Gabrielle was awakened by the first bells of the early morning temple and her blue eyes fluttered open. She was not please to get up, because the soreness from last night's chores and her hunger returned at full force. She sat up from her straw pile and rubbed her tired eyes, as she stretched her sore muscles. She climbed out of her straw bed, disturbing her cat, that had curled up beside her as she slept.
"Good morning, Astrid." She said, as she got up. She knew her first order of business was to get to making her step-families breakfasts, but her hunger was too strong by now. She went to the apple barrel and picked out the biggest and ripest, she could see at the top and bit into it. She ate it all; skin and core. The only thing left was the stem, which she quickly threw in the fire place. She had to hide any evidence of eating, before her step-family or she would be in trouble. Her stomach welcomed the apple and it has been so empty that it was able to tide her over, for now.
She went outside to start on her morning chores. She went outside to draw water from the well and bring it back outside. She would then lite the stove fire to start making the tea, porridge, and to fry the toast and bacon. Her step-family would not be up for a while, so she had plenty of time in the mornings. She sliced the bread for the toasts and but the raw bacon on the skillet. She put the tea bags in the cups and stirred the porridge.
In truth, Gabrielle loved doing the morning chores. There was no one around to bother her and she could work in peace. She actually liked working, idleness didn't suit her. When her father was alive he gave her chores to do and help the servants so she would learn the value of work and learn not to overwork her own servants. Well, her father could never guess she would be made a servant in herself. Soon everything was ready for breakfast. She poured three cups of tea and added the right amount of sugar and tea; that each of her step-family liked. Black for Isodara, one sugar and no cream for Rosella, and just cream for Estelle. The toast was each individual as well; blackberry for Isodara, strawberry for Rosella, and blueberry for Estelle.
She carried the breakfast trays to the dining room and noted that the center piece of roses was past it's prime. She would have to replace it soon. Gabrielle sat down the food and placed it in front of each of the women's usual seating. Now, she would spare a few minutes to work on herself. She returned to her corner of the kitchen and washed her face, hands, and exposed arms. She then took an old hairbrush(that was missing) many bristles and comb out her, before tying it back with an old ribbon. That was all the self care she usually had, except for the bath her stepmother allowed her once a month.
She would sit down and play with Astrid for a few minutes until she heard the even louder bells of the temple ring. She knew her step-family would soon awake. She would later hear the footsteps of Estelle and Isodara come down the stairs. She walked out of the kitchen to greet them both. Rosella would join much later and still be half-asleep. Gabrielle kept to a corner of the dining room, to get wait on them for anything they needed her to get.
After, breakfast it was time to help them get ready for the day. Her stepmother was the one who was first helped. Since it was a temple day, she would dress especially well and Gabrielle helped her into a violet dress. She brushed and styled her stepmother's hair into an up-do and then apply make-up to her face. If Isodara was satisfied with her job, she would dismiss her and she would go onto Estelle. She repeated the process with Estelle, helping her into a green dress and fixing her up. Estelle never did find a problem with anything she did, so that usually ended quickly.
However, Rosella was a problem. Helping her dress was one of Gabrielle's least favorite parts of the day. Often, she would change her mind several times about what dress to wear. On days like temples and balls. Today, was not an exception. Gabrielle was forced to change Rosella out of three different dresses until she finally decided on a blue and silver one. Gabrielle thought privately that it was too fancy for a temple, but she kept that thought to herself. When it came time to do her hair, Gabrielle found she had to redo her hairstyle several times, because it was never go enough for Rosella. After the fifth try, Rosella seemed to be tired of sitting there and said it was fine. With the make-up, Rosella was most fussiest at all and had Gabrielle touch up and add more and more.
Finally, it seemed Lady Isodara was tired of waiting and demanded Gabrielle to hurry up. Lady Isodara always blamed Gabrielle, not Rosella for taking so long. After, a few more tries Rosella reluctantly declared she was satisfied. Gabrielle felt so relieved at this and happily walked down the stairs with her to the waiting Estelle and Isodara. She bowed to them and wished them a pleasant day at the temple.
