Conquest Or Birthright

Chapter 7: Secrets

Over the next few days, johanna helped me get enough strength to at least walk and eat on my own. I found out I was miles away from fathers kingdom. It was a small town, run by the people. Theres no mayor, no police, it was amazing how perfect it was. The pie shop didn't pull in many customers. The barber shop was fine, but Mrs. Barkers shop didn't sell too well. So, one morning I walk down and happily greet her. "Good morning Mrs. Barker" I say, slowly limping up to the counter. "Good morning Jack, and please, call me Lucy" she replies with a smile.

I nod and sit on a stool, "I noticed your husband gets multiple customers each day, but you rarely get any" I say. She nods, "well my pies aren't the greatest, its hard to get nice ingredients around here" she says. I look around the shop, "do you have a map of the surrounding area?" I ask. "Of course" she replies, pulling out a rolled up paper from under the counter and laying it out infront of me.  "I normally get my Ingredients from the farms to the south. But it takes too long and most spoil by the Time they arrive" she explains.

I locate the farms she was referring too, they were large and far south of the city. "Have you tried another farm? Maybe these ones here?" I point out the location of a much smaller farm to the east, it was much closer to the city than the other. "I would, but they're much more expensive..." she says. "Higher cost, better ingredients" I respond. She nods, "ok, I'll try it. Thank you Jackson" she replies, rolling the map up and tucking it away.

I nod and step down off the stool, "its my pleasure Lucy" I respond with a smile. "I believe Johanna wanted to go to the town market, how about you join her while I order a new shipment for the shop" she says, pulling on a heavy fur coat. Smiling, I nod and head into the Barkers house, which was attached to the shop. Johanna was sitting in a chair reading a book, with a steaming cup of tea by her side. I smile, "good morning Johanna" I say, sitting across from her. She looks up at me, "good morning" she responds and goes back to her book.

"You uh... wanted to go to the market? I wondered if I could join you" I ask. She places the book aside and walks over to me. "Of course, but you'll need a jacket, its freezing out there" she responds, helping me to my feet. I still felt bad for keeping who I was a secret, but I knew it was better this way. "Hey Johanna?" I ask hesitantly. "Yes Jack?" She replies, pulling on her jacket and Berret. If she didn't have her long hair, she could pass for a boy.

"If you met m... prince jackson, what would you do?" I ask. She blushes abit, "well, I'd first thank him for getting my father out of prison. Then..." she stops. "Sorry, that's private" she adds. Grabbing another coat and draping it over my shoulders. "Come on, market's not open forever" she says with a smile. I nod, curious about what she would have said. But, I brush it off and follow her out of the shop. Into the cold, frost covered streets.

"The towns always less active in the winter months" Johanna sighs, "I hope that farm you told mother about helps" she says. "Oh... you heard that? Yeah, I was just trying to help" I respond. Johanna walks beside me, "can... can I ask you something?" She asks quietly, seeming nervous. I bite my lip and hesitate, trying to figure out wnay she could be asking before answering. "Um... o-okay?" I reply, adjusting the coat around my shoulders.

"If... if you liked someone, but... knew you had no chance of them returning the feeling. What... would you do?" She asks, shyly looking down at her feet. That was when I wanted to tell her, let her know who I really was. But, I stayed strong and responded the best I could. "Well... I think I would at least try asking them. At least then I could get the feeling off my chest and into the open" I respond, looking at her for a reaction. She's silent for a few moments, then nods. "Thanks jack" she says and continues walking. Its a silent walk until we reach the market.

"Well, here's the grocery list, read it off as I collect them" she says, handing me a piece of parchment. I hold it, looking around as we walk. There were multiple shops, all lined up side-by-side. Shopkeepers stay bundled up in heavy coats, hats and mittens. A few cats and dogs run around the frost covered, cobblestone street. 'So, what's first?" Johanna asks, looking at me. I afjusy the jacket and look at the list, "bread, cheese, and milk" I say, looking around the multiple shops. "Ah, so we're going to Garred's first. Hes the only one with an indoor shop... thank goodness" she replies.

Johanna leads me to a brick house at the end of the market. A warm glow shines through the window, an intoxicating scent flows from the chimney. I sniff the air and sigh happily, "that smells amazing!" I say excitedly. Johanna chuckles, "garred makes the best bread" she says and walks inside. "Garred? Where have I heard that name before?" I say to myself, trying to think of why I could remember it. Theres noone at the counter when we arrive, so johanna rings the bell and we wait.

All the fresh bread and pastries made me want to taste it all. The aroma was so amazing it mad my mouth water. "Oy Johanna, hows me favorite customer today?" A familiar voice calls from behind us. I turn slowly and my heart drops, I knew I remembered the name... it was my cousin Garred. I spin back towards the counter, hoping he hadn't seen my face.

"Hello garred, I came to get our monthly basket" she replies as he walks up. "O course, o course, who's your friend?" He asks, walking behind the counter. I use the shopping list to cover my face, I didn't want to let johanna know who i was, not yet. "Oh, this is Jackson, Jackson Todd, he was hurt so me and my parents are looking after him" she nudges my good arm. "Go on, garred's not a mean person. She says. I nod and slowly lower the list, looking at Garred. He just stares at me in shock, but doesn't let his face show his surprise.

"Uh... nice to meet you mr. Todd..." he looks at Johanna. "Mind if I borrow him? He can help me make your basket" he asks. She takes the grocery list, "sure! I'll go get the other things I need and come back" she replies and exits the store. When we know she's gone, garred looks at me. "Jack!? What are you doing here!?" He asks, beginning to fill the basket with food. "Its a long story garred, I just need you to not tell johanna who I really am. I dont want to tell her yet" I say.

Garred looks up, "why?" He asks confused. "Like I said, its a long story, just promise you won't tell her. I'll fill you in on everything soon" I reply. He sighs, "fine, but only because you're my favorite cousin" he says. I sigh in relief, "thank you garred, you have my gratitude" I say as he finishes the food basket. He hands it to me and I take it with my good arm. "Just don't keep her in the dark forever" he says as I exit the shop to go find johanna. "Maybe not forever... but as long as I need to"