The next morning when Charlotte went into the kitchen to do her usual chores she was in a very good mood. In fact she was as happy as a lark. Last night had just been so grand. Probably the grandest night of her life, the ball was so beautiful and the young man she had danced with was no doubt the best partner she ever had. She'd never forget that wonderfully romantic waltz she shared with him, the way he had held her would forever be in her memory. She replayed the whole scene from last night in her mind the entire time she swept the floor while humming to herself the melody of the song that they had waltzed to.
"Well you're awfully happy this morning Apple Cheek." Niffty said observantly. "Anything interesting happen last night?"
"Oh no." She answered. "I just had a very nice dream that's all. But what about you? Anything interesting happen last night at the ball?"
"Oh Apple Cheek you missed a real treat. Wonderful music and dancing all night long. So many dashing gentlemen. Dashing, sharply dressed, and single gentlemen!"
"Did you dance with any of them?"
"I danced with a few and I had a splendid time. But then they ran away from me."
"Oh no, why?"
"Because I asked if any of them were seeking a wife and apparently that's creepy. Or at least that's what Husk says but what does he know? He hasn't had a lady friend in the last twenty years."
Charlotte giggled.
"But aside from watching men flee from me due to commitment issues, the ball was a fantastic frolic and the best part about it was the mysterious guest who arrived."
"Oh?" Charlotte said feigning ignorance. "Tell me about this guest?"
"She was the most beautiful lady in all the world I'm sure. Her hair was like the sun and it sparkled in the light. She also had the most exquisite gown. I don't even think that the master's tailor could have created a more gorgeous garment. And she danced like she was walking on air, her feet barely touched the floor."
"That amazing huh?"
"Amazing and so much more. All the gentlemen desired her and all the ladies envied her. But I think it was the young master who was the most beguiled by her. He didn't take his eyes off of her the whole time she was there."
"Really?" Charlotte thought back to the ball and tried to remember anyone paying any special attention to her besides Alastor but no one came to mind.
"Funny thing though no one knew who she was and she never told anyone her name." Niffty continued. "She was probably the daughter of a rich land owner or something."
"She seemed rather pretentious to me." Katie said before she started carving up a chicken. "I mean if she really was a woman of wealth and class then why would she just leave so suddenly without even giving her name or thanking the host? Seems to me that she might be hiding something."
"If she is it's really none of our business is it?" Niffty said. "After all we don't know her."
"I'm just saying the rich and the wealthy have much more scandalous secrets than the poor and the help. For example I just recently learned the most juicy news about Lucifer Magne."
Charlotte went stiff at the mention of her father's name.
"The Lucifer Magne?" Niffty said. "As in the owner of the Magne Apple Orchard?"
"That's him. I heard it yesterday from the men who delivered the apples purchased from his orchard to make cider for the ball. Apparently he disowned his daughter."
"No." Niffty gasped.
"Yes."
"What for?"
"They didn't say but I have a pretty good idea. He probably caught her in bed with a field hand or something. That's usually why most fathers throw their daughters out. For being a bed hopping harlot."
"You're one to talk Katie." Husk said entering the kitchen. "Before we hired you, you were every fat cat's favorite mistress until age caught up with you."
"How dare you speak to me that way." Katie said.
"Well stop spending your working hours gossiping and I won't." He then felt a great pain in his forehead as a result to the hangover he woke up with.
"Have a little too much to drink again Husk?" Katie smirked.
"Oh be quiet you insufferable shrew!" He put his hand to his forehead. "I'm going to see over the arrangements for tonight. Niffty bring me something for my head when you have the chance, will you?"
"Yes sir." She said hurrying to the cupboard to fix Husk some special tea that had been known to cure hangovers instantly. "Apple Cheek could you bring me the kettle please?"
"Sure thing." She grabbed the kettle and filled it to the top with water before handing it to Niffty.
"Will you be coming to the picnic tonight Apple Cheek?" Niffty asked once she put the kettle on the stove and dropped the tea leaves into it. "There will be plenty of delicious food and games to play. To some it'll be more fun than the ball because you don't have to be so formal."
