A/N: I am trying to get my groove back into writing. This has been on my mind lately so I started writing for this. I have plans to update my other stories soon, so if you're still with me please just have a little bit more patience. Thank you to everyone that has been messaging me to complete my stories. The sad truth is that I don't have a laptop anymore and typing on an ipad just doesn't feel the same so I lost my mojo. I truly miss writing these stories, I have more but I promised myself to finish at least one before starting on another. Once again thank you for reading and reviewing.
Waking up earlier than usual so that she can finish all her chores at the palace farm, Mercedes now happily walked with the other workers towards the palace grounds. She mended her best dress last night and scrubbed herself clean hoping she can be chosen as a server for the masquerade ball.
In her 18 years of existence, she has never seen the royal family. The royal family is well loved by their people and yet it's quite rare for the commoners to have gotten a glimpse of their monarchs. There would be parades on special occasions, but Mercedes always seem to be busy with palace work being a palace servant herself. She has heard stories from older servants telling them how magnanimous the King and Queen are especially to their most loyal subjects. It is those stories that made Mercedes determined to get a glimpse of their majesties even just once in her life.
As Mercedes approached the palace gates, she noticed the queue already forming and they quickly walked up to get in line. The guards were asking each person to state their purpose and advertently pointed them to the right direction. Mercedes told the guards that she is assigned to the kitchen and was directed to the back of the palace. There were a lot of girls similar to Mercedes, wide eyed and hopeful to be chosen as a palace server. Not only are the wages better, but they will be given uniforms made from the finest materials suitable for a grand banquet for royalties. The girls waited patiently for the palace steward to arrive. Mostly kept to themselves but the others couldn't help to gossip.
"I heard the crown prince is looking for a bride." A red haired girl told her friend.
"So it is true! I thought it was too good to be just a celebration. The prince does need a princess and continue the royal family bloodline." Another girl responded.
"Whoever that princess is will be the luckiest. Our prince is the kindest most handsomest prince in all the kingdoms." The other girl swooned and Mercedes couldn't help but snicker, how could they have known who the prince is, none of the people she knows have seen him.
The prince may be everything the girls said but to her he is a big selfish prat and feels sorry for anyone that would have to marry the egotistical man. Mercedes continued to listen to the chatter for some time until a man in front cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"If you can all quiet down and direct your attention to me." The steward waited for the voices to die down before speaking again.
"You are all here as additional hands to the palace. In the next few days, nobles from all kingdoms will be arriving and will be staying for the entire duration of the festivities. Your role as additional help will be to cater and look after our guests. As a special task, some of you will be chosen to serve during the banquet. Serving our sovereign is both an honor and privilege given to only a few. Most of you will never have this opportunity again, so I suggest if you are chosen to uphold the highest dignity and present yourselves accordingly."
You could hear everyone's enthusiasm and Mercedes was just like everybody else hoping to have the privilege.
"In a moment, Mrs. Dobbs will take you in the kitchen and assign jobs for today. At exactly 12 noon, lunch will be provided in the courtyard outside the palace kitchen and before work starts again in the afternoon, I will be announcing the names of those chosen to serve during the banquet and they must immediately go to the palace seamstress to have their measurements for your garments. If no one has any questions I will take my leave and see you all at noon." The steward went back inside the palace and Mrs. Dobbs took his place.
"Alright girls, I need 20 on vegetable preparation, another 20 dressing the meats. I will personally check each of you and assign the least presentable as scullery maids. The rest will be reassigned to the housekeeping servants to prepare the bedrooms for our guests. Do I make myself clear?" Mrs. Dobbs commanded.
"Yes Mrs. Dobbs!" Everyone answered.
Sam woke up early feeling anxious knowing Mercedes will be in the palace today. The condition he demanded from his parents was to remove any paintings in the palace that included him.
*flashback
"All I ask father is that if I were to find my bride she has to love me as I am and not because I am the crown prince." Samuel explained.
"That is impossible Samuel. You are well known beyond our kingdom, taking down your paintings will not hide who you truly are!" The king finds Samuel's request inconceivable.
