Grooming Weeds

Act Two

Waiting was never an easy thing. Even if she was well out of childhood, past her teens and into her twenties, she had never been good at waiting. Throw into the waiting mix that she was waiting to hear back from the 'big cheese' of the job department, time seemed to tick away like centuries. She stood in the massive main hall with her hands cuffed in front of her body, her satchel hanging off her right shoulder. Ugh, how was she supposed to act when Mr. Baileywick came out? Professional and respectful of course but was being overly confident helpful at all?

The sound of footfalls against a marble floor forced Heather to flinch. So she wasn't going to get much time to ponder her question, was she? From around a corner, the ever pristine and career-driven Baileywick, came into view. Eyes on a pocket watch, the moment he got a second, he snapped the golden locket closed and placed it back into his jacket pocket. He then took the chance to straighten out any, if there were any, flaws or wrinkles in his suit before turning his full attention to her.

"Good afternoon," He said, facial expression never once changing as he spoke, "What is it that can I do for you? I heard you asked to speak with me specifically." His feet came to a stop about four feet away from her.

"Yes sir," Even with every nerve in her body going into overdrive, Heather bowed a single time to what she assumed would be her future superior. "I was here to inquire about the job?"

Oh geez, I hope 'inquire' means what I think it does. Sounded good enough out loud anyway.

The older man placed his left arm behind his body while his right hand touched the rim of his glasses. "Ah, I see. Please, if you would follow me."

The moment his lips came to a close, he spun around and started onward. Oh! This was the moment! Fighting the urge to squeal, Heather brought her now balled fists to her chest and giggled just below her voice. This was gonna be great! Working at the castle, getting a steady pay and maybe even a free lunch?! This was too good to be true! Life from here on out was gonna be a snap, smooth sailing, a piece of cake!

Relax and act like a pro!

She allowed her arms to drop and her eyes to shut. With a single deep inhale via her nostrils, she paused for two seconds before following after the white-haired gentleman. She could totally do this. The baker took the lightest steps possible while keeping her head up high and back straight. Even if she wasn't exactly used to working or even being inside a castle, she could at least act like she knew what she was doing.

The duo continued to walk, soon leaving the large main hall and entered into an even larger guest area. The girl took a moment to lift her chin and gawk at the sights along the way only to find structures that were beyond imagination. Crystal chandeliers, jeweled walls, glass décor figures, and a royal purple carpeted runway that felt soft even through her shoes!

Whoa.

"Miss?"

Like she'd been poked with a sharp needle, Heather flinched. Her feet came to a complete halt and her chin moved forward only to see Baileywick standing before her, as if he'd been waiting for her to respond for a number of seconds. Ugh, wonderful. What way to start out their work relationship by looking like a loser.

"Yes sir!" Her voice cracked just as she opened her mouth.

"Now we have a few openings for castle maids but there are a few different departments in which you could work under." He said, bringing his right hand to his chest.

Wait, did he just say maid? What the? Oh, maybe she should have been a bit more specific before jumping into a job. "Um, sir?" Heather dipped her head down as she interrupted. "I was here to inquire about the job as a cook?"

"The cooking position?" He stiffened. "The one that was opened three days ago?"

"Yes."

"Oh dear," His shoulders relaxed and hand darted for the rim of his glasses once again. "That opening was filled within hours of becoming available. I am sorry miss but you are a bit late."

No. No way. There had to be some kind of mistake! This couldn't be happening! Her storybook life could end just before it began! No! She couldn't just turn around and go home now, not after everything she'd done to get to this point! There had to be something for her to do in the kitchen, even if it meant washing dishes! There had to be another way!

XoXoX

"That's lovely, dear."

Sofia beamed, walking beside her mother. Could a girl ask for anything more than to have a nice walk with her mom? Even though she was the queen now, she still had time for not only her but for James and Amber too.

I'm pretty sure I've got the best mom ever.

