Previously:

Lucas froze and stiffened. "Too long," the girl added as an afterthought. When he made no move to respond, she spoke again, the frown in her voice evident. "Well? Won't you look at me? At least greet me, brother."

Lucas turned and bowed stiffly to her. "To what do I owe this honor, Princess?" He hissed venomously. She laughed airily, and waved her hand. "Only this,"she glideded forward and handed him a letter. "Au revior. I will see you there, yes?" She glided out of the room, leaving an angry and stupefied Lucas behind with a letter in his hand.

Lucas opened it and, when he read the contents of the letter, dropped his pear.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Her Majesty, Princess Georgiana Paige Katherine Rivera, of Witherside Kingdom, to His Majesty Ronald Peter DeFranc, of Hensley Kingdom, on the Second of April.

Lucas ran out of the room after her. He grabbed her arm and wheeled her around quickly. When he looked her in the eyes, Georgiana pouted. "I expected a more excited response, brother."

"I am not your brother," Lucas snarled at her. "Nor will I ever respond to any claim you make of that being so." He took a deep breath to calm himself. He hated when she brought up painful memories. Especially of rejection. "What do you want, Georgiana?" The hatred in his voice was evident and she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, stop being so dramatic," she pointed to the apple in his pocket. "I presume you haven't yet dined?"

Lucas began to say he had when a voice behind him interrupted.

"Lady Georgiana!" His father boomed. Her face quickly took on the appearance of being excited.

"Sir, it has been a while," she curtsied. The king quickly took her hand and kissed it politely.

"I was just asking the Prince if he had dined," she told the King, grinning falsely. Or so Lucas assumed.

"Oh, not yet, he has been in a meeting all morning," the older man laughed. "Would you care to join us?" Georgiana smiled her perfect smile.

"That would be lovely," she looked at Lucas. Her deep brown eyes penetrated his green ones and he shuddered softly, a feeling he had long ago buried away making an appearance once again. He shove it aside and hardened his gaze.

"Actually, father, my head has been ailing me, I must respectfully decline," his tone was icy. He bowed to each in turn, and then took his leave.

"I'm sorry, milady," Juliet ducked her head as she entered the tea room. "I was...held up."

"It's fine, Juliet. Just be sure to arrive earlier next time," the queen waved her hand to a seat to her left. Juliet sat down and looked to the queen hesitantly.

"You're timid," the older woman stated. "Why?"

"I-" Juliet faltered. "No reason."

"Tut-tut," Queen Regina shook her head. "Your job is to talk to me, yes? And if I ask a question, it must be answered. So, I ask again," she settled back into her chair. "Why?"

Juliet began pouring the tea. "I'm afraid you won't like what I have to say."

She chuckled. "My dear girl, I have heard much worse things than you can imagine. I doubt you can do much to surprise me now."

Juliet sighed. "Well," she handed the queen her teacup. "I was talking outright to the prince. Not just a simple 'sir, would you like this,' or 'sir, do you want sugar with your tea,'. I was...conversing. Like a friend. And I'm a servant. I'm not allowed to do that. I don't know what got into me. And then a woman entered the room...she saw us! Surely she is a princess or a high ranking official's daughter. She was so beautiful and rich. And she saw me talking to your son, the prince like I had a right to," she clasped her tea cup tightly, without breaking it, and sighed. "I just...I feel horrid."

She stared miserably into her tea, watching the brown liquid swirl and steam in her cup, waiting for an outburst from the queen. There was a few moments of silence, and she looked up cautiously. What she saw surprised her. Queen Regina was laughing! Chuckling and shaking her head- not the least bit annoyed. Juliet cocked her head in confusion.

"Ma'am?"

"You do make me laugh so," she replied, smiling widely. "Fear not, I am not upset. But tell me, why do you talk so with my son?"

Juliet looked down again. "I don't quite know," she admitted with a shrug. "I just...I feel open around him. Like...like he can listen to me."

There was a pregnant pause, and Regina sighed. "I see. What did this beautiful woman look like?"

"She had flowing blond hair. It looked very soft, and it was braided very intricately. Her dress was made of what looked like very expensive silk, imported from the east. And her eyes...they were the deepest brown one would ever see. Like the darkest coffee or strongest tea," she explained.

"You remember much," the queen commented.

"I...I have a good memory."