"Father please just listen to me. With a few exception, most have not seen me personally. Paintings can have a resemblance but until I am introduced as the crown prince no one would assume I am. Mother please. I'm not asking anyone to lie, but I just want the paintings removed in the palace until after the festivities." Samuel begged his mother.
The king was unmoved and refused to look at his son. He cannot fathom why the prince wish to hide his identity. The queen however understood her son's dilemma.
"My king, please heed your son's request. It is only the paintings and if it'll make it easier for our son to find his bride then I beg you to grant this not only for our son but for your queen too." Her majesty the queen knelt beside the King asking for his favor.
His majesty the king cannot believe what the queen was asking of him, but his heart cannot refuse anything his queen desires. In the end the king gave up his resistance to appease his queen.
"My queen, if it means that much to you I will grant it." The king lifted the queen's face and smiled lovingly at her.
*end flashback
The king immediately gave the orders to remove any paintings with the crown prince in it. They were stored in the palace treasure vault which were heavily guarded. Even though all evidence of Samuel's connection to the royal family has been removed in the palace, he still feels uneasy with Mercedes surrounded by the royal servants.
"Your highness, I'm done!" Samuel was taken out of his deep thought as his manservant announced that he's completely dressed.
"Thank you George. Please go to the stables and make sure my horse is ready for this afternoon's patrol."
"Yes your highness, I will leave at once!" George bowed and exited his chambers.
The kitchen staff were all filled, Mercedes' palace worker friend Mariane was one of the people picked for the food preparation while she was one of the girls reassigned to clean and prepare the rooms for the royal guests. Mercedes was assigned with another girl named Frances and a scullery maid named Ethel to clean the fire place. They've cleaned several rooms by now and noon is nearing for lunch.
"I can finish sweeping here, you can go to the kitchen with Frances to get cleaned up before lunch. I won't be long." Mercedes insisted to Ethel which made the girls grateful.
They quickly gathered their things and left Mercedes to finish sweeping. Once she was satisfied with the room she gathered her things and slowly closed the door behind her. Mercedes quickly descended the stairs only to realize she is completely lost. Everything looked similar, every time she went one way she was sure it wasn't the right one. She stood against a pillar trying to rethink of her steps this morning. As she was thinking, she came to a realization she has left her cleaning rags by the fireplace and quickly went back upstairs. Mercedes was in such a hurry that she didn't realize she was in the wrong wing and hurriedly open the door not seeing the royal crest outside.
"Mercedes?" Samuel asked shockingly.
"Samuel? What are you doing here?" Mercedes asked confused.
"Uhmm… I was just looking for the prince's gloves. You see, he has forgotten them and asked me to retrieve it in his chambers!" Samuel answered nervously as he raised the gloves he was holding.
Mercedes gasped in disbelief.
"Oh my goodness! I must have taken the wrong turn. I was cleaning in the guest wing and left my cleaning rags. I was hoping to retrieve them before anyone else sees it. If the prince was here instead of you I might have been placed in the stocks." Mercedes paled and Samuel immediately took hold of her.
"You don't look good, here have a seat." Samuel pulled a chair and guided Mercedes.
"I cannot sit here, the prince sits in that chair!" Mercedes quickly straightened herself and pulled away from Samuel. "I will be fine, I just need to remember my way. You should head back to the prince he might be waiting for you." Mercedes ushered Samuel out the door.
"Patrol doesn't start until the afternoon. The prince will be having his lunch first, he doesn't need it until after. I have plenty of time to help you find the room." Samuel smiled.
"I can't ask you that Samuel." Mercedes protested.
"It's nothing different from when I help you at the farm. It'll be faster!" Samuel pulled Mercedes as he walks towards the guest wing of the palace.
Soon Mercedes got her bearings and knew exactly which room she left her things. She quickly entered the room with Samuel close behind and scanned the room for anything else she missed.
"How many rooms were you suppose to clean today?" Samuel asked.
"As many as we can. I thought we'd finish all today but since this morning we've only managed to clean 2 chambers. The rooms are bigger than I expected, you can fit several of my cottage in one of these rooms." Mercedes smiled at Samuel.
Soon the bell tower chimed which meant that lunch is ready for the palace servants.