"So," The young princess looked up to her mother with a set of wide eyes, "Tomorrow I was thinking we could-"

"Are you sure?!"

Both mother and daughter froze at the sound of someone's panicked voice. Since when did they ever hear someone's voice in such a tone in the palace? That also went without mentioning that it was a pretty unfamiliar voice. As both females rounded the last corner that entered into the guest area. Her eyes took a moment to focus but once the image came into view, she noted Baileywick in the company of a strange female.

"Oh my," Miranda lifted her right hand to her lips. "What's going on here?"

"I'm not sure."

Wait, she'd seen that woman before and she'd heard that voice before! Yes, the woman with a short dark brown hair and large eyes? She was the young girl from the bridge! She gasped for a short, quick second before allowing a small smile to appear on her cheeks. The moment her voice hit the air, her mom looked down with a single brow lifted.

"Do you know her?"

"I saw this woman this morning," The orange-haired royal glanced up at her parent. "She was just outside the castle right after lunch."

"She was?"

"Yes! She said she was a baker and she seemed pretty nice."

Her mother's features softened. "Then why don't we go and find out what's going on."

With a firm nod of her head, the two females stepped forward. The sounds of their heels on the hard floor alerted the couple. And within an instant, both male and female turned toward them and ducked their heads. Hm, it still seemed strange being bowed to, even when they entered the room. But time would fix that, right?

"Your majesty," Baileywick lifted his head and wore a smile for her mother. "And Princess Sofia."

"Hello Baileywick," Miranda returned the gesture. "I wasn't aware that we were having guests today." The queen turned to the unnamed girl. "Good afternoon."

Even with her head still dipped, the female spoke. "I'm sorry your highness. I was here to ask a question and upon getting it answered I was just leaving-"

"Are you upset?" Sofia felt her brows turn inward.

Just by the sound of the woman's voice, anyone could tell something was wrong. They did just also hear her shout inside the castle and that didn't happen just any day. Something had to be wrong. A few hours ago when they talked for the first time, she seemed rather excited about something. There was no way Baileywick could have said something to hurt her feelings!

The woman with the short brunette hair lifted her chin. "No ma'am."

"We were just discussing an issue with employment," Baileywick interjected. "This young lady was here for an interview about the chef opening."

"I thought we filled that job." Miranda's brow lifted.

"We did your majesty," The lone male in the room gave a single head nod. "I was informing our guest that we are actually over-staffed at the moment due to the amount of applicants we had three days ago."

The queen turned her gaze toward the girl. "I am sorry, miss. I wish I could have had an opening for you. If you leave your information here perhaps the next time we have a job available, we can contact you."

Once again, Sofia turned her attention to the stranger in front of her. By this time, her eyes were glued to the ground while her brows drooped over them. A deep set frown had grown over her lips and her fingers clenched the satchel that was wrapped across her chest. It was pretty obvious she was upset about the rejection but there was something more here.

"Alright, alright. Not too much though, this is my lunch. I gotta eat too, kay?"

Sure, she had said before that she could make more treats anytime she wanted but the look on her face said otherwise. And if it was true that she had shared her only meal with Clover that probably meant she was going to get hungry soon, if she wasn't already hungry.

"You should be able to catch the next public carriage into town if you leave now." Baileywick's voice broke the princess out of her thoughts.

The girl's head sank between her shoulders. "Yeah…"

"Would you like some company walking to the carriage stop?" Sofia piped up, a smile etching on her face. "I wouldn't mind escorting you."

"Oh," The woman's large eyes darted up to her only for a second then moved away once again. "No thank you. I won't trouble you with something like that."

"It's no trouble!" She laughed and took a single step closer to the stranger.

"Well, I won't be taking the public carriage so there's really no need."

"Why not?" She tilted her head to the right.

