Julie's POV

"Princess Ariadne!" I exclaimed then lowered my voice. "What are you doing here? No, never mind, you should go; you don't want to be seen with me here."

She looked at me confused. "There is no one I would rather be seen with," she replied with a smile and linked her arm through mine. "And I came here looking for... Scott Reynolds."

"Why?" I asked suspicious; he was the town trouble-maker.

She got a sad look in her eye. "He is our mail boy, and I wanted to ask him a few questions."
"Good luck getting the truth out of him," I said.

"I'm sure I could persuade him."

Of course she could. She's the princess after all. 

"Now tell me, why should I not be seen with you?" She asked and I looked around and saw many weary eyes on me, and many confused ones on her.

"Because... I'm not exactly favored here," I put simply, not knowing how much she knew of my brother's accusations.

"I do not see how anyone could not like you," she said.

I thought of many mistakes I had made just that day, all of which would qualify, but I didn't mention them to her-highness, and shrugged instead.

"Me on the other hand... I am ashamed to say that I have offended some very good people, and will probably only continue doing so," she sighed and shook her head, then her eyes widened. "Do know a Simeon?"

"No... I don't think so," I said and her face fell. "Why?"

"It is just... I was hoping... Never mind, it is too late anyway." She shrugged then looked at me. "Do you need anything?"

I looked at her and saw that she really wanted to help. I debated telling her, and finally decided it would be for the best; I could pay her back.

"Some flour would be nice," I said.

"Anything else?" She asked and I sighed.

"If it's no trouble, I was hoping to get some apples and sugar as well."

"It is no trouble at all," she said as we walked into the nearest store.

We walked passed the storekeeper who gave Ariadne a sweet smile but glared at me, to which I smiled back at him.

"Flour, apples, and some sugar, please," Ariadne said. 

"Of course, milady," he said bowing and scurried off to go grab her request.

He came back a minute late with a bag of flour, a basket of apples, and another bag filled with sugar.

"Is this enough?"

Ariadne looked over at me and I slowly went over to examine the contents of the bags and weighed them in my hands.

"I'll need 6 cups of flour," I said and set down the bag of flour. "Five apples, and two cups of sugar."

He looked at me in surprise. "You know what a cup is?"

I almost rolled my eyes. "Yes, I do. I love to cook and that's how my mother measures her food."
He smiled. "It's the best way to do it."

Then he took out what I needed and set it on his counter. "Weight or negotiate?"

I looked at Ariadne and thought for a moment, remembering how much it weighed; it would be a lot of money. "We'll negotiate."

He grinned. "100 pieces of silver."

I gasped. "That's twice as much as if we'd weighed it."

He looked pleased and surprised at the same time. "Fine, 70 pieces."

He wanted to start high, I would start low. "20 pieces."

He whistled. "You drive a hard bargain; 60 pieces."

I raised my eyebrows. "30."

He raised his in return. "55, no less."

"35, no more."
"Alright, my final offer is 50 pieces of silver."

I smiled, grateful for all the times Peter told me about his bargains, and all his tricks. "45 and we have a deal."

He looked at my determined face and sighed, holding out his hand. "46?"

I smiled and looked at Ariadne who nodded, it was her money after all. "46."

Ariadne gave him 46 pieces of silver, and we took our merchandise out of his store, but not before he gave me a note and a basket to carry our goods, then shooed us out.

"What does the note say?" Ariadne asked as we walked down the dirt path towards mine and Scott's house.

"I don't know," I said anxious to read it.

"Then read it," she said and I didn't hesitate to obey.

I pulled out the note and read it out loud, once we were out of earshot of the townsfolk.

Madam,
I'm sorry for kicking you out so fast, but I still have a reputation that I have to keep up, and I know it's selfish but I hope you understand.
You seem to have a lot of knowledge about cooking, and I would love to apprentice you, under certain conditions:
1. You have to stay out of sight while working for me
2. You bring me a sample of your best cooking
3. You practice at home
I hope you consider my offer and I hope to see you soon.
(If you do come, I would appreciate it if you came through the back door, just knock if it's locked and I'll come.)
-Your friend, the storekeeper, Mr. Glen Fitton


"That's amazing, Julie," Ariadne exclaimed. "You should do it, it's a great opportunity."

I smiled. It was a great opportunity, and now I could show Peter that I'm not useless, I can help him earn back his title and... I looked at Ariadne and grinned.

