The very next morning Merrium awoke to the sound of loud footsteps and doors being thrown open. She reached for her bedside staff instinctively, thinking an intruder had gotten in, but before she even touched it she was gathered up in a tight embrace.

“Merrium you wonderful women! Why didn’t you tell me you had gained the prince’s favor?!”

William held her in her daze, his eyes lit with fire as he planted firm, bushy kisses on her face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I left a significant-”

“Oh you certainly did! You have no idea how much wonderful good you just did. I’m sorry for being so gruff with you last night. King Victor wants to appoint our household as official retainers for their future visits! He’s funding us to reinstate our staff!”

“I-he-what?” She couldn’t quite believe her ears. “That’s incredible…”

He kissed and hugged her again. “Come make us breakfast, this calls for celebration! The staff will be chosen and sent to our house today. This is such a good thing!”

William practically skipped out of the room, leaving the door ajar, while Merrium sat and contemplated the news. The king’s retainers...they’ll be housing royalty during their visits...the house will need to be kept speck-less, the shopping will need to stay on mark. New recipes will need to be concocted, she’ll need to relearn how to manage a staff…

This was not at all what she expected to come of her encounter. This...was quite possibly the last thing she wanted to come of any of these events. Everything was moving too fast, this wasn’t-

“Merrium! Don’t tell me you fell back asleep?”

She breathed easy, calming herself down. It’ll be okay. Just one thing at a time. For now, breakfast needed to be made. She should enjoy William’s good spirits while they were present. Maybe they will continue to persist, and she’ll start the see that sweet young man who once vied for her affections once again.

Breakfast was to be cooked special, deciding to use some of the deer he caught for meat, and whipping up her hot oat cereal recipe he loved as well. Her own spirits began to rise as she cooked, the delicious smells filling their home, and before the food was ready she started the slow-cook process of her stew for dinner that evening. There would be enough to last them a week at least, and with their new wage news, and the pelt from William’s hunt, Merrium was thinking of going back into town to purchase those new boots she had been eyeing for him. Yes...this news, she decided, was going to be good news. Things were going to be hectic, but she was already prepared for that. This will be good for their household.

Breakfast was eaten with gusto and she saw her husband off to patrol, reminding him to come straight home to catch up on his missed sleep, to which he dismissed with good humor. William’s good mood brought warmth to her heart; it truly was wonderful to see him in such good spirits.

Birds chirped and the sun rose into full view of the morning as Merrium cleaned up the kitchen and dishes, humming. She went through her actions yesterday, reanalyzing them in new light. Her careful choices perhaps had been warm, and her embarrassing stutters endearing, then, for the prince to have taking a liking to her. Or maybe it was the luck of the draw that she happened to be the one he encountered in that empty bakery. She wished she could have asked someone what they thought of his appearance, so she could be sure of whether what she saw was one of her bewitched visions or not. But it seemed good to have not drawn attention to it; Prince Arstel would probably not have spoken in her favor if she had.

She had to admit his company had been nice; her afternoon with him had not been unpleasant. Had she not been a married women, and he royalty, she would have dared thought him being downright charming. But alas, that little fantasy would never be in any reality. Their social positions were far too vast; it would be completely unheard of for a royal to take a common maid, even for a foreign country.

Despite these thoughts, Merrium couldn’t help but hold a tiny amount of elation at the chance to see him again.