The Trouble with Status

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"Cedric, maybe you shouldn't try to change the world all at once. Let the rest of us catch up to your ideas slowly. It's a little progressive for most." She advised with a polite smile. She knew her mother was in the house, and her father would be home from work soon. Her little brother was undoubtedly out back with his pony, tearing around the yard. She opened the front door. "Mum, we have company." She called, and then continued to walk into the house and back into the kitchen, setting the crate on the table.
 
He laughed softly and followed her in. "You are right, that and it will take awhile to even get the council to want to change things again." Cedric said, looking around. The house was small compared to the castle, but it seemed warmer. "This is a fantastic house, you actually live here?" He asked even though he knew it would sound odd. In the castle there were rules on what could be on the walls and basically in each room. This house didn't seem to have those same rules.
 
She simply nodded at his agreement. Of course she was right. She was a lot of the time, really. "Cedric, you know how ridiculous that sounds, right? You live in a castle and you're sincerely complimenting my home?" She said with a teasing grin. "Mum, I'd like you to meet Cedric." She said, figuring she'd have to get the introductions out of the way. The woman gasped at the sight of him, but did nothing but smile at the lad. And flash a 'you're in trouble young lady' glare in her direction.
 
"This house is better." Cedric said softly, under his breath. When her mother came into view he smiled. "It is nice to meet you ma'am. " he said before bowing his head. "Is there a normal place for these extra breads? I have a proposition for Veeri that I think I should discuss with you and your husband. I also could not just let her bring all of these breads back alone, it is almost dark out and I wouldn't want her walking back alone."
 
Veeri had forgotten that he too was holding crates, and rushed to take them from him, a blush rising in her cheeks. This wasn't her usual way of acting. She should have taken them immediately. She glanced to her mother. "Oh, my prince, the pleasure is mine. My husband should be home shortly. In the meantime, may I offer you a beverage?" Her mom wouldn't take his suggestion of just calling him Cedric even if it was a direct order.
 
He took in Veeri's blush and a soft chuckle managed to make it's way past his lips. Cedric had been fine with holding them. "Water is fine if you have some. The sun sure was strong today." Cedric commented. "Also there is no need to call me prince, here I am just a guest, nothing more." He said though he had a feeling she would not be convinced.
 
She pulled a face at his laugh, and moved to put the breads in a more permanent location. She wasn't really a part of this conversation anyhow. Her mother got Cedric a glass of water and smiled at the boy politely. "Old habits die hard, m'lord. And that's one thing I will not change." She wasn't meaning to be harsh, it was just life. She couldn't risk getting in trouble for her looseness with a future king, of all things.
 
"I do not blame you, my father loves his royal name, to me it is more of a requirement." Cedric said with a nod before taking a sip of water. It was odd not having someone sip his drink before him, but he was certain the lady was not trying to hurt him. "Did you happen to know my mother? She always came back with pastries for me, but for awhile I did not know she got them from your shop. I've been learning that she was extremely secretive."
 
"And I do appreciate that." The woman responded, gaze softening. "I did know your mother, she was a wonderful woman, and an even better customer. She and I grew to be friends over time, and her passing was one I was sad to hear of." She told Cedric with a sad smile. She heard her husband walk through the door. "My dear, we have a visitor, he'd like to speak with us about Veeri." She called, and the gruff response of "What did she do this time?" Made her smile upon his entrance. "That's the question I've been waiting for an answer to as well."
 
Cedric kept a laugh in. "She did nothing wrong, I assure you that. I was just wondering if she would like a job in the kitchen of the castle. Our baker is growing older and wishes to spend the rest of her days with her family. I figured since I like the pastries so much Veeri would make a great addition." He explained as he set down his water. "I was told that I should ask you sir, for your thoughts. Of course you would be compensated for your lose of her and she would be given a place to love as well as a generous wage."
 
Veeri returned just as Cedric made his intentions known to the two of them. Her father looked surprised, her mother a little sad at the loss of her daughter. "Well, of course. That's certainly an offer no man could really refuse." Her father stated with finality, not needing any time to consult with her mother. That was his way of doing things. He made the calls and dealt with consequences later. "Of course, my wife will want one more night of my daughter at home. I can bring her to the palace tomorrow morning, if that would be timely enough?"
 
