The next morning when Lila awoke, it was raining. Unseasonably so for mid-summer, with the air feeling a bit chilly and the sky remaining very dark. Lila personally liked days like this, as she always felt that rain was quite relaxing. Daphne for her part though did not enjoy the dark sky or loud thunder. Most of the maids also shared her friend's opinion and found the day to be a bit depressing, but Lila enjoyed the soothing sound of the rain echoing throughout the whole castle, and even in the library where they were working at that moment. From the tall glass windows she also watched the heavy downpour outside.

Most everyone else had moved onto another part of the castle while Daphne and she took their sweet time finishing up. They were almost done now, having just a few more bookshelves to dust. Suddenly though, her friend stopped dusting and turned to Lila anxiously.

"Do you think it is true that the King likes to throw girls with blonde hair into the dungeon? I heard Tam say that earlier." She asked from out of nowhere.

Lila was stunned for a moment. Then she could not help but laugh at her friend's very serious face.

"I am inclined to believe that the King has better reasons for punishing people than because of their looks." She said.

Daphne nodded seriously, letting her words sink in.

"I suppose you are right. Perhaps she was just trying to scare me again." She said with relief.

Lila shook her head. Those girls were really getting on her nerves. If only there was a way to shut them up already! Things were getting worse ever since Daven, the guard from before, had stopped meeting with Tam after work. He had probably been caught drinking and punished for it, but the other maids seemed to blame the two of them.

"You should not listen to them. What do they know about the King anyways? Honestly, all these rumors are quite tiresome to deal with." She said with a sigh.

"Yes, I am sure you are quite right Lila." Daphne said, calming down a bit.

Honestly, how silly! Lila had seen neither hide nor hair of the King since their arrival, and was unsure he ever roamed about his own castle at this point. Yet these ridiculous rumors never failed to disrupt her days. She really just wanted this all to end already.

Lila let out a sigh as she continued to dust. But just then, a sudden loud noise from a few bookshelves down, similar to the sound a book being shoved back onto a shelf, made them both jump in surprise. Lila was very startled for a moment, because she had not known anyone else was still here. Although she supposed one of the librarians may have come back from their break already.

"Who is to say the King does not do such things?" A voice suddenly said from the same direction the noise had come from.

Lila was a little offended that someone had been rudely eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I suppose it is possible that he does. But I have never seen such a thing for myself, so why should I believe in such a ridiculous rumor?" She asked.

"Fear is just thought to be the wisest course of action in most people's minds." He replied.

"Only a silly person believes every word others say." Lila stated.

The voice suddenly burst out in laughter. "Well, well, I must say that you are quite outspoken, for a servant girl."

Servant girl? Lila suddenly got a strange feeling that she was not talking with a mere librarian after all. She quickly walked out from behind the bookshelf, wondering just who they were dealing with. She saw young man was waiting around the shelf to meet her, standing there with a small book in his hand. He was very handsome, with dark hair and dark eyes, light skin and a good build. He wore a regal blue silk shirt and dark pants, along with a jewel studded crown. Four guards stood nearby him clad in full armor, each watching her warily. This boy was obviously the King, and he was staring at her with a cold smirk.

Lila's heart began to race nervously and she felt her breath catch. Daphne whimpered beside her and held onto her arm tightly and the air became tense. Lila noticed there were also two additional men standing next to the King, an older man and what looked to be his young son. Both of them had curly blonde hair in pony tails, blue eyes, and each wore green tutor clothes. The younger man was in fact, the one name Bartholomew from the night before, the one who had rescued them from the perverted guards! Lila suddenly recalled how Daven’s friend had been frightened by his identity, and now she realized why. He was in direct contact with the King!

However, the terrified expressions both tutors wore reminded her of the dire situation she had gotten herself into, so she dropped all other thoughts. She turned back to the King, knowing she had better talk quickly while she still had the chance.

"I suppose you are right about me, but I merely assumed that you are a more reasonable man than the gossip has said." Lila said in the most respectful way she could manage.

The King's eyebrows shot up with surprise, and he looked strangely intrigued for some reason, as did those standing next to him. Everyone waited in anticipation for what would happen next.

