Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 2

Chris' and Lily's outfits ^^

*Edited*

Chapter 2

I walked through the door and looked at the clock near the staircase. Oh, damn. I'm late. I stepped quietly in the kitchen, and began washing dirty dishes inconspicuously. "Young lady, you're late!" I slowly turned around.

Lisbeth was looking at me with an angry scowl on her face. "I had to serve lunch to the Lady in your place! You didn't follow my instructions. What happened?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, I... kind of got lost in the forest and had a hard time getting back in time. I'm really sorry, it won't happen again."

"Hmpf. Fine. But you're punished. Tomorrow, you won't go in the forest and you'll work all day."

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, sighing in relief that tomorrow wasn't the day I promised to see the little prince and princess again.

After washing the dishes, I cleaned the kitchen and the dining room. I washed the clothes in the laundry room. I hung up the laundry in the garden, and then watered the plants. All I had to do now, was clean the hallway, the staircase and the Lady's room, and I would be finished for the day.

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The next morning, I was up at dawn, as usual. After brushing my long brown hair, I tied them into a neat low bun. I put on my clothes, and went down to the kitchen. I ate some bread from yesterday and added a tiny bit of marmalade, so it would go unnoticed. Then, I quickly brushed my teeth, did my business, and reentered the kitchen just as Lisbeth was coming in.

"Anna! Go get some water at the well!", she ordered me.

"Yes, ma'am!"

"And don't take the long way!"

"Of course," I chuckled.

I grabbed the buckets and went to get the water.

After I came back, Lisbeth told me, "I need some groceries today. I'll give you money and you go buy milk, bread, meat and vegetables. Oh, and get some eggs if you can."

"Yes, ma'am! I'll return in the afternoon." I took a basket and went to the door.

"Mhm, and don't go for a walk in between!", she yelled after me.

I chuckled to myself. Lisbeth knew me well. She wasn't always kind, but she didn't give me a hard time, like some of my other employers. I appreciated working here, compared to other, much less welcoming places. I sighed as I walked down the streets, and greeted back every villager who said 'Good morning' to me.

Usually, I avoided talking too much to the villagers because they always pressured me to 'finally' marry someone. They were full of good intentions, with maybe a little bit of judgment, and it got tiring after a while. A lot of people wanted to marry me to their son, because they would have the fame to be 'the one I said yes to'. But I always said no, because I had a much more important purpose in life: going to the Tannerson palace to wait for my father.

I made my way to Mr. Walter, the butcher first. "Good morning, Mr. Walter!", I greeted him as I entered his shop.

"Good morning Ms. Anna! What can I get you today?"

"Five big chicken wings, and three beef chops, please."

"Of course, anything else?"

"No, that'll be all, thank you," I paid and went to go outside.

"Ms. Anna, wait!" I turned around, already knowing what was coming. "You know, I would love to have you as my daughter-in-law. And I'm sure my son would be happy as well!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Walter, but the answer is still no. You know I don't want to marry yet."

"Well, can't hurt to try...", he smiled at me sheepishly. "Have a good day, Ms. Anna!"

"You too, Mr. Walter!"

I stepped outside and continued to the farmer. After buying my vegetables and eggs, I went to Mrs. Lawford, who owned the cheese shop. "Hello, Mrs. Lawford!", I said, entering the shop.

"Ah, Ms. Anna! Long time no see! So, is it true you even refused to marry Victor, Mr. Walter's son? He's a good man, y'know, you should at least consider...", she babbled, telling me most of the gossip happening in the area.

"Mrs. Lawford!", I cut her off after two minutes, a smile breaking out on my face, "I came here to buy some of your wonderful cheese and milk! Not a ton of gossip!"

"Oh yes, sorry! Y'know how I am, talking and talking... But I'm not the worst! You see, Mrs. Weber's daughters...", she continued, preparing my usual. I sighed, giving her my money. "... that's horrible, right? I mean, how could he do that to his dog...", she muttered. "So, anything else?"

"No, that'll be all, thank you Mrs. Lawford, have a good day!", I said and went outside before she could start talking again.

My last stop was Mrs. Emmet's bakery. She was only a few years older than me, and worked at her husband's bakery. She was basically the only one who didn't encourage me to marry. I entered her shop and said, "Hello, Mrs. Emmet!"

"Hi, Anna! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Madeline! You make me feel old!", she complained with a smile.

I laughed, "Yes, but you're married, and I love teasing you about it."

She sighed, "I know, I know. Oh, I have to tell you something. I'm pregnant!!", she said with a huge smile.

I gasped, and gave her a large smile, "Oh congratulations! It's your first child! I'm sure you're going to be a wonderful mother."

"Yes, I hope so." She sighed happily, putting a hand on her belly. "So, the usual?"

"Yes, please."

She gave me the bread and I paid.

"Oh, and I want you to be the godmother," she added as an afterthought.

"Oh my God, really? Thank you so much! I'm sure he or she is going to be a darling."

"You're welcome. And don't say anything to anyone yet, I still want it to be a secret."

"You have my word. Have a good day, Madeline!"

"You too, Anna!"

I went back to the house and neatly stored my groceries, unable to keep the smile off my lips as I thought of Madeline's news. Lisbeth began to prepare dinner, and I ate a late lunch.

Afterwards, I went to my room to clean it a bit. I pulled out my mom's necklace and clutched it to my heart. I never met my mother, but everyone always told me she was a wonderful woman. I looked at the pendant. It was like a crown, with two roses attached to it. Tears began welling up in my eyes, as I thought about how much I missed my father, my sister and my home. My father told me to never lose hope and I never did. I blinked my tears away. He would find me one day.

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Hi friends,

I finished the second chapter. Hope you like it! So, what do you think?

Don't hesitate to vote, comment and share!! ♡

Love,

Floriane