Eight

The ceremonious day finally arrived. The whole palace was so busy with all the guests that were arriving. I hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before. I really needed a break after all this bustle.

I hadn't seen Prince Alexander since his arrival. I tried to tell myself it was because he was busy but honestly, I missed seeing his face. I had no idea what was happening. I mean, I had only just seen that man only once but my attraction to him was beyond.

Today, I was assigned to the kitchen. I thought at least while cooking or maybe just helping out, I would be able to keep my mind off a certain Prince.

I walked into the kitchen and my jaw dropped open. Practically. It was a state-of-the-art kitchen with the most expensive kitchen supplies.

"Do not drool over my kitchen floor," said a voice behind me. Whoever it was had a French accent one couldn't miss.

I looked back and saw Chef Pierre. He was handsome in his own French way but he was also a pain in the neck. That man wanted no one else to cook in his kitchen without his permission. And if you were to cook from there, you had to prepare healthy food.

There were two kitchens in the building. One's to prepare our meals and the other was to prepare for the royalty and their guests' meals. Pierre was in charge of both.

I remembered when I was suddenly hungry in the middle of the night. I had gotten up and went to the kitchen to make myself some pancakes. I had just started pulling out the ingredients when he came in.

"Wot do you sink you are doing in my kitchen?" he had asked.

"Just making some pancakes."

"Oh no! Not in my kitchen," he said while taking back the ingredients.

"But I'm hungry," I whined.

"Zen I'll make you some healthy omelette and zen you get lost."

***

After finishing in the kitchen, Pierre told me to assemble the dishes onto a trolley and take them to the dinning room. I did as was told and hoped no one was in that room yet.

I was lucky. There was only a couple of persons talking among themselves. They didn't pay much attention to me. I arranged the table the way Pierre had showed me and went back to the kitchen.

I didn't even take the time to appreciate the decor. I had only glimpsed at it the day before when we were putting it up but I had not lingered to see the finished work. The little I had seen was enough to tell me, this looked way more than just a welcome party. But who knew, maybe that was how royalty organised their parties.

"All done?" I asked Pierre.

"Yeah. Stay here in case anyone decides to come in. Let me get and get ready."

"Get ready?"

"I have to look presentable."

"..."

He left with out my reply. I sat in soft glow of the kitchen, with only my thoughts to keep me company. Several minutes later, Pierre came back dressed in a formal suit.

"You look handsome," I praised.

"I always do."

"Can I bring someone to keep me company?"

"Of course. Wot ever you wont. Just do not leave here."

"Even make pancakes?"

He gave me a glare. "Do not test me, woman."

I laughed and went to call Jennifer before Pierre left. We came back and talked about everything and nothing. Because Pierre said I could do anything I want, I opened a small bottle of red wine and poured into two glasses.

A few glasses later, I was feeling a bit tipsy. "I can't believe the head personnel get to attend the party while the rest of us stay down here?" I said.

"We can sneak up and see a little bit," Jennifer suggested.

"That's a great idea! Come on, I know a passage."

I took her through the passage I had used to take the up the food. When we reached the door at the top, we entered into a room and picked through a tiny window into the dinning room.

People of different stature, all expensively dressed were milling around, talking among themselves. Some were holding up champagne flutes.

I looked around at them all until my eyes landed on a particular Prince. He looked even more handsome in the suit he was wearing. What really caught my eyes though was the brunette clinging onto his arm. She was so tall you could think she were a model.

She was such a beautiful woman from where I was standing. She was most definitely from a powerful family from the way she composed herself. I really didn't have a chance.

At that moment, a sound of metal meeting glass echoed through the hall. Everyone turned there heads to where Prince Alexander was standing with hi family. For the first time in my life, I saw the King and Queen with their crowns atop their heads.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I once again welcome you to this wonderful occasion. For years, my youngest son was way for his studies. But now he has rejoined us," the king said.

Everyone clapped.

"We would like to take this opportunity to give you all great news. My eldest son, Prince Alexander is now officially engaged to the beautiful Lady Catherine of Scotland."

I felt my insides churn as the brunette, Lady Catherine lifted her left hand to flash her engagement ring. From my distance, I only saw the flash of light it reflected. I couldn't make out what type of ring it was.

I watched as she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. I couldn't watch anymore of it. "Uh, Jenny, I think I'm gonna be sick!"

I rushed down and went to the bathroom. I emptied my stomach contents and then wiped myself. I went back into the kitchen and poured a glass of water. I downed it in one go.