CINDE, The Kings Mate (boyxboy) ✓

Chapter Two

        I looked out through the crack in the roof I call a window and sighed. It was getting late, I hoped they would leave early so I could sneak out some of my fathers clothes and get ready quick enough to arrive on time. I would have to somehow sneak behind them for I had little clue as to the whereabouts of this castle. Yes I know I should, the fact is I've travelled little place other than down the street to the bakers. And even then I had gotten lost returning. I was useless in general but painfully useless when it came to travelling.

        "Cinde where are you!" My father yelled.

        "Coming father!" I said skipping down stairs.

        He pointed at the kitchen. "We'll need food for this. You imbecile you forgot didn't you!" I nodded and have him an apologetic smile which he gracefully ignored, slapping me across the face. "Get to it." He said pushing me in the kitchen.

        I had not forgotten, they had forgotten to make any mention of it. Though I suppose I should have thought of it earlier. Everyone would be bringing they're own food to the ball, proper food would be reserved for royalty.

        I hummed as I worked, I was making them chicken sandwiches with a side salad and tomato soup. Finishing it with some cookies I had baked earlier. I enjoyed cooking, the simplicity of it all put my mind at ease. And it was possibly the one thing I could safely say I was good at. 

        I packed the food in boxes, wrapping them all carefully with a tea towel. The soup went in a small china flask next to the cookies. I fitted this all neatly in a larger picnic basket. When I was satisfied with my work I left it standing on the table and crept back up the stairs, sneaking with me my own secret sandwich. I ate it in silence, making almost painfully sure that no one could hear. He hated it when I ate at any other time besides lunch. They never let me eat break fast or dinner even if I was the one cooking. They would try to keep a watch full eye over me as I worked to make sure I didn't sneak in any bites. Any spares would go to Merry, the dog that lived next door.

        I know that what they do to me is wrong. There's nothing I can do about it. One time Nequi told me father said I was nothing but a slave to him, I could not doubt her for a second. That is what I am, a slave, the lowest grade of human kind you could possibly acquire.

        I heard the silent bickering of Nequi and Quam as they left the door, then the loud footsteps of father climbing my stairs.

        He paused at the last step then bashed open my door. He walked over to my bed with such a ferocity I could do nothing but wonder if this truly was my time to die, then back handed me across the face. He then turned, slammed the door behind him, and slammed the house door behind him.

         I could not ask what that was for, there where just too many possibilities.

        From the second drawer of my bedside table I retrieved a small black mask to cover the area around my eyes with but a small black feather impaling its side. This would hopefully keep me somewhat undetectable. A lot of the servants and slaves would be doing this I presumed, as a way of hiding that they are of low society to mix with the royals.

        I slipped my feat off my bed and slipped downstairs, walking into the first room on my right. This would take guts.

         Fathers room.

       A small broad room with a wonky wall that tipped slightly over his bed. The ceiling dripped constantly and looked just about ready to fall in. He had a book case empty of all books, a wardrobe and a bedside table. Oh... And what I called the whipping table. It's his office desk with an attached chair. A long time ago he would often drag me to it, bend me over the table and slash me bloody with his belt. The thought made me shudder.