"Of course she will spend the night here, and the day tomorrow if you want more time to say goodbye. I will not keep her in the castle locked up though, I know how well that works. On weekends she will have the afternoons off and may come and visit here if she wishes. I do not want to take her away from her family." Cedric explained, giving her mother a small smile. "I also would like to invite your whole family to lunch tomorrow, so you can see the castle and make sure you approve of the space provided for your daughter."
 
"If noon tomorrow suits, we'll have her there. We'd be happy to join you for lunch tomorrow." Veeri was surprised. Well, if it was going to happen fast, this was surely the way to do it. Her mother seemed satisfied by Cedric's sentiments, and Veeri was itching to start packing. She was moving to a palace. The servant's quarters, she reminded herself, but realized that didn't matter. Every girl dreamed of living in the palace, and she was no different. Veeri glanced toward the back door, almost wishing she and Cedric could have had more time to talk that evening. He was really enjoyable company.
 
Cedric nodded. "That is perfect. I will make sure the guards are expecting you and I will wait at the castle doors. Would you like me to send a few guards with horses or do you think you could walk?" He asked. It was only about a twenty minute walk and when he knew he wasn't going to be out all day Cedric himself normally walked. Since Veeri would need to bring her bags, Cedric decided to offer them horses. "It would be no trouble really and I would not want you to be tired out before lunch." He added, not wanting them to think it would be any hassle.
 
"We actually have two horses out back, we'll just load a pack pony with Veeri's things. No need to send any guards." Her father assured him with a polite smile. The boy was very forward in his offers, and apparently really wanted Veeri in the palace. He couldn't begin to imagine why that would be the case, but it wasn't his place to ask. "Do you have a guard this evening, my prince? It's not safe for nobles in these streets after dark." Veeri's mother was ready to volunteer her husband to help escort him back if need be.
 
"My father doesn't let me leave the castle without a guard." Cedric said with a sigh before shrugging. "I'll be sure to have everything prepared for tomorrow, I believe we will have time for a tour of the castle." He knew that most people were curious about the inside. The doors were almost always closed and even when they were open only nobles could come in for balls. Cedric hated it all though. The divisions were pointless in his mind. He took a step towards the door before smiling at all of them. "It was nice to meet you all, oh, and here is payment for the pastieies I got today." Cedric said, holding out two gold pieces. It was too much for just the pastries, but his mother had said that is what she had always paid no matter what she got.
 
"Well, travel safely. We look forward to seeing you again soon." Her parents chorused. Veeri was then left to escort him out of the house. She took the gold pieces, though she frowned. "That's worth about ten times as much as you bought, Ced." She said, giving him a nickname. Cedric was rather stuffy for someone with such a good nature. "At least let me walk you out, alright?" Veeri told him, insistent. They may not be able to help him home, but the least she could do was say her farewells without her parents over their shoulders. They really didn't know when to let her have friends, which was probably why she had so few of them. She sat the gold pieces on the table for her mother to stash away, as these were the coins that they saved. Gold was rare in these parts, and it wasn't safe to just leave lying about.
 
"See you tomorrow." He responded to her parents before shrugging at Veeri. "My mother always paid that and I will do the same. And yes, you may walk me out." Cedric smiled at her nickname for him, it was fun. "What color is your favorite?" He asked suddenly, as he had just remembered that the workers in the castle were able to pick their own colors of cloth to decorate their rooms. Cedric would have a room made up for her and if they had the color she liked, he would make sure that it was used.
 
She nodded when he agreed to allow her to show him to the door. They began to walk toward the door, and she looked over at him curiously when he asked about her favorite color, but simply replied "Purple." She was being honest, it was one of her favorites. No one really had just one. She opened the door for him, looking over at him with an odd sense of mixed emotions. He was gorgeous, and a good person. And totally off limits. But she'd have to settle with a friendship that wasn't supposed to happen, and she figured that was ok too.
 
He nodded and smiled at her. "I'll see you tomorrow M'lady." Cedric said, bowing and kissing her hand. He laughed softly and stood. "I will enjoy the pastries and hope I can sneak them in the morning without the princess knowing. She will get mad if she finds out." The guard that was on the horse laughed softly and Cedric looked to him.
"I know you won't tell on me John, you like them as well, you'll have to make some for him as well." Cedric said with another grin. "We should go, or we'll be late for dinner. I'll wait for you tomorrow, to make sure you have a proper first time in the castle."
 
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