After a while, some of the passengers fell asleep, while others occupied themselves with a book or staring out the window. Lila, who had been watching the scenery, was forced to pull herself away from the view by the sound of her own growling stomach. She rummaged through her bag, which she had been holding on her lap to keep from any potential pocket pickers, until she found the small package Maryann had packed for her. It was soft and smelled almost like fresh baked bread. She quickly unwrapped the gift, and much to her relief, found a loaf of nut bread gently cradled in the napkin.

Lila smiled. Truly, no one could deny that woman's love for her family. She would be sure to discuss these ideals with her father when she returned home. Perhaps one day he too could come to think of Maryann as more than just a close friend.

Lila tore off a small piece of the loaf and began eating it. It was sweet and yet robust, filled with nuts and a light apple flavor. It nearly melted in her mouth, and was oh so sweet for the soul. But as she enjoyed the first bit of her food, she suddenly noticed someone staring at her from the corner of her eye. Lila looked up and was surprised to see the most beautiful girl in the world looking her way. However, she was staring not at her, but at the piece of bread in her hand. As soon as their eyes met though the girl immediately turned away with embarrassment and started gazing out the window. It was then that Lila also noticed the girl did not seem to have a travel bag of any sort, nor an overcoat, or anything at all with her for the trip. She immediately felt bad for the girl, and tore the remainder of her loaf in half. Then she held one of the pieces to her.

"Here." She said with a friendly smile.

The girl looked at her with astonishment. But she quickly nodded with grateful eyes and carefully took the bread.

"T-Thank you." She said with a soft and pleasant voice.

"You are very welcome." Lila replied, wondering how her own voice sounded in comparison.

The girl blushed like a delicate pink rose and quickly began eating. Her face could hardly hide how happy the little bit of food made her. After a moment, she finished the bread and looked back to her with a small smile.

"Thank you again. You are very kind." She said.

"No need to thank me. I got it as a gift myself." Lila replied.

The girl shook her head sadly. "I truly wish I could be as at ease as you seem to be! I do not want to take this job right now, but I had to in order to provide for my brothers and sisters. Since the death of my mother and soon after my father, it has been hard to make ends meet back home."

Lila hadn't asked for her whole life story, but it was obvious that this girl was nervous and maybe in need of someone to talk to.

"I am sorry to hear that. But you should not worry too much. I am quite sure it will all work out well. The King may have a harsh reputation, but you cannot believe every rumor you hear about someone. No one is quite as bad as others say." She reassured.

The girl was surprised by her words and looked at her curiously for a moment.

"That is encouraging to hear. I am glad you are so confident. I guess I was very fortunate in sitting next to you today!" She said with a small smile.

Lila blushed at such praise. "Thank you. It was nice to meet you as well. My name is Lila."

"I am Daphne. I really hope we can work together at the castle!"

"Indeed, that would be nice I suppose." She agreed.

Then it was quiet again, the both of them going back to staring out the window. Lila wondered why a girl like her was here for work when she was beautiful enough to marry a rich man. That might seem like shallow thinking to some, but if your good looks so happened to increase your odds of making a good marriage and living a comfortable life, then Lila really didn't see anything wrong with it. Although, perhaps it was hard for Daphne because of her siblings. She seemed dedicated to caring for them, and not every man would want to take on such a large responsibility at once.

Not that Lila could be sure how such courtships truly worked. Being a poor farm girl with very little in the looks department, she had no experience with interested men nor marriage prospects. She doubted love would ever come her way, and perhaps that was for the best. She wasn’t a girl who daydreamed about marriage or romance anyways, so it wasn’t like such a fate would bother her all that much.

It didn't take long before Lila herself fell asleep, lured into such a peaceful state by the harmonious rhythm of the horse hooves beating against the ground. Their carriage rode on like this for the rest of the day, stopping only twice to rest and change coachmen. A small loaf of bread was provided for them each day, which just enough to keep the hunger at bay. By the next morning, however, the castle's shadow became visible in the distance.