Chapter 2:

Arthur had started to think about Merlin a lot recently. Like, A LOT, a lot. He honestly didn't know why, since he was just his manservant. Ok, maybe he was more like his friend, but still, he should be keeping his thoughts on what to get Gwen on their anniversary and all of his duties as king. His thoughts just randomly kept straying to how Merlin had started getting more muscles, or what he would look like with his shirt off, what would he taste like…. No Arthur stop! Why are you thinking such things! FOCUS! He thought to himself. He was currently in a court meeting, drowning out the visiting noble's annoying, absurd viewpoints, which the man had ridiculously been going on about for an hour, and staring way too intently at Merlin. He was busy tracing his pointed jawline and his stand-out cheekbones with his eyes, deciding them to be a wonder of the world. Merlin caught his gaze, and wondered why the king was staring at him so intently, and he decided to just make a strange face at the obviously boring noble, whom seemed like he would never really shut up. Arthur chuckled at this, drawing some attention of nearby people at the round table, but otherwise unnoticed, especially by the distracted noble. Merlin smiled slightly at the successful attempt to make Arthur laugh, and he leaned against the wall resuming his daydream of practicing this new spell he was reading on teleportation.

Finally the noble got the hint from Sir Gwaine pretending to have fallen asleep in his chair, and concluded his discussion. The council started to trickle out of the room, and Arthur waltzed over to Merlin, giving him his new tasks for the rest of the day, which included mucking out the horses, doing dishes in the kitchen, laundry, helping Adelaine clean the room, and to bring his dinner to him on time tonight, making sure to specify that he was honestly the worst manservant ever. Merlin, as though unaffected, smiled, nodding with a small sire, and left, though Arthur could have sworn he heard him mutter clotpole as he left. Arthur grinned and shook his head at his servants idiotic made-up names, and left to go drown in his confusing thoughts of his annoyingly adorable manserv- no, FRIEND.

Adelaine was actually having a great first week on the job. The queen, Gwen, she reminded herself, was really quite friendly, and she felt like she had known her forever. Merlin was also just so nice to her, they became friends quickly, though she already got the feeling sometimes like he was…. hiding something. She also noticed he didn't seem to be as interested in women as men, which was totally fine in her book. Adelaine had grown to just accept you, whoever the bloody hell you were. She decided her chores weren't nearly as bad as Merlin's, who seemed to have a good friendship with the king even though Arthur was rather rude. Adelaine thought about this, carrying Gwen's laundry basket to her chambers to clean, when she ran into something hard, and she toppled to the ground, using her secret sorcery abilities to make sure the laundry didn't stray too far. She knew magic was forbidden in Camelot, and she had a high chance to being executed, but she couldn't turn down the opportunity to serve a queen and honor her family. She looked up, and saw a tall figure looking down at her, brushing down his pants, and holding out his hand to help her out.

"Sorry about that. Here I'll help you pick those up. I am Gwaine by the way," he said apologetically, studying her for a moment, then bending down to pick up the strewn across clothes of the queen. Good thing Adelaine was going to wash them.

"No, it was my fault, I should have been paying attention. And I'm Adelaine. Oh thanks," she said accepting the newly filled basket with a smile.

"And why have I never seen you before. I would never forget a face as beautiful as yours. Almost as beautiful as the princess Arthur's," he said grinning.

"I just arrived here about a week ago. I'm the queen's new maid," she said pointedly ignoring the silly compliment, although smirking slightly.

"Well, farewell newbie, and I hope to see you around," Gwaine stated, walking off with a wave and a broad smile.

"See you around," Adelaine mumbled, walking off and thinking over the interesting encounter with the handsome man.