After the whole invitation fiasco, all I could do was think of the Prince. Seriously, washing the dishes- Prince, doing the laundry-Prince, walking down the hallway- Prince, and even brushing hair- Prince. *sigh* I don't know if anyone noticed how out of it I was today. Well, mayhap they did.

"Why aren't you working to your fullest potential?!?!" Lady Guinevere demands.

"What do you mean miss?" I ask that in lie. Well, I think so.

"You know very well what I'm talking about. The sighing, staring out into space, and being happy. Who is he, and where does he live?"

"I am not courting anyone! It would not be proper! I am just happy. Is that a problem?"

"Why you little bitch! You are going to get another visit from the cat-o-nine-tails if you don't get rid of this attitude right now!" That shut me up. I don't know what I was thinking. Standing up for myself, and all. What was I thinking? Did I really think that I could win? Was the fight even worth it? I don't know if it was, but I know I'll never do that again.

"What do you want me to do ma'am?" I mumble those words sounding as quiet as a mouse.

"Well, first you can start by cleaning up YOUR attitude! Otherwise you'll have more scars than ever. Secondly, you need to do twice the amount of work you usually do. We are having guests tonight."

"Who are the guests my lady?"

"The Duke and Duchess of Angeles."

"The who?"

"Did you not hear me!?! I said 'the duke and duchess of Angeles.' You know, Duke William and Duchess Kriss Ambers. They are coming tonight to discuss-" she pauses, "-things. " And she leaves it at that. I go redo my hard work. Rewashed dishes, rewashed laundry, re-swept the floors, remade the bed, re-well, you get the point. Anyways, all my thoughts were dedicated to the prince. Why? I would probably never see him again. I am just a mere house maid. Not my words, Lady Guinevere's. But he was all I could think about. Stop it! I hate it when I get all fan-girly! But.....NO! Keep it together Azalea! You have no one. You have no family. You have no friends. Well, I had Joy. And Rowan. Oh Rowan! He is such a kind, loving, compassionate, sweet......Stop it! You can only have feelings for one! Wait.......did I just use the word feelings? Oh my goodness! Why must I do this to myself! I attempt to revert my thoughts. Away from the Prince, away from Rowan. But, it's just so hard! They are both so wonderful! Well, seem wonderful. Can't a girl dream? I continue to redo my chores, and I find a letter in Lady Guinevere's desk. I can't help but look at it. Don't shame me. I mean, come on. How many of you could resist this opportunity? I open the unsealed letter, and begin to read its contents.

'Dear Guinevere,

my thoughts are all lead to yours. You captivate me, and I can't help but fall for it. Well, fall for you that is. I know we just met, and maybe I'm crazy  but, I think you have feelings for me too. I know I am just a simple farm boy, but I can give you anything you want. Well, love, that is. But isn't that enough for you? Can't we just be happy together? Don't you believe in true love? Our love is true! I believe in true love. Do you? Please don't leave me! You're ALL that I have! You are my world! Is there anything that I can do to make you say 'Yes?' Don't give up on love. Don't give up on what we have. But more importantly, don't give up on me.

Love,

Valencio'

My thoughts: WOW. He really likes her. Why doesn't she talk about him? I just don't know. Just then, I look to see the date.  May 11th, 1467. WAIT! That was the year she met my father! WAIT! This was during the first year my father and her got married! She is a cheater! Why, that vile woman first took my rights, and freedoms, and she had the audacity to take my father for granted too!! Ugh! I hurry up and fold the letter back up. I cannot have her see me reading it. Why has she kept it for all these years? Does she still love him? How could anyone love her? Does she even have the ability to love?!?

I put the letter back in her desk, and continue to clean.  I don't know what, but something draws me to the window. Like a feeling that starts in my bones, and into the rest of my body. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it feels safe. I make sure nobody's looking, that no one is Lady Guinevere, and start to walk over to the window. I see a young man standing there looking up at the window. Yay! I can't believe he is here! I nod at him, motioning towards the back door, in the orchard. He nods back. I slowly walk out of Lady Guinevere's room, and double check the hallway. I could let anyone see this. I walked down the hallway with quickening speed. I made my way to the servant stairs and galloped down them. I'm so excited! I know it's only been a few days, but it seemed as if it was an eternity! I see Mrs.Hildigard going down to the laundry room, and ask her if I could go outside because my head hurts. She obliges but, is only allowing me to stay outside for an hour. I know that will be plenty of time! I saw him waiting there, his back to me, wind blowing through his hair. He runs his fingers through his hair, and turns toward me. I can no longer contain myself; I run run to him and give him a hug. Surprisingly he hugs me back almost as soon I was. He spins me around in his arms, and then gently sets me down. "I have missed you," I say punching his arm playfully, "it seemed like forever went by."

"I completely agree. I have had no one to talk to. Not even Maximus," he chuckles.

