INTRO:
#Warning:
This is not a regular Cinderella story
*somewhere in my fictional world in 1708 *
The sweet aroma of fresh lemon bread, cookies, and cakes beams out from the baker's shop window.
It was mid morning and the sun was about to dazzle out in its full force, as Jaylyn finished her last delivery, placing the tray pan on the cake display.
"Oh Jaylyn dear, you.... such a darling, "
Mrs Stale, her employer, praised her. It's been two years since Jaylyn started working for Mrs Stale, at this place she had learnt all she needed to open her own bakery. To achieve her dream, she saved every penny she got.
Jaylyn was grateful that her dead mother had a friend like Mrs Stale.
As the other workers returned from their delivery, news made a round that her father had collapsed at the market square in Ravengate Bar pub. She rushed out to rescue her father from causing her more shame,using her present day pay, one she had mentally removed from her future savings.
For the past three years, she had started saving to free herself from her father and leave the village to follow her dreams to own her own bakery.
She beckons the village wheelbarrow man to help her carry her father up from his misery as he lied down outside the pub's door, where he had obviously been kicked out.Jaylyn didn't fail to notice the signs of disgust, pity, and sympathy the villagers threw at her. "This is nothing new.. ", she reminded herself, she was no longer that weak child that needed sympathy, care or love, gone were those days she hides her face in shame. It was no news that she was tagged unfortunate. A young child with a dead mother and a disowned father who cares less about her, a lesson she learnt almost after her father's near escape from ex communication from the church. If not for the help and plea from Mr Stale and his wife who were distant relatives to the Priest of their town. Despite all the effort to make her father repent from his wrong doings , he was still adamant, stubborn and selfish, he kept on drinking and disgracing her the most.
"What can one do in this situation"? She asked no one in particular "honor thee father! "So says the bible.
The wheelbarrow man helped her carry him inside and gently placed him on the crooked bed that had almost fallen apart in pieces.
"Miss, you better call him a doctor," he instructed. "He looks really bad."
He left after collecting his pay.
She locked the Battened Doors, exhausted she squats behind the door and cried her heart out.
After a while, she wiped the sweat off his face with warm water from the wooden dough bowl, undressed and properly cleaned him up with a towel.
"He will be better in the morning ".
**************************
It's been three days now, no sign of recovery, Jaylyn's father hasn't even blinked his eyes. The fever has taken over his body. Jaylyn felt lost, with no money to call on a doctor, no one would even help them, even if she knelt by their door till the next morning. She rushed over to the Stales' house as fast as her legs could carry her.
"Mr Stale!, Mr Stale!!, " she called out his name, knocking heavily on their door.
"Who is that? A deep voice asked from inside. 'Ohh stop, the noise! am coming "
As Jaylyn narrated her situation to him, Mr Stale was not a fan of her father and hated him like the others but he was a good man, he took pity on Jaylyn and agreed to help her. Jaylyn was grateful that the Stales has yet again saved her in her time of need.
When the doctor arrived, he was diagnosed with lung disease at its deadly stage. The doctor was surprised he had even lived up to this point.
With the news of her father's death being inevitable, Jaylyn's spirit was completely shattered, once again she will lose another parent, the zeal to cry had already left her because her emotions were in conflict with each other.
She didn't know whether to cry because she was about to lose her father or be grateful to soon be free from repeated disgrace and shame.
The Stale family tried to calm her down and cheer her up. Jacob, their eldest son, who was her dearest and only friend gave her his shoulder to cry on. The warning glaze from his mother made her distance herself.
Mrs Stale had helped her in so many ways, for food, clothes, and money, she couldn't risk losing her trust even when it comes to the man after her heart.
Last winter, Jacob had started showing her sign of love and affection no one had ever dared to care, Jaylyn was overjoyed and accepted him wholeheartedly, it was the first time anyone had ever shown her love. Jacob had always helped and supported her.
Their friendship brought so many murmurs and gossip. Town folks who made it their source of daily gossip carried ill-mannered news around, warning the Stales to distance their son from being unfortunate like her father who had married a slave and lost his birthright to his brother.
Jaylyn thought that Mrs Stale would overlook the news, since she never liked gossip but she was wrong.
That Sunday evening, Jaylyn was on her way to help her clean and wash all their clothes and earn a little pay, even get herself some worn out clothes from Mrs Stale's daughter.
She found the back door opened ,Mrs Stale was having a serious conversation with someone, eavesdropping was something she had boldly condemned but when she heard her name, she stopped to listen.
It was Mrs Martha, their next door neighbor telling Mrs Stale all about the bad reputation her family had gathered throughout their years of existence, how her mother's ill-moral action cost her father his inheritance and if Jaylyn continued to see her eldest son Jacob, the misfortune could affect them. Stating that her misfortune fate was tied to that of her dead mother. Jaylyn didn't stay on to listen as she ran all the way home and cried her heart out.
Mrs Stale was a kind woman who had taken pity on her but she knew that no matter how one shows kindness, they can never allow their family name to be soiled by gossip and speculations. A week after the eaves dropping incident, Jacob got engaged to Miss Cherry Bowman, a well trained and groomed girl, his mother's choice for him. Then Jaylyn knew that she had finally been left alone in this world.
