A/N: Thank you for the reviews! Here's chapter two...

2. Big News

After donning my apron, I took my usual spot at the counter. I was in the middle of making a salad when one of the maids, Julie, walked in.

"Dame Eloise has a guest," she announced to the entire kitchen. Everyone looked over at her curiously, wondering who it was. I didn't. Dame Eloise had guests all the time. It was the only excitement the old woman had besides sewing her tapestries and flirting with the gardener, Franklin.

"I heard them say your name young lady." I looked up at this—as I was the youngest maid in the household—and sure enough, Julie was staring at me.

"Me?" I asked, just to make sure.

Julie peered at me inquisitively. "Mhmm." I knew she wanted answers, but I was just as clueless as she was. I shrugged, causing her to exit the room with a 'humph!' Julie always loved to know everything that was going on. She was worse than Stella. Well, she would have to find out for herself, because I was at a loss.

Once I'd finished with the salad and the table was set, I carried the first course into the dining room. Upon entering the room, I noticed who Dame Eloise was sitting with. It was a woman a little younger than Eloise but with her same pointed chin and nose. Though this woman—I had to admit—had much better taste in clothing. Where Eloise tended to wear dark gowns of velvet with the more lace the better, this other woman was wearing an elegant gown of powder blue and delicate pearls around her wrists and neck.

"Ah, here she is!" Dame Eloise announced excitedly. The two women both stood when they saw me. I put down the salad bowl and stood before them, confused.

"This is the girl I've been telling you about, Carolyn. This is Briden." The woman named Carolyn came around the table and pulled me into a motherly hug. I couldn't remember the last time I had been hugged that way. She smiled down at me when she let me go.

"Why Briden I am so happy to meet you! Eloise has told me so much about you. My goodness you are even prettier than she described."

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you too," I replied, smiling and wondering, who is this woman?

Eloise gestured for me to join them. "Briden, please sit. I have some news for you."

The two women took their seats, and for the first time I noticed that there were three place settings at the table. I took the seat across from Carolyn and looked at Eloise, who sat at the head of the table in between us.

"Briden, this is my cousin Carolyn. She lives in Bast, in a town called Gala."

"It's beautiful there," Carolyn commented.

"Now," Eloise began, in a more serious tone. "Briden, I am so proud of all the work you have done here. You have been such a great help to me."

"Thank you, Miss Eloise. I enjoy working here."

"Yes, well, you have so much to offer, and I know how much you like to see new places...So I wrote to Carolyn a few weeks ago about a job that you might take up at her house. Well, she has quite enough housemaids, but she has graciously offered that you come live with her!"

I stared in astonishment at Eloise and then at Carolyn, who spoke up.

"I have a daughter around your age, and you wouldn't have to be a maid. You'd simply be a houseguest of mine and may stay as long as you wish. I have several more daughters that have already married and moved out, so I have plenty of room for you. And my husband is away on business, so it'll be just us girls."

"It's your decision," Eloise stated. "I think it would be a great opportunity for you, Briden. You have been hard at work for so long, but now you're a young woman and I really want you to begin a normal life.

I smiled. "Wow, Miss Eloise, I'm honored that you would do this for me, and Miss Carolyn, thank you so much." I didn't know exactly what to say. "I am going to want to think it over a little, but it does sound like a great opportunity."

"Oh, yay!" Carolyn squeaked excitedly. Her bubbly personality filled the room, and I couldn't help but smile. I was touched by her enthusiasm to have me, a complete stranger, stay in her home. "Briden, I know that unfortunately you haven't had many parental figures in your life, but I just want you to know that I will treat you as my own if you were to come live with us."

And the rest of dinner passed with Carolyn telling me of all the great things there were to see and do in Bast and about her youngest daughter, Emily.

I walked to my room that night, both excited and nervous. Part of me couldn't wait to move and explore the kingdom of Bast. I had heard they were known for their arts, and the royal family held balls every month. I loved the arts as well as dancing. Carolyn told me the town of Gala was located right outside the royal grounds, so they attended balls quite often. According to Carolyn, plays were frequent around town too, and she even helped out with the costumes occasionally. I had always wanted to visit there, but never imagined leaving Draeden. It's been my home for so long. And I would be sad leaving Anna and Aaron and all my other friends here, but I had left friends before, and Anna would understand. Once I reached my room, I had decided. Dame Eloise was right. I did love to see new places, and who knew? Maybe I would find my true love in Bast.

By the time I crawled into bed, ready to turn in for the night, I was practically shaking with excitement. Something deep inside of me told me this change would be for the better. This was the chance of a lifetime, and I was going to take it. I had decided that I would not let my father's efforts to save me be in vain. I was going to find a way to save my life.