Hey guyz, I know i said there wouldn't be another update till i got back...but I lied, this is the last one though.

Chapter 10

Haley shook as she read the brief note. "Who-Who is this 'Haley'?"

Karen was almost as shocked as Haley. Of course it made perfect sense that the king would write something on his painting, but if Haley found out that King Keith was her father, Karen could only guess what the queen would do to her.

"I…" Karen hesitated, knowing that by now Haley should have heard the truth, but after so many years how would she react? "I don't know who she is."

"Karen, please!" Haley begged, "I can hear it in your voice your hiding something from me! King Keith didn't have a daughter named Haley! And the fact that this girl has the same first and middle name as me is no ordinary coincidence!"

Karen began to cry. A lonely, silent tear at first and then many, noisy sobs escaped her body.

Haley eyes widened, for she had never seen her friend, who was usually so strong and brave, cry before. She didn't know what to do, so she sat there, numb, afraid that this did have to do with her.

Finally she could take it no longer, "Karen, please tell me."

Karen hiccuped and tried to talk, gasping for breath, "It's been so long, you don't know what she'll do to me!"

"Who?"

"Queen Deb," Karen went on, "She made me promise not to tell!"

Haley was shaking as she placed herself in front of Karen, being carefull not to cut herself on any glass, "Karen, this is very important to me. I need you to be brave and tell me what is going on."

Karen slowly looked into Haley eyes. "The inscription on that painting is to you. King Keith was your father." With that, Karen let out a wail and burried her face in her hands.

Haley sat like stone, trying to place together all the missing pieces. Everything she had been taught for seventeen years had been a lie. She repeated her thoughts to Karen.

Karen sighed, wiping away the tears, "I know, I know. I should have told you long ago. I - I just couldn't. I'm so sorry."

"How could you do this to me?" Haley screamed, now crying herself. "I always trusted you, and now I can't anymore!"

Karen kept on whispering, "I'm sorry, so very sorry." But Haley took little notice as she ran out of the kitchen, colasped on the grass and tried to cry all of her frustrations away.

Nathan sat staring out the library window, his thoughts centered on Haley. "This is insane!" he told himself, "It's as if I am a little kid with a crush on a schoolgirl." But try as he might, Nathan couldn't stop thinking about the servant he had helped in the orchard. "She acted like she couldn't wait to get away! I hope I didn't offend her, I was only trying to help. I wish there was some way I could apologize." Then suddenly it hit him. Why not apologize? He knew all too well that Kings never entered the kitchen, but he felt this was the time to make an exception. And besides, if he was the king then he could do whatever he wanted.

Nathan began to exit the library, when he realized that his new family members would never approve. Dan and Deb were the stuffy type of royalty, and as for his fiancé, Nathan knew that 'Princess Haley' would never agree. She was too full of herself. She would never allow him to look at another girl, let alone talk to one. Nathan sighed and wondered once again why his father would do this to him. Surely he must have known how unhappy his son would be, forcing him to marry into a family like this!

Nathan decided that he needed some fresh air to think. That was what had brought him to the orchard in the first place, and now he sensed the need to be by himself once again.

Then another idea popped into his head. Why not go riding? It would give him time to be alone, and he knew that the cool wind blowing in his face would be welcomed.

Delighted by the prospect, Nathan exited the library and found his way to the drawing room, where Dan and Deb were sitting by the fire, discussing something. When he approached they immediately stopped their conversation and focused all of their attention on him.

Nathan smiled and nodded his head in greeting, "Please excuse me, but I wondered if one of you might direct me to the stables, I feel the need for a ride."

Deb was surprised, "Why, of course my lord, but are you sure you want to venture out at this hour it is getting rather dark."

Dan glared at Deb and then continued, "Please excuse my wife's rude questions, if you wish I will have a servant ready a horse and take you to the stables."

Nathan nodded eagerly, "That would be fine, thank you."

Dan reached over and pulled a cord, calling for a servant. Karen entered promptly, her eyes still red from crying.

Deb looked at her in disgust, for she did not look her best, and then curtly addressed her, "Take King Nathan to the stables and have someone prepare a horse."

Karen curtsied, and left the room with Nathan close behind her.

"Now then," Dan continued, "What were you saying?"

Deb continued, "Our plan isn't working! Nathan isn't falling for Brooke like I wanted him to! Why, he never even speaks to her, except when spoken to."

Dan shrugged, "Little does it matter. He is engaged to her and that engagement can't be broken."

Deb shook her head, "I wish it were so, but I was going over the marriage contract, and it says that if Prince Nathan or 'Princess Haley' wants to back out after seeing each other for a month, then they can do so."

"What!" Dan didn't believe it, "That's impossible, why, his visit here is two months! Are you telling me that if he doesn't want to, Prince Nathan can just back out before his visit is even over?"

Deb nodded, "That's what it says, so we have to make sure that Nathan doesn't find it out, or our daughter may never be married after all."

Nathan soon found himself on a beautiful mount and heading towards the gate leading outside the castle walls. He couldn't wait to get out and explore a bit more.

As he passed the main servant quarters he was reminded of his earlier idea concerning the beautiful servant. Noticing that the Royal family was nowhere to be seen, he dismounted his horse and headed towards the kitchen door. However he heard a noise and stopped in his tracks, was someone crying?

Heading toward the sound, Nathan paused a few feet away from the servant girl that he was so interested in. Taking a few steps forward, Nathan cleared his throat.

The girl was obviously startled and jumped.

"Are you all right?" Nathan asked, "I'm sorry if I startled you, it seems that is the only thing I'm good at."

The girl wiped her teary eyes on her sleeve, "I am fine, Your Highness, I am sorry if I bothered you." For the first time Haley looked up into Nathan's eyes and didn't look away. She found that she couldn't.

Nathan noticed this right away, and was encouraged by it, "I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier, I believe I may have startled you, and that is not what I wanted."

When the girl did not reply, but yet did not look away, Nathan continued. "Sometimes I need to be alone, to think and that is what brought me out here."

Haley was pleased, and replied, "That is why I am out here now."

Nathan smiled, "Me too." It was a silly thing to say, but he was suddenly tongue-tied. Slowly, he sat down beside this fascinating woman. She seemed surprised, but did not give any impression that she wanted him to leave.

"What is your name?" Nathan asked of her.

Haley swallowed, suddenly noticing that her palms were damp, "It is Haley, Your Highness."

Nathan was slightly surprised that she had the same name as his fiancé, but he didn't say anything, "My name is Nathan, I really wouldn't mind if you addressed me by my first name." He had never requested this of any servant before and it felt slightly strange.

Haley was startled, "Oh, I couldn't. It- it wouldn't be proper!"

Nathan had expected as much, "Well, I guess if it makes you uncomfortable, then you don't have to. I just get sick of being thought of as royalty all the time." He had never told anyone this, and was surprised by how easy it was to talk to Haley.

Haley gave in, "Then I will try to call you Nathan, but only when we are not in public."

Nathan was satisfied with her answer because it meant that they would most likely see each other in private once again.

Suddenly a voice came piercing through the wind, "Haley! Haley! Where are you?"

"I best go," Haley realized how late it must be, "That's Jules calling me, I must have some more chores to do."

Nathan helped her up and held her hand a bit more than necessary, "I hope to see you again, So long for now." With that he mounted his horse and rode off. As Haley headed to the kitchen she felt slightly happier than when she had left.