They finally left on their carriage and Gabrielle gave a relied sigh. She went to the kitchen and finally had her proper breakfast. She took half a loaf of bread, and bit into it, without butter and jam. Her stepmother had forbidden her from wasting such things on herself. She had the bread and went to clear the breakfast table, washing and putting away the dishes. Next was the bedrooms. She made the beds, emptied the chamberpots, and organizing back the vanities, along with other things.
Her day was beginning and she started to clean the house from top to bottom; washing the windows, sweeping, dusting, and cleaning every nook and cranny from top to bottom. As she did her chores she sang,
Out of sweet William's heart, there grew a rose. From Barbara's a green briar...
She sang many old ballads her father had taught her as she grew up. It helped to make her chores go by faster and more pleasantly, but as she sang; she couldn't help, but remember what had happened yesterday. The meeting with the prince was still fresh. Prince Adrian, a man known for her mercilessness on the battlefield had spared someone on her behalf. It almost seemed like a dream. Perhaps, it was just a dream, she wondered. That white hair...he was a surprisingly beautiful man, nothing like she had thought or dreamed of. She imagined an older, crueler looking person. However, the prince she saw could have passed for an angel.
She didn't know, but she found cheeks just thinking about him. She brushed thoughts of the prince away and continued to sing and work, as cheerfully as she could. The blonde only took breaks for light meals and then continued her work. She had to finish before they arrived home. She was so relieved when she finished the indoor work. The house looked almost as good as new, except for one room. The last thing she did was to go outside and pick fresh roses to use as a new centerpiece for the dining room table. She took the old roses and boiled them making them into rosewater, that Rosella liked to use for her skin. She placed the rose water in a bottle, and none too soon, because her step-family finally arrived home.
She had already started on their dinner and the smells were even making her hungry. She greeted them all and took their coats and hats.
"Dinner will be ready soon." She told them, as they came in.
"Oh, I am so hungry," grumbled Rosella, "Why do you have to be so slow?" Rosella asked her,
"I am sorry, I will try to do better."
"Do better, don't try." warned her stepmother as she passed her and Gabrielle merely gave a nod. She went back to the kitchen and stayed until the dinner was ready; cheese and broccoli soup. This particular meal made Gabrielle even more longing to wish she could join her step family for meals. She loved broccoli and hadn't had it in years. She brought it out as poured each of them a bowl full.
Gabrielle then took her usual place in the corner to wait on them. Her step-family began their meal and began to chat about the day. The blonde was usually bored with their talks. Most of the talking was done between Rosella and her mother, Estelle rarely said a word, and most of their talks was what someone was wearing or who was courting who. Rarely a word about the affairs of the kingdom or less about outside of it. However, tonight was a bit different...
"Can you believe that rumor about the prince and the songstress?" Suddenly asked, Rosella. This brought Gabrielle's attention back and her heart started beating fast.
"And yet there are so many witnesses to it." remarked, Isodara, as she took a spoonful of her soup.
"It is so silly." Rosella narrowed his eyes, "A cowardly deserter was about to be executed and then out of the crowd comes a beautiful woman with golden hair." The curly blonde rolled her eyes, "and she sings a little so song that is supposedly so beautiful that he is willing to pardon him."
Gabrielle's hands were nervously twitching, as she forced her body to remain still, like the slightest wrong breathe would give herself and what she had done away."
"Indeed." Remarked her stepmother
"Yet," Suddenly, Estelle interjected, which made everyone in the room turn to her, "Many claim to have seen it and I know many of them are far from mad." It was rare for Estelle to speak at dinner, but even rarer for her to comment on something as trivial as gossip.
"Oh, well even if it did happen it doesn't matter, according to all reports she was dressed in peasants grab that was full of patches." Commented, Rosella. For a brief moment her stepmother meet her eyes and then went back to her daughters. This made Gabrielle even more of a nervous wreck. Isodara never acknowledge her during meals, unless she wanted something, and if she suspected...she didn't want to think about it.
