Princess Abigail needed to compose herself. Maybe Micheal was telling the truth. Dance instructors might have had similar teaching practices. She sent an invitation to Mrs. Freya for today in the afternoon. Sir James was reliable, but she needed to verify more about the dance instructors. 

She heard a knock on the door, and her brother, Alfonso, appeared at the door. 

“Abby, I need your assistance!” said Prince Alfonso. 

“Of course you do. Just let me send this invitation out to Mrs.Freya,” said Princess Abigail. She handed the invitation to Mary. She then asked Teresa to bring in a few refreshments for her and her brother.  Her brother began to pull out a few books and pages of paper. Just when her desk was filled with paper, she noticed that her brother reached further into his briefcase for those papers. Abigail realized that it would be a long discussion. 

“Before you say anything. I have been working on the budget for the museum for several months, but I haven’t been able to get my head around everything,” said Prince Alfonso. 

“Alfonso, the opening of the museum is just four months away. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” said Princess Abigail. 

“I thought I could solve this alone for once,” said Prince Alfonso.

“Luckily for you, the building was purchased several years ago. We just need to prioritize the grand opening and the budget for the first year,” said Princess Abigail.

“I have a few ideas for the grand opening, but I need your help to ensure it falls under the budget. Every time I look at the numbers or revise the plan, the budget doesn’t look the same,” said Prince Alfonso with an air of frustration. 

“I see. What are your ideas for the grand opening?” said Princess Abigail. She held a pen and was ready to write his ideas regarding the opening ceremony.  

Prince Alfonso and Princess Abigail discussed the ideas for the opening ceremony and slowly went over the budget. She noticed that her brother reversed the order of the numbers consistently and often without rhyme or reason. At first, it startled her, but she remembered this was a childhood habit her brother had displayed for years. She did not want to draw attention to it since, in the past, her brother had reacted in a hostile manner due to his past. Unfortunately, their teacher often mocked him for this habit. She tried numerous times to get their  Father and Mother to intervene and get a new teacher but was unsuccessful. Her mother said she knew Alfonso’s bad habits and that the teacher only tried to improve the situation. Finally, she spoke with her grandfather, who intervened. He spoke with Alfonso for several hours, and after their discussion, her grandfather fired the instructor. They had a series of instructors every four months for almost two years since the instructors could not help Alfonso. Finally, their grandfather decided that each child would have a separate instructor. Unfortunately, Alfonso’s instructors never completed the entire year. However, Alfonso was a gifted conversationalist and adept reader. Abigail tried to assist her brother. Alexander and her mother ridicule their mother whenever they learn that Alfonso sought her help. Alfonso and Abigail had learned over the years that they could not count on Alexander to keep their secrets from their mother, and as a result, their relationship with their brother was strained. 

Their job was finally done, and Alfonso set out to provide directions to his staff. As he headed out, Naima entered the room.  He dropped his briefcase and the documents he carried. Naima gathered all of the papers and handed them back to him. Alfonso took hold of the papers but left without a word. 

Abigail asked, “Naima, what brings you here?”. 

“We received a note from Mrs. Freya. The other maids could not leave their tasks to hand you the note,” said Naima. Abigail took the note from Naima but noticed that Naima wanted to tell her something but was hesitant.

“Naima, do you need anything else?” said Abigail.

“Yes, Duke Arama seems to be waiting for you in the sitting room. Should I send him away or escort him here?” said Naima.

“Escort him to the Gazebo and ask one of the other maids to assist you in bringing tea for us. If Mabel has returned from her earlier errand, ask her to assist you with the refreshments. She always seems to know Duke Armara’s preferences,” said Princess Abigail. 

Abigail thought Naima seemed to be getting along with the other maids since she did not protest her directions.

Naima was walking to the maid’s quarter when she saw Mabel. She quickly caught up to her. Naima informed her that Princess Abigail wanted Mabel to assist her in preparing refreshments for her meeting with Duke Armara. 