After a few nights, her father finally woke up, knowing his end was near, he kept pleading for forgiveness, for being useless and how he had never cared for her ever since her mother died.
Jaylyn hugged him and promised to take care of him during his final moments.
On the fourth night, he asked her for an ink and two papers. As soon as he was done, she posted both letters in the post office.
Chapter 1: New Beginnings"Useless pigs " the voice exclaimed as he flipped through his daily sales and frowned at his lost profit.Interrupted by the knock on his door."Come in, "he orderedHis Butler entered facing down dare not to look at his lord's face especially when his mood was aggravated."Speak, ""A letter arrived this morning. " he answered, he handed the letter over to his master."Get lost and make yourself useful!. "
August , 1712 It's been three years, living in Dutchmall turned into a nightmare. Jaylyn was given a room in the servant quarters where she works tirelessly day and night with little or no food. Turning twenty in three months time made matters worse. Her uncle plans to sell her off to the highest bidder, once she reaches twenty. Once again, she plans on running away but this time, she has no money. Her sufferings are endless. She starts her day with daily torment and anguish. The blessed memories of her parents kept her moving everyday. She had learnt to treasure every little moment of peace she gets. As she lay down in her small bed in the attic, she sang herself to sleep daily. Nothing was holding her back from finding her own happiness, she held on to her locket containing the pictures of her parents. The mornings were the worst in the Bennett household, Lady Alfreda barks
The Bennett generation are known throughout Witherhall, their ancestors settled in Dutchmall far back in the 1300 century. They became famous in the 1500 century because they were the best farmers of that time. They acquired lands and progressed into farm trade. Through yearly tributes and deep display of loyalty to the King as they grew in wealth and power. The King gave them a royal title as Baron and Baroness of Dutchmall. In this present generation they have the best wheat plantation, their wheat flour is called golden flour best for pastries making because they make the best bread, cake anyone could ever taste. Jaylyn had learnt so much about the great history made by her ancestors and she gets happy whenever she cultivates wheat. Her uncle had grown their business bigger than his previous ancestors. Recognizing her crazy love f
September, 1712BridgebrockThe Grand Duke of Bridgebrock arrived from his five years voyage with his wife, Lady Morgan from India.All the servants expressed their gladness as they welcomed their master and mistress back home in ecstasy. Their son Lord Bryan prepared a grand feast to celebrate their return.His mother hugged him so tightly, he could hardly breathe."Mom, you are going to strangle me to death." he teased her." Hash, you brat!,"his mother playfully beats him on the back. " My baby is now a man. " she said with joyf
Jaylyn ran home in a haste not realizing her appearance was so unkempt. She was saddened that she hadn't properly thanked her savior knowing the state of things at home. She tried remembering his face, he has a bright or rather dazzling face. His eyes stared deep into her as it shines like a blue sea twinkling at night. This was the first time she had seen anyone as astonishing and handsome, she felt red sparks around her cheek bones.... She hurried through the thorny bushes for it was the easier path home.From across the stable as Lord Bennett mounted down from his horse he watched Jaylyn running into the Manor looking roughly inappropriate.Her hair covered with bush leaves down to her gown ripped off from the side revealing excessive part of her skin. He beckoned his footman to send for her before she made her way into the hou
Lying down on the cold hardened ground made of black wrought stone, it sent chills that ran through her body making her weaker and fatal, Jaylyn had already resigned to her undoubted fate as she stares deeply into the dark brick wall with a distraint quality in her eyes as if the bleak wall was speaking to her . The little light that reflects from the punctured roof helps shade her from impending doom and aids her in order to notice rodents that share the dungeon. As days count, the more her sense pricks at every sound she hears...be it the dripping sounds of water, crackles made by mice or scratches made on the walls. Jaylyn became aware of them, consumed by fear whenever she closed her eyes to see the image of the lifeless body she found when she was thrown inside. Fear tickled down her spine, as she wa
The guard dragged Lilian as instructed toward the courtyard. Standing near the door was the Butler who stood there motionless with his eyes fixed directly ahead. Lady Alfreda sat on the sofa that centered around an oak wooden table with a silver tea set in front of her. The guard gripped her elbow tightly as he pushed her down on bended knees to the floor. Tension rises as terror ran through her mind, swam with tears, she cried for mercy. " I have realized my mistakes my Lady, I should have not kept the pregnancy, I should have never come back to Dutchmall..." When no response came forth, she pled again this time by rolling herself on the floor
The Baron paced around his chambers pondering over the plan his wife had mapped out for him. His face crawled out with a slight smile, Lady Alfreda was excellent in her scheming ways. His business has been placed under the microscope of the Royal knight with its current problems , there are so many mouths that need more money to keep them shut."Sir Victor came at the right time.." He muttered.Even if the sick bastard was a fool that can't fix his drinking problem, he was the right match. All the Baron needed was his money.If only James was docile and brilliant as expected, He was sure his wheat farm business would still be progressive.He mentally