"You talk to Maximus?" I ask unable to hold back my laugh.

"Aye. You have a problem with that? I mean, come on! I bet you talk to Joy. Am I right?"

"Nay, you are not. I may talk to myself, but not my horse. Okay, well, mayhap a few times."

"Ha! I knew it!" He is now dancing around like a fool.

"Rowan, why did you come here anyway? To annoy me? Because, I assure you, your plan is working."

"Aye. That is how I spend my week. Trying to plan out a way to annoy you, more and more each day," he said it with such seriousness, at first I almost believed him.

"Like I said, It's working," This time we are both laughing. At each other. Rowan was so weird sometimes- All the time! "No really, why did you come here?"

"Well, first of all to say that I missed you-I know SHOCKER! And secondly to give you something." Something. Something. What could that something be? Another horse? No. A cookie? No. The Heir? No. (sadly) An autographed picture of himself? Yes! Just kidding! But seriously, what could it be? I could see my answer was coming, as Rowan gave me a wrapped gift. Why was he giving me this? I mean, I know I'M FABULOUS, but why?

"What is this, Rowan? Is it some sort of prank?"

"I assure you, tis no prank. Just open it." I did as he said. I opened to see a handmade leather journal. It is  thick, mayhap 300 pages. Enough to last me a lifetime. On the edges, there is a braid wrapping all around it. And on the top, there is image of The Tree of Life, that spans the whole width of it.

"It's magnificent! Where did you get this? Thank you!"

"I made it actually. My mother wanted me to make a journal, and I had a lot of extra leather. I wasn't going to let it go to waste," Rowan shrugged it off as if it was nothing, but I knew better.

"Oh, come on Rowan! This is absolutely beautiful! Don't sell yourself short! It must have taken you hours to make! And, now I feel bad. If I knew we were going to give out gifts, I would have got you one and-"

"Shhhhhhhhhh," Rowan said, covering my mouth with his index finger, "that's the thing- you don't need to get me anything. I just wanted to do something nice for my friend." He pulled out his leather journal, and compared ours. They are matching. Awe! Not only did he give me the best gift ever, but he also made it match to his-showing that we are best friends.

"Awe! They're matching! That's so nice of you! Thank you!!!" I hugged Rowan. That surprised me. And apparently Rowan too. But, it wasn't too long before he started to hug me back. I held him close to as long as I could. I have this bubbly, knotting feeling in my stomach. You may think this would hurt, or be uncomfortable, but I welcomed this new feeling. I let it wash over me like a bath. As much as I wanted to be in Rowan's ams forever, I knew I couldn't. We were just friends, and that's what we will always be. I let go of him, and I see as flash of disappointment in his eyes. I could sense that, that was happening with me too. "No, really thank you. First, you are my friend, and now you are showering me with presents. You are the best of friend a girl could ask for. Well, anyone."

"Thank you, Miss Azalea. For if I didn't meet you, my life would be very different. It would be worse." At those last words, he looks up at me, looking into my eyes. It was as if he was searching for something. Something that I didn't know I had. I honestly didn't know when, but I had started to cry. Probably at his kind words. No one had ever said anything that nice to me before. Not even my father, who I loved with all of my heart. It was not only the word that persuaded me to cry, it was who. Rowan. He is such a sweet, kind, and loving person. I know it's true because he uttered the words.

"No, thank you. For being there for me. Even if it has only been this weekend."

"You are welcome. And I feel the same way. It's like I can tell you anything and you won't judge me. And I thank you for that." Just then, the sound of the back door opening startles us.

"Azalea! Where are you? I have covered for you for this long, but Lady Guinevere wishes to see you! And I would hurry if I were you!!" Mrs. Hildigard whisper-shouts.

"I am here!" I say, waving my hand, "I will be right in, just give me a moment." Mrs. Hildigard sees Rowan, winks at me and nods. "I will see you a day from the morrow. Until then my best friend."

"See you then, Miss Azalea." After that, he walks away deeper, and deeper into the forest. (I was tempted to say 'Into the Woods' but I do not have the right. Literally)I look back, and see him doing the same. I smile to myself, and walk towards the back door. Once I am in the house, I run up the servants stairs. What was she calling me for? Was it finally the day? The day that she would kick me out, or kill me? Was she going to ask where I have been for the past hour? I could say that I was in the basement, clearing out the mice if she asked. I am almost to the top. Only 9 more stairs to go. 8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1....I fix my chemise, and apron, trying to unfold the wrinkles. It was to no avail. I redo my messy bun, and a bandana, and walk over to her room.

"Yes, Lady Guinevere?" I say as I am at the door frame. She doesn't allow me in, unless told. I learned that the hard way. Well, unless I was cleaning.

"Come, come,  now child," she said in a irritated voice. I sped walked over to her vanity. Oh no! Did she notice that I read the letter? Damn it! I knew this was coming!!!

"Can I help you with anything, ma'am?"

