Lila held back a groan and did not even dare glance at any of the many surprised faces that were forming on the faces of all those nearby. She just bowed a bit lower in acknowledgment of his greeting.

"You may rise." The King said, sounding amused already.

Lila wished to remain facing the floor as she was, but she reluctantly obeyed and raised her head. She even faked a polite smile, really hoping this would all end well just as the day before. It was quiet for a moment as the King just stared at her with intrigue. This time Lila noticed Bartholomew staring intently at her as well. She averted her gaze from both pairs of probing eyes.

"What, nothing feisty to say today? I just assumed you had some opinion to share with me." The King suddenly said with a smile.

Lila felt her heart flutter nervously. She had to be more careful with her words this time! She did not want to test him a second time and risk punishment. Besides, all the maids eyes were on her at that moment…

"What would my Lord like to hear?" She asked politely.

The King tilted his head and examined. Then after a few seconds he frowned, obviously not pleased.

"What a shame, you are just as I thought after all." He said with a disappointed sigh.

Lila frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Daphne squeezed her arm again, and Lila put her hand over her mouth with a gasp. But it was too late, the words had already been spoken.

The King suddenly formed a genuinely entertained smile. "Oh, I was just starting to think that maybe you really were a coward after all, despite your brave talk before."

Lila was again surprised by another unfair comment of his.

“Surely, I must speak or be silent, yet you have not been happy with either!" She replied defensively, unsure of his reasoning.

The King burst out in surprised laughter, both of the tutor's eyes bulged, everyone else gasped, and Daphne pinched her arm in anger. Lila sighed quietly. She had no control over her mouth sometimes…

"I-I meant no disrespect your Majesty, I am just confused." She added quickly.

The King smiled. “Well, I see you can indeed be feisty with a bit of coaxing."

Lila's eyebrows shot up with surprise. She suddenly wondered if he was saying all these things just to see how she would react.

The King examined her and then laughed. "If you have something you wish to say, please express it to the rest of us."

Lila blushed. She forgot that her face practically expressed itself. She had to be careful to control her expressions around him too!

"I-I am just honored your Highness remembered a servant girl like me." She lied.

He chuckled. "Well, it was easy to recognize you by your wild red hair. I saw you from down the hall."

Lila frowned. How embarrassing to be remembered by the King because of her ridiculous hair. And how rude for him to say such a thing to a girl!

The King smiled in amusement and looked at her curiously. "What is it now?"

She shook her head and looked away. "Well, to be told I am remembered by the King only because of my wild hair is quite embarrassing."

He raised an eyebrow. "I see. Very well, then shall I remember you by your freckles instead?"

Lila frowned even more. Why was he saying such unkind things and being so irritating?

"You are being very rude!" She snapped, feeling extremely flustered.

The King started laughing quite hard for a moment. He was really enjoying himself it seems. But Lila was ready to just kick herself! Why could she not seem to keep her mouth shut at all around this man? It was like he was trying to frustrate her! Even the tutor's son was grinning and seemed amused by her spectacle now.

"I suppose you may be right, but I cannot seem to help myself. You are just too interesting!" The King said with another chuckle.

Lila flushed deep red again. Was she really so unusual that the King has taken such notice of her like this? Why could he not simply forget her face and leave her alone already?

"Well, well, your Majesty is having fun I see,” a new voice suddenly said.

The King's face lit up with surprise and he suddenly spun around to where the voice had come from.

"Zaccheus, I did not see you there." He said, sounding caught off guard and a little embarrassed.

A man, one tall and weasel like, walked over to him from the opposite hallway accompanied by two guards. His eyes were cold and wary, and his expression was smug. Lila knew right away she did not like whoever he was.

He bowed before the King. "I am only coming to check on your tutors. I hope they are doing a fine job."

The King nodded. "Yes, I am very pleased with their work."

Both of tutors bowed and blushed bashfully in response. It was then that Lila noticed just how very handsome the son was, especially when he smiled and his cheeks were slightly pink. He must have sensed her gaze, for he quickly turned and looked her way. Their eyes met briefly, but she immediately turned away with furious embarrassment and went back to staring at the ground.

The tall man nodded. "That is good to hear. But sire, may I request a brief audience with you in my office?"

The King's face fell and looked a little pale, although he tried to hide it. Lila was quite surprised by this. Just who could intimidate the very intimidating King?

“Yes, of course Zaccheus. We shall go immediately." The King replied.

Then he turned back towards his tutors.

"You are dismissed for the day then Mr. Jameson, Bartholomew." He said, nodding to each one as he said their name.

Then he suddenly turned to face her with a mischievous smile.

"Good day, Miss Red Hair." He said in a most rude tone of voice.

Lila had to fight back an angry glare as he turned and walked away. Everyone then bowed and remained quiet as the King walked away, the man Zaccheus and all the guards following. No one dared to move until they were completely out of sight. Then there were just the maids and tutors left in the hall.

