The Ordinary Girl and the Cruel Vampire Prince

Amber Offers to Help

Amber woke up to the sun streaming through her window. Birds chirped happily outside and she smiled as she sat up and stretched. On the little bedside table sat a plate of food that must have been her dinner as it was now cold. She spotted a pile of clothes on the armchair and felt relieved. Carmen must have brought up her dinner and clothes after she had fallen asleep.

She got up and grabbed the clothes, smiling as she donned the comfortable black sweatpants and shirt. Underwear had even been supplied and still had tags on it as though it had just been purchased from the shops. She wore her old sneakers though, as none had been left for her.

Heading into her bathroom she spied a toothbrush and hastily brushed her teeth. A hairbrush sat on the vanity and she pulled it through her hair delighted that there were no knots to contend with. Amber found some hair ties and put her hair into a ponytail just to keep her long hair off her face.

it was quite early in the morning and she decided to take the plate of food down to the kitchen rather than waiting for Carmen. She felt a lot better after her sleep and her muscles were no longer sore. In truth Amber felt extremely refreshed and energetic. It had been a very long time since she had last had a night of uninterrupted sleep.

Clutching the plate in both hands, Amber made her way slowly down the stairs, marvelling at how quiet the castle seemed. As she reached the bottom, she hesitated unsure of where the kitchen was located.

"Can I help you miss" an older gentleman asked startling her. he had a kind face with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. He also wore a butler uniform or what she would think was a butler's uniform.

"I was looking for the kitchen so I could save Carmen having to take this" she said timidly looking down at the plate. The butler smiled. "I am Neil" he said "the butler and the best at giving directions to lost people."

Amber giggled.

"I'm Amber" she whispered.

"Well Amber the kitchen is that way and to the left" he said pointing "but I can take the plate to the kitchen if you would like?"

Amber shook her head. "No thankyou" she said firmly "You have enough to do."

She began to walk to the kitchen and Neil watched her go, a smile on his wizened face. He liked this girl. He would do his very best to watch out for her and try to prevent what had happened in the past, happening to her.

As she made her way into the kitchen she saw two maids huddled in the corner. One was sobbing while the other was trying to comfort her. The girl who was crying looked to be about 15 with straight brown hair and freckles littering her face. She was quite short and her maids uniform swam on her. The other girl was older, more closer to Ambers age. She was stunning with long dark black hair and piercing green eyes. Her skin was pale but so lovely and her maids outfit fit her slim frame perfectly.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Amber asked cautiously, not wanting to startle them.

"Who are you" hiccupped the young girl, wiping her tears away and attempting to stand up straight.

"I'm Amber" she said kindly.

"I'm Maria and this is Bentley" the older girl said pointing to the younger freckled one.

"It's nice to meet you. Is something the matter" Amber enquired and Maria sighed as Bentley's eyes began to fill with tears.

"The cook quit this morning and left without finding a replacement first. We can do basic things but neither of us can cook properly."

Amber thought for a moment. She was a very good cook making things out of almost nothing at home and always trying new recipes because she enjoyed it.

"What if I cooked" she offered and Maria's eyes widened.

"We couldn't ask you to do that, you are a guest" she protested.

Amber shook her head, smiling. "I want to" she said "I'm grateful to everyone here for the help they have given me. Please let me do this, I am a good cook."

The girls shot each other a look and then Maria nodded. "We are desperate" she admitted.

Amber thought for a moment.

"What time does breakfast need to be ready for?"

"An hour and a half from now" squeaked Bently moving closer.

"Does it need to be for everyone in the castle?"

Maria shook her head "Just Queen Annabeth, Prince Liam and two guests who arrived this morning."

"What about the servants?"

"We have a seperate kitchen and cook for us. He tends to do a buffet thing all day to allow for our different breaks during the day."

That made sense thought Amber. Four people would be easy to cook for.

"What do they normally eat?" she queried and the girls hesitated.

"They like to have a variety of things to choose from but they like lighter fare" squeaked Bentley.

Amber frowned "No meat such as bacon, sausages, heavy things like that. They like pancakes and stuff" Maria clarified.

"Ok" Amber said decisively "Maria find me an apron please."

As Maria rushed off Amber turned towards Bentley and rattled off the different ingredients she needed.

"Do you have all that?" she asked and Bentley grinned.

"Yes we do, I'll grab them for you. She gestured at the cupboards "mixing bowls etc are all in there, utensils in there and pots and pans in that one "

Maria rushed back in and held out the apron to Amber who promptly put it on. "Maria can you set the table please and put out an assortment of jams, honey and spreads for pancakes?"

"Sure thing"

As Maria left Bentley came tottering in with her arms loaded. Amber quickly lent a hand and soon the bench was covered in all sorts of things.

"What are you going to make?" Bentley asked curiously and Amber winked at her.

"We are making apple and cinnamon muffins, banana pancakes and fresh croissants with fresh chocolate spread in the middle."

Bentley's eyes bulged "I don't know how to make any of that but it sounds delicious" she said enviously.

Maria came back in. Amber began to get her and Bentley to make the mixture for the muffins yelling out the recipe to them as she started on the croissants.

"Finished" Bentley yelled in excitement and Maria hushed her, giggling.

Amber helped them put the muffins in two muffin tins and place them in the oven.

"They will take about 20 minutes' she said as the girls nodded.

"Can you make up some whipped cream to go with the pancakes?" she asked.