"Did you want to stop by Scott's?" I asked. "His house is just over there, not that I think he'll be home, but we can give it a try."

She smiled. "We should certainly try."

We walked up to his house and knocked on the door. After a minute, his mother answered and told us he wasn't home, and once we assured her that her son had not done anything to harm us or our property, she asked if could she take a message. Ariadne thanked her and told her we would come back some other time.

"Well that was a waste of a trip down here," I said.

"Not a complete waste," she said. "I did find you, and probably got you a job."

I smiled. "Yes, thank you for that."

"And, if I am lucky, I might be able to see your brother too. I really need to talk to him."
I grinned, now I didn't have to bring up the subject of my brother. "How are you and my brother?"

She looked at me suspiciously. "Well I am doing fine... And you would know the condition of your brother better than I-"

"He's doing fine, but you know that's not what I meant," I replied. "What are your feelings towards my brother?"

I smiled as a blush rose to her face. "I... I... Why do you want to know?"

"I'm Peter's sister," I said simply.

"He is a very good friend," she said but then her smile turned to a frown. "But we both have our places in society and I'm afraid feelings don't change duty."

"What are you talking about?" I exclaimed. "Peter would make twice the king that any prince in the 12 kingdoms would!" 

She shook her head. "It's not my decision to make."

"What do you mean it's not your decision?" I nearly screamed. 

"Do you know how hard he's working for you? He's putting so much effort to earn back his title and for what? For what Ariadne?"

She flinched at me calling her by her first name, but I didn't care. She didn't know everything that Peter did for her and how much he talked about her. 

"I'm sorry. He's a good man, but I can't."

"He loves you, Ariadne," I whispered. 

"I'm sorry," she repeated, and it made me want to punch her. 

"Why-" I started but was interrupted by a coughing fit. 

"Are you alright?" Ariadne asked and I tried to answer, but I just couldn't get words to come out in between coughs. I had been doing so good too, not coughing much until now.

The coughing just got worse, and I doubled over, tears blurring my vision. 

Then I felt strong arms pick me up and hold me close, but I was so focused on the pain in my chest and throat to focus on that. 

When the coughing finally subsided, I found myself in my bedroom, with three pairs of worried eyes all staring at me.

"She stopped!" My father cried.

My mother hurried the few steps over to my bed and grabbed my hand. "Are you alright? Is there anything you need?"

I tried to speak, but she put her finger on my lips. "Don't talk, Julie, your throat has had enough use for a week."

My eyes widened. Don't make me be silent for a whole week, that would be unbearable!
"Your mother's right," father said walking up behind her. "If a little over-dramatic, you will probably be able to talk tomorrow."

I sighed in relief.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Mother asked.

I nodded and smiled.

"We'll leave then," father said patting my head. "You better take good care of her."

I followed my father's threatening gaze over to where a man in a dark green hat sat. My heart leapt as he lifted his head to reveal his bright green eyes shining through the semi-darkness.
"I will," he said then turned to look at me. "I promise."

"Good," my father said, then he and my mother left, closing the door most of the way before I heard them walk in the direction of their small bedroom.

Then I watched as green-eyes moved to the seat next to my bed and I smiled. "I'm glad you're alright," he said. He looked really worried.

I nodded. "Peter?" I croaked, and realized that my parents were right: the coughing had taken quite a toll on my throat.

"After he carried you here he went to make sure Ariadne got home safely. She was hesitant, but Peter insisted that two guards weren't enough to protect her if she got ambushed."

I looked at him confused, hoping he would understand; he did.

"The guards were following her close behind, but not too close as the princess likes her personal space. They don't like being noticed unless they have to be."

I leaned back, satisfied with his answer. It was odd that I hadn't noticed them before.
Then I felt his hand wrap around mine and I sighed and whispered. "Don't leave."

His hand squeezed mine. "I won't."

I smiled and closed my eyes, finding sleep trying to take over.

"Simeon," I heard him whisper.

I opened my eyes with some effort and looked at him in confusion.

"My real name," he said taking a deep breath. "Is Simeon."

I smiled, and somewhere in the back of my head told me that I heard the name before, but I pushed the feeling aside; I needed some sleep. 

Ariadne, she asked about a Simeon. The thought flew in and out of my mind so fast I barely had time to recall it. I should tell her.

"Please, don't tell anyone. This is our secret."

This is our secret. I won't tell anyone. 

Awwww I love Simeon and Julie :) 

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