Lila wondered if she could possibly run away before anyone had time to question her about today's events. She dared to look up from the ground and saw all eyes were still on her. So her peaceful life here at the castle had been completely ruined thanks to that selfish and childish boy of a King! Now how was she supposed to go about her day quietly? There was sure to be endless questions and gossip about her until the day she died!

Lila took her broom and began sweeping again, eyes solely on her work so as to avoid everyone's stares. But Bartholomew, suddenly approached her. For the second time as well.

"Miss, may we speak with you for a moment?" He asked with a charming tone.

Lila stopped sweeping and turned toward his direction.

"What is it sir?" She asked, eyes still glued to the floor.

"I just wish to commend you. Your boldness is quite admirable." He said with smile in his voice.

Lila nodded in response. "Th-thank you for such a compliment."

"Yes, you spoke for yourself quite well both yesterday and today." The father, Mr. Jameson said.

Lila held back another groan. Great! Now everyone really would know it had been her who spoke with the King yesterday. Not that there was much doubt left in anyone's mind.

She finally looked up from the ground, not wanting to be too rude to men so close to the King. The son met her gaze and smiled. Then he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"My father and I are the King's tutors. Well actually, I am just the assistant. We are here from Darbish." He said cheerfully.

"I see. Well, that must be an interesting job." She replied politely.

The boy gazed into her eyes and smiled the most handsome smile she had ever seen. "Indeed, it is sometimes. Though I find the people more intriguing than the job itself."

Lila quickly looked back down at her broom and began sweeping again, too embarrassed to keep up the conversation any longer.

"Well, we do not wish to keep you from your work. We should be getting back to our own in fact." Mr. Jameson said graciously.

"Yes, I apologize for the delay. But it was very nice to meet you Miss Lila. We bid you good-day." Bartholomew said, extending a small bow to her.

"T-Thank you sirs. Good-day to you." She said bashfully, bowing in return.

Both men then walked away. Lila watched them from the corner of her eye until they could no longer be seen. She immediately felt relieved as they left, for she had been quite nervous in their presence. Especially when the handsome Bartholomew seemed to stare at her so much! Daphne had been there right next to her and she was the one who was by all means gorgeous, so why had he not gazed towards her as well? Lila wondered if she was really so strange and funny looking that everyone liked to just stare in amazement at her!

Or perhaps was in astonishment that one girl could be the cause of so much trouble? In the last few days he had seen her in all of three very dire situations! How utterly humiliating…

"OH MY! So that was you the other day Lila!" One of the other maids exclaimed.

Lila closed her eyes and groaned aloud. She had forgotten that so many others had witnessed that.

"Why did you not say something before?" Another asked with indignation.

"I cannot believe it! The way you talked to the King, and he did not even punish you! This is all so amazing..." Still another girl said with awe.

"Look, nothing special happened! We were just talking!" Lila snapped.

She really did not want this to be blown out of proportion, even though it was probably far too late.

"Come now, we had all better finish up." Daphne suddenly said with a nervous laugh.

Everyone immediately snapped back to their senses and returned to their day's work, although they started gossiping as they did so, and they didn't even try to hide it. Lila sighed and walked away from the rest of them until she was out of hearing range. She didn't want to know what kind of crazy stories they were already concocting! Daphne soon came over to her side and began to sweep as well.

"Do not worry about them, they are just silly gossipers." She said with a small smile.

Lila turned to Daphne with surprise. She was not angry with her this time? Well, perhaps her friend was more ease because the King seemed more like he was just teasing today. And the kind words from Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson afterwards may have helped too, of which she was grateful for.

"I guess there is no point in worrying now since the damage is done. I just hope this does not get out of hand..." Lila groaned.

Daphne nodded in agreement. Then she started sweeping again, a strange grin suddenly forming on her face.

"By the way, it seems to me that boy may like you." She giggled.

"Who do you mean?" Lila asked stupidly, knowing full well whom she meant.

"Why Mister Bartholomew of course!" Daphne replied.

Lila blushed at the mention of his name, and at the thought of such a handsome boy even possibly liking someone like her. She just shook her head and looked away.

"He was just being polite. Besides, I do not even know him." She said.

"But he talked only with you the whole time, and he did not seem like he wanted to leave! Plus take into account how he came to our rescue just the other night." Daphne giggled again.

She frowned. “Any honorable man would come to the aid of ladies when they are being harassed, so you can hardly count that event.”

Her friend just laughed, looking rather tickled. In the end, Lila was just here for entertainment purposes it seemed.

"I am sure you are mistaken. Now come on, let us finish up here already." She sighed quietly.

Daphne nodded but still looked convinced of her theory. Lila just tried to forget the whole matter and get on with her work. She knew there would probably be no peace for her tonight, and possibly never again.