"You can tell me what you were doing for the past hour. Like, NOW!"

"You see ma'am, I was clearing out the mic in the basement. I finished my sewing quota for the day, and decided to clear out the mice. I know how much they bother you."

"Are you telling me the truth? I have a feeling that you were doing something else."

"Aye ma'am. I am telling you the truth. Is there anything I can do to further service you?" I hope that this will make her stop asking me questions.

"Why yes. You can start to sew three elegant gowns. One for me, one for Helen, and one for Alys. They are going to be for The Prince's Maiden Ball."

"What about mine?"

"Well, I thought that you would prefer to stay home. I mean, you will know no one, and I only want to make you comfortable. Isn't that my job as your mother?" The whole sentence threw me for a loop. Mother? Since when did she refer herself as to being my mother?

"Oh....Okay then," I said sounding defeated. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Just get to the measuring of me, Helen, and Alys, will you? And write our designs down too. I can't wait here all day." I quickly measure her neck, sleeve, chest, bust, waist, hips, and height. When I was done with Lady Guinevere, I moved on to Helen's room. And did the same thing. Neck, sleeve, chest, bust, waist, hips, height. And then the design. Then on to Alys. Neck, sleeve, chest, bust, waist, hips, and height. ANd then the design. Just as I was about to finish, Arabella comes from around the hall.

"Miss, what are you doing with all these measurements?"

"I just finished measuring Lady Guinevere, Helen, and Alys for their ballgowns for The Prince's Maiden Ball."

"Here, give me that measuring tape." I did as I was told. Arabella started to measure me. I protest at first, but then give in to the pressure. Neck, sleeve, chest, bust, waist, hips, and height. When she is finished she hands me the measuring tape, and disappears as quickly as she appeared. And with that I go down to the seamstresses, and give them the measurements and designs.

                         It is night now, and I must prepare Lady Guinevere, Helen, and Alys' nightly tea. Lady Guinevere likes Black tea, to complement her personality, Helen likes Mate Tea, its strong and powerful like she is, and lastly, Alys likes Oolong teas, has a sweet aroma, but can still be strong. I quickly boil the requested amount of water, and pull out the different herbs, and spices. I mix and crush the leaves of the Camellia shrub. To make the Mate Tea, I mix and crush Yerba Mate leaves. And to make the Oolong tea, I mix and crush the Camellia leaves. When I am done with that, I place a strainer over the tea cups and pour them in the tea cups. With a few minutes of steeping they are ready. I hurry up the servant stairs to Lady Guinevere's room. I stand at the door frame, waiting for her to allow me in.

When she says,"Come in," with a sickening grin. How could I know what was in store? (Into the Woods reference!) I walked in her room dropping of her tea.

"Anything else my lady?"

"No, not for now. You may go." I walk out of there as fast as I could without her taking notice. I then find myself in the door frame of Helen's room.

"I bring you your Mate tea. May I come in?"

"Come in," she spat. I place her Mate tea on her vanity.

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No. GO!" I run out of her room. Two down, one to go. I first take notice that Alys' door is closed. Weird. I knock on her door, and a few moments later she answers it.

"Hello Alys. I bring you you Oolong tea. Where should I put it?"

"You can put it on my dresser. Thank you."

"You are welcome. Anything else I can do for you?"

"No thank you, you can go."

I walk out of her room, and into the hallway. I then make a left turn into the servants staircase. It may just be me, but I can sense that there is another person in here with me. "Hello?" I ask into the stairs, and abyss below. No one answers. Was it just my imagination? Or a ghost? An evil spirit? I continue to make my way down the dark, and twisty stairs. Now, I was getting scared. I can hear someone breathing. Someone who can't be that far away from me. Someone who- "Oh! It's just you Payton, you scared me!" I bend down to pet his golden fur and walk away.

So, what did you think about that chapter? It took me about 3 hours to construct, go through grammar and spelling mistakes, and change it. I changed it, like three times! But anyways, I hoped that you liked it, and hopefully I will update more often! Yea, sorry about that. It's like, I really want to, but I either have homework, something to do, or honestly forget. Sorry :( But I would like to make a special thanks to all of these awesome people!!

TwilightSparkleMagic- Sapphire (Prince Peter's younger sister)

RainbowDashLoyalty- Pearl (Prince Peter's younger sister)

11Pbskids-Emile (Prince Peter's cousin)

Violist2222- Gwendolyn (Will find out soon)

wildfireopal- Helewys (Will find out soon)

ccgg112- Catherine (Will find out soon)

platypii6- Sarah (Will find out soon)

ilovepens84- Grace (Will find out soon)

And just awesome people!!

Stephanie_swan

lavena

lalalawritingstories

m_lawson12

leahgeorge27

kitkatswim1

Layla_Light13

AquaMarine_Chick

queenVaper

Hope I didn't tease you guys too much! See ya next chapter! Au Revoir!

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