A/N: I've lost my writing edge or something, I swear. Ugh. The irony of going to college for writing, you don't have the time to write, and lose your writing edge/inspiration. Like, for serious, I haven't been able to write very well since college, at least in my opinion. Everything is rubbisshhhh. Blegh, I hope this chapter doesn't suck too horribly. I'm sorry if it does.

I apologize for the wait.

DISCLAIMER: Yes. Wait, no. Nope. Don't own it.

Aubrey let out a breath as she finished sliding the last freshly baked loaf of bread out of the oven, using her knee to nudge the hot oven's door shut. She analyzed the loaf with a careful scrutinizing gaze, making sure it was correctly shaped and coloured a perfect golden brown, and once she had deemed it with a silent nod of approval she moved to set it with the other loaves on the cooling rack. Placing the pot holders she had used into a nearby drawer, she moved to switch the oven off, wiping away a bit of sweat from her brow with her arm.

Aubrey Posen was the head of the kitchen at Beale palace, and she prided herself in her work, knowing not many at such a young of age as her would have such a high ranking job as she did. She had worked hard to get where she was; most assumed that since she was so young, and in such a high position for her age, that her father had helped her get where she was, but that was not the case. Aubrey simply knew how to apply herself, and knew the right people to get somewhere with it.

The door connecting the kitchen to the grand hall suddenly swung open, and none other than Chloe Beale entered the room, clad in a fancy royal blue princess dress and high heels. Her brows were furrowed, and an exasperated sigh escaped her lips as the grand hall's door swung closed behind her. Aubrey immediately straightened her back at the sight of the princess, standing at attention.

"Princess Beale-"

"You can relax, Bree, my dad's not with me," Chloe cut the blonde off quickly, a light reassuring smile grazing her lips. While the king did not approve of Chloe speaking to 'the help' in such an informal and friendly manner, she was only human, and with no one but the palace servants around most of the time, she had become rather close with some of the workers of the castle, especially Aubrey, since they were so similar in age. They had grown close quite quickly, easily becoming best friends with all the time they were able to spend together.

"Oh," Aubrey said, letting out a breath as her shoulders slumped. Chloe smiled at her best friend, but Aubrey could tell the princess was slightly distracted, and she watched with sympathetic eyes as Chloe leant against the island counter with a tired huff. "How's the social evening with prince dingaling?" she asked, already knowing the answer from Chloe's demeanor.

"He's so arrogant Bree, I can hardly stand him! All he can do is talk about himself and how 'awesome' and 'charming' he is, and he keeps saying all these pig-headed comments toward me and trying to put his hands where they shouldn't be. I had to get away for a few minutes," Chloe ranted, running a hand through her hair. "I know my dad's trying to set me up with him; he simply adores Tom for some reason. And since Tom's already of royal blood he's apparently the 'perfect match' for me. But I don't like him that way, you know?"

Aubrey scoffed, nodding in understanding. "Doesn't matter how cute or rich he is if he's an arrogant dirtball."

"Right?" Chloe said, gesturing at Aubrey with a 'thank you!' expression.

Aubrey chuckled. "So what are you gonna do then?"

The princess groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "I don't know. I mean, if I can't stand to be in the same room with him for like ten minutes, how on earth am I supposed to marry him like my dad intends?" The blonde gave her best friend a sympathetic look, knowing there was little she could do to help the princess with this issue. A small idea struck the cook, and she turned away from the distraught redhead for a moment.

Chloe heard Aubrey begin to maneuver expertly around the kitchen - a few cupboards and drawers being opened and a knife clattering in the sink - before she heard something being slid in front of her at the counter, and a small smile flitted across Chloe's lips as she looked up from her hands to see a warm, freshly baked piece of bread sitting in front of her on a small plate.

"I know it doesn't really help you with your problem," Aubrey chuckled lightly, "but it's the best I can do. Plus, I know you love fresh bread."

"This smells so amazing," Chloe said with a grin, picking up the lightly buttered treat. "Thanks Bree."

"No problem," Aubrey smiled, grabbing her own slice of bread.

"A toast! To eating your problems away," Chloe held hers up in Aubrey's direction, grinning lightly at her own joke. The blonde laughed at the redhead's ridiculousness, but went along with it anyway, bumping her piece of bread against Chloe's.

"A toast," Aubrey repeated, rolling her eyes. "To the princess'es ridiculous puns."

Both girls bit into their bread, and Chloe let out a hum of delight at the delicious buttery taste that practically melted in her mouth.

"Gosh Aubrey, your food is always so... Mnnghh," Chloe moaned, her eyes closed as she savoured the taste. Aubrey laughed.

"I'll take that as a compliment," the blonde said, watching Chloe nod vigorously.

Just then the two women heard approaching footsteps from the door on the other side of the kitchen, the entrance that led to the hallway, and they quickly wolfed down their bread at the familiar voices of King Jefferson Beale and his right hand knight Sir Jesse deep in conversation. Aubrey wiped down the counter in record time, tossing the wet cloth and the plates into the sink just as the door was pushed open. The blonde straightened up, folding her hands behind her back and standing at attention.

