Chapter 7

                                    

                                          
Chapter 7
                          
It was the afternoon and the maids were hard at work. Their Mistress, the Lady Grace, had announced a tea party to take place in her garden and demanded the place be in top shape. This meant polishing the statues, raking the leaves, pruning the bushes, setting up the table and chairs, and preparing a wonderful meal. Every Saturday the princess herself would come to visit Grace at her mansion, they would have tea and discuss the politics concerning the village. After all, Lady Grace was known for her wealth and influence which made her the target for charity. 
                          
"Did you hear?", said one maid to the other, "The princess has brought a wretch into the castle!"
                          
"Oh my!", the young maid dropped her shears, looking at her friend in shock. "Was it that dastardly girl that stole from the Mistress?"
                          
The older one nods in affirmation before continuing to rake the leaves.
                          
"Rumor has it, the wretch's bastard of a father has come to stay as well!"
                          
"I can't believe it, a thief living in the castle. The Princess must be out of her mind!"
                          
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Meanwhile a royal carriage was making its journey to the mansion, sitting inside of it the Princess and her young friend. Charlotte was overwhelmed to say the least, after three weeks spent learning etiquette Teresa deemed her fit to eat with the rich and here Charlotte was, going to visit the same Lady Grace she had stolen from before.
                          
This was sure to be an eventful evening.
                          
"Remember to sit up straight and only speak when spoken to, it is very important to show respect and make eye contact when they speak to you."
                          
"Yes ma'am."
                          
Teresa smiles at the young girl, happy to have Charlotte join her. Unlike Jane, Charlotte had made a significant change from a thief to a young woman. She was clean and dressed in a beautiful pink gown with white lace at the sleeves, her golden hair braided nicely with small daisies decorating her braid. Teresa would have invited Jane but he was reluctant to dress in anything worthy of an rich man and refused all of his lessons. He was rebellious and often stole things-all of which Teresa had to take back by force-Jane never obeyed and often insulted the castle guards, the servants had to wrestle him into the bathtub in which he would yell threats. In fact, the only thing he agreed on was having Charlotte turn into the young lady she always wanted to be. Despite his faults Jane was a loyal, supportive father who was with Charlotte every step of the way. It was the one redeeming quality that Teresa could find.
                          
"Are you excited?"
                          
"Nervous, actually."
                          
"Oh Charlotte don't be nervous, there will be small cakes and cookies and tea. It's sure to be fun."
                          
Charlotte brightens up at the notion of eating cake. She could remember standing outside a bakery in the village, the cakes up on display glorified with frosting and real flowers out here and there for decoration. She always wanted to eat just a slice of one, but her poverty and the chefs prejudice never panned out and he would chase Charlotte away with a broom.
                          
---
                          
Once the carriage stops a servant leads both Teresa and Charlotte into a beautiful garden where an ivory table and chairs awaited them. The table had plates full of macaroons, candies, and cakes. After the servant pulled out their chairs for them, the two sat down. Charlotte took the folded napkin off of her plate and spread it out on her lap, she made sure to sit up straight and wait for Lady Grace to arrive. Teresa, on the other hand, was disappointed. It was disrespectful to arrive late and keep the princess waiting. 
                          
"Why is Lady Grace watching us? Shouldn't she be here at the table? Am I doing something wrong?"
                          
"No Charlotte you are doing just fine, where do you see Grace?"
                          
"I caught a glimpse of her by the carriage."
                          
Irritated, Teresa gets up from her seat and storms to Grace knowing exactly what the issue is. Lady Grace, however, was staying on the other side of the carriage as to avoid looking at Charlotte. Teresa crosses her arms and glares at her friend, angry at the amount of prejudice Grace has.
                          
"Are you honestly going to refuse to come all because of my guest?"
                          
"Your highness she's a wretch! Those villagers are dirty and horrid. You know as well as I do that she is just waiting to steal from me again!"
                          
"Don't you 'your highness' me! Charlotte is transforming into a young lady, she is educated and polite! Instead of treating her like vermin you should show some respect and give her a chance!"
                          
This declaration shuts Grace up and she reluctantly follows Teresa to the table in the garden. Upon seeing her ladyship and the princess Charlotte rises from her chair and curtsies. Once all three ladies were seated Lady Grace claps her hands and two servants come to serve earl grey tea. This was the hard part, now that she had tea Charlotte would have to choose one of the spoons next to her plate. Grace watches her in speculation, wondering if this girl was capable of table manners. Charlotte reaches for one of the spoons and notices that Teresa is choosing her own. Instead of guessing, Charlotte copies what the princess does and Grace nods in approval. It is only polite to follow what the princess is doing. Maybe this wicked girl wasn't as bad as she thought.
                          
The afternoon droned on as the princess and her ladyship conversed about their lives. Charlotte, however, eyes the platter full of cake just aching to try one. Charlotte asks a servant, who is standing faithfully at Grace's side, for a piece of cake. The servant nods and sets a slice onto her plate. The young girl gazes at it with hungry anticipation and quickly gets the small fork to take a bite. Here was the hard part though, the cake had a flower on top of it and she didn't know what to do. Did she have to eat the flower? Maybe it was part of the cake? Teresa and Grace stop talking as they watch in horror as Charlotte stabs the flower with her fork and eats it. It was then that she knew, flowers were not for eating. Charlotte quickly takes a drink of her tea to get rid of the awful flavor and Grace sees this as a prime opportunity.
                          
"So Charlotte, how is your schooling?", Grace says cooly, still judging the girl in front of her.
                          
Charlotte carefully sets down her tea and looks right into Grace's eyes.
                          
"It is going well milady."
                          
Grace smiles at the term 'milady' and Teresa interjects, knowing that Grace is looking for a flaw in Charlotte's behavior.
                          
"Grace I've come to make a request. The King is giving the village to me and I will need your support."
                          
"Well your highness if Charlotte's father is half as civilized as Charlotte is, you have my full support."
                          
"Deal."
                          
Much to Charlotte's dismay, Teresa gets up and walks her back to the carriage. A uneaten slice of cake still on Charlotte's plate.