Hey guys, sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I was attempting to mod The Sims all weekend. :P Anyway, I wrote this chapter during class just for you. :3
Birds sang in the sky and the sun shone down on a beautiful morning. Abbigail had finished her morning chores early so she could sit outside. A small part of her hoped King Damian would come out to the garden, but she told herself repeatedly not to get her hopes up. Her heart still sank when Cook called for her to return and Damian had not made an appearance.
Abbigail sat on her stool to wash dishes. Her hands were still dry and cracked, but they did not hurt nearly as much since Damian had bandaged them. She picked up a dish to begin cleaning, but Cook interrupted her.
"Come here, girl." Cook waved her over. Abbigail did as she was told, moving to stand beside Cook. "You know how to use a knife?" Abbigail shook her head. Cook showed her and let her chop vegetables.
Mind swimming, she cut vegetables as best she could. Cook directed her, letting her help him cook for the first time. Abbigail enjoyed her new jobs. She still washed dishes at times, but it wasn't so monotonous.
The next days followed much the same. Cleaning dishes after breakfast, sitting outside for a time before returning to help Cook. There was no sign of King Damian except the dirty dishes left after meals. Abbigail knew he must be working hard to keep his kingdom afloat until he could bring in financial help.
Abbigail chopped carrots as she thought. Thoughts so took over her mind that she did not notice King Damian in the kitchens until he was about to leave. He stood at the base of the stairs talking to Cook.
"Please begin preparations to depart for Barawyn next week," King Damian directed. Abbigail sighed, telling herself that at least she wasn't important enough to go.
Cook scratched his chin, muttering, "They ought have a well enough equipped kitchen. I will need the girl with me to assist."
It felt as though Abbigail's heart stopped beating. Her hand slipped and the knife clattered to the floor. Fear gripped her heart and she couldn't move.
"Cat-skin?" Damian called, concern in his voice.
Cook spat with venom in his voice, "Stupid girl."
Abbigail's mind filled with cluttered thoughts. Had Cook said he needed her to go to Barawyn? Had he been talking about someone else? The thought of seeing her father again made Abbigail physically ill and caused shivers to race up and down her spine.
Damian threw her a look before saying farewell to Cook and exiting back upstairs.
Cook picked the knife up and put it in Abbigail's hand. The contact shocked her out of her trance and she began to cut vegetables again, but this time slower and more methodical. She contemplated asking Cook to let her stay, but she knew already her request would be denied. No one told Cook what to do.
That night as Abbigail lay in her bed, her doubts and fears took over once more. She couldn't go back to her father, she wouldn't. The most she could hope for is that he wouldn't recognize her. A thought hit her then. Her father wouldn't have to see her at all. She was a servant now and he was royalty. Her father never mingled with the servants, especially in the kitchens. She felt better, but the doubts didn't subside. What if Trence recognized her? Surely he knew her almost as well as her father and he went to the kitchens on occasion. Would he keep her identity a secret?
Sorrow griped her heart and mind and a tear slipped down her cheek, leaving a trail in the dirt on her face. She wrapped the animal skin cloak tighter around herself and turned to sleep.
Dreams filled with anxiety, Abbigail tossed and turned. Giving up the futile search for sleep, Abbigail eyed the parcel in the corner. Inside were the stunning dresses her father had given her. Why Papa?, she thought to herself. Why did you have to ask me to marry you? He had driven her away and now they both had to suffer.