chapter 43

[Rosie's POV]

I hadn't come out, but being locked in my room after my arrival, I recalled that knock that came in.

I should have taken it seriously but I guess I was too busy planning a way to see my kids.

Lying on the bed and facing the ceiling, my hands hold up the letter that was left with that knock.

I recall that I didn't find anyone at the door, but just a letter that was left for me by my door.

Now, my life was dwindling into it, as it's the first thing I found on my bed after Damien dropped me here.

"I know your secret" it reads.

"You can hide him, but not for too long," it continues, and then, after much contemplation, I smack my mouth.

I guess the person is confused because there are two "him" in the picture. My two boys and not just one?

I tossed the letter aside, uninterested in what it meant as I just wanted to be with my boys.

I haven't seen Damien either, I guess it's well, I don't know but he's meant to be here at least, to apologize for what he's done.

Ruining every perfect moment of my life.

While drowning in my misery, my door flung open and it's Hera.

There's a thin line between privacy. I should say that, but then she has been of help lately, and it will break her heart if I act all rude.

I should learn to close that door, but to be truthful, I left it open just so Damien could come in.

It's just a secret.

"Hey!" Her voice chips in as her face brightens up.

"Hi Hera," I said, crawling up the bed.

"Well, why the grumpy face?" She asked, and I forced a smile because I had no answer to that.

"Awwn, you're missing him already," she replied, and I gulped. That's half the truth but I accept.

"Are you?"

"Well, yeah, but now, it's time to bake, I really want you to teach me one of your baking skills for the ladies to have a taste," she began as her hands moved to hold my shoulders, side by side.

"Me? At this time?" I asked, startled, but she chuckled and then pinched her fingers together like a plea.

"Please, Rosie, it will be fun if the delegate also eats from you..."

"Wait! Delegates? Are there foreigners in the palace?" I asked piqued as my eyes furrowed at her.

"Well, yeah, and they'd come over to visit Damien by noon, I volunteered to do the cooking, believe that you'd do that instead," she said, and the way she speaks makes me wonder if she's a rapper.

I shook my head, totally disagreeing with that. I'm not ready for entertainment anymore, not when I'm occupied with...

"Baking is your favorite thing, and it will bring you out of this boredom, and you might get investors for your shop," she said, looking excited, like I've given my word.

"I don't know Hera," I said, feeling all timid now, but then considering her words, it could brighten my mood.

Her eyes were probing at me, and I knew that look wanted something positive as an answer, and yes, she got me on this one.

"Okay, but no pressure," I said beneath my breath, and she clapped her hands with a bright look at me while chuckling.

"That's perfect," she said, and I folded my lips as she held my hand and drew me closer to her to leave the room.

Somehow, I'm out of this shell and wanting to do something reasonable.

♧♧♧

I must say, I haven't been to the kitchen, but it looked like a beautiful hall with every ingredient.

I could see cooks taking out items needed for cooking. The delegates must certainly be on their way, as I could tell the kitchen staff are trying their best to impress them.

When they saw Hera and me, they gave a bow. We weren't meant to be here, but I can tell Damien is fine with that.

He doesn't restrict one's dreams, but he restricts mine! Even my movement. I guess I have to inform him, too, that I was in the kitchen and not my room.

Pathetic.

"So, cooks, we are going to be preparing something special, and it would be nice if you all, if you work together with me... us," Hera announces like a boss, and when she turned to look at me, I smiled.

The cooks agreed to that with a chorus;

"Yes ma'am"

What felt like minutes, I was dressed in an apron and mixing a dough with her by my side.

"So sticky" she complained as she struggled to pull out the flour from her palm with a look of frustration on her face.

I guess she's used to the princess life, but Austin claims she's from the streets.

What a rude man.

"That's the fun in it," I teased, bumping her shoulder, and she chuckled, trying to stay simple and coded. The frustration look immediately left her face, return by a warm smile.

"That's true, it's fun this way," she agrees, still struggling to take off the piece of dough on her palm.

However, I reached out for an olive oil that I passed on to her to ease the stress.

"Thanks"

She's so nice.

"Tell me about baking, what inspired you to go into it?" She asked, with a sense of curiosity in her tone.

I took my hand off the dough and moved to the oven before replying to her.

"My mom," I said, but in a wistful tone as the memories were coming up.

"Oh, wow, that's awesome, I wish I had learnt something from my mom, but then I never knew her," she said casually with no emotions attached to her tone.

"I'm sorry about that"

"Oh no, she ran away and I'm pleased I never saw her"

I ducked my head at her, certainly feeling her pain for having someone unfortunate in her life.

I didn't want to ask further but then, she's someone who certainly tells you even if you don't ask.