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Isabella was standing there dazzled, she wished she heard wrong. Eric was the prince, the only son of the Queen and King. He is the successor of the throne. She didn't like the idea of him coming back. She was uncomfortable and uneasy around him. He was really weird. She knew she shouldn't judge him but she preferred to keep her distance from him. He was a gentleman and really sweet when he was with other people but when he was alone with her, his behavior changes.

He would look observe her from head to toe. He wouldn't take his eyes off of her, while she was just avoiding his eyes, not until someone talks to him forcing him to remove his eyes. He would throw glances, eyes full of desire and lust her. He wouldn't miss the chance to touch her when she walked by him.

She didn't like that at all, she actually hated it. She would feel chills of disgust run down her arms as soon as he touched her skin. He might be handsome with his green eyes and shiny blonde and noticable freckles with clear pale, skin but that doesn't mean he would do whatever he wanted. A lot of ladies flirt with him when he is around. He would just give them a breathtaking smile and leave.

She just wished he would be like how she remembers him. She hoped that he matured and finally act like a gentleman and not like a jerk. She decided to stop thinking about him because she had to cook. She decided to fix rosemary and garlic roast beef with some roast potatoes since there wasn't something better as it seems they enjoy it a lot.

She walked around the table in the middle of the kitchen to take all the ingredients she needed. It was still difficult for her to remember where everything was placed but she was starting to learn it. After making sure she had everything out, she began.

It was almost dinner time when the food was ready. She quickly exited the kitchen and headed to the dining room. She didn't see the reason as to why they would eat there, the room is really big and the table, too. It would only be the three of them. Shrugging, she entered the room. She went to the closet, that was inside the room, where they stored the tablecloth and napkins and plates with glasses for special occasions and today was one of them.

She took out the red tablecloth and placed it nicely on the table, then she grabbed three plates, placing them on the table in front of their seats, then she puts two different glasses, on for wine and the other for water. She puts the spoons and forks with knifes beside the white plates. She would hear the other maids running around the hall to get everything done.

Once she is done, she heard voices coming from downstairs, she immediately know he is here. She escorted herself back to the kitchen as footsteps were heard from the hall, approaching the dining room. After five minutes, a maid walked in, looking like she was in a hurry. She grabbed the one plate with food, she assumes that they wanted to eat. She decided to help and picked the other plate as the girl walked in again.

She gave her a grateful smile, looking at her with gentle eyes, before she exited the kitchen with the wine and water. Isabella followed her closely and soon they were in the dining room. Eric's eyes landed on her as soon as she entered the room. Isabella ignored his stare as she placed the plate in the middle of table.

She stood beside the other maid with her head bowed in respect. She could still feel his stare on her making herself in her shift uncomfortable in her feet. She would feel her face getting hotter as she hate the attention he gave her. She would feel her muscles tense.

He looked away when his mother asked him something. She signed in relief feeling her muscles loosen up a little. "You can go." She heard the King, Maximous, say waving them off with his hand. They bowed before they almost jogged out of the room.

Isabella made her way to the backyard to gather the seets and clothes. The sun was down and a cold breeze slightly touched her skin as she gathered the clothes. She quicken up her moves as she shivered to get inside the warm castle.

She folded the clothes and sheets before she took them to the King's and Queen's room. She put them inside the drawer of the closet. She, then, made her way to her kitchen. She sat on the small wooden chair in the corner of the room. She had to wait for their dinner to be over, so she could clean up and go to rest in her room.

They were for at least two hours in there. She could hear them laugh and joke around as a family. She sighed sadly to herself. Memories of her family popped up in her head bringing tears to her eyes. She wished she had her family with her. She remembered herself laughing as her Dad would chase her around the house. She remembered how ler life was with her family before her mother got killed and her father disappeared.

She would still cry herself to sleep. She missed them like crazy. She missed their warm comforting hugs. Hell, she even missed getting scolded by her father when she sneaked out at night to watch the stars, they would end up watching together and her mother would find them in the morning sleeping outside.

Her tears were threatening to escape. She blinked, trying to get tid of her tears. She couldn't cry, not now. They can't see her looking this weak and vulnerable. She straighten up as heard them exiting the room, laughing as they went to their rooms.

Thankfully, there were already other maids there cleaning, she was about to grab a plate when a hand stopped her. She quickly looked behind to see the girl from earlier. The girl noticed her stare on her hand and quickly relished her hold, cheeks burning. She cough, looking away in embarrassed.

"You can go to rest, you worked hard to make dinner. We will clean up, don't worry." The girl said a kind smile. Isabella instantly shook her head 'no'. The though of noticing her absence frightened her. The girl noticed her hesitation and fear in her eyes.

"It's ok, don't worry. They won't notice anything. They will be asleep when we will be done, you can leave, really. The girls are fine with it." She said with a reassuring smile.

Isabella looked at the other girl with the blonde hair, who nodded smiling at her. She turned her gaze back to the girl standing in front of her. She nodded, gaving her a grateful smile. She left and walked to her room.

When she was about to enter her room, she heard a noise coming from the warehouse. Her breath hitched as her heart started beating fast. She swallowed as she saw the door sliding open to reveal the prince with a bottle of wine in his hand.

He stopped once he noticed her, staring at him frozen in her place. A smirk forming on his lips. Isabella gulped in fear, as she saw him approaching but she tried not to show it. When he was in front of her, he said in a mocking tone,"Well, well, well. Our sweet Isabella."

She immediately lowed her head as he eyed her from head to toe, wetting his lips with his tongue." You get prettier every time I see you. I'm always eager to come back home and see how beautiful you have gotten. A girl as lovely as you shouldn't be a maid. I could give you everything you want, you just have to accept my offer and be my queen. You will be the most stunning queen ever. What do you say?" He whispered seductively her ear as his thumb rubbed her cheek.

She vigorously shook her head 'no', moving away from him and opened the door, she had sneakily unlocked the door when he was talking. She quickly stepped in the room, locking the door before he would have the chance to get in.

She heard him laugh darkly,"You can't hide forever, princess. I know you will accept my offer, sooner or later you will. No one can deny me." He said bitterly, she catches a hint of annoyance in his voice. Isabella took deep breaths to calm down.

She decided to ignore him and avoid any contact with him as much as she could. It was the best thing she would think of right now. She definitely didn't want to be his wife. Never. She can't picture her life next to a man like him. He was really manipulative and always get what he wants but not this time.

If she had more money she would leave but unfortunately she is poor. She distanced herself from the door she was leaning on. She changed into her nightgown and jumped on her bed. She sighed wormed out from today's events. Soon enough, she felt asleep, wishing for a things to get better.

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-M.B.