****lalalalalala well chapter two came fast, didnt it? i sure hope so. i started it the second after i finished chapter one!! hooway! i just have something to say. i am all against those stories that have NOTHING to do with ella enchanted--just in the same time frame or something. well this MIGHT be that kind of thing right now, but soon enough you will see that it is directly linked to ella. read. please.****

That very afternoon, after the kitchen incident, Mildred sent me to the market on my own. She said that she needed more fruits for her growing young ones, and some pastries for herself. Typical of Mildred: to make her children eat the disgusting healthy things, and save the delicious lard-filled things for herself.

I gathered my shawl and the large basket I used to hold the fruit and set out, wishing I had brought a bonnet to cover my overly-sensitive freckled face. The sun was bright and I was squinting as I made my way to the market. I wistled as I walked, passing my hand over the trees on the side of the road and waving to happy people that I didn't even know.

The market square was a very crowded place until dusk. By day, it was covered in stalls selling various wares and hasty people rushing to and fro. By night it was empty but for a few pieces of cloth or food on the ground. Many a friendly swordfight happened out there, striking back and forth between the fountain on one end and the towering monastery on the other.

"Good mornin', miss!" someone called to me, holding out a long silver necklace. "Care for some jewelry?"

"No, thank you," I said, approaching the man that had called out to me. "I haven't enough money."

The man stroked his pointy gray beard and surveyed me. "We can strike a bargain, young lady," he said. "You seem trustworthy." He leaned across his wares and looked me in the eye. "You can have one of these lovely necklaces--if you promise to say that you got it from me, Figaro."

I stroked a delicate necklace that was composed of a thin silver chain and a single fragile flower at the end.

"Ah," said Figaro. "That one was made by the fairies. A good friend of mine gave that to me, saying for me to give it to one of my own daughters." He let out a jolly laugh. "Of course, I have none, so I shall give it to you." He slipped it over my head. "It matched your beauty, lady," he said.

"Thank you, Figaro," I said. "I shall tell anyone I meet!" I rushed away, keeping one finger on the flower. I feared it would break if it bounced at all.

I stopped at a fruit stand and bought plenty of the foods, making sure to get Gracie's least favorite: oranges. I then proceeded to my favorite pastry stand and bought a few croissants and bagels for Mildred. All this I put in my basket, then I carried my basket over my arm and turned to head home.

WHAM!

Apples, oranges, croissants, bagles, bananas all flew across the ground.

"Oh, I'm sorry, miss!" a man said, getting to his hands and knees to pick up the food before it was ruined by the passing crowd. I followed suite, nearly getting my hand squished before it was all done. The pastries were dirty, the fruit was bruised, and my necklace was missing.

I rose and pushed my hair from my face. I looked all over the ground for my necklace, hoping that it wasn't crushed. It came into view a moment later, in the hand of the man that had knocked me over.

I took the necklace gently, brushing my hand against his hand. It was warm and soft, showing his youth. Looking up, I saw that it was Prince Sampson. My jaw dropped and I curtsied. "Your highness!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, please," he said, and he rolled his eyes. He looked rather nice, with lovely brown eyes and hair, and a few freckles across his nose. He seemed at least three years my senior. "Do not cursty, miss."

I stood up straight and looked him in those gorgeous eyes of his. It was a pity I hated him so. We seemed locked in a gaze for a moment, then I shook myself out of it and placed the necklace in my apron pocket, being careful to look at the ground. I turned to go, but he grabbed my arm, nearly sending the food flying again.

"Please," he said, "let me buy you more food."

"Do not bother yourself, highness," I said, but he held onto my arm. I was amazed at his strength.

"It would not be a bother for me to do so."

I nodded, smiling slightly, and followed him back to the food stands. As he was buying fruit for me, he said, "May I inquire your name, miss?"

"Zoi," I said.

He gave me an odd look and nearly dropped an orange he had in his hand. He swallowed hard, put the orange in my basket, and said, "What a lovely name."

"Thank you, Prince Sampson," I replied, irked at his reaction to my name.

"Oh, just call me Sam. Everyone does."

"Thank you, Sam, then," I said, smiling at him. He grinned back, and blushed profusely.

We bought pastries in silence. Afterwards, I turned to him and said, "Thank you, Sam, for buying me my food. I must go now."

"Let me accompany you, then, Zoi," he said desperately.

I thought of Mildred's reaction if I walked up the front path, strolling alongside the prince, the son of her dearest enemy. I nearly laughed. I thought of the kind of lashings I would receive afterwards, and nearly cried. "No, Sam," I said sadly. "Thank you for your kindness, but no." And with that, I turned and walked briskly away, trying to keep myself from rushing back to him and BEGGING him to come with me.

On the way home, though, I suspected that a little boy was following me.

*********

ohh-ho! never thought THAT would come, didja? hehehehehehehe woo little tipsy. okay well i know that was short, but at least it was longer than chappie one. methinks. okay meknows. methinks. oh well.

have a GREAT day.

review. please. thank you. konitchiwa.