"I'd hate to ask you for a favor, but would you know how to get to the palace kitchen?" Mercedes looked at Samuel with pleading eyes.
Samuel was struck and always knew he cannot refused Mercedes.
"Come, I will show you!" Samuel took her hand and tugged to follow him.
Mercedes felt at home holding Samuel's hand. It was warm, slightly calloused and felt safe. She knew if there was anything that felt home it would be Samuel's hand with hers. Samuel stopped at an alcove and pulled Mercedes behind him.
"Stay quiet there are some palace guards roaming, they don't take kindly to lost servants." Samuel explained to Mercedes.
Two palace guards passed by and saw Samuel. They bowed and before they could address the prince properly, Samuel gestured for the guards to move along, which they complied with utter confusion. Samuel watched the guards round the corner before tugging Mercedes to move again.
"Come on, the coast is clear!" Samuel intertwined their fingers and moved along the passageway.
"If you follow that corridor you should find yourself in the entranceway to the kitchen."
"Thank you. I hope I see you again while I'm in the palace!" Mercedes smiled and quickly turned towards the corridor only to be stopped by Samuel's grip.
"What time will you be done today?" Samuel asked sheepishly.
"Probably by sun down. I will have to see how much work we still need to do, we don't have a lot of time before the royal guests arrives."
"I will wait by the stables to escort you home if it gets too late."
"You don't have to, I should be fine. There are a lot of people working late as well." Mercedes reasoned.
"But not all of them live out in the woods, by themselves!" Samuel emphasized.
"You worry too much about me, I only make you feel guilty if I need a favor, I promise I will be safe." Mercedes didn't know what got into her but she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Samuel on the cheek.
It's as if her lips were on fire, the tingling won't stop long after her lips left his cheek. Samuel was also paralyzed in shock, wide-eyed he looked at Mercedes as his heart pounded a million times a minute.
"Uhmm… I have to go!" Mercedes couldn't run fast enough. Her chest was heaving as she felt her heart pounding. "What did I just do?" Mercedes asked herself, finding no reason for her action.
Mercedes felt like she was in a trance all through out her lunch. She didn't have an appetite and her thoughts were invaded by one person. She was taken out of her reverie when the palace steward came out for the announcements.
"Everyone, please if you can gather around me."
All the girls stood up and gathered around the steward.
"I have the list of everyone chosen to serve at the banquet. For those not chosen, you will continue to work in your assigned task for the rest of the afternoon. Again, once you see your name make your way to the palace seamstress for your clothing. You will be excused from your daily work during the masquerade ball, but the rest of your time will be allotted to your assignments. Anyone who doesn't know how to read, please find somebody who can to let you know if you've been selected."
The steward dismissed the crowd but everyone watched as he hang the piece of paper on the kitchen door. One by one girls looked for their names. Some shouted for joy while the others shrugged in disappointment. Mercedes let everyone ahead of her, afraid that she didn't make it. Soon the crowd was thinning and it was Mercedes' turn to check her name. She slowly went down the names not missing a single line in case she missed her name. Suddenly, great joy and relief washed over her as she saw he name clearly written. Mercedes internally smiled and walked inside the castle towards the palace seamstress.
Samuel has finished his patrol along their perimeter and by now has returned to the palace. George his manservant quickly approached him and held the steed as Samuel dismounted.
"Your highness, your majesties are waiting in the throne room for you."
"Thank you George. I'll go straight there." Samuel strode quickly.
As soon as he neared the throne room, the royal guards opened the big oaken doors and there sat his mother and father waiting for him.
"I have wonderful news my son. Most of our guests won't be arriving until 3 days from now, but one of our dear friends; the king and queen of Northumbria will be arriving tonight. We have not seen each other in a decade and we're so excited to welcome them this evening. Your father and I were hoping you will join us in welcoming them. The last time they saw you, you were just a little boy." The queen beamed at her son.
"I have some errands left to do this evening, but I will do my best to welcome our guests." Samuel kissed his mother's cheek.
"We have not heard exactly at what hour they will be arriving, but I believe their daughter will be arriving earlier as they had to make a stop just outside the palace borders." The king added.