"You seem to know much of the world. You speak of silk and coffee- what servant knows of these things? You talk of the east, and yet, only a cultured girl would know anything about this." Juliet had turned pale. "The girl you saw, she is Princess Georgiana. She was once my other son's lover, before he died."

"Does the prince...does he love her?" Juliet whispered. "I was told that they courted before."

"Once upon a time they did. But love? No. Not anymore. Granted, she will always hold a place in his heart, because he did love her before. Now he is just bitter." The Queen leaned forward again. "Now answer my question. Who are you?"

"I-I am Juliet. I'm a servant girl," Juliet stammered.

"Yes, but who are you, really?" the older woman looked at her intently.

"I-I really must be going," Juliet stood up quickly and curtsied. "I have to get back to my duties." She gathered the tea cups and platter swiftly and strode out the door, murmuring a farewell and a promise to return again.

"Quaint girl," Regina wondered out loud.

I

It had been a week since Georgisna had arived. The queen had fallen ill with the cough, and was not able to talk, therefore Juliet hadn't spoken about her past to her yet. she also hadn't seen the prince in a week, either. He was proabably busy with that Georgiana woman. Juliet scowled. Then, she shook her head and frowned, disgusted at herself. She was not alowd to be...jealous of who the prince decided to spend his time with. What was he to her anyway? She decided that he was her friend. He cared about her; at least, her opinion. And that is what friends do, right? Juliet let out a sign. This man was confusing. One day, he would carry on lengthy battles of wit with her, often becoming shocked at her wealth of knowledge, then the next day he was dismissing her as quickly as possible. She had to be more careful with what she said, though. People were beginin to catch on, and she couldnt let anybody, especially not the prince, know who she was or where she came from.

She was so immersed in her thoughts that when a pair of boots entered her view, she didn't notice until she crashed into the body belonging to the boots.

"Oh! I'm sorry-" She trailed off when she looked up. Once more, the subject of her deep thinking was before her. She had almost fallen, and his hands were pressed against her lower back, his arms wrapped around her, catching her. She had gripped his shoulders in an effort to steady herself. She blushed and quickly removed her hands.

"Juliet," he pronounced, pleasantly surprised. He grinned and looked down at her worried face. Seeing her expression, he frowned and asked, "Juliet, what's wrong?"

"Nothing sir," She avoided his eyes.

"Well then, Juliet, What are you thinking of?"

"It's just, you...well..."

"Yes?" He pressed, still holding her.

"You seem to really like my name," she said finally. "You keep saying it," She looked up at him and he laughed, a deep, rumbling laugh. "And you are still..." She trailed off and looked up at him, feeling awkward and crowded. He grinned slyly at her, bemused.

"Still what, Juliet? Holding you?" His hands pressed against her, pulling her close. "It seems I am," he smiled, his eyes sparkling. His face grew serious. He tucked away a stray hair behind her ear. "Juliet." He whispered. He lowered his face and closed his eyes.

Realizing what was happening, Juliet's eyes grew round and she froze, afraid. His lips brushed hers softly. She didn't know what to do. She closed her eyes, not lovingly, but terrified. She pushed him back softly and he opened his eyes.

"Juliet?" Realization hit him and he released her, stumbling back. "I-I-" He ran his hand through his hair. "What did I do?" He began to pace. She stood still and lifted her hand to her lips.

"You kissed me." She breathed.

"I did. Damn it!" He slammed his fists against the wall, startling her. He suddenly and sharply turned to her, rage glowing in his eyes. "This. Never. Happened." he growled, and then stalked off, leaving her pale, shaken, and extremely confused.

Jacob looked around and shuffled past the maids into the kitchen. The package under his coat was small and hard to notice, so Connie never saw it. When he passed through the kitchen, he made his way to the pantry. He glanced around, set the box under a shelf, ripped the front off, and Slipped away. A small, pink, whiskered nose stuck out and a quiet chirp was heard.

Lucy shared a quiet but meaningful glance with Jacob as he passed. He winked, and left. Lucy smiled to herself. It was all coming together.

A/N: I didn't get much of a response on the last chapter...and I thought you guys would care! *pouty face* I did apologise for such a long wait. So...so make it up to me, k? We did get a glimpse into Juliet's past, though. And to make it clear, Georgiana only called him bother because she is a brat. A brat who likes to bring up the fact that she jilted Lucas for his bro. I love this chapter. I hope you do too!