I pulled the horse, who I had now named Lilia, to a stop on the top of County Hill. I gazed out to the summit of the next hill where my destination was placed. The Castle of Dii Greci. I hoped he would recognise me. I hadn't been able to stop thinking of him since I'd had to leave. My fear was that he had married. Tears choked me up momentarily but I composed myself and urged Lilia into a canter. I wanted to get there by nightfall. My eagerness drove us forward and we reached the city gates an hour before sunset. I smiled alluringly at the guard in the watchtower who immediately allowed me through. I hated using my feminine charms but it was necessary in this case. I dismounted Lilia once I had entered the city and guided her towards the castle. I knew the city well, even though my last visit into these walls was many years ago. My loose locks of hair played in the gentle breeze. I could feel many stares on me as I walked through the streets toward my new home…hopefully.

I soon found myself at the castle gates; I once more used my charms on the guard and was allowed through with Lilia in tow. I wandered towards the stables and paid the stable master to look after Lilia. I took the saddle bags off and carried them over my arm. Then I wandered through the gardens like I had those many years ago, although he was usually beside me. I sat down at a bench which held very fond memories. I lay my head on the saddle bag for use as a pillow and pulled the silk wrap around me tightly. This area was seldom used or walked through. I remembered him telling me. I stared at the now starry sky and closed my eyes, falling into a peaceful slumber.

'Enchante, Ms. Swan,' his smooth voice carried over the music and filled my heart with hope. I giggled and lowered my eyes.

'May I ask toy your name, kind sir?' I asked politely. I already knew who he was but I had to be polite.

'Why of course not! You must guess,' he joked. I laughed loudly and he joined in. I felt truly happy to now be on this visit with my father.

I awoke with a start. I despised my dreams; I was never safe from them in my sleep. I used to awake from these nightmares back in my old home, in the kingdom of Pozzi Profondi, in the state castle. Lilia used to have to soothe me and wipe my brow. How much I doted on her and how much I terribly missed her now. I sat up and squinted from the bright morning sun. I sat up and smoothed out my dress. I brushed my hair out with the comb I had managed to acquire on the eve of my escape. I left it hanging down. I found the hollow tree he had shown me and left my saddle bag in there but I kept my wrap and money bag with me. I walked fast toward the castle doors that's intricate design never failed to amaze me even after three score viewings. I requested entrance to the castle and it was granted by the same guard who had been on duty at the castle gates the previous day. I thanked him and went in. I knew my way easily around the mass of halls and corridors that followed.

I knew that I could not get close to him unless I worked here or had personal connections. I definitely had the personal connections but he wouldn't recognise me. I wandered into the maid's quarters and applied for a job although they were always full of people trying to get close to the King and his sons. To my utmost surprise I was accepted almost instantly. The head maid introduced herself as Mrs Cope and showed me where I would be staying and what my chores would be. I thanked her profusely and asked to go out for a walk so that I could fetch my bag, although I didn't tell her that bit. She agreed and said my first chore would be in the heart of the castle in the royal family's rooms at dawn. I thanked her again and walked out into the garden. A plan was unconsciously forming in my head. I knew my way around the entire castle, including the royal family's rooms. I had spent far too much time with his sister, cousin and best friends in my time here, not that I regretted a single moment of it. I hoped I would find him and talk to him, and then I remembered that I was a lowly maid and could not.

I kicked the dirt lightly with my foot. I ran towards the hollow tree and got my saddle bag out of hiding. I ran back to the castle with it and found my room in the maids' quarters. I placed my bag on the bed and unpacked it into the small cabinet beside my bed. A girl about my age walked in and lay down on her bed by the window which was right next to mine. Then she noticed me.

'Oh, I'm sorry, I did not see you. You must be new. My name is Angela; if you need anything just ask. Also what is your name?' she asked quickly. I smiled at her, a friend maybe.

'My name is Bella, I think Mrs. Cope wanted me to ask you if you could show me to my first chore room tomorrow morning as it is yours as well,' I told her. She smiled at me.

'Of course, Bella. You don't seem alike those other girls who get employed here. You seem sane and composed at all times, I can see us being friends,' she told me happily.

'I'd love to have a friend here!' I announced truthfully, and then I added, 'Who else sleeps here?'

Angela snorted in a very unladylike manner.

'Lauren and Jessica, ignore them. It's probably best. They only came so they could be close to the royal family mainly the men,' she laughed rolling her eyes. I laughed along with her, failing to mention I was only here for him.

A bell rang about an hour later. Angela and I had been getting to know each other and I'd been hearing stories about the castle scandal in the last few years.

'So the prince has been so far in love with that someone for five years, who'd had to leave very suddenly, that he has been very depressed recently especially. He wouldn't tell many people her name; they are still searching for her. He hardly ever leaves his room or her old room next door. He is usually asleep if he is there. I think we may be there tomorrow or one of the rooms next door,' Angela told me quietly as if not many people knew. My breath caught in my throat. I'd left five years ago. Tears welled in my eyes and I turned away from Angela. I felt her hand on my shoulder.

'I'm sorry, are you okay? Did I say something that upset you?' she asked gently. I shook my head.

'I'm sorry too. I guess I just miss my home,' I lied easily. There was a loud knock on the door.

'Girls!' a voice snapped. 'Bedtime!' Angela rolled her eyes.

'Jessica? Haven't you got your nightie on yet?' Angela called out. Two frightened girls ran in and threw on their night dresses.

'Works everytime,' Angela whispered as she pulled out her nightdress. I reached over to my cabinet and pulled out my deep blue silk nightdress. I heard three gasps. I looked around to see both Jessica and Lauren (Angela had told me in detail who was who) with their mouth's hanging open staring at my dress. Angela's eyes were wide open but she had politely shut her mouth.

'How can you afford a nightgown like that?' Jessica snapped in shock. I turned to her and smirked.

'With money and connections,' I told her. Then gazing once more at the dress laid out on my bed. His sister had given it to me on the eve of my departure, not that either of us knew I would be leaving the next day. A tear trickled out of the corner of my eye. I wiped it away quickly. I missed her and her personality. She would always bring me up when I was down.

'It was given to me as a gift,' I concluded with a final note in my voice as if daring them to comment anymore on it. I dressed in it and lay in bed, pulling up the covers to my chin. Lauren clambered on to my bed and then proceeded to try to get to know me. I didn't want to sleep so I gave in and told them almost everything they wanted to know. Eventually they stopped asking questions and went back to their beds. Then we all went to sleep.

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How was it? If possible I'd like a few more reviews. Not that I didn't appreciate the ones that I got but...

Cem1818- I hope to answer your questions through the story itself rather than giving you an outright answer.

lol

Love you guys,

Beth 'Hopelessly Bored' Cullen

xx

PS I have a blog now- www.bethcullen.