The next few days flew by quickly, and before Isabella knew it, she was standing outside the palace in London, holding a box full of pastries she had prepared.
Isabella took a deep breath as she looked up at the imposing structure of the palace. She had never been to London before, let alone stood outside a royal palace. She adjusted her grip on her suitcase she was cold and indifferent. One would be unable to read what she was thinking. The royal guards looked at the overweight woman but they didn't dare make any negative comments since the queen invited her to bake. Not only that Noel also came along she grabbed Isabella hand.
The doors to the palace opened and a man in a fancy suit stepped out. He was clearly an employee of the queen.
"Ah, you must be Isabella," he said with a polite smile.
He looked at her curiously, taking in her appearance. Despite being overweight she still had an air of confidence about her.
"Mmm yes it's me," Isabella said indifferently.
The man led Isabella and Noel through the grand halls of the palace, his footsteps echoing on the polished floors. The interior was lavishly decorated with gold accents and ornate paintings.
As they walked, he glanced back at Isabella every now and then, still a bit taken aback by her appearance but not wanting to be rude.
"Right this way," he said finally, gesturing for them to follow him into a large room.
Inside the room Isabella saw tables set up with fine china and linens. There were also several bakery mastera seated at the tables, chatting quietly among themselves.
"These bakery masters are invited from all over the world this week you will have a competition our Princess Tracy she is sixteen years old and she loves desserts if one of you guys can gain her approval you will stay bake for the Queen of England and also get paid four million dollars."
Isabella listened intently as the woman spoke, her eyes widening at the mention of a competition with bakery masters from all over the world. Isabella was cold she didn't seem to care to much about this but she wondered who the princess is her great great grandmother is the Queen of England and Princess Tracy is the judge that's just…She honestly wants to get out of here and go back to America and earn her money from the deal with Noel and then leave America.
The room was filled with the chatter of the bakery masters, all talking amongst themselves and eyeing each other competitively. The woman who had spoken before looked at Isabella with a slight smirk on her face.
"And here she comes," she said quietly.
Suddenly, a door opened at one end of the room and everyone fell silent. A young girl walked into the room - Princess Tracy.
"So she is the princess?" Isabella muttered quietly. Tracy was wearing a beautiful navy blue dress her hair was blonde her bright blue eyes sparked she narrowed her eyes.Princess Tracy looked around the room, her eyes scanning each of the bakery masters. Her gaze landed on Isabella and lingered for a moment, taking in her appearance.
Isabella met the princess's gaze coolly, not intimidated by her presence or position. She knew she had to win this competition if she wanted to earn that money.
"I am Princess Tracy my dad is Prince Rory my mother is Jan, I have a twin brother and two younger brother I am the eldest in the family. Let me tell you this if you want my great great grandmother to eat your food you better try your best," Tracy said she annoyed but also didn't want to bother with anyone in this room. Tracy looked at Isabella again she notice that the overweight girl who was the same age as her she wore a face mask her black hair was up in a ponytail and you can only see her scarlet eyes which were unique.
Isabella stood there silently, observing the princess as she spoke. She could see that Tracy was young and perhaps a bit spoiled, but also had a sharpness in her eyes that indicated intelligence.
As Princess Tracy looked at Isabella again, their gazes locked for a moment before the princess quickly turned away to look at the other bakery masters.
Isabella couldn't help but feel a little annoyed by the princess's behavior. She was used to being ignored or underestimated because of her weight, and she didn't appreciate being dismissed like that.
She watched as Princess Tracy turned away from her again, pretending not to notice Isabella's presence.
"You," Tracy said to Isabella in a spoiled manner. Isabella stared at the princess her eyes were emotionless so no one could tell what Isabella was thinking the other master chiefs also looked at the overweight girl.
Isabella felt the princess's gaze on her, but she didn't show any sign of intimidation. She held eye contact with Tracy for a moment before speaking up.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Pass," Tracy said.
"Princess Tracy you haven't tried any of her desserts! Plus Princess is…"
"Nancy you are my nanny not my mother as for her weight what does that have to do with being a baker? From where I am standing I smelled her delicious pastries, so I am passing her because I don't need to try it to know she won this around," Tracy said in a sharp tone. Isabella eyes widen so this Princess isn't narrows minded she can truly see talent. Isabella nodded her head but she sighed she can sense other looking at her with competitiveness nature.
Isabella felt a flicker of surprise at the princess's words. She hadn't expected her to pass her so quickly, and she was even more surprised by Tracy's insight.
The other bakery masters around the room seemed taken aback as well. Some of them muttered under their breaths about how unfair it was that Isabella had been passed without having to show off her skills.
Princess Tracy smirked as she saw the other bakery masters' reactions. She was clearly enjoying the effect she had on them.
She looked back at Isabella, her eyes lingering on her for a moment before speaking again.
"You're free to go," she said dismissively.
The other master chefs grumbled amongst themselves, some of them giving Isabella dirty looks.
Isabella nodded but before she left she looked at Tracy then the princess looked back at Isabella's face mask once again she was intrigued by the girl. She actually wanted to be friends with her she felt like this Isabella was more down to earth and didn't care about status but she didn't want to be around people.
Isabella felt a strange sensation as she looked at Princess Tracy. The princess's gaze seemed almost...curious.
She couldn't understand why the princess would be interested in her, especially since they had only just met. But there was something about the way that Princess Tracy looked at her that made Isabella feel strangely compelled to stay.
Isabella went back to her room she let out a yawn she felt so comfortable in this large bed. She closed her eyes as she fall asleep. Noel who walked inside Isabella room she sighed this girl doesn't know how talented she is in baking.
Noel sat down on the edge of the bed, watching Isabella sleep. She couldn't help but admire how peaceful she looked, despite everything that had happened. Noel reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Isabella's face, careful not to wake her up. She then pinched Isabella chubby cheeks.
"Wake up we are going sight seeing."
"Auntie Noel I don't want to go."
Noel rolled her eyes.
Isabella groaned and rolled over, pulling the covers tighter around herself. It was late afternoon and Isabella just wanted to sleep through the whole night.
"Come on," Noel said, tugging gently on Isabella's arm.
"It'll be fun."
Isabella opened one eye and looked up at Noel.
"Fun? Sightseeing?" she muttered grumpily.
Noel looked at Isabella she sighed why is this girl always so negative. She pulled Isabella's blanket down. "Noel where are we going?" Isabella asked.
"Sight seeing."
"Can I sleep?"