Chapter 22

"Alli veggies do not go into a mac and cheese." Looking up from cutting the red bell peppers in front of me, I roll my eyes as Sky glares at the small amount of vegetables in front of my cutting bored. You would think I just said I killed a puppy with how he is looking at the bell peppers.

"Mine does. You need something to counter the meat and copious amounts of cheese." Returning to chopping the bell peppers, I make sure to keep them small.

"Wait there is going to be meat in it?" Stopping my cutting once again, I look up at Sky who raises his hands in surrender. I guess he finally took the hint he is starting to annoy me. Around us the chefs and cooks are chuckling, leaving Sky and I in the small corner while they prepare meals for the rest of the Palace staff.

"Yes. So grab the pack of ground beef in the fridge and start cooking it off. Make sure to strain the fat when its done so the mac and cheese isn't too greasy." Ordering Sky about, I return to finishing my task at hand. Some of the Cooks watch on, one coming to question why I am saving the seeds to the bell peppers instead of throwing them out. After explaining that we can grow more vegetables with the seeds, the Cook runs off excitedly to tell the head Chef.

"So you want us to save the seeds of vegetables and fruits if we can?" Looking up at the new voice, I notice a man with gray hair under a chef hat standing on the opposite side of my table.

"Yes please. I believe it will be good for our kitchen staff to learn how to grow our produce so that there is less waste." Answering his question, I finish dicing the vegetables and place them inside of a clean bowl before setting my knife down.

"Good. I was trained in knowing where our food comes from and being able to grow some of our own will cut down food costs in the kitchen. You think the head Gardener will help set some land aside close to the kitchen to grow some vegetables?" Smiling at his enthusiasm, I instantly agree that lowering food costs with so many to feed will be helpful and mention the farm land next to the Palace. The Chef, Theon, helps me find a pot as I set about getting the noodles ready to boil. We talk about adding a fruit trees into the gardens closest to the Kitchen and what vegetables will be perfect to plant for our use.

"Talk to Thorin BlackHawk when you get a chance. He is the Head Gardener and can help set about creating a vegetable garden and hire people to take care of them with the Kitchen staff." I mention to Theon, as I pour a healthy amount of salt into the pot of water, Sky bringing the now cooked and strained ground beef over.

"Why did you add salt to the water?" He asks, setting the bowl on the counter as Theon is called away to help with a dish.

"It helps to heat the water and flavour the noodles." Rolling my eyes, I turn away from the pot to focus on grating cheese, Sky deciding to find another grater and help get the task done faster.

"That seems redundant and stupid." He shrugs, taking a chunk of cheese and popping it into his mouth.

"To those who don't cook, it seems stupid. To those that can cook, it is magic. Add the noodles when the water boils." After my explanation, I gather all the cheese into a bowl and find another pot, setting about making a thick cheese sauce. Sky watches me, his gaze following my every movement with interest from pouring milk into the pot to slowly adding the cheese once it boils. Reminding him to keep an eye on the past once he pours it in, we make quick work of finishing the mac and cheese. After a placing it into the over to bake for a bit, I start the clean up process.

"You really do seem to know what you are doing in a kitchen." Sky muses, drying the dishes as I wash them.

"To be honest with you, I was going to leave Zalaris and find a small town to move to. Maybe even open up a small restaurant." I admit, a soft smile taking over my face as I think about my plans for leaving the Capitol.

"Then I was arrested and later learned my true identity." Wiping down the counter with all the dishes done, I check on the mac and cheese deciding it needs another few minutes to finish baking.

"You really do have a talent for cooking. I can see you owning a restaurant if you weren't a Princess." Smiling at Sky's praise, I throw the wet rags into the laundry basket before joining him in leaning against the wall while we wait for the mac and cheese to be ready.

"That's why I am the chef in the relationship and you just stand there and look pretty." I state with a chuckle, bumping my shoulder against his.

"So we are in a relationship now." I turn and see his eyebrows raised and a glint in his eyes. Blushing, I look away.

"You know what I mean." Trying to diffuse the situation I got myself into, I walk towards the oven, only to have Sky gently grab my hand, stopping me in my escape. Watching nervously as he steps closer to me, our bodies only inches apart, I find myself holding my breath and feel my heart beat quicken. He leans forward, his lips inches away from my ear and the scent of his pine shower gel wrapping around me.

