The return of the Royal twins

"Esme....."

"Esme...."

"Esme .....", called the voice that seem to want to separate me from my wonderful dream.

" go away ", I mumbled sleepily at the voice which seem to work only for a few minutes before it came back but this time it sure sounded different.

" Esmeralda Howard, get up this instance before I hit you"

The moment granny's voice registered in my head, I shot out of my bed before the crazy old woman does it, she always has a way to wake me up but I still love her regardless.

" good morning Grandma ", I greeted them as I walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug.

" let me be now, child. Get downstairs and help your mother ", she said to me as I released her before heading out.

I dragged my feet toward the adjoining bathroom that I shared with Mom and Scott and washed my face before heading downstairs.

"Esme... ", Mom called out to me.

" I'm here already ", I answered upon entering the kitchen but the situation I met there had me pausing a bit.

" Mom, how did you get hurt?", I questioned Mom who was trying to balance two bowls of soup while still holding up herself with a crutch. I went over to her and took the two plates before setting them up on the table.

" Give me that ", I said to Mom who was struggling with the jug of water, " please go and sit down before you hurt yourself even more", I scolded her before taking the jug from her and giving it to Bree, my seven years old sister who was playing with her doll and she dropped on the table before going back to play.

"how come you are doing this on your own, where is Scott? ", I inquired.

" It's ok.....,"

"Scott....., Scott get down here and help me with this ", I screamed.

" You don't have to call him, just let me assist you ", Mom requested.

" Mom, no. The only thing I need from you is an explanation ", I said.

Heavy footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs before Scott came into the kitchen and leaned against the door.

"what ", he asked with a bored tone.

Scott has always been a pain in the ass since I met him, My being the older sibling he came to know of after nine years of his life created a strain in our relationship, and Mom, who still sees him as a child despite being almost sixteen spoils him.

" We need to set up the table ", I replied

" So ", he asked nonchalantly.

I scoffed before replying,

" So?

"Your Mother is injured and I hope you don't expect her to make your meal and set the table while you continue being lazy ".

He opened his mouth to say something when Grandma decided to speak up,

" Boy, will you just shut up and help your sister. I need to eat now, I'm not getting any younger".

Scott stepped forward and took the plate filled with watercress and dropped it on the table before taking a seat while I took out the two remaining oat bread from the cabinet. Breaking the bread into the plates that were set out, I discovered that the bread would not be enough if I was to share it with everyone so I took my loaf and shared it between the other plates and served it.

" Bree, it's time to eat ", I said to her and she stood up from the floor and sat down in her chair. I cut out a bit of the bread and placed it on her plate and she started eating while I picked up a watercress and started eating.

" So, how did you get injured ?" I directed the question to Mom.

************************************

By the time momMomnished her explanation of what happened, we were already done with breakfast.

" so now what is going to happen to your job at the Castle", I asked as I put the plate away into the sink for washing later before wiping my hand on a kitchen towel.

" Well, madMadamchester was kind enough to tell me that she will try her best to keep my spot open for just one day so that I can find another replacement since there are a lot of people who are applying for it", she answered.

" so have you found a replacement yet", I asked her.

"It's easy, you can be my replacement".

" But I can't work there, I already have a job at the library, I said to Mum.

" I know dear but that's the only job that pays more and we need the money", mom explained to me.

I opened my mouth to argue but Mum cut me off, " And your salary from your job at the library is not going going to be enough and you don't expect your grandma to work, are you?" she asked me.

"Mum, can you talk to your grandchild and try to make her understand", mummy said to Grandma when she discovered that I was still refusing.

" Grandma ", I called out to her.

" Esme, you have to listen to your mom. You know that without that job, none of us would be able to survive in this house. We just can't depend on the small salary you receive from the library and Scott cannot fill in for the job, "Grandma implored and when she got no response from me, she continued,

" I just need you to work there for a short term till your mum gets all better, then you can go back to your library job", she said looking at me. I looked her to Bree and then to Mum before sighing.

"Okay I will do it ", I said.

Grandma brought out a letter and gave it to me informing me that the moment I arrive at the palace, I should hand it over to Mrs. Rochester so that she will know who I am.

After doing the dishes, I set out to go but Grandma stop me before I could leave the house,

"And, where do you think you're going looking like that?" she asked me and I looked down at my clothes before asking her,

" is there anything wrong with this?"

"go and change into something more pleasant, you need to be presentable", she said.

"This is presentable ", I replied.

" now ", she instructed pointing towards my room. I groaned out before going back to my room to change into something more " PRESENTABLE"

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" Good Morning, Mr. Dawson ", I greeted the first person I met the moment I stepped out of the house but the old grumpy man decided to disregard my greeting still muttering about who knows what as he pushes a cart of fresh vegetables toward the market.

