face.

"Yes, ma'am." I said as I slipped an apron over my nightdress and willingly took the spoon. Together the three of us started preparing a great feast for that night's party. Several chickens had been prepared and there was just about every color of vegetable that needed to be sliced into a soup. Cake batter needed to be stirred and poured into pans so they could bake in the humongous oven that was heating the room. I chatted happily with the two women and the time passed quickly. I whipped frosting in a bowl until it became smooth as we talked. Ivy was preparing the chickens and Sarah was slicing vegetables while watching the soup. Other cooks would arrive soon. They had been hired special for the party. I almost felt bad that I wouldn't be able to sample any of the food that we were preparing for that night's party. All of it looked heavenly and I knew from experience that our two main cooks didn't disappoint. I looked at the two women and felt bad knowing that I might not ever get to see them again since I was leaving in just a few hours. I didn't notice that the sun had risen. I didn't notice the sounds of the castle waking up to face the day.

Ivy was explaining some ridiculous thing that her younger brother had done to catch the eye of one of the maids. His plans had horribly backfired on him and he had somehow ended up on his backside in a pile of manure. All three of us were bent over in a fit of laughter when the kitchen door burst open on its hinges and my mother's horrified scream of rage filled the room.