Haley groaned in frustration. How could she have been so stupid? She was amazed that she had found the courage to look at the king's face. And now look what had happened. He was staring at her! She had been caught.

Slamming the kitchen door, Haley bustled to the table and sat down in a huff.

"What was that all about?" Karen wondered, hearing the comotion Haley had made.

"I accidently stared at the king while serving supper tonight."

"You sure it was an accident?" Karen smiled.

"Well," Haley blushed, "Maybe I did do it on purpose, I just wanted to see what he looked like!"

Karen's eyes twinkled, "He's got a nice face, hasn't he?"

Haley pretended not to care, unaware of how Karen could see right through her, "I didn't notice."

Karen nodded, "Well, if you didn't notice that, then you must not have looked at him very long or very hard, so I doubt there's anything to worry about."

"Oh, but there is!" Haley insisted, "You see, he was looking back at me!"

"Well, if he saw you staring at him, and yet didn't say anything then it doesn't matter!" Karen replied. "It also prooves what I said all along. I really think that he isn't that bad of a man"

Haley once again put up her defenses, "I still think he's a snob."

Karen rolled her eyes. She knew what Haley really thought of Nathan. Not that she blamed her! Nathan was a handsome young man, and probably every young lady he met had her eyes on him. Haley didn't stand a chance, even though she was a remarkable girl, she was just a servant.

Jules came bustling into the kitchen, interupting Karen's thoughts, "What are you doing just standing there?" the old woman growled, "Haley, I want you to go out and pick some berries for tomorrow's dessert. Karen, you finish up those dishes."

Both women sighed as they set about their tasks. Haley grabbed a pail and headed towards the berries that grew behind the slave quarters. Karen continued drying the loads of dishes.

The cool air felt good on Haley flushed cheeks. She hoped Karen hadn't noticed her blushing in the kitchen when she told her how she thought the king wasn't attractive. The truth was, Haley was captivated. She almost wished to see him again, if it hadn't been for that embarassing occurance in the dining room.

There were few rasberries left, as it was getting colder and most of them had been picked already. Haley began to walk back to the kitchen with her few precious berries. On her way back, she tripped on the root of the apple tree, sending her bucket flying and berries sailing everywhere, not to meantion landing flat on her face.

Someone was at her side in a moment. Helping her up, the stranger handed her the now-empty basket.

"Are you all right?"

Haley finally looked into the face of her rescuer. She gasped, "Y-Your Highness!" Instantly, as she had always been taught, she lowered her head. "I- I apologize, Your Majesty. It was ever so clumsy of me!"

Without another word, she ran the remaining distance to the kitchen, forgetting all about her bucket of ruined berries, and leaving Nathan feeling alone and confused.

Karen had watched the whole episode from the kitchen window. It was getting harder to see, since the days were getting shorter, but she could make out what had just happened.

The thought of a kind King helping a poor servant girl triggered something in Karen's heart. Being the natural matchmaker that she was, Karen couldn't help but notice what a lovely pair Nathan and Haley would make. Karen sighed to herself, realizing that it would never happen. For one thing, King's didn't marry servants, and for another, Nathan was already engaged.

Going back to the dishes, a seemingly endless task, Karen watched a dissapointed King of Spain walk away with his sholders slumped. "Could he really love her?" Karen thought to herself, not daring to voice her hope outloud.

An embarrassed Haley flew into the room and groaned in agony as she flung the empty basket across the island counter.

"Are you alright?" Karen asked, "That was quiet a tumble you took out there."

Haley eyes were widened in fear, "You saw it? Oh my goodness, Karen! What am I going to do!"

"What are you so worked up about?"

"What will he think of me now?" Haley screamed, "First, I'm staring straight at him at supper and now I trip over a root and find myself gazing up at his face again."

"If he is only a snobby King, then why do you care what he thinks of you?" This was a rather obvious trap, but Karen wanted to know for ceartain what Haley really thought of Nathan.

Haley fell for it, "Well perhaps he means a bit more to me than he used to," She had whispered it so softly, that Karen feared she heard wrong.

"What was that?" the older woman questioned softly.

Haley shrugged, "I just said that maybe he isn't as bad as I thought he was."

Karen burst out in laughter, "I knew it! You like him don't you?"

Haley cheeks burned, "I didn't say that!"

Karen's eyes twinkled, "Well not exactly, but I could read between the lines! Oh, to be so young again!"

Haley laughed along with her friend, "I guess I like him a little."

Karen nodded, "There's nothing wrong with that! I think there may be a chance for you!"

Haley sighed, "I'm afraid not, he's a king and I'm a servant. How could that work?"

"I know it seems unreasonable," Karen responded, "And I don't want to get your hopes up too high, but after all, he did rescue you. That prooves he must show a little affection for you."

Haley giggled, "Do you really think so? Maybe he was just being polite."

Karen shrugged, "Like I said, I don't want to get your hopes up, but it's just something to think about."

Haley was so full of different emotions, that she wasn't sure to cry or laugh. "He wouldn't like me, would he? Karen seems to think that he does, and she could tell that I liked him."

Even though Haley knew it was nearly impossible, she was filled with teenage giddyness, and skipped towards the door, forgetting for the moment that Jules would have her head for spilling the berries.

As Haley twirled about, she accidently hit the picture of the girl with her hand, sending it crashing to the floor.

"No!" She screamed as the glass shattered everywhere.

"Oh dear!" Karen hurried to the scene, "Are you hurt?"

Haley shook her head as she crouched by the damaged painting. "How could this happen? This picture was the only bright spot in the room!"

"I agree," Karen stated, "But don't blame yourself. The frame looks fine is the print alright?"

Haley picked up the painting and shook the glass off it. Inspecting it closely, she nodded yes, "I think it's okay."

"Good!" Karen grinned, "Then we can just hang it up again with no glass."

Turning the print around, Haley noticed something she had never seen before.

"What's this?" She gasped.

Karen was as surprised as Haley, "I don't know."

On the back of the painting was scribbled a little note. Although it was faded, Haley could tell that whoever had written it had very neat penmanship.

"What does it say?" Karen asked.

Haley read aloud:

My Darling Daughter Haley Marie,

May God bess you and shine His

favor apon you. I trust that you will

honor Him with your life and He will reward you greatly for it,

for He is the only one who loves you more than I do.

King Keith