Vegetables

Hmm, we'll be needing those.

I made a mental note to go to the market on my way home as I made my way through the busy streets. As always, the streets were lively with chatters of friends, voices of the merchants bargaining over a commodity, and sounds of cars honking at people.

And of course, how can I forget, grunts from two people who are fighting? Gamblers are constantly fighting every morning over a bet.

don't they have anything to accomplish

There was already a crowd gathered a few feet away from the library entrance so I made sure to steer clear of them as I made my way into the library. The little bell above the door chimed the moment I stepped into the library, and just then Mr. Ronald raised his head from his under his table as it appears that he was searching for something.

"Good morning, Mr. Ronald ", I greeted him.

"yes, good morning dear", he replied appearing to be puzzled at my arrival. He then checked his watch before asking,

"and what brings you by this early if I may ask? your work usually starts around 10 and this is just ... ", he pauses and checks his watch again before declaring,

"8:30 "

"yes, I know sir but it's just that I want to inform you that I am going to the palace to work. My mother injured herself while working and she needs to get someone to work in her place or she will lose the job. So ....,"

"you replaced her ", he completed the sentence before sipping his tea.

"I'm sorry about this inconvenience but it's just for a few weeks," I explained to him.

"It's okay, you don't have to stress when you come back, your job will always be waiting for you. Besides, you're my best employee ", he said to me with a smile that showed off his crooked teeth.

"Thank you, sir. Let me return these," I said as I made my way toward the shelves and dropped the book before leaving for the palace.

On approaching the palace gates, I was inspected and let inside by a guard. The whole place still looked the same as it did five years ago with just minimum changes. Using the side door that was meant for the servant to enter, I'm met with a busy house. Everyone seem to be doing something, some maids were mopping, some were organizing while the others were scuttling to and fro from the kitchen, and in the middle of this whole mess was Mrs. Rochester. I slowly walked up to her and she was giving instructions to a maid,

" good morning Mrs. Rochester ", I said to her the moment I approached her and then she turn to acknowledge me.

" yes, morning and how can I help you ", she asked.

"I was sent to give you this ", I said to her handing her the letter which she took hesitantly before opening it and reading it.

"Wait, are you Esmeralda, the granddaughter of Rosanna Howard? "

" Yes, that's me ", I confirmed.

" Ahh, I knew that I know you from somewhere. You use to work here like...," She paused to think before continuing,

"5 to 6 years ago. What happened? Why did you stop? ", she asked.

" It's a long story ", I answered back.

The moment she discovered that I was not really to talk about it, she said,

" It's nice to have you back regardless ... ", her sentence was cut short the moment another maid walked up to her and told her something. She then nodded before turning back to me,

"Okay now, go with Emily ", she said pointing at the servant who smiled shyly at me.

" She will show you where you're needed".

I followed Emily to the Servant quarter to change my clothes but unfortunately, none of the clothes there was my size; they were either too big or too small. Promising to get my clothes by next week as the tailor usually visits the palace today, she went on to take me to my post. Thankfully I'm on kitchen duty since one of the chefs had reported in sick for the day, though I'm not that good at cooking I still know a thing or two about it. As we both stepped into the kitchen Emily took me toward the storage room where the aprons and beanies were and handed me a new pair. Since she was not one of the chefs she bid me goodbye and left in a hurry since she was been summoned. Emily seems to be a good person, she's quite talkative as she told me about everything that I needed to know. Although I forgot to ask her why everyone seem to be in a rush, I hurriedly wore my apron and beanie before rushing off to the kitchen.

Since it was almost afternoon some of the chefs were already preparing the afternoon tea and sandwiches while the others have started making preparations for dinner. I was instructed by one of the chefs to make the sandwich, I sliced the cucumber, tomato, and radishes and washed the asparagus, olives, and watercress, I even cut out the bread crust before veering around to check if they were done with the bacon and seeing that they were done, I asked the head chef,

"I'm done preparing it, so what next ?"

"Now, start adding their filling; the king loves bacon, asparagus, tomatoes, and cheese but hates the radish. The Queen only eats the cucumber sandwich so just add a thin layer of cheese. The princess takes the same thing as the queen but with a bit more cheese and a small serving of olives on the side. The prince will have a bit of everything but add much cheese ".

"the princess !? " I asked her hoping that I heard her wrong.

"yes, the prince. The royal twin is coming back this afternoon, so hurry", she said to me before turning around to attend to another maid.

I hesitantly put the filling with one thought in my mind

"My best friend is back"

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So this is it for the first chapter, I hope you do appreciate the story. Don't forget to

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