(A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I really appreciate it! I'll try to update a chapter every day or maybe a couple chapters every day, so you can read it like an actual book. Read and review...read and review...read...and...review...read and review... ^^)

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CHAPTER THREE - Realizations

"What is so special about the son?" Lilia asked, frustrated. Ever since she was woken up at dawn, the kitchen was in total chaos, getting ready for the home coming banquet in honor of Prince Charles, Princess Helen's older brother.
"I hear he is always draped in gold and silver," a gossiping servant, Anna chattered.
"I hear he has his own manor, country, servant, and mistress off in Avaian," another, Christine said.
"I hear he's spoiled beyond belief," Lilia muttered, quickly drying the last of Helen's garments. She carefully folded them up and made her way up to Helen's grand bedchamber.
"Watch it, wench!" Helen snapped when she collided into Lilia. Lilia stumbled, but managed not to drop the bundle of clothing in her arms.
"Sorry, miss," she murmured demurely, scooting out of the way before slipping into Helen's room.

"Father, this is unnecessary!" Charles bellowed. Char stared at his son in amusement as the latter was measured, sized, draped, and clothed with different cloths.
"Of course it is," Char said mildly. "Why else would you have to put up with it?"
"Char?" Charles' mother, Ella swept into the room. As usual, she was a glittering woman of poise and grace. Every strand of hair in place, her gown softly folded around her perfectly.
"Ella," Char nodded, his face lighting up. Charles realized that whenever his parents were around each other, they were the happiest. They got more relaxed, happy, and soft. True, it was sometimes disgusting to see his parents kiss in front of people, but he knew that they were for each other.
"Did you know Victoria took in a young woman yesterday?"
"No. Why?"
"Because she is Helen's maid and I haven't even seen a speck of her! I want to make her at home. I was like that once, remember?" Ella said softly. Char stood up, placed his arm around her waist, and the two walked out of the room, heads close together.
"Let's find out, then," Char said before shutting the door after him.
"Okay, okay, okay, stop this!" Charles scowled, pushing the tailor off of him. He buttoned up his regular shirt before slipping the blue and gold embroidered waistcoat. He quickly went out of the room and wandered towards the kitchen, looking for a piece of fruit.
"Good day, sir," a plump woman, Mandy, said, curtsying. "What brings you here today?"
"A piece of fruit," Charles grinned.
"Lily! Get His Majesty an apple!" Mandy called. Lilia stopped washing Helen's clothes, retrieved an apple and walked towards Charles. Her eyes widened as she recognized the prince and she stopped in her tracks, dropping the apple in shock. Charles sucked in a breath as he recognized the wavy blond hair and wide sea-green eyes.
"Lilia!" Mandy scolded.
"M-M-Mandy, is this Prince…Charles?" Lilia stammered.
"Of course! Get Prince Charles another piece of fruit-" to Mandy and Charles' surprise, Lilia raced out of the kitchen.

Lilia knew her cheeks were as bright as they felt. She had talked loosely with the prince! It was amazing he didn't get her fired in a minute. She had to be the stupidest girl in the country.
"Lilia?"
Lilia whirled around and faced Charlie-no, Prince Charles. She immediately curtsied and bowed her head, not meeting his eyes.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Lilia, don't be like that," Prince Charles pleaded.
"Be like what, Your Majesty? Awkward that you didn't tell me that you were the prince of Kyrria? Angry that you pretended not to be prince?" Lilia snapped. Her eyes widened. "Beg pardon, Your Majesty. Forgive me."
"You are," Prince Charles sighed. "I didn't lie to you, I just didn't mention the fact that I'm prince. Lilia-"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I must be going back. Mandy will be angry if I don't go back. Good day," she said, interrupting the prince. She walked away from him, her temper cooling down with her cheeks.
Charles stared after her. He didn't know why she was affecting him like this. She was just a maid, after all.

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


Ella noticed the blonde, sea green eyed maid serving her husband. She recognized her as the maid washing her daughter's clothing. As the young woman came up to her, holding a platter of roast lamb, Ella lightly tapped her shoulder. The maid's head shot up in surprise.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" the maid murmured.
"I would like to meet you after the banquet in the hall," Ella smiled.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid nodded, walking over to Lady Hattie, on Ella's left. Ella looked out at the other end of the table and saw Charles, staring at the maid. When he saw his mother, Charles averted his gaze and looked at the slice of lamb as if it was the most fascinating object in the world.
"Oh, Ella, this is delicious!" Hattie said between shovels of lamb, potatoes foaming at her mouth.
"Mandy made it," Ella replied, her nose slightly wrinkling at the sight of her stepsister.
"Ella, darling, did you meet the maid yet?" Char asked softly. Hattie's large ears perked up.
"The maid? You were planning to talk to a-a-a low class wench?" Hattie demanded.
"Hattie, be quiet!" Char said, glaring at Hattie. Hattie batted her eyes at him, looking ridiculous with foam of potato around her lips and gravy smeared around the lower part of her face.
"Yes, Charmont," she giggled.

Princess Ella stood next to the fire, looking regal in a form-fitting ruby red gown, a darker red, diamond studded outer coat flowing behind her. Her long brown hair was braided and twisted up around her head, forming a braided crown, a red ribbon threaded through the braid. Seeing how elegant the princess looked, Lilia was hesitant at actually talking to her. But before Lilia could move, Ella turned around and spotted her.
"Ah; Helen's maid. Come closer," Ella said warmly. Lilia scooted closer to her, standing four feet away.
"Good evening, Your Majesty. What was it that you wanted to see me for?" Lilia murmured.
"I just wanted to see if you were comfortable here and if you didn't need anything," Ella smiled.
"No, no, Your Majesty. You don't need to waste your time on me. I'm just a servant," Lilia said, her eyes on the floor.
"I was once 'just a servant'," Ella said. Lilia's eyes grew wide. A feather could knock her over. "What's your name?"
"Lilia, Your Majesty."
"A beautiful name," Ella said. "If you feel you need anything, please talk to me, Lilia."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lilia said, knowing that that would never happen. She curtsied and exited the room.
"Lilia! Iron this out! I cannot sleep in a wrinkled dress!" Helen screeched, stopping Lilia in the middle of her tracks.
"Yes, miss," Lilia said, taking the garment from the young princess' hand.
"And don't dawdle," Helen said, eyeing her maid in suspicion. "If I find a seam gone or the gown different, I will have Mother get rid of you." Lilia curtsied and hurried to behind the kitchen, where there was a coal stove with several metal irons heating.