I dislike using parentheses. I'm not sure why, but it just happens I like both kinds of brackets better.
I'm also not sure why I shared that with you, but I just decided to be odd and start off a new chapter like that.
So, chapter six being up, this is obviously going to be…
Seven, of course.
Seven
-Ama-
It was Sunday, our day off. Keri and I were sitting in our room on my bottom bunk, eating the rich leftovers from yesterday's dinner. It had been two years since we had come to the manor, and the doctor bills had been long since paid. Keri had made friends and I had gotten to know the other servants.
At nine, Keri was full of energy. Her bright red hair had gone to a darker auburn color. Her face seemed to fit her huge eyes better, and it was obvious her looks would only get better.
My hair became lighter from the sun, opposite of Keri's change in hair, but otherwise I had not changed. Except… Well, I was happier than before. I had consistency to my life, not the unsure lifestyle I had in Post.
Keri was sitting with her legs crossed next to me lying on the bed, my legs hanging off the side.
"Did you hear? The king and the prince are coming to stay to do a little hunting," Keri informed me, sounding excited.
"Really now. The manor is going to be in a state of chaos until they leave. We will have to make sure everything is perfect for them," I groaned.
Keri opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated.
"What?" I asked. "You want to say something, tell me."
She sighed, her gaze flicked at me, then to her hands in her lap. "Foley said… he said you're the head of the cleaning for the prince's quarters…"
I stared at the bunk above my head. "What? I can't do that, I've only done cleaning for a year."
Keri shrugged. "Foley thinks you can do it."
Foley was a father figure, to us both. He made sure we did alright and that we did what we were supposed to do. He was in charge of everything in the manor and in charge of appointing people to where they go and what they do.
"I suppose I can't argue with that, now can I?" I sat up. "I'm going to go find him and see what I'm going to be doing."
She nodded and bounced off the bed and I slid off after her. She smiled and said, "I'm going to go play with Jemimah."
I pulled a comb with missing teeth through my hair and quickly strode through the vast basement of the manor, searching for Foley.
Finally I found him during my second glace in his office. "Ah ha! Foley! What's all this about putting me on prince duty?"
He looked up at me, his gray hair messy and dark circles under his eyes. Despite his tired appearance, he smiled at me. "You can do it," was all he said in reply.
"I've only been doing this for a year! I can't possibly head anything yet."
He groaned. "I knew this would come." He rubbed his eyes. "Ama, you're more competent than any other maid or housekeeper in this place."
I sighed. "Pauline isn't better than me?" I asked, trying another route.
"No."
"Kimi?"
"No."
"Josie!"
"No."
I glared at him. Those girls were far better than me. Foley was getting delusional with his age, but I knew better than to argue. "Alright, fine. Whatever you say."
"I'm glad you agree," he said absentmindedly, and pulled out a piece of parchment from a stack of papers. He started to scribble. "Having this job means more pay for as long as the prince stays, and no days off. Now, tomorrow you can start on the job. Here's a list of things I need-" he handed me the paper- "and things I suggest for you as a first-timer." He waved his hands at me. "Go and study it."
I stared blankly at him and left the room, carefully looking at the strange characters on the paper, unable to decipher the code that sat on the paper, mocking me.
-Eli-
I can't tell you why, but I had a dream from something that happened two years ago. It was so random and came out of nowhere. I hadn't thought about the dark-haired girl and her… daughter? The sweet seven year old girl, with the huge dark eyes and the most bright red hair I had ever seen.
The girl's mother was what I remember, though. Her dark hair was shone like ebony pianoforte keys. I only wish I could have seen her eyes, but they never opened for me… She was so pretty, her eyes could only have been even more beau-….
No! I thought. She's a commoner, what are you thinking, stupid Eli! She was not pretty, commoners are not pretty. Especially not refugees
I growled at myself as I slid out of bed, ready to take on another dreary day of being the crown prince, and another day without a promise of a bride.
No country had agreed to marry off their princesses, and all of he dukes, lords, and barons would not let their daughters go into the hands of a replacement prince. Apparently it- I- was taboo.
I made my way to breakfast, where my uncle sat with his head in his hands, not touching the food. When he heard me pull the chair back from the table, he looked up.
"Good morning, Eli," he said with a smile. "Sleep well?"
I grimaced inwardly, but said, "Very well."
"Wonderful! Today I thought I might go visit your father and do a little hunting, what do you say? Would you like to go?" he asked, looking hopeful. I had declined many similar invitations, deciding I'd rather study, but today… I might just go along today.
"I think I just might take up that offer."
"Splendid, you've been studying too much lately. You need a little break time, some relaxation."
I nodded and smiled. Yes, I did need the relaxation, I had been too worried and tense lately. It was about time I did something for myself.
Alright, review. Sorry it's been awhile... almost a week.
School's decided to go all rough and tough on me, but this weekend is a four-day weekend, allowing me to catch up on sleep and fanfiction (though most of you didn't update at all or review me! -glares angrily at you all-).
I switched the order, it made more sense. Before, Eli's half was first, then came Ama, but the time wise didn't fit- yes, most of the timings aren't lined up with another, they might be a few days off, so if it seems iffy, keep that in mind.
Tschau!