Sam didn't like having to introduce himself to the princess but appeased his parents nevertheless.
"Then I will look out for your majesties during my errand and introduce myself. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
The king and queen nodded as Samuel bid his farewell.
"Mercedes!" Mrs. Avery the housekeeping maid called.
"Yes Mrs. Avery?" Mercedes answered.
"I was informed some guests will be arriving tonight. The king and queen of Northumbria along with the princess Isabella. They have their own servants but you will be assigned to princess Isabella's chambers. You will assist and make sure their stay is comfortable and pleasant. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes Mrs. Avery. I will do my very best." Mercedes responded.
Mercedes made her way to the stables hoping to catch Samuel before the royal guests arrives. Sure enough Samuel waited for Mercedes as he promised.
"Samuel." Mercedes called out.
"Mercedes, are you done for the day?"
"I just came by to tell you that you don't need to wait for me. You can go home and rest, I still need to wait for the princess to arrive and make sure she gets settled in her chambers." Mercedes explained.
"The more reason I should take you home. It will be too dark then, I don't want you walking alone." Samuel protested.
"If it'll make you feel better, I will ask Mrs. Dobbs if I can sleep by the kitchen fire tonight so that I don't have to go home in the dark."
"What's wrong with me escorting you home? At least you'll be sleeping in your bed and not on the floor."
"The problem with escorting me home is that I will be up all night worrying if you've gotten home safe. I would feel much better if you go home now than waste your time waiting for me." Mercedes crossed her arms and looked at Samuel angrily.
"I knew you cared for me!" Samuel could only smile and look at Mercedes adoringly.
"Oh shut up Samuel. Just go home, I'm sure we'll bump into each other tomorrow. You have a way of finding me! " Mercedes stuck out her tongue before walking away from Samuel.
Mercedes stood on the palace steps waiting for princess Isabella to get out of her carriage. Along with her many trunks came 2 ladies in waiting, 2 footmen and 4 maids.
"Good evening your highness, I am Mrs. Avery the head of housekeeping. I am assigning Mercedes as your chamber maid. She will assist your personal maids while you're a guest in our kingdom. If there's anything you need please let Mercedes know and she will do whatever she can to make your stay pleasant." Mrs. Avery curtsied to the princess.
The first thing Mercedes noticed about the princess was that she's very beautiful and elegant. She exudes royalty and from the looks of it she expects to be treated as nothing else.
"Welcome your highness!" Mercedes curtsied.
"I have no time to converse with peasants. I wish to have as little interaction with any of you as possible. If there's anything I need my ladies in waiting will ask for it. So first thing that I would like from you is to stay out of my sight. I do not want to see anything ugly and you peasant is a sight for sore eyes." Princess Isabella glared at Mercedes.
"Mrs. Avery, my family is a very dear friend to your majesties. I expected better reception than this. And why would you assign as scullery maid as my chamber maid? I heard this kingdom is very rich, why would you dress your servants in filthy clothing?" Mercedes looked at her clothing and found nothing wrong with it.
"I apologized your highness, I will rectify the oversight and assign a royal servant first thing tomorrow morning. But in the meantime, Mercedes will be assisting to get you settled in your chambers." Mrs. Avery apologized.
"Very well. I expect the best. For now you may take the trunks to my room. Make sure you don't drop them, they cost more than you do." Princess Isabella snapped at Mercedes.
"Yes your highness!" Mercedes responded.
Mercedes looked at all the wooden trunks and wondered how she'll able to lift all of them to the princess room. It didn't help that the princess instructed her footmen and maids to go inside and have their dinner. It took the 2 footmen to unload all of it and now there's only one of her.
Samuel wandered the palace grounds waiting for the king and queen of Northumbria to arrive. Samuel saw Mercedes staring at the trunks and decided to walk towards her.
"What's wrong?" Samuel startled Mercedes.
"Samuel!" Mercedes gasped. "I thought I told you to go home!" Mercedes placed her hands on her hips as she scolded Samuel.
Samuel smirked, if only she knew that he was home.
"I volunteered to patrol the palace grounds, I will be staying in the palace tonight. What are you staring at?" Samuel questioned.
