CHAPTER TWO - Meeting each other

"My goodness, you're a stick!"
Lilia blushed and looked down.
"Well, not to worry. We'll fix that," Mandy smiled and proceeded in the process of making the normal maid's attire into something that wouldn't look as if it was a piece of cloth draped over Lilia's skinny frame. With some major altering-as the last maid was a very overweight woman-and a lot of hemming, soon, the bloated, shapeless blue blouse and skirt became a slim-fitting, floating outfit.
"That's better, isn't it?" Mandy said, giving Lilia a pair of shoes, a handkerchief, an apron, and a small brown packet labeled WAGES with a thick, crude hand.
"What's this?" Lilia asked curiously, holding the packet up.
"That is where your monthly wages will be put in, so hold tight to it," Mandy replied. "Now, you will be Helen's maid-"
"Excuse me, but who's Helen?" Lilia asked.
"Princess Helen-the daughter of Prince Charmont and Princess Eleanor. She's of fourteen years and very hard to handle," Mandy answered, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh."
"Yes. You will take care of Helen, do the chores needed to be done, help out with the kitchen staff, and do the housework here. At the end of the month, you shall have 12 silver KJs deposited into that packet. Now go along, I have to start lunch," Mandy said, shooing the young woman away from her.

"Charles!"
Charles turned around in time to see his fourteen-year-old sister, Helen, rush to him, arms held open.
"Ooh, Charles, you're back! I thought you would never come," Helen said happily, jumping into Charles' arms.
"Did you really miss me or are you just happy that I came so that there would be another excuse for a ball?" Charles teased.
"Oh, Charles, you know I missed you," Helen pouted. "Anyway, did you know Victoria took in another maid? A scruffy, lost, wild…thing that was out in the rain when Victoria came across her." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway…did you know Father and Mother are hoping you will find a bride at your home coming ball."
"Not this again," he groaned. "I've already told them that I don't want to be set up, I want to fall in love-like Father did with Mother."
"Well, that technique won't work, Charles. Aunt Hattie's friend, Lady Cornelia already has her sight on you. She thinks that you and Bethel will be perfect for each other," Helen laughed.
"Oh no…Bethel? Not the cow look-a-like?"
"Yes, that very one. But don't worry. Your children will look very much like a cross between a cow and a monkey," she snickered. Charles grinned.
"Be quiet!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lilia breathed in the cool evening air. Only an hour ago she had finished cleaning up after Helen and had finished her part in the kitchen. Now she was free to do as she wished until dawn next morning. She loosed the kerchief around her hair and held the piece of cloth against her hip. She looked up and smiled when she saw the familiar arrangement of stars above her, decorating the dark night sky.
"Pardon me!"
Lilia stumbled to the ground. Too busy watching the sky; she hadn't seen the tall figure walking towards her. She looked up at a tanned face with jade green eyes, a brush of freckles sprinkled across his nose, and a mop of wavy dark brown hair. Seeing that he was wearing a simple blue collared shirt and a pair of stiff black pants, she thought him as one of the higher servants in the palace.
"How do you do, sir?" Lilia murmured, curtsying quickly. "Pardon for bumping into you."
"No, no, my apologies. Are you new to the palace?" the young man asked.
"Yes. Victoria took me in only yesterday," she answered. "Do you work here, too?"
"Ah, I-I work for King Jerrold and Prince Charmont," he stammered, looking at the ground.
"Of course you do!" Lilia laughed. "Are you a governor for Princess Helen or Prince Charmont's son?"
"In a way."
"I see. I best be on my way, sir. Good evening," she nodded her head and began walking away.
"Wait! I never got to know your name," the young man called after her.
"Lilia."
"I am…I am called Charlie."
"Good evening."
"Good evening."