Bentley giggled. "We know how to do that" she said "it's one of the few things we do know how to do."

As the girls began the new task, Amber finished off the croissants putting the sauce that she had just finished cooling into the croissants and sealing them over.

The timer went off and Amber peered in at the muffins before taking them out in satisfaction. They were beautifully golden and crisp, the scent of cinnamon floating in the air.

"It smells so good" Bentley said sniffing from her side of the kitchen.

Wait till you taste them." Amber winked at her, placing the croissants in the oven.

"We are finished now what would you like us to do? " Maria asked eagerly. She was really enjoying herself and Amber had been so lovely, not bossing them around at all.

"Can you chop up a fruit salad? We could have yoghurt to go with it?" suggested Amber and the girl's eyes lit up.

"Good idea" breathed Bentley and they raced each other to the fridge, giggling madly as they loaded up their arms and dumped them on the bench.

Amber watched them amused as she quickly whipped up the batter for her banana pancakes. As they were cooking the Girl's began to take the fruit salad, yoghurt and whipped cream to the dining table.

Amber fetched a fancy dish and piled the muffins neatly on them, putting four of them aside. She pulled the croissants out and swooned from the heavenly smell.

"Oh my god" whispered Bentley "I think I've died and gone to heaven."

Maria nudged her and they dissolved into laughter. Amber laughed along with them as she arranged another plate with the croissants, once again putting four aside.

"The plate will be hot" she warned as Maria began to lift it. She merely nodded and glided out to the dining room. "It's just the pancakes now" Amber said cheerfully and Bentley propped her chin on her hands and stared longingly at the food. Amber chuckled and placed a croissant and muffin in front of her.

Her eyes widened and she took a bite of the croissant moaning in pleasure. When Maria came back she also got given a croissant, and Amber nibbled at hers while she cooked.

Pretty soon they had demolished their breakfast and the pancakes were nearly done. "Maria" Amber said sweetly "Could you take this croissant and muffin to Neil please? He was kind to me this morning and I don't know if he had breakfast."

Maria expertly wrapped the croissant and muffin into a paper bag and cheerfully headed out the door.

Neil's eyes widened as Maria made a beeline to him. "Good morning Maria" he greeted her cheerfully "Is there something you need help with?"

Maria shook her head and gave him a brown paper bag which he opened up curiously. It smelled divine.

"Did you make this?" he gasped and she smiled.

"Amber did. She told me to give you this as a thankyou."

Neil's eyes narrowed "What happened to the cook?"

"She quit this morning and her assistants left too."

Neil groaned. "I'll organise a replacement to sort out lunch and dinner and you will have a permanent cook by tomorrow. Thankyou for sorting out breakfast this morning."

"Amber did most of it, she really saved our butts."

"I'll come and see her later to thank her in person." He inhaled the aroma coming from the bag and moaned as he took a bite out of his croissant.

"If her food tastes like this there shouldn't be any issues."

Maria left him eagerly devouring his food and walked back to the kitchen. Bentley was carefully taking the pancakes out to the dining room and Amber was wiping sweat off her forehead.

"Do I need to make some freshly squeezed juice or coffee?" she asked and Maria stiffened.

"No" she stammered "They have their preferences of drinks in the dining room" she lied smoothly.

Maria knew Amber was a human from her scent, but didn't know if she was aware of what they were. She lied about the drinks because she didn't want Amber to know it was blood they would be drinking. She had already filled the goblets, and was taking steps to make sure Amber didn't enter the dining room.

"Oh" exhaled Amber looking around at the empty kitchen. "All finished then" she frowned "except for the cleaning."

"Bentley and I can do the cleaning" Maria offered "You've helped us so much already."

Amber shook her head. "I helped make the mess so I'll help clean up."

Bentley came back. "The Queen will be down any minute with the Prince and visitors" she said looking at Maria worriedly "We need to go to the dining room to greet and serve them."

Maria glanced at Amber who waved a tired hand at her.

"Go" she said encouraging "I'll start on the dishes."

Just then Carmen came through the door "I will help her" she declared waving the two girls away. Thankyou, they mouthed to Amber as they walked away.

"How did you know where I was?"

Carmen chuckled. "A little birdie by the name of Neil told me, said you might need help."

Amber exhaled in relief. Thankyou Neil, she thought.

She gave a squeal as she was unceremoniously pushed to sit in a chair by a furious Carmen.

"Look at you" she said exasperated. "You are covered in flour even your hair, you have chocolate on your face and don't think I didn't notice how exhausted and shaky you are. You did too much" she accused.

Amber opened her mouth to argue then closed it and cast her eyes down to the floor.

"I'm sorry" she admitted "I just wanted to help."

Carmen swooped down and gave her a hug, patting her on the back.

"I'm not angry child" she said standing back up "what you did to help those girls was admirable. I'm just concerned that you wore yourself out."

Amber smiled as she sat back in the chair. Carmen walked off and came back with a cold glass of juice.

"Drink this" she said handing the glass to Amber and tying an apron on.

"You are going to sit and wait while I do the dishes and then we are going upstairs to clean you up and you are having a nap" she grumbled.

Amber nodded and Carmen promptly filled the sink up and began furiously scrubbing the dishes. She hated to admit it but she felt worn out and extremely shaky. All of her energy was gone leaving her drained and sleepy. She patiently waited in the kitchen while Carmen finished up, deciding that a nap was a good idea after all.