Corinne and her three friends were cleaning the great hall when a knock came to the door.

"I'll get it." She said as she grabbed the doorknob "Oh. Hello Grand visor."

The man huffed "Please, Monsieur Jameston is fine."

Corinne curtsied "Of course. Here to see the King?"

"Of course."

"He's in his office."

The girls watched as the short, fat man walked down the hall.

"He has to be the grumpiest person in the castle." Viveca whispered.

Two minutes later, Monsieur Jameston reappeared "He's not there."

Corinne looked at her friends confused "Well, where is he?"

Just then Madame Helene, the head maid, walked into the room "He slipped out to test a new improvement on his flying machine."

They all turned to a window to see a bright balloon start rising into the air.

"I need him immediately!" Monsieur Jameston declared.

"I'll get him!" Corinne dropped her broom and started running up the stairs.

"Where on earth is she going?" Jameston asked.

"To get the King." Renee answered "Don't worry. She does this all the time." The three friends look at each other and laughed.

Corinne ran all the way up to the Terrace and out onto the bridge. The Balloon's basket was just starting to pass. Corinne ran, jumped up onto the railing and leapt into the basket.

Louis spun around, and then smiled when he saw her. Wisps of her blond hair had slipped loose from her bun and the breeze was blowing them gently across her face.

"Hello Corinne." He said after a moment.

"Monsieur Jameston is here to see you." Corinne said "Now."

Louis sighed "I was hoping he'd spoil a different day." He then turned to mess with some ropes, and the balloon started to descend.

Corinne watched as the ground came closer "Did you ever figure out how to land this thing?"

Louis shrugged "I guess we'll see."

As usual, the balloon capsized, sending its two occupants flying to the ground.

Louis helped Corinne up and together they walked to the castle.

Monsieur Jameston looked at them with disapproval "Your Highness," he said, lifting his chin "I have important news."

"Then by all means, tell me." Louis said, somewhat annoyed.

Corinne's attention was drawn to her friends who were standing behind Jameston. They were waving wildly and motioning to something between her and Louis. She glanced down to see what they were motioning to and gasped. There was the explanation for Jameston's disapproving look.

She quickly pulled her hand out of Louis' ignoring her friend's suppressed giggles.

"May we go to the office, please?" Jameston requested.

Louis nodded "Of course." Then the two men left the room.

"Very smooth." Renee smirked.

Corinne rolled her eyes "Quit it."

"I wonder what news he has for the king." Aramina said.

Viveca shrugged "You know. It is our job to protect him. Eyes and ears open. Remember?"

The four girls ran down the hall and pressed their ears up against the door.

"Your Highness, I have received a letter from the Queen of Trylvania." Jameston said.

"What about it?" Louis asked cautiously.

"Their daughter is in need of a husband. And you need a wife." Jameston answered.

"What!?" Louis stared at the man like he had gone mad "Are you crazy?!"

"No. she's coming to visit in two months." Jameston said "You do not have a choice, Your Highness. You are a king. You must marry a person of high nobility."

Corinne felt her heart drop like someone had just hit it towards the floor with a baseball bat. Nobility. Of course the king would marry someone of high ranking. A former country girl wasn't going to cut it. She sighed as she pushed a strand of blond hair from her face. She looked up at her friends to see them staring at her sympathetically.

She shrugged, and then motioned for them to leave the door.

As they walked back to resume their chores, Aramina sighed sadly "I hate tragic romances."

Corinne glanced back at her "What do you mean?" she instantly regretted asking, as Aramina went into her normal over dramatic explanation.

"Just think, two people in love," Aramina swooned "Then, they're torn apart because of their differences. One thing they could overlook themselves, but everyone else couldn't see through them! And even though their hearts are bound by…"

"Aramina!" Corinne interrupted "Lou… The king and I are not an object. We're just friends."

Viveca looked at the others and shrugged. There was no need to push the subject, especially after what they had just overheard in the office.

Jameston left fifteen minutes later with a self-satisfied look on his face. Right before he stepped out the door, he shot Corinne a warning look, and then disappeared.

Corinne leaned on her broom stick and stared at the door "Don't worry, Monsieur Jameston." She mumbled "I'm not getting in your way."