"The princess has arrived and I was ordered to take their trunks to her chambers." Mercedes explained.
"That's easy, just drag it inside!" Samuel took hold of one of the trunk's handles but Mercedes stopped him.
"I can't damage it. It must cost a fortune, I don't have that money!" Mercedes pondered some more before coming up with an idea. "I have an idea, why don't you help me put the trunk on my back while I carry it upstairs?" Mercedes smiled at Samuel.
"Are you insane? That might break your back!" Samuel sounded angry.
"I'm sure it won't! I can lift it easily so that means it's not that heavy. I just don't want it getting scuffed on the stairs, you know I'm not that tall. Come just try one." Mercedes turned her back towards Samuel and hunched a little.
Samuel refused to move and starting to get really angry with this princess he's never met.
"Samuel! Quickly, pass me a trunk I don't have all night!" Mercedes demanded.
Samuel reluctantly took one of the trunks and carefully placed it on Mercedes back. As soon as the trunk felt secure Mercedes stood up and turned around to face Samuel.
"See! I told you I can carry it!" Mercedes beamed.
Samuel crossed his arm and raised a brow at Mercedes.
"What?" Mercedes asked.
"You can carry it with my help, how are you going to put it down?"
Mercedes thought for a second and smiled before answering Samuel.
"They're all having dinner, there's nobody in the room. I can drop the trunks on the bed and place them on the floor. It's a brilliant idea!" Mercedes started walking up the flight of stairs.
Samuel carried two of the smaller trunks and walked with Mercedes. Good thing he followed her as she couldn't have opened the door.
"What would you do if I wasn't here?" Samuel rolled his eyes before entering the room.
"I knew you'd help me, so I have nothing to worry at all." Mercedes quickly entered the room and went straight to the bed.
Once the trunk was neatly placed on the floor with the other trunks Mercedes tried to rush outside for the other ones.
"No! you stay here, I'll get the rest." Samuel ordered.
"Samuel you're a knight not a servant, you shouldn't be doing this." Mercedes reasoned.
"Says who? I am a knight and my job is to help the people of our kingdom. You are a subject of this kingdom are you not?" Samuel joked.
"But it will be faster if we both did it, come on there's only 3 left. I can carry the big one and you can carry the smaller ones again." Mercedes rushed out and Samuel didn't have a choice but to follow.
Once all the trunks are safely stacked on top of each other, Mercedes walked around the room to make sure everything is perfect for the princess. Samuel simply watched her as she fluffed, wiped, rearrange things in the room before facing him with a satisfied grin.
"Make sure you're not bullied by this princess. You have better things to do than cater to every crazy idea she has!" Samuel took hold of Mercedes shoulders as he reprimanded her.
"Don't worry, this is the first and last time I am serving her. They will assign a royal servant tomorrow seeing as she's a dear friend of the royal family. She is very beautiful though, a perfect princess. If only she was nicer though, but I'm sure she's and the prince will be the perfect couple." Samuel winced as another stab at him was unknowingly done by Mercedes.
"Give the prince a little credit. Haven't you heard how kind and generous our crown prince is? I can personally vouch for him, he is just like me. It's like saying I am well suited for the princess." Samuel defended.
"I'm sorry Samuel. I would never pair you with the princess. I couldn't stand not seeing you and if you marry her I will definitely stay away from you!" Mercedes patted Samuel's back in mock apology.
Mercedes quickly ran outside the room and Samuel chased after her. They were running around the many corridors until Mercedes stopped at the same corridor entrance towards the palace kitchen. Samuel stood silently as he remembered the kiss this morning and felt his cheeks tingling as if it remembers as well.
"Have you eaten? I saved some stew and bread since I didn't have time to eat before the princess arrived." Mercedes asked Samuel.
Samuel would have done anything to stay with Mercedes but knew the king and queen of Northumbria will be arriving soon and he did promise his parents he will be there to welcome them.
"I still need to complete my patrol around the palace. If you're still awake after, I will find you." Samuel nodded to Mercedes and moved to the opposite direction.
