2 Chapter 1

"For the last time Ace, I'm not going tonight," I growled as I set the eggs in the cool storage room. It was a large room beneath the shop made of concrete and would have been a good shelter during times of war or natural disasters, for now it was perfect for preserving perishable products. There weren't any windows in the basement storage to prevent thieves from breaking in and taking my more valuable merchandise. In place of windows were oil lamps, and the room was aired out every morning before opening. I had called in my assistant Ace to help bring the shipment in, not realizing he'd be pestering me about the Prince's birthday celebration the whole time.

"C'mon Mr. Vito, it'll be fun!" he pleaded.

"Go get the last of the rice, Ace. And not another word about it until you're finished," I ordered turned away from him. He hesitated a minute before rushing out the door. Shaking my head in frustration, I began organizing the grains onto different pallets from the most popular to the least. Once I had finished, I rested in a chair in the corner waiting on the last bags of rice. After a minute I closed my eyes, dozing off. The morning bells rang, and I jolted awake. I yawned and rubbed my eyes displacing my eyepatch. I moved it over my scarred eye and looked at the door. If I was counting correctly, it had been at least twenty minutes since I nodded off… where was that kid?

I rose from my seat with a tired groan and went to find Ace. I climbed the wooden stairs to the main store and locked the door behind me. After being sure the storage room was secure, I continued towards the front counter. There I found him eyeing a girl across the street. I sighed and stepped behind him.

"ANDREW MARKS!" I shouted. He jumped a few feet in the air and faced me. A smile almost broke through the glare, "If you want to keep your position as assistant, I suggest you go get those last bags of rice and stop staring at Jasmine,"

"I-I… I wasn't-" he stuttered.

"Yes, you were. Now go. If those bags are stolen off the front deck, I will be taking it out of your paycheck," That got him running out the door. I watched as he nearly tripped over the bags opening the door and couldn't hold back a small laugh. Walking around the store, I checked to see that everything was in place and clean before returning to the counter. As I unlocked the register there was a loud thump to my right.

"Ace, you know those go downstairs," I spoke with a frustrated sigh.

"Oh, sorry. I'm not him," a soft feminine voice answered. I looked up in surprise to see Jasmine, "I saw him struggling with some of the bags and wanted to help," she smiled brightly.

"Jasmine, I… I apologize. I thought you were Andrew,"

"It's alright, do you need him?" she asked.

"Yes, actually. He should have been here a while ago," I grumbled, as I returned to the register.

"Let me… oh look! There he is!" she announced as the bell above the door chimed. Ace walked in with the last four bags filled with rice. The way he was walking was off. I watched as he took a few steps before I leaped over the counter. In the seconds it took for me to rush over the bags began to topple from his arms. Three fell into my arms leaving the last in his. I raised an eyebrow as I stood from my crouched position. Ace looked embarrassed and he wouldn't meet my stare.

"How many times have I told you to carry one or two at a time?" I asked, "Set that one on the counter we'll put on the shelf in a minute." He nodded and walked past me.

"Do you guys need help with anything?" Jasmine asked.

"We should be fine. Kara and Eliza will be here soon. Go enjoy your day off,"

"Thank you, I will. See you guys, later!" she waved, smiling as she walked out the door. A groan came from behind me as the door shut. I shifted the bags in my arms and turned towards Andrew. He was bent over, face-down on the bag of rice. I walked over and dropped the bags next to him with a loud thud. He merely moved his head to look at me.

"Go ahead and take these downstairs, I'll finish stocking up here," I nudged his shoulder with the store keys. He stood up, took the keys, and pulled two of the bags into his arms with a grunt. Carefully, he walked to the storage room balancing the rice on one arm. I grabbed a bag from the counter and finished tidying the shelves for opening.

The cool morning air rushed in as I propped open the door. Birds chirped peacefully and people chatted as they strolled down the road, basking in the morning sun. Shops were opening their doors and fellow shopkeepers greeted each other as they hung banners across the square. Kids ran around the fountain down the road, occasionally splashing in the cold water. The sunlight reflected off the water creating strange designs on the palace walls. I studied the towering walls. They seemed to loom over the city demanding to be seen, yet the people didn't seem to be mind. They traveled in and out with palace guards daily, this morning was no different. Mothers and daughters carried large bouquets of roses and tulips, baskets filled with various fruits and vegetables, and armfuls of fabrics. Their husbands and sons followed behind them with meats and wrapped gifts. Smiles seemed to be on everyone's face giving a sense of excitement.

Rushed footsteps came from my left, running towards the palace, "Sorry we're late, Mr. Vito!" a familiar voice called out. I looked to see Kara and Eliza as they stopped to catch their breath, their brown hair covering their faces. They stood in front of the store window, Eliza's arm on her twin's shoulder.

"Go get your aprons," I nodded at the door, "It looks like we'll be busy today," Kara pushed her hair out of her face and gave me a tired excited smile. Eliza stood up and pulled her hair into a ponytail, leading her sister inside.