Chapter Three

I woke up. The sun has shone through my tiny window. It was cold and drafty in my room. I climbed out of the bed and brushed my untidy hair. Then, I went out, ready to meet Hattie's, Mum Olga's and Olive's orders.

"Ella! Come here!" Mum Olga's voice shrilled from the parlor. I went there, obediently, just like I should be or maybe forced to be.

Mum Olga was sitting there on her elegant chair and playing with a rose. I hope the rose's thorns prick her fat fingers.

"I'm going to give you a rare order today." She said.

"What? Should I kill myself?" I said. Mum Olga's smile was pasted on her face. Hattie got her foul attitude in her.

"No. You'll be going to the market to buy the food. Mandy, our delightful and wonderful cook," Mum Olga licked her lips. She must have been imagining the taste of Mandy's cookery, "is busy. She'll be cooking me a big feast because Hattie shall have guests. It's—" I didn't listen any longer. If I listened, then I would be hearing a long list of people. It's not bearable.

Mum Olga dismissed me. "Oh, and before you go, you have to come back at this manor by ten so Mandy can cook her delicious food! And don't waste the money for yourself!"

An order. Mum Olga doesn't trust me. Well, no one in this family does.

The market is a place bustling with energy. The chickens are squawking. I bet they know their fate. Every vendor screams at the top of their lungs. It was not a place I would want to be there forever.

I bought all of Mum Olga's orders. I didn't buy some for myself since she ordered it. I saw a very pretty trinket and adored it. I couldn't buy it. Even if it is by my own money. The purse of gold, silver and bronze KJs which were heavy when I left was now as light as a feather. But that didn't help. Baskets of meat and vegetables surround me. I looked like the market itself. Who are these people who will visit Mum Olga?

I finished marketing and made my way the manor. I passed the dress maker, the glassblower and butcher and reached the road. It was lonely road with only me passing. I struggling to walk with my dozens of baskets when I heard distant galloping. Please, please don't let it be the royal carriage! I silently prayed to myself. It wasn't the royal carriage but just as worse. It was Sir Stephan and Sir Aubrey, one of the six knights I have met during the ogre skirmish. With Char. I'm in big trouble.

Their horses have spotted me and so did they.

"Hey look it's the ogre tamer!" Sir Aubrey shouted while pointing at me. I couldn't run now. It would be too suspicious.

"You're right Aubrey! It's the ogre tamer! Long time no see ogre tamer! It's been a long time since we've met!" Sir Stephan said with his long speeches.

"Hello." I said weakly while looking up at them riding their towering horse. "Long time no see."

"Why are you carrying that? You need any help?" Sir Aubrey said while leaning on his steed.

"Oh, doing errands for my sweet Mum Olga. The marketer is not yet in the manor and I volunteered to do the marketing. We are having guests!" I said brightly. "And I don't need your help thank you very much. It would be a funny sight to see two men—especially knights, carrying baskets of meat and vegetables!" I laughed.

"You're right lass!" Sir Stephan while laughing with me. Sir Aubrey joined in.

"Why are you wearing that? You look like a maid?" Sir Aubrey said. Oh no. He noticed! Those maids' uniform I wore!

"This clothes?" I said. I was thinking quite fast. What will I say? "This clothes?"

"Yes. Those clothes." Sir Aubrey said again. He laughed too. He must have thought of it as a joke. I was lucky. That gave time to think.

"You see, I wear some maid's uniforms everytime I market. So then I won't ruin my precious gowns! You know girls. Always careful with gowns!" I laughed. Please let them think of it as a joke!

They did and they laughed too.

"Well, I better go." It was near ten and now the curse was nagging me. I was delaying. "Mum Olga would be desolate if I were late!"

"We too, lass. Better go to Prince Charmont and report about the ogre skirmishes. Been getting a lot since your language discovery! By then!" Sir Stephan and Sir Aubrey waved and galloped away.

Thank goodness they were fooled. Else, I would be in deep trouble.