1 ONE

"I'll be back uncle" "mhm" I grab my shaw, the basket, and the books I have borrowed for a few weeks, then leave for the town. I walk up to the baker just opening and setting out fresh baguettes "bonjour monsieur" "good morning Ember, fresh baguettes made just for you" " do you have any brioches made yet?" "come back later and they should be ready" I put a baguette in my basket putting a few coins down "Merci madame, Emily where are the croissants!?" I smile going around a moving cart. I grabbed a few other things then headed into the book store. "Good morning Ember" "bonjour Père, I am here to return the books I've borrowed" "ah yes, how was it" "amazing I got caught a few times not doing my chores" "well can't have that happen or your uncle will never let you come here" "like he can stop me from coming here" I smile and climb the latter looking at the books as I go up "do you have any new books?" "There is a box in the back that just came in this morning" I get down then head to the back sitting down looking through the crate of books, I pick up one smiling. I look at the old yellow pages running my fingers over the rough worn binding. "How about this one Père?" I hold up the worn-down book "a bit worn-out isn't it?" "I thought you said to never judge a book by its cover?" "Using my own words against me" he chuckles, taking the book from my hands " let me fix the binding some before you take it home" I nod then look around the shelves more seeing any other books I would like to borrow for a few days. "Here all fixed" I take the book back, seeing it not as worn down "you work wonders Père, I will bring it back in a few days" "no need, you can have it for yourself" "really?!" "Yes, as worn out as it is I would have thrown it away" "with the way you can fix books, I wouldn't imagine you throwing away books" "some just aren't salvageable" "Have a good day Père" "enjoy the book."

I walk through town picking up a few things while reading when my skirt snags on something. I look down seeing a hand holding my skirt. I look up noticing a well-looking young man that I know quite well smiling down at me. "Hey, Ember, we are having a get together at the Tavern tonight, and was wondering if you could come" "I rather not go to that place where you 'men' hang out" I turn to leave but get pulled back feeling a strong grip on my waist. "Come on Ember all you do is read, come to have fun with us at the tavern" " I would rather pass than hang out with drunks like you!" I push on his chest as he gripped my checks "I don't care what you want..." "I would advise letting go of her" "says who... James! your back from the war!" "That matter aside, let go of that young lady" my checks are let go and I fall but only to be grabbed by the waist by strong arms. "Pardon my colleague's misbehavior miss" "no problem at all monsieur" he help me stand up, I straighten out my skirt then bend down to pick up my book. "May I get your name mademoiselle?" "Ember" Grayson whispers in his ear "mhm, so you're the lovely lady my colleagues have been telling me about" "I assume so" "Ember'" I look to the side seeing the baker running up to me holding a bag of something "here are the brioches you wanted to be made" "thank you monsieur, how much do I owe you" "it's on the house madam" "nonsense" I took a few coins out and put it in his hand "you got mouths to feed" I smile putting the sack in my basket "I must take my leave monsieur," I curtsied to Jason then took my leave.

"I'm back Uncle ''I look around not seeing him in his chair "must be out" I make my way down to the kitchen just to see something I don't want to see. "Ah fuck Sharon" I slam the door shut putting my hand on my chest, "I thought I told you to not do those things in the kitchen!" "go feed the chickens!" "no just no" I open the door and push them both out of the kitchen "go to your room and fuck each other!" I sigh and sit down leaning back I am now gonna have to clean the entire kitchen, cause who knows where they have been in here."

I sit down undoing my hair shaking it out "now that it's clean here I can start on dinner" I pull the brioche, baguettes, and other things I got at in town. "Ember!" " yes, uncle?" "stop what you're doing and take a bath and get dressed in your best clothes!" "um, why?" "we're going to the tavern tonight!"