I can't believe the man!! He actually thinks I want to talk to him about that!!

I glare at him coldly and pick his hand off my shoulders like they're dirt. "Well, for your information, I do not even relatively like you!! Whatever happened in the past is past. I don't even find you attractive!!"
Well, maybe just a little. His hands leave a trail on fire on my fingers and bare shoulders. Even if I haven't smelt any magic in him I'm sure he has some. Maybe fire powers. Darn it.

His brows scrunch. "Don't do that. You don't have to be embarrassed...." he scratches at the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry for being so upfront, I just don't want you-"

"Don't you understand a word of what I've said?! I am NOT interested in you romantically!! The sooner your understand the sooner you can move on." I scoff and look away. The nerve of the man. And Audrey!! Going so shamelessly after a man as I'm sure she has before.

He blinks. "So you are saying that your feelings for me have died."

Yes. Sorry Audrey, but this man is not for us.
"Yes."

He carefully looks me over for a second. "Then what do you want to talk about?"

I sigh and try to straighten out my nightgown.

His eyes dart down and then sharply away as if he's just realized what I'm wearing. I huff. "I want to talk about hiring you. Your pastries are the best I've ever had."

His amber eyes widen for the fraction of a second. They openly stare me down before speaking. "I'll be on my way."

He darts back into the hallway and I'm left gaping in surprise after him.

My dress arrives sometime before the arrival of the royals. Eliora is still quiet and keeps sending me sad and pitiful looks.

A helping maid is with us, both of them get me into the beautiful silk dress. It is almost white, a very pale blue that matches my eyes -Audrey's eyes actually.

I frown at the thought of what happened earlier. The surprising baker and the fact that Audrey woke up. She's in a deep sleep right now in my head. Not caged but weak and sort of powerless.

I can see her now with my mind's eye. Her hair is splayed all around her as she sleeps on her dream bed. I scoff when I realize it has more than a dozen pillows all in different shades of pink and purple. I've never actually cared to take note of any of this. She seems to love those colors though. She's draped in a purple silky dress that drapes over her legs like a feather and her legs have soft matching cloth slippers.

It's her dream room and dress. An interesting and repulsing taste.

Like she has been doing for a while, she steers and softly moves before going still again. To be honest I never expected her to wake up so quickly looking at how weak she seems.

All the more reason to hate the baker.

"What's the baker's name?"

Both Eliora and the other girl freeze at my sudden question. Eliora clears her throat and gathers strands of my -Audrey's hair in her hand. "Koran. He's an Orphan."

Hmmm. "What happened to his parents? And how old is he? Why is he hostile? Have we ever spied on him before?"

The other girl start choking on plain air.

I level my cold gaze on her. "Get out."

She scurries out at the speed of light and it's just Eliora and me.

Eliora's brows are scrunched up in confusion. She lets out a hurried laugh. "But you already know all these Miss."

I raise a brow. "Did I stutter?"

She lets her hands fall from my half done hair and wrings them together as she speaks. "They died at the fire five years ago miss, he's 20 turning 21 in three weeks...." she trails off.

I huff. "Don't tell me I've thrown myself at him before?"

When her head falls and she refuses to speak I scoff in disbelief. "She just had to didn't she?!"

"Who?"

I shoot her a glare and she hurriedly looks back down. "So he isn't interested in me then?"

She carefully looks up before speaking. "Well, I don't really think it has to do with you miss..... he is just busy with the bakery and thinks you'll be a distraction. Above all, princesses are to marry princes or dukes. He knows this."

Her voice is so patronizing I know that she's given Audrey this speech several times to pacify her broken heart.

With a heavy sigh I stare off into space. I really really need him in this palace. This is the first human food I've loved in years, forget the fact that I've been in a stone for years. I just can't let it go.
"How do I get him to work here? Can't I just order him to? I'm a freaking Queen!!"

I don't realize my slip until Eliora gapes at me.

"Queen??"

I wave her confusion aside. "Princess, Queen, the point is I NEED to get him to work here!!"

She bites her lip and looks like she's contemplating what she wants to say. She does that a lot and to be honest I like how wise and carful she is. "You know, he doesn't have to work here to get his affection. We could-"

I take back my thoughts, I want to plummet her with an ice rock. "I am no longer interested in him Eliora, just his bread and pastries."

She nods with a doubtful look. "Yes princess..."

Sigh. And of course she doesn't believe me. I nod. "Get back to work."

As if on cue the other girl opens the door and peeks in. "May I come in now miss?" I don't miss the sneer in her voice.

I glare at her coldly. "Get out before I kill you."

That scares her and the door shuts with a thud. I don't bother looking at Eliora.

After being preened and picked by Eliora I'm led down the halls and into the huge ball room.

There is a huge winding staircase and I'm expected to climb down after being introduced. That's just a piece of cake.
What isn't a piece of cake, is doing it with the sister I hate. I honestly hate basically everyone, but for some reason I don't just hate her, I strongly hate her. Lucky she.

Her golden hair is left to flow down her back like a water fall of gold. The hair in front are pinned back at the middle back of her head with a golden clip. The hair is so lovely. I want to use it as a substitute for fur on my coat.

Her dress is a beautiful emerald green. It cinches and puffs at her waist. The pleats are perfect and the bodice is low enough to get the desired attention. Gleaming gold and jewels hang from her ears and dips into her breasts. Her light eyes glance at me and I don't miss the flash on haughtiness in them. Her ruby lips purse.

I look humble beside her. My dress has very long sleeves that hug my arms but my neckline is only low enough to show a hint of cleavage. My hair is pinned up in a complicated chiffon and my ears are graced with simple silver earrings. Only a little necklace lays on my neck. My lips are the only things that stand out. They're ruby red like Olivia's.

We both wear tiaras. Olivia's is obviously bigger but they are of the same quality. I'm sure this is because they're passed down from generation to generation. It'll be here after every ruling for the next princesses if there are any.

I'm certain she is going to ignore me until she opens her mouth to speak.

"You looks good. Not great but good enough for a princess." She smiles, proud of herself for the 'compliment'

At my flat look she pouts. "The least you could say is thank you."

"Thank you, and your hair would look great cut up and used on my coat." Her eyes widen. "Don't be so alarmed, it'll grow back.... if you're still alive, that is." I ignore her from then and instead stare at the huge doors blocking us from view.

The guards at the gate cough and blinks uncomfortably.

Just as Olivia opens her mouth to speak again we hear ourselves being announced. "And presenting now, the two princesses of Vulkador!!"