Samuel stood while his parents sat on the throne waiting for the king and queen of Northumbria to be announced. Trumpets alerted everyone in the throne room that the Northumbria royal family is outside and just before the doors opened the steward announced King Maximilian, Queen Sophia and the Princess Isabella of Northumbria. Samuel took note of his parents' excitement as the guests walked towards them. Samuel's mother was first to stand up and rushed to Queen Sophia.
"My dear friend, welcome to our kingdom!" The queen held Queen Sophia's hands.
"Mary, it has been too long! I wouldn't miss this celebration for anything" Queen Sophia hugged her dear friend.
The king offered his hand to King Maximilian as they watched their wives reminisce their younger days.
"Henry, thank you for inviting us." King Maximilian shook King Henry's offered hand.
"I hope you had a pleasant journey." King Henry inquired.
"Very. Your kingdom is vast and fertile, the view was incredible!"
"I'm sure so is your kingdom, we have to visit soon after the festivities."
"I'm sure the queen will be delighted. We shouldn't wait another decade to have this reunion." King Maximilian gestured to the queens still in deep chatter. "May I present my daughter the Princess Isabella." King Maximilian reached for his daughter's hand which the princess graciously took.
Samuel carefully watched the princess, she is indeed beautiful as Mercedes described her, but she acted graciously, far from the impression he already has on the princess. He knew it was a façade, a person with true kindness would never discriminate. Samuel was taken out of his surveillance when the king introduced him.
"Samuel, you've grown my boy!" King Maximilian shook his hand.
The queens decided to join in and Queen Mary stood next to her son as Samuel offered his arm.
"Do you remember Isabella? You use to play together when we frequently visited each other. You got along very well back then." Queen Mary tried to trigger a memory.
"Isabella, a pleasure to meet again." Samuel kissed the back of Princess Isabella's hand.
"Always a pleasure to meet old acquaintances." The princess bashfully responded.
It didn't escape Samuel that the monarch's were all smiling at the exchange. It felt very staged and he felt nothing for the beautiful princess in front of him. He thought how Mercedes can elicit so many emotions from him with just a look or a smile.
Days has passed and the entire palace is busy as the guests arrives one after the other. Mercedes was once again waiting for Princess Lucille of Arcadia to dismount her steed. Her entourage right behind her unloading their trunks. Mercedes noticed that this princess only had a lady in waiting and 1 maid with her. Like Princess Isabella, Princess Lucille is regally beautiful with her long blonde hair and tall stature. But unlike Princess Isabella, Princess Lucille seem to be more independent, evident of riding to the palace on a steed instead of the comforts of the beautiful carriage behind her. Mrs.Avery introduced Mercedes and unlike Princess Isabella, Mercedes immediately like Princess Lucille.
"Mercedes, that's a beautiful name. I'm sure we'll be bosom buddies. I'd like for you to meet my lady in waiting Lady Camille and another bosom buddy of mine Anna." Princess Lucille introduced each one.
"It'll be a pleasure to serve you your highness." Mercedes curtsied.
"Pishposh none of that please. You may address me as Lucille if you'd like." Mercedes beamed and just nodded to the princess.
It's been a couple of days since the arrival of the Northumbria royal family and Princess Isabella is just relentless in pursuing Samuel. The free time he had that he hoped to spend with Mercedes were mostly interrupted by Princess Isabella. Finally with the palace being busy he found time to himself and started looking for Mercedes. Samuel saw Mercedes in the courtyard talking to a noble that has just arrived. The noble looked elegant and free spirited, but he just couldn't tear his eyes away from Mercedes. She looked happy and actually having a conversation. Samuel wanted so much to rush to her and grab her away from the chaos that is the palace but didn't want her to get in trouble. He hid himself by the arch and quietly watched Mercedes smiling and visibly enjoying the company of their new guest.
"If you'd like to follow me, I'll show you to your chamber and get you settled before tonight's festivities." Mercedes took one of the small bags of the princess and started making the way up the stairs as several footmen carried the heavier trunks.