“Duke Armara is here?” inquired Mabel. 

“Yes, he is waiting in the drawing room. I will escort him to the pavilion in a few minutes after we set up the gazebo with the tea set,” said Naima. 

Mabel agreed, and both maids went to the kitchen to gather the necessary supplies for tea time. The kitchen was in the basement, and a few windows provided natural light. Naima loved this kitchen since it was decorated with beautiful tile painted with unique floral patterns. The kitchen table and chairs were painted bright colors, and the staff always sang or spoke loudly. The kitchen had its vibrations and colors that made Naima feel alive. 

The staff greeted her and Mabel with laughter and assembled the baskets with bread and sandwiches. Mabel instructed the staff to include a tea sandwiched with Prosciutto-Fig and Caprese. Additionally, she asked them to mix tea and lemonade. 

Naima stood in admiration as Mabel dictated the items that needed to be included in the basket. She also noticed how Mabel went to the china closet to locate the blue china decorated with a mountain landscape. Mabel paid close attention to every item, and before they left to set up the table in the gazebo, she noticed that Mabel straightened the bow in front of her uniform. Naima realized she was not the only maid to have fallen in love with someone unattainable. 

While Naima set the table with a lack of enthusiasm and disengagement, Mabel set the table with love and care. She even placed a floral vase with red flowers in the center of the table. Naima thought Mabel had done an excellent job, just as she had done when baking for the royal family. She wondered if anyone, especially Prince Alfonso, noticed the difference between her cakes and the others baked by the kitchen staff. 

Naima and Mabel headed back towards the palace. Before they reached their destination, Naima decided to ask Mabel a question.

“Mabel, would it be possible for you to escort Duke Armara to the gazebo? I am still very new to the palace, and I don’t want to offend him by accident,” said Naima. 

“I don’t mind at all, Naima. But you must tell Princess Abigail that Duke Armara is waiting for her,” said Mabel. 

Naima agreed and smiled when she saw the dreamy look on Mabel’s face. Mabel seemed very serious, but she looked much younger when she smiled. It was an astonishing change. 

They reached the drawing room, and Mabel hesitated outside of the door. Mabel gathered her courage and stepped into the drawing room. 

Duke Armara stood once he saw Mabel entering the room. He was tall with green eyes, and his dark hair was slowly graying. At forty-five years of age, he was still attractive. He seemed to be at ease in any room. Mabel met Duke Armara years ago when he visited the palace on her first day at work. She had gotten lost in the King’s palace, but Duke Armara helped her to find the King’s office. She had always been shy, but Duke Armara’s gentle tone made it easy for her to speak with him during their short encounter. 

After a few minutes, he cleared his throat, and Mabel came to her senses. 

“Duke Armara, the meeting with Princess Abigail will occur in the gazebo. Please allow me to escort you there,” said Mabel.

“Thank you, Mabel,” said Duke Armara. 

“You know my name?” inquired Mabel.

“Yes, I try to learn the names of the staff who worked in the palace, and we met several years ago,” he said.

“Yes, five years ago. You have an excellent memory,” said Mabel.

“Thank you. How has life been in the palace? You seem much more at ease than the first time we met.” said Duke Armara.

Mabel wanted to laugh out loud. She had been nervous about working in the palace. She had never worked anywhere before, even though she was thirty-three years of age when she entered the palace. She assisted her mother in caring for her younger siblings and her mother when she fell ill—time had passed by without her knowledge. Her siblings were able to secure apprenticeships with well-known trade masters. However, she was older and could not find other opportunities than working in the palace. As time passed, Mabel felt that the palace had become her home. 

Duke Armara smiled when she said that. 

“I’m happy you found a home in this place,” Duke Armara said.  They reached the gazebo, and their conversation came to an abrupt end. Duke Armara sat down, and Mabel stepped to the side of the gazebo, disappearing out of view.