"Our men are stationed to ambush, now we just need to make sure the queen and the princess are safe," Jesse spoke to Jefferson in a serious tone as they pushed through the door.

"Safe from what?" Chloe questioned, Jesse's words snagging her attention. Both men's eyes flew up to Chloe and Aubrey, surprise evident on their faces.

"Chloe, why are you in here?" the king asked as his eyes flickered warningly at Aubrey, causing the blonde to bow her head. "Shouldn't you be in the grand hall with your mother and Tom? That prince came all the way here to spend time with you, and instead you're in here goofing around with the lower class."

"Daddy, what's happening? Is there going to be an attack on the palace?" Chloe asked as she took a step forward, ignoring his questions.

"There's no time to explain. I need you to go back in there, now. I'll be stationing guards at all entrances of the grand hall, so you and your mother will be safe, I promise," Jefferson said, gently guiding the protesting redhead toward the hall doors.

"Safe from what?" Chloe persisted, trying to resist his usherings.

"Chloe, just do as I say. Go. Now," the king said. "And please, not a word of this to your mother."

"I'll keep it a secret if you tell me what's going on," she insisted, moving away from her father and looking at him expectantly. Normally she wasn't so defiant of her parents, at least not to their faces, but she hated having things kept from her. She spent day after day cooped up within the castle's boring walls. Now that excitement was presenting itself, not only the word of it but apparently coming to the castle itself, she had to know what was happening.

"Chloe I don't have time for games," he said, his voice irate.

"Then you better hurry and explain," Chloe responded with a shrug, crossing her arms. The king huffed at Chloe's words, an aggravated look in his eye as he stared down his daughter; Chloe didn't falter, holding her ground as she stared at her father expectantly.

"Your majesty, I hate to pressure you, but time is of the essence," Jesse inserted gently, keeping his head bowed. Jefferson sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he caved.

"We've purposefully let slip to the public about a special package we've received to the castle in hopes of attracting the attention of an incessant bunch of bandits in Barden," he began to explain quickly, moving to gently tug his daughter toward the grand hall entrance again. "They cover their trail well, and we aren't even sure they're coming tonight, but since the prince just arrived today, there's a good chance that if they decide to strike it'll be tonight."

"And you plan to, what? Catch them?" Chloe asked. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"We hope to catch them off guard," Jesse chimed in. "The Bellas do not know we are aware of their plans, and we hope to station the men inside the treasury for a surprise attack."

"The Bellas?"

"We have answered all that there is to be answered," Jefferson stated, shutting down her further questioning. "So for now, my princess, please go back into the grand hall and socialize with that charming prince until I return. And remember, don't tell your mother or our guest what is happening. I've got the situation all under control, and we wouldn't want to worry them."

Chloe huffed as her father to ushered her through to the grand hall, the kitchen door swinging closed behind her before she could say anything else. Feeling two pairs of curious eyes on her, the redhead's gaze fell onto the big grand table where her mother and Tom were awkwardly seated.

"Ah, my princess. Come, sit," Tom said with a cocky grin, patting the table spot next to him where Chloe had been sitting before.

"Everything okay dear?" the queen, and Chloe's mother, asked, seeing the odd expression on Chloe's face.

"Yes mom, I just..." Chloe looked thoughtful for a second. Though she knew it probably wasn't the best idea, it was the first sign of excitement she'd seen in a long time, and anything would be better than remaining here all evening with the prince. "I'm, uh... Can you guys stay here and, like, not leave? I need to check something. Don't move, I swear I'll be right back," Chloe excused herself, hurriedly heading out the big doors that led to the hallway, and leaving her poor redheaded mother to once again entertain the arrogant prince.

A/N: Whatcha think? I always seem to struggle with the second chapter of things; hopefully the next chapter isn't so awkward/difficult for me to write.

Random question for you guys, does your screen name have any super special sentimental meaning behind it? Or did you just pick it just cuz? Did you pick it cuz it was cool? Was it a random pick cuz nothing else was available? This particular pen name was rather random; I just picked it cuz my first lesbian ship was Cade (which kinda made me realize some things for myself I guess, so it does have some meaning). My main pen name is usually sinomin tho, which I got when I was younger; the first pet I really lost and was hurt/upset about was a cat I'd named Cinnamon, but since I was young I couldn't spell it properly xP I started using it as a username on things, and it just kind of stuck. What about you? What's your username mean to you?

Review responses:

Reda V: I'm glad to have sparked your interest. Hopefully I can keep your interest:3

cxcxcx386: Lol well hopefully it didn't disappoint once you did read it! I'm glad to hear you were so excited about my AU. Hopefully it lives up to your expectations:3

Kartoffel: I'm glad you have so much faith in me haha. Hopefully this chapter wasn't horrible; sorry for the wait!

YouJustGotPitchSlapped: Haha I'm very glad to hear that it isn't too similar to another fic. Thanks for the reassurance! Your review was totes my favourite:P I hope this chapter was just as good; sorry for the wait!

Ezri Dax: Haha I'm glad to have snagged your attention! Hopefully I can keep it now, heh. Sorry for the wait:3

RadforR: Sorry for the wait! Hopefully this chapter was just as interesting:3