"No I won't be going." Charlotte answered. "By the time it starts I'll be much too tired from my work to go but please tell me all about it tomorrow."
"Alright but such a pity that you won't come."
At the end of the day when all work was done and she was once again alone in her cellar room, she contemplated weather or not she should attend the picnic. Part of her wanted to go to not only take part in the festivities but because she hoped that she would see Alastor there. But the other part of her thought it would be best if she just stayed in for the night. Word about what happened between her and her father had spread quicker than she thought and she wasn't sure what she would do if anyone put two and two together. Not to mention the dress she was wearing was no longer suitable for a public gathering.
However before she could make a decision Rosie flashed before her eyes again.
"Feeling a little nervous this time?" She asked her. "Can't say I blame you. I'd no doubt be the same way if I had a strapping young man waiting for me."
Charlotte blushed.
"You mean..." She trembled a little. "You mean he's going to be there?"
"Yes and for the record it's just as rude to keep a gentleman waiting as it is to keep a lady waiting."
"Well how do you know he's waiting for me?"
"Child you're the only the reason he's going to the event in the first place. Last night he attended the ball just to be proper and he had no intention of being involved in any of the remaining galas this week. But after meeting you he's decided to participate in the whole thing, hoping that he'll get the chance to see you again."
Charlotte's blush spread all over her face and she tried so hard to smile.
"But I don't know what to say to him. I've never really had a gentleman caller. That is, if that's what he is. What should I do? How should I address him?"
"Just be yourself when you're with him. Like you were last night and maybe this time give him a name to go with that pretty face of yours."
"No. Not yet. Not until I'm certain."
"Certain of what?"
"Certain that he won't be ashamed of who I am."
"Why would he be ashamed?"
"You know why. Because so far I'm only known as two things. Either the disgrace to the Magne family name or the dirty kitchen maid. Even the household cook looks down on me for what I am."
"Don't take it personally honey, she looks down on everyone even her master and she doesn't really know what is really means to be worthless. If she did then she'd realize that she's the very personification of it."
Charlotte giggled.
"Now enough talk, time to get you all dolled up again for tonight."
Like before Rosie washed Charlotte's face and brushed her hair, styling it properly for the occasion. Then once more she changed the moss and rags into a glittering gown. This one was golden and embroidered with flowers, very befitting for an evening outside.
"I really don't know how I can ever repay you for this." The blonde said admiring her gown. "I really appreciate you helping me. But I don't understand why you're doing all this for me."
"Because you showed me compassion when others would not and I'm a firm believer in paying it forward."
"All I did was give you an apple."
"Yes but that simple act of kindness told me all I needed to know about what kind of person you were and I realized that you might be able to help me fulfill a certain obligation that I have."
"What obligation is that?"
"That's for another day and you have some place to be. Now you remember what I told you about the gown right?"
"It's magic lasts as long as the morning star is up. Once the morning star sets the gown will turn back into moss."
"Correct. So pay close attention to the sky tonight. That is if you really aren't ready for anyone there to know who you are."
"Don't worry I won't get too distracted this time." She smoothed out the skirt of her gown and slipped on a pair of shoes. She was just about to walk out of the cellar when she turned around and hugged the kind witch-woman. "Thank you again."
"You're welcome." Rosie said as she disappeared again.
Charlotte was grateful to Rosie for helping her but she couldn't stop wondering why she had chosen to do so. While giving the only food you have to a starving person is a very selfless and kind act, she didn't think it was enough to warrant all this aid. At least not in her terms. In fact if this woman had magic why wasn't she using it to help herself? Surely she is in so much more desperate need of it then Charlotte did.
And what about this obligation Rosie had mentioned? She said that Charlotte could help her fulfill it and the young lady would gladly help her do so especially after what all Rosie had done but what was it that she needed? And how could Charlotte help? Did she have a house somewhere that need to be cleaned? Because so far cleaning was the only useful thing the blonde believed that she was capable of.
"I will dwell on it later." She told herself. "Now I must hurry."
And off she went.