Chapter 12

My room was small and circular. It had two narrow windows from which I could see the market and some fields in which the cows grazed. Inside my room I had a rather comfortable four poster bed with rich royal red velvet swags hanging down. On the back was the royal seal. I had a chest of drawers in which my corsets and undergarments were and a looking glass. I also had a desk so I could write my letters. In the room next door was my bathroom. This was an even smaller room with no windows (even though no one could get up to the room as we were up in the royal quarters. It contained the bath tub, the rail for my towels and a looking glass which fogged up when the steam from the bath clogged it.

I knew every kook and cranny of these rooms. I had only been here for a few hours and everything was identical to how it had been when I was a child here. These just infuriated me even more. I had loathed these rooms, and I had been so glad to leave. Now I was back, and these rooms were my dungeon.

I groaned with impatience. I was starving, and I longed for the only decent thing in Newcastle, an interesting cake that was circular and filled with strawberry jam. They were delicious! My stomach groaned again. I sighed. Time to leave the room, and see if I can still sneak down into the kitchens...

Stealthily, I made my way to the door, and crouching down, I looked for shadows that indicated I had a guard on my door. Seeing nothing, I exhaled silently in relief. I would put nothing past the old hag, if she wanted to annoy me and make me blow up; she knew exactly how to do it. And she had done it, frequently in the past. My self control had improved some, ever since I had met Dimitri actually, but it was far from perfect!

Opening the door I quickly scanned the area. No one was there. Smiling softly at my good fortune, I slipped outside.

"Good day Miss, can I help you?" A chirpy voice spoke up as I walked past a painting of an ancestor. The "great" Henry VIII. Personally, I don't see what's so great about having 6 wives and having hundreds of mistresses, many of which could have carried bastards. And the women back then had to be foolish. Especially Mary and Anne Boleyn. I wouldn't sleep with the man who got my sister pregnant. Twice.

I gasped loudly and spun around to find a small woman cowering in front of me. Her green eyes fixed upon the hem of my purple satin dress, and her hair, which looked like it was going to explode, a rich auburn colour, tied back tightly and tucked under a pretty green French hood. I had never seen her before in my life, though she did look kind of similar...

"Do I know you?" I asked suspiciously. Perhaps she was a daughter of one of the foul women who had tormented me during my stay here previously. She bobbed a curtsey.

"I'm sorry for not introducing myself sooner miss, I am Jill Mastrano, my cousin is Lissa Dragomir and she has written to me telling me I am to be your ladies maid during your stay here." Here she chanced a glance up at me with a small smile on her face, "she said I better take care of you or she'll send "Pyro" to me."

I had to laugh. Pyro was the nickname for my younger brother Prince Christian as he had a fascination with fire. Clearly, by the look on her face Jill had no idea of the person behind the nickname, if she had I was unsure of whether she would both believe it and become even shyer, or if she'd laugh at the joke. By bet was on she'd become even shyer. Bless.

"Naturally." I replied once my laughing fit had ceased. Remembering my original reason for leaving my room I sobered up slightly. "It is nice to meet you Jill; I am just exploring the castle. I like to observe the goings on around quietly and I am sure you are busy so I shall see you later." I began to move off in the direction of the servants stairs.

"Oh but miss, I am sorry but Mistress Mazur insisted you have an escort at all times." I hissed in annoyance. The interfering old cow. Quickly Rose... Think of a good excuse...

"Oh did she? Oh I see. Well, Jill could you fetch Sir Wickonby please? I believe he shall keep me from all threats that are outside the castle, don't you?" Fall for it Jill, please fall for it! I intoned silently.

I watched realisation dawn upon her features. "Oh of course miss! Just wait a moment and I'll be right back with him!" Then she turned to scamper off, turning her head back she shot me a quick wink and then shouted very loudly "Oh Sir Wickonby!" with her back to me quite obviously.

I wasted a few precious seconds gaping at her back in disbelief. I would never have thought it of her! Then, as I heard quick footsteps I darted off towards the staircase. Thanks Jill. I had to admit her idea was smart. This ways she covered her back too and I'd get to keep her. Though it also meant I had to be quicker and stealthier than before.

I began to hasten down the steps. They were still narrow and dark but I had run down these steps many times. Nothing kept me from food. I could walk the way to the kitchens blindfolded!

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I glanced around, more carefully this time. I needed to pay better attention to people in shadows! I had clearly become more careless. Jill would not creep up on me next time!

Seeing no one, I decided it was safe to proceed. Darting quickly towards the kitchen I almost crashed into someone in my haste.

"Oh I am so sorr-" I began to apologize. I looked up slowly; I had walked into a rather manly chest which was now rumbling with laughter.

"Hello your highness! After food are we?" The person spoke with a fondness that surprised me. Frowning slightly, I studied the person I had walked into. He was tall, and rather handsome with a tan (very rare for someone in England!) and with a wide grin. His eyes were brown and they sparkled as they stared at me. The eyes gave him away.

"Oh my goodness! Is it really you?" I blurted out.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is just me, but it doesn't feel like Christmas right now? Maybe I'm just getting old lol

So who do you think she's walked into? And should I do a DPOV? See how he's getting on at Winchester? Let me know...

I will try and update more, but I think they are going to be very irregular until after the 10th of February as I have my A level exams (you'll know if your British!) and after that I have to take scholarship exams for Aberystwyth university. Lots of revision Fun stuff...

Anyway... The amount of reviews I've been getting has been getting less and less... 'Tis very sad! Give me some Christmas love! Review!

Thank you to everyone who's reviewed so far and favourited and alerted this FF! I love you all and send you lots of Christmas hugs :D

Disclaimer: I'm blonde, I have blue eyes. I'm 17. Very inaccurate description of Richelle Mead don't cha think?

DarkRomanceAddict