Mercedes opened the door and waited for the princess to enter before following inside. Princess Lucille walked around and smiled at the very comfortable and opulent accommodation. Her kingdom has heard of the riches Columbus has and this is the first anyone from Arcadia have witnessed the generosity. Her parents couldn't travel far and so she was asked by her parents to make acquaintance with the neighboring kingdom in hopes of future alliance. Columbus and Arcadia are both peaceful kingdoms, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the unknown. Princess Lucille stopped in front of the large window and watched the people milling about in the courtyard. The princess was about to leave the window when a handsome blonde Adonis caught her attention. The man walked aimlessly smiling and greeting the people in the courtyard. Mercedes directed the footmen where to place the trunks and relayed today's activities to Camille and Anna. When she was done talking with them, she turned her attention to Princess Lucille who seemed to be amused with something outside.
"My lady, if there's nothing else I should take my leave." The princess shook herself turned to face Mercedes.
"I told you to please call me Lucille. I can't think of anything else, but please stay for a while if you can. We can have some tea and just chat." The princess paused for thought. "Actually, would you know who the striking handsome man down at the courtyard?"
Mercedes made her way to the window and scanned the courtyard. Mercedes smiled as she saw Samuel helping a farmer unload produce from his cart.
"The charming man you are referring to is a knight in our Kingdom. His name is Sir Samuel." Mercedes smiled at the princess.
"A knight, how exciting! Is he betrothed?" Mercedes felt like her heart was being squeezed and she knew sooner or later Samuel would need to find a bride and he couldn't do any better than Princess Lucille.
"As far as I know he is not. Sir Samuel likes to march to his own beat, if he is betrothed then all the kingdom would know." Mercedes politely replied.
"Interesting. Will he be attending the ball?" Princess Lucille continued with her inquest.
"I believe so my lady. Everyone is invited to the masquerade ball."
"Not everyone! If everyone were invited, you would be at the ball yourself." Princess Lucille teased as she winked at Mercedes.
"I will be in attendance, but as a banquet server." Mercedes beamed with pride.
"Excellent! Then you would introduce me to Sir Samuel tonight." Princess Lucille couldn't contain her joy as she hugged Mercedes who was clearly surprised by the noble's action. "Ladies, I need your help to prepare. Please fetch me some bath water."
"Certainly Lucille!" Camille and Anna simultaneously answered.
Mercedes nodded and quickly went out to request a bath tub bath water for the princess.
Mercedes excused herself from the princess in order to get ready for tonight's festivities. As she was walking towards the palace seamstress to collect her clothing, as familiar hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her in one of the small alcoves.
"Samuel! I need to get ready soon, there's so much to do before tonight's ball. Shouldn't you be getting ready yourself?" Mercedes whispered angrily at Samuel.
"I haven't seen you in a while and just wanted to know how you're doing?" Samuel pouted.
It was moments like this that makes it hard not to fall for Samuel. She has loved this man for so long that her heart no longer know when it actually happened. Now she also knew Samuel is her soulmate and it's making things confusing for her. Even with an aching heart, she decided to relay the princess' admiration of him.
"I actually plan on looking for you once I have my clothing for tonight's banquet. Princess Lucille; the one I'm serving, you caught her eye and insist I introduce her to you in tonight's banquet!" Mercedes forced as smile as she relayed the princess' intent.
"Please tell her I'm not interested." Samuel politely declined.
"You're saying that but one day you'll have to be interested and marry. She's a princess, if you two like each other you could rule a kingdom together. She is kind and good natured, she treats everyone with respect and you can't say the same thing about a lot of the nobles these days. Please just don't brush her off." Mercedes tried hard not to show her real emotions.
Samuel knows Mercedes more than she thought he did. He knew that it pained her that they cannot be more than secret friends because that's exactly how he has been feeling. He would die first before seeing Mercedes married to someone else. Their status was making things very difficult, he wished so many times that he was born a commoner. He wished he could run away with Mercedes and live a normal life. There are many things he wished for but the one thing he wanted out of all his wishes is to love Mercedes openly and be with her for eternity.
"I will not disrespect your friend Mercedes, if you really want to introduce her to me then I'd willingly wait." Samuel held Mercedes' hand as he stared in her eyes. "I will see you at the banquet." He kissed her hand and left her standing there.