Stephanie stepped back from the door. Her mother looked distressed and she wanted to know why. Eavesdropping came in handy for this occasion.

'Why is she saying things like that? What's going to happen?'

"My Lady Princess," a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Yes-Charles!" exclaimed Stephanie a bit too loud.

"Yes," Charles bowed a bit, "What are you doing here?"

Stephanie shrugged, "I was just done talking with my mother is all."

"Your mother? Oh the Queen! I was just on my way to talk to her also. She summoned me earlier."

"I see," Stephanie replied hoping Charles isn't in trouble for anything.

"Is something troubling you, Princess?"

"Huh? Oh! No...it's nothing really."

"Alright," Charles was about to knock when he turned back, "But if you need me I'll be in Vienna Palace for Easter and for most my time as a scribe. Though I would much like to be a scholar."

"Thank you, Charles." Stephanie gave a nod and headed down her way.

Charles knocked on the door softly.

"Enter." came the kind but commanding voice.

Once he entered, he kneeled before the Queen.

"Your Majesty," Charles presented a beige colored parchment to Queen Pamela, "The records as you requested."

The Grand Duke took them and handed it to Pamela.

"Thank you, Charles, Joseph." said Pamela nodded to each as she spoke their name.

"You're always welcome, Your Grace." Charles replied tonelessly. Backing away, never turn your back on the Queen, he closed the door on his way out.

'I wonder if Stephanie is alright?' he thought to himself, 'She seems like an angel falling upon earth when she fell from the magnolia tree.'

"Master Charles!" snapped Countess Lancaster.

"Yes Ma'am?"

The scribe at first confused on why Princess Michelle's governess was lying on the floor like that until...

"Watch where you are going! You could have knocked someone unconcious running like that!" yelled Lancaster.

"Sorry, but first of all, I do not have the ability to knock someone out by just bumping into them and another thing! I was walking not running!"

"Ungrateful scum!" Lancaster muttered as she got up and walked away.

"You've never done anything for me, witch!"

The Countess spun around, glaring, "Say that again and I swear I'll have your head chopped off before dusk!" she growled in a low dangerous voice.

The brunette walked away carelessly, "All I said was 'witch'"

"Who's a witch?"

"Woah! Derek! Where did you come from?"

Derek laughed at the surprised expression on his friend's face.

"I just happen to be walking by you know!" The younger man did something like a waltz, "So who's the witch?"

"That Countess Lancaster." answered Charles gesturing to the old hag who was fixing her hair in front of a window.

"I always thought Michelle says that because she hates lessons. I can't believe it's true."

"What do you mean you can't believe? The woman's a total nut!"

Derek shrugged, "She's always polite to me!"

"That's cause you're the musician. Besides, you're always charming girls."

The blonde gave a smirk, "Can't argue with that!"

Charles put a hand on Derek's shoulder, "Won't Lisa be mad if she found out?"

"Don't worry! She knows I don't really mean it when I flirt. But she does get physical when it's the women who flirt with me."

"What's the difference? It's best if you just stay with one woman."

"I'm just having friendly chats. It's not like I'm actually going to get so attach to one that I abandon Lisa and marry a random lady."

"We maybe woman but we have feelings too."

"Aaaaahhh!" they men freaked and held onto each other.

"Interesting."

Charles and Derek stopped screaming, looked at each other..."Aaaaaahh!" Jumping away.

"Hahaha!"

"Denise! What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be with Michelle?" snapped Derek, but only because he was startled.

The Lady seized her laughing, "She wanted time alone-wait a second! Don't try to change the subject. What was all that about abandoning Lisa and marrying another lady?"

"I said I won't. I love Lisa! You know that!" said Derek defensively.

"Not many marry for love..." Charles trailed off as he thought about Stephanie. A Princess. Marrying for her the good of her father's kingdom and for status.

"Did you say something, Charles?" asked Denise curiously.

"Nothing,"

"If you need anything, I'll be in the gardens getting some fresh air. Vienna is so cramped!" complained Denise.

"I'll go with you incase that 'witch' Lancaster happens to be around." sang Derek.

"Thank you! Charles! You want to come with us?"

Charles gave a small smile, "No, I'm going to go back to my chambers."

"Suit yourself."

He could still hear the two chattering until three minutes later when they reached the end of the corridor and closed the door.

"Derek?" asked Denise when they sat down on a bench.

"Yes?"

"If you ever do find another lady you'd love as much as Lisa, would you consider abandoning her?"

Derek was taken aback by that question but answered anyway.

"Of course not."

"Cause I've seen it before you know. Just like what happened to Mistress Gibbler..."

"What did happen to her?"

Denise picked a pansy from a nearby plant.

"Various men always said they loved her and she believes them. Then they always leave her."

She dropped the flower to the ground and stomped on it lightly.

"Yes, I guess I've heard from Mistress Santoni." Derek said solemnly.

Tears began flowing down Denise's cheeks. But Derek noticed nothing yet.

"I wouldn't want that to happen to Lisa...she's my friend...a very good one...next to Michelle..." her voice came out choked.

Derek handed her a hankercheif.

"I promise you," Derek whispered in a comforting tone, "I would never do that to Lisa."

Denise nodded but continued sobbing.

"Are you alright?" asked Derek with great concern.

Denise always was the calm one, the one who has enough courage to actually stand up to the Countesses. Never has he seen her break down and start crying over a small joke like that.

"Something else is bothering you, isn't it?"

Denise fell silent but nodded.

"What is it?"

"I guess I just envy everyone because they always seem to find someone and I'm the shoulder to cry on when the relationship doesn't work out."

"Usually if it were up to parents we'd be married by the time we're teenagers. We have a choice because living at the palace means no mother and father setting you up with some rich person whom you're going to spend the rest of your life with raising children, living through something horrible like the plague and your life generally ends there."

"But I don't want to end up alone till my death!" shouted Denise.

Derek placed his hand on her's to calm her down, "There there. I never said you'll be alone. In all our hearts, even the King and Queen's, you're the greatest friend anyone can ever have. Denise, you're more precious than all the Queen's jewels! Stephanie thinks so, Michelle says so. And we all know that's the fact. I'm sure whoever you love will be the happiest person because you're our one and only Lady Denise!"

Derek said "Lady Denise" as if presenting the King or Queen to everyone.

Denise giggled like a little girl, "Thank you, Derek. Now I know you won't leave my dear friend Lisa!"

The musician gave her a gentle smile.

"You're always welcome."

"Lisa's lucky."

Derek stood up to strike a pose, "Of course! She's got me!"

"I take that back!" laughed Denise.

"Anyways, I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it, Derek?"

"Why did Michelle want to be alone? She always likes company." His voice was filled with concern again but apparently more when it comes to the blonde.

"Oh, she was upset..." Denise trailed off.

"About what?"

"The Queen going to the docks to greet the Emperor of Katsopolis. The path from Vienna to the docks is very dangerous you know."

"I know that from first hand experience that is true."

"Let's pray she'll return to us safe and sound."

A/N:This was one that I was already halfway finished after posting the last two. Long chapter. I kept glancing over to the scroll thingy to see how much I typed. Anyways, I always try to make this not so crappy. The author note I mean. Everytime I put something or add something it turns out crappy. So yea. Lol I gotta shut up. Next chapter I'm not sure if it'll be tragic. Next next chapter maybe. You'll have to see!