Part Six- The Punishment

I thought of starting with the main dish . But what ? I tried to look for a person who could help me. What if I cooked something which was not even discovered yet ? Well that would be fun . But I don't want them to be suspicious of me.

The long corridor joined the kitchen . I walked along the pictures again . The whole palace has pictures on the walls . I heard some sounds coming from the end of the long path . Chopping sounds . When I entered the bigger room , it was the storage place for all raw materials . There was a tall guy with his back on me . He was chopping something very fast .

Maybe he heard me , because he stopped doing his work and turned to look at me .I watched him nervously . And smiled a bit . He reciprocated my smile. Finally someone nice here .

"I think you are the new girl here ." He said calmly . His blue eyes sparkled .

"I think everyone knows about it " I laughed slowly .

"You know it is a palace . Rumors and news spread within few minutes " He nodded while telling me . Maybe he is the chef . Problem solved!

"Please Can you help me with Dinner ? I mean if you could just tell me about the menu ." I blinked at him .

He laughed at my gesture . But nodded .

"Yes sure, my pleasure" he slightly bowed at me . I blushed .

I collected all the vegetables and fruits for the dinner which he asked me to . He went into another chamber to arrange for remaining material .

I placed all the things on the counter . And pulled out a cutting board and knife . The guy smiled at me .

"What's your name ?" I asked him when he entered the kitchen .

"Andrei " He replied ." You are Rosaline . Right ?" he raised a brow cutely .

I nodded . He put every vegetable in the front .Counting them in his mind .

"So the menu for mainstream dish is " he continued after getting my attention "Marinated Salmon with Red wine ." Andrei stretched his arms and rolled the sleeves up to elbow level . I watched him quietly .My cheeks flushed when he met my stare .

"Why is he even doing this to you ?" He said while taking out a big butcher knife ."You know you don't need to do this . This is all managed by the Head chef and helping maids . " He licked his lower lip revealing a dimple on his left cheek .

"So there is other chef too .Are you junior here ?" He chopped the red potatoes after giving me a playful nod .

"Can you please find the beetroot ? It must be in the left shelf ." He signed with his forefinger pointing towards the Big walk in closet .

I grabbed the bottom of my gown and stood just in front of the left shelf .I bent down with some effort and finally found the basket full of fresh beetroots . A shadow stood behind me .I even heard the heavy footsteps approaching me .

"Mr.Andrei ,How many of them we need ?" But got no reply . I turned around and my breath hitched in my throat . Prince!

"My lord" I stood up fearing he would punish me again because I was taking the help of the chef.

"Yes, Rose ." He said through gritted teeth ."How do you know Andrei ? Have you both met ?" He decreased the distance between us to just few inches .

"Alaric!"I heard Andrei shout from the end of the entrance " Don't pest her anymore " He moved closer to us .

Why was he calling The Prince by his name ?Was he really a chef or someone else ? I gulped down the saliva which was forming in my throat .

"Who are you to order me ?" The prince walked towards Andrei with slow but deadly pace .

"I am not ordering you , Brother ." Andrei smiled innocently ." I am just trying to help her ." Both of them looked at me .I looked down wrinkling the sides of my gown because of my strong grip . They are BROTHERS!

"She doesn't need help . And I am here for her if she needs anything ." The prince smirked at me .

"But .." Andrei was interrupted by The prince .

"In my chamber , Rose ." He turned around to leave ."NOW!" He shouted nearly shaking me with his loud voice .

I followed behind him glancing at Andrei . He shook his head helplessly . But still mouthed sorry . I returned the smile and finally went out to catch the prince's pace .

What was happening with me ? And the most horrific thing was I didn't have a single clue about my friend . Where was she ? Was she even alive ? I instantly shrugged the thought out of my head .

The prince was already inside his chamber . I felt my blood go cold with the feeling of being alone with him again .

But as when I was going to enter the room , a deadly scream echoed from the Queen's chamber . The prince instantly ran out of his chamber with a sword in his hand .

"Go inside . And don't come out " He commanded me and vanished from my sight .

I stood there afraid and clueless about the incident . The royal life was not at all fun . Soon I heard many footsteps running around the palace . I kept on standing in a corner in the Prince's room , waiting for the commotion to end .

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