"If we are in a relationship, does this mean we can go on dates?" He whispers, his warm breath brushing against the side of my face. Suppressing a shiver, I try to come up with an answer but the timer thankfully goes off. Backing away from Sky, I take the pair of oven mitts from the hook on the wall and make my way to the oven, turning off the timer to check the mac and cheese.

"It's ready." I proclaim, taking the pan out of the oven and placing it onto the counter to cool. Sky busies himself with finding plates, a serving spoon and some cutlery, Theon thankfully helping him before Sky returns to my side.

"What else do we need with out meal?" He asks, his easy going smile back on his face.

"Two glasses and orange juice." You can put everything in a basket and then just follow me. Thankfully he grabs what I suggest, placing the items he gathered into a basket while I use the mitts once again and carry the pan out of the Kitchen after thanking the staff for allowing us to use the small prep station. Sky follows me diligently the two of us making our way to my study. Once inside, I place the mac and cheese onto my desk and removes one of the oven mitts before I begin searching the book shelf to the right of my desk.

"What are you doing?" Getting a puzzled look from Sky, I ignore his questioning gaze.

"You'll see." Finding what I am looking for, I pull out a book titled "Hidden Secrets" and smirk as the shelf slowly moves to the right side. Sky lets out a low whistle as I place on the mitt once again before picking up the pan and climbing the stairs in the hidden passage way.

"Wow." Is Sky's only response.

"Hurry u before the door closes." I call out over my shoulder, hearing the shelf moving once again. Sky's hurried footsteps tells me he is following me and I grin. It takes a bit of time for us to climb to the top but soon the stairs come to an end and we find ourselves on a landing, the small area quickly opening up to a large room hidden in a tower.

"How the heck did you find this?" Sky asks as he slowly steps into the room, his green eyes wide with excitement.

"I was searching the books for something to read a few days ago. One book caught my eye and when I went to pull it out, the shelf moved." Walking towards the little table in the middle of the room, I place the pan onto it and motion for Sky to join me.

"I think I used to come here as a child when my father was in the study as there are children's toys meant for a little girl. I have been slowly cleaning the room up in hopes of renovating it." Dishing out the mac and cheese, Sky walks around the room exploring it, his green eyes taking in everything from the balcony to the little table set meant for a child.

"This would make the best spot to protect you." He states, coming to sit opposite of me and taking the offered bowl of food.

"Or a great hiding spot when we need a place to go. There is a way to get here from my room surprisingly." I counter, taking a bite of my mac and cheese.

"That too. What do you want to add into here?"

"A bed, maybe a two person chair and table set for both inside the room and the balcony. Definitely a mini fridge for snacks." Shrugging, I continue eating our meal, Sky and I talking about what we could do to make this hidden tower room homier for us.

"I have been tasked with asking you when do you want to have the "Debut into Society" Ball every royal gets." It was a question I had been dreading. Every Nobel in Nimairene will host a ball for their child welcoming them into society at the age of fifteen. Seeing as I was living in the Slums with many thinking I was dead, I never had the opportunity to plan one.

"If I say never would that be a good answer?" I ask, looking at my now empty bowl and wondering how I can get out of this predicament.

"Sorry Alli but you need to see your Nobles and be welcomed into Society." Sky sighs out, giving me an apologetic look. Sighing again, I lay on the cold wooden floor and turn my face to look out of the balcony, the snow gently falling in the sky.

"I know, but they all want one thing." I agree reluctantly.

"To gain some fort of favor or worse, a marriage alliance?" Sky adds with a chuckle, nudging my foot with his.

"Exactly. Now that my Betrothal to Demitrias is gone, I am free real-estate in their minds. They will want to pair me with either their son, grandson or nephew." Groaning, I start to think of ways to get out of this ball. Maybe I can use working on rebuilding Nimairene as a way to avoid a ball.

"How about we throw the ball after you've settled all the matters with Juden. I know you want to change some laws and tomorrow you have the meetings with your Army Generals." His idea is perfect, and I tell him as much as I push myself up on my elbows. Sky and I begin to plan how we will handle the meeting tomorrow with. I am happy to know Arian will be there with his stack of evidence against the Generals that will need to be replaced.

Deciding that we will need to have a thorough plan, Sky and I gather the remnants from our meal and head down the stairs. When we reach the book shelf wall, I show Sky how to open the door by pushing a button and we step into my study. He goes to fetch Arian while I take the time to shuffle through my notes for tomorrow. It will be a long day and many people will be arrested.