The female grimaced the moment she asked, almost as if the baker had been expecting it but dreading it at the same time. "I…I don't really have any money for the ride back home." She almost appeared to shrink in size as she stood. "I used all my funds to travel here two days ago. Between the hotels and restaurants I'll probably be walking back to the village."

"Oh." Miranda sighed. "That is a problem, isn't it?"

"It's fine." The brunette shut her eyes and shot the group her best smile. "I don't mind walking; I actually enjoy it."

"That will not do at all." Baileywick gave a shake of his head.

"I agree," The queen to his right nodded. "I can't risk you walking around at night! Don't worry miss; I'll see to it that you make it home safely." She then turned to the older male. "Baileywick, if you could please arrange a personal taxi carriage for our guest? At no charge of course."

"At once, your majesty." He dipped his head.

"I really appreciate it, your highness." The girl reopened her eyes and managed to crack a small smile.

"Wait," Sofia looked to her mother and assistant, her voice grinding the whole situation to a halt. "Is there anything we can do for you?" She asked just after turning back to the stranger, "You gave Clover most of your lunch. You have to be hungry. Can we get you something before you leave?"

"Is that right?" Miranda asked from the back. "We can't let you leave on an empty stomach."

"No, that's really not necessary," Her hands darted to her chest, almost if she were on the defense. "I couldn't take any more of your time."

"Nonsense." Baileywick placed his hand outward, palm facing the baker. "It isn't a problem at all. Please, allow us to make up for your inconvenience in coming here."

"I shouldn't. I really must get back home as soon as possible." She dropped her arms as a look of guilt washed over her face. "The sooner I get back, the sooner I can try to get my old job back."

"You quit your job before you came here?" Her mother's voice cracked just a tad.

The girl with the messy pixie-cut lifted her hand to her hair and pushed back any strays that came in front of her eyes. "Yes, unfortunately. I guess I overestimated myself. My sister warned me not to but I was sure I would find work here."

"I am sorry." Miranda released a small sigh.

"It was my fault, really. I should have thought everything through before trying to come out here. I can't have you make up for my mistake."

So this young woman had no lunch in her belly, no money to get home and no job to go back to? The princess felt her shoulders drop. This had to be bad luck at its worst. What was she going to do? She tore her eyes away from the stranger and turned back to her mother. How long ago were they in a similar situation? When it felt that no matter what, no one would give you any breaks? How every problem that was solved only meant there'd be more problems to fix? How it felt like it would never end.

But someone gave them a chance. They had found luck, love and a family. They had a something, more than a chance, a possibility, an opportunity. If she and her mother were so blessed with the fate they were given why couldn't they pass on their fortune on to someone else who really needed it? That was the duty of the rulers of the land, wasn't it? To serve their citizens and give them a chance?

"Do you know how to clean?" Sofia broke the air of silence, catching all the attention in the room.

"Excuse me?" The woman blanched.

"If you can clean, like do laundry and wash windows we can help." She then looked to her mother, eyes widened. "Right?"

"There are a number of maid positions open." Baileywick said at the queen's right. "We could accommodate the young lady if you see fit, your majesty."

The older female turned to the baker with a smile. "Well its fine by me, if you'd like the work. It isn't as easy as cooking and you won't get many days to yourself but having an extra set of dedicated hands always come in handy around here."

The female paused. Her brows arched to the top of her forehead while her lips parted in the slightest manner. Was she confused? Or maybe caught off guard? Sofia felt her hands come together at her tiny chest. If they could help someone, if they could help someone's dreams come true, their job as royalty would be done. She was given help when she needed it, the chance to return the favor would be amazing.

"I suppose I could." The woman answered after her moment of silence. "No, in fact I would be happy to accept." She broke into the first full blown smile since Sofia had last seen her at the bridge. "I could really use this."

"Done." Miranda nodded once. "We'll get you situated and work your schedule first thing in the morning, miss?"

"Heather." The woman ducked her head only for a second. "Heather Matthews."

Act End.