"However, rumor has it that the prince is interested in meeting her again and has his men on the lookout for a girl that matches her description. They say he has her name, but no one knows it, but him and his men." Estelle said
"I seriously doubt it is anything more than lust. If she is just a peasant girl like the rumors suggest, then he will just make a mistress out of her." Rosella said, with a huff. Gabrielle paled, make a mistress...oh no. She couldn't become a mistress. That would be a disgrace to her, her family, and to her Goddess. She followed a virgin Goddess and while it did not mean she had to be a virgin for life, it did mean she should abstinence from sex until marriage. She would pray to Hestia very well tonight, for her honor.
"Gabrielle!" The sudden leaving of her thoughts made her shiver. She looked over to the source of the voice, her stepmother. She narrowed her eyes, she most have seen her shiver. Gabrielle swallowed, she didn't want to add anymore to her stepmother's suspicions.
"Yes, Lady Isodara?" She asked, as soon as she gathered herself.
"Refill my glass." Her stepmother ordered, she nodded and took the pitcher and refilled her raised glass. She paused for a brief moment, before walking back to her place. Her hands were shaking a bit and she prayed the conversation would change. Thankfully, it did and dinner concluded. She put away the dishes and helped her step-family prepare for bed and put away the dishes.
In the dead of night, as she washing the dishes her thoughts came back to the rumors. Was the prince really looking for her? He didn't ask for more information about her, when they meet.
But he did call you beautiful
She felt a blush crept up on her face, at that thought, but then she blocked at any happy feeling at that thought. She remembered what Rosella said about becoming a mistress, she didn't want that. She was a loyal follower of Hestia, the chaste Goddess and what would her father and mother say about her becoming a mistress.
The blonde cast a gaze out to the wooden statue on the mantle and closed her eyes.
"Goddess, hear my prayer and cover me with your protection like a veil."
She then shook her head, it was only Rosella who had talked about the prince wanting a mistress. It was not even part of the original rumors that were sent home and she had to remind herself they were just rumors. She sighed, she was too tired to wonder and it had been a long day. She dried the dishes and dragged herself to her straw bed. Astrid came and laid next to her. She soon feel asleep.
The next month would pass rather peacefully for the most part. Her chores were reasonable and she was able to get quite a bit of reading done, and of course playing with Astrid. However, she did not get sent out to town and she had no idea the condition of Aaron or his brother. She prayed for them both every night, before she went to bread and even made an offering, of a piece of her breakfast, for their health and safety.
She was slightly also relieved not to have been sent to town after hearing the rumors of Prince Adrian seeking her. Maybe if enough time passed, he would just give up, if he was looking for her that is. Over time, however the prince left her thoughts more as life returned to it's usual rhythm. However, soon it was time for the ball. The ball was the only thing that Rosella could talk about and how she would meet the prince and dance with him.
Estelle as usual seemed neutral, much to her mother's dislike. No matter what her mother did nothing seemed to interest Estelle in marrying the prince and finally Isodara just gave up and focused her attentions on making Rosella bride material. She sent her off to dancing and conversation classes. One of the things Rosella's teachers encouraged in her was to be well-read which Rosella bitterly complained about, much to Gabrielle's jealously. Rosella never read the books she was sent home with and Gabrielle was tempted to "borrow" one for a night, but couldn't get up the courage too.
The eve of the ball finally came and she heard a knock at the door Gabrielle went to answer it and who stood there, but no other than Miss Goose. Before Gabrielle could do anything, the plump woman had her in her embrace and was placing kisses along her cheeks.
"It's been too long, how can your stepmother keep you locked in here so long?" She asked, with a hearty laugh.
"It's good to see you, Miss Goose" Gabrielle lighted patted her back, still a bit startled. She looked behind the woman to see several men carrying large bags.
"I take it you came to bring my stepsisters dresses?" She asked, and Miss Goose gave her a "look."