The King shook his head and chuckled again. "Your boldness really is quite astonishing! I do not even remember giving you permission to speak. On top of that, you did not address me with any respect at all." He said, stroking his chin.

Lila was in shock for a second. She had tried her best to remedy the situation, but it seems she just made it worse! Well if that was the case Daphne and she were already doomed, so she might as well try to get out of it again.

"Well to me is sounded as if you were looking for a response, but I do apologize for my hastiness my Lord. Please pardon this country girl for her impudence!" Lila said with a clumsy bow.

The King stared at her with even more interest for a quiet moment. Lila wondered what he was thinking, or more likely, what he was planning to do to them. His eyes were dark and curious, something that reminded her of a hawk stalking his prey.

"Are you really not afraid of me girl?" He asked, looking quite curiously.

Lila remained silent, not exactly sure how to respond. Did he want her to be afraid? Or was he merely trying to trick her into speaking without his permission again? After a moment the King smiled, seeing the frustration in her eyes.

"I will allow you to speak. This time." He said with a laugh.

Lila took a deep breath and stared back at his probing gaze.

"Well, I am resolved not to judge anyone merely by what I have heard others say. Therefore, I do not really know enough about you to make an opinion of fear." She replied, hoping such an answer would be logical and pleasing.

The King cocked his head and examined her with scrutiny. "But what if I really am as bad as they say? Then what will you do?" He asked with an amused smile.

Lila thought about that seriously for a moment.

"Well, it does not seem like you are to me.”

"What do you mean?" He asked with surprise.

"Well if you were as bad as everyone says, then you probably would have had me arrested already." She replied, hoping that answer was reasonable and would not prompt said outcome.

To her surprise, the King suddenly burst out in laughter again. Everyone jumped, and both Lila and Daphne stood frozen where they were. Then he chuckled a little more and came towards her, his four guards watching intently from behind. Lila tensed up but stood her ground, not having anywhere to go anyways.

"What is your name?" The King asked with crossed arms and a wicked grin.

"Lila." She said quietly, wondering just why he was so interested in speaking with her.

He smiled even more mischievously. "Well, I suppose since you have amused me I will forgive your ignorant disrespect and spare your arrest. For the time being."

Everyone, especially Lila, looked at him with utter shock. Was he actually teasing her right now with such a cruel threat?

Then the King walked passed her and towards the door to leave. The guards exited right behind him, and the father and son tutors followed as well. Both of them looked very relieved that the two of them were alright. Bartholomew even glanced her way curiously as he passed, his eyes so blue and thoughtful. Still, Lila averted her eyes, not able to handle being stared at by such handsome men, even if it was just because of an embarrassing scene. Besides, she doubted he even remembered her from the previous night…

After they had gone, Lila just stood there for a few moments, mostly confused by what had just happened. However, then Daphne turned to her in anger, reminding her of the ordeal.

"What were you thinking Lila?!” She whispered.

"What do you mean?" Lila asked.

"You could have gotten us both in big trouble! We could have been killed!" She snapped.

"How was I supposed to know that the King was here in the Library and just so happened to be within hearing range of our conversation?" Lila stated, not sure how this was her fault.

Daphne's face was almost red with the beginning of tears now. "You should have just apologized and begged for mercy like a sensible person once you found that he was! Why did you test his patience?"

Lila blushed. She had not thought of that actually.

"I apologize. I suppose I was not thinking." She said honestly.

Daphne was not satisfied with such an answer. She cried most of the day and refused to talk to her at all as they worked. She even ate separate from Lila. Then when they retired to their room things got even worse, as everyone was gathered around the lamp talking about how a maid had boldly talked to the King in the library without getting into trouble. Lila was greatly perplexed on how such news could travel so fast, especially when there had not been that many people present! Who had spread such talk? The guards or tutors perhaps?

One of the maids scoffed. "I bet you she will be arrested before the night is up."

Tam just shook her head. "Well that will serve her right! Just who does she think she is?"

"Poor thing..." Yet another girl said.

Lila feared that Daphne would expose her to the group out of anger. But she didn't say anything to anyone, and even got into bed early that night. Lila followed her lead, hoping she would wake up tomorrow and find out that her afternoon had just been a bad dream of some sort.