"Why, I must admit that is the reason, but before you call them down. Do you remember that little favor I asked of you?" Gabrielle thought back
"Oh, to help clean your shop after the ball, right?" Miss Goose nodded,
"Will you still do it?" She asked,
"Of course, but I must be home before they are," Gabrielle reminded her.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Balls like that go on till daylight hours. You won't be in any rush, I promise you, dearie." Assured, Miss Goose.
"I'll call them down now." She said, turning to the staircase. She went upstairs to alert her stepsisters and stepmother to the arrival of the dresses. Rosella gave a squeal of pure joy and rushed down immediately. Estelle, expectantly, didn't show as much enthusiasm and took her time making her way down the stairs. Isodara calmly followed her daughters to examine the dresses.
When they were all gathered together, Miss Goose had the men take out the stepsisters dresses. Rosella gave another squeal of delight when she saw hers. It was a pink dress it was embroidered with light pink and silver roses. It was a full skirt, that took up much room and was covered, by a layer of darker pink. It's sleeves were large and puffy and the bodice was lacey and completed it perfectly.
Rosella was perfectly happy with it, but Gabrielle caught a glimpse of Estelle's face and could tell she was not a fan. Estelle was probably worried that her dress would look similar to her sister's and must have held her breathe as her dress was unveiled. Miss Goose gestured to the men to reveal Estelle's dress. It was far more simple and in many ways more elegant than her sister's. The skirt was not nearly as big and had a black embroidery of lithe blackberry vines and there was some black lacing on the bodice. Her sleeves were small and had only a light amount of frills.
Gabrielle could tell from Estelle's expression that she was both relieved and pleasantly surprised at her dress.
"Now girls let's get your masks." Miss goose revealed two masks one was of a swan and the other a sparrow
The blonde could not help, but be impressed by Miss Goose's skills. She captured each of her stepsister's personalities perfectly. Both girls and Lady Isodara thanked Miss Goose and paid her generously for her work.
The next morning all the talk was about the ball, mostly from Isodara and Rosella, Estelle didn't talk much as usual. As the evening came she dressed her sisters and as usual Rosella made a fuss with her hair and make-up, but Gabrielle managed to get it to a level where she was satisfied with it. Gabrielle would admit without hesitation that both of her stepsisters were lovely looking women. However, in their gowns and them made-up they looked gorgeous that night.
She saw her step-family off on their carriage. She was told not to wait up for them and nodded. However, as soon as their carriage was out of sight; she took her tattered shawl and took the back way to town. The blonde went to the river as usual to find a pebble and took it as an offering at the crossroads were she offered it to Hecate.
She made way into town and found it was mostly of carriages and young women going to the ball. She might have looked strange as a woman not dressed up that night and on foot. However, she didn't care about what others thought and made her way to Miss Goose's shop. She found the door opened, something ran into her. Gabrielle was startled and looked down to see a familiar smiling face.
"Aaron!" She called, and pulled him in for a hug. It had been so long. "How is your brother?" She immediately, asked
"He's still in the bed, but the doc says he'll be back after a few more weeks of rest." He told her, happily.
"That's good, but why are you in Miss Goose's shop?" Was he hear to help, the clean up, she wondered.
"To help you get ready for the ball!" He chirped, excitedly.
"What...I'm not going to the ball." She sputtered out.
"Actually, dearie you are."Gabrielle would turn to see Miss Goose in the back door of the shop, "I have been planning to get you to that ball for months now."
"But...but...but" She stuttered, "I can't go. I don't have a dress and if my stepmother or Rosella sees me." She bit her lip at the thought.
"My dear don't you realize that you are in a dress shop and it's a masqueraded ball. They don't need to ever see you." Gabrielle backed away,
"But I can't go, I haven't been to something like that in so long." Miss Goose walked up to her and reached up to put her arm around her shoulders.
"Now, dearie you deserve this after all the hard work you have been doing. Come on, this might be your last chance for a long time."
Gabrielle thought, she was right it had been a long time since she dressed like the noble woman she was. This might be her last chance. She battled inside herself for several long moments.
"Okay...I'll go to the ball."
