The Prince's Maid

Chapter 2 - The First Night

Grasping the doorknob, I glanced over at the prince to see him fidgeting with his clothes while standing in front of the mirror. He acted as if nothing had just happened between us. I, however; was a different case as my cheeks turned red at the thought of the moment we had shared.

With one last sigh, I twisted the knob and came face to face with Mr. Evans, who was here to escort the prince to dinner. The prince nodded to me as he strode past with his shoulders properly held high. He carried himself like royalty, which sent a small stab to my heart as I was yet again reminded of my status.

Since I was not needed at dinner, I stayed in the prince's room to continue to unpack. Suitcase after suitcase, box after box, were emptied and their contents tidily put away in their rightful place.

Sometime while I was working I had plugged my phone into the prince's speakers and began playing some of my favorite songs. I knew that the royal family's dinner would go on for quite some time, so I allowed myself to get lost in the music and my work. Without thinking, I began to sing along and dance around while I worked. I was having a good time and the events that had happened earlier began to fade from my mind. I smiled to myself and when my favorite song came on, I belted along to it without a care in the world. That is until I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

I turned around quickly, completely mortified that someone had been listening, let alone watching me. Hesitantly, I looked up from the floor, only to see Dominic standing there with a silly grin on his face.

"Are we having fun my fair lady?" he questioned, meeting my eyes.

My cheeks burned bright red and I quickly looked away. "My apologizes my prince, it shall never happen again," I said while unplugging my phone from the speakers and stuffing it into the pocket of my uniform. I attempted to let my blond hair cover my face while I acted as if the carpet beneath my feet had suddenly become interesting.

"Isabelle, you know I would much prefer you call me Dominic," he said while moving to sit down on his now cleared off bed. "If you and I are to spend much of our time together for years to come, then there is no need for the formalities."

"You must be tired from your long journey, Dominic. Let me run you a hot bath and help you get ready for bed."

"Isabelle, please sit down," he said patting the bed.

I looked at him hesitantly, unsure of what to do. At no time in my training had someone mentioned what to do if one was asked to sit upon a royal's bed, but I was sure it was frowned upon to do so.

"Izzy, I don't bite," he said chuckling. "I just want to talk. If we are to spend all this time together, I would like to get to know you."

Taking a deep breath and telling my mind that was now in panic mode to shut up, I took a step forward. Before I knew it, I was sitting upon the large, soft bed only a mere foot or two away from the prince.

Dominic stared at me for a moment before asking, "What's your favorite color?"

I gave him a confused look, before thinking about my answer. My mind instantly went to thinking about the sky and how when I was younger I used to spend the majority of my days outside just staring at it in amazement. "Blue!" I blurted out.

"What?" he asked sounding surprised.

"My favorite color. It is blue, like the sky."

"Really?" he replied. "Mine is red, although I really do not know the reason why."

"What is your favorite food?" I asked after a few moments of silence.

"Do you promise not to laugh?" he asked looking at his feet.

"I promise."

"Do you pinky swear?" he said holding up his pinky and smiling like a mischievous child who has just covered the walls with marker.

I giggled as I held up my pinky and wrapped it around his. Our eyes met for a brief moment before he replied, "Macaroni and cheese."

I smiled at him before responding, "That is my favorite too. Can you keep a secret?"

"Well, since you didn't laugh, I guess I can."

"I think my mom's is better than the palace's chef's."

Dominic gasped and put his hand over his heart dramatically. "Don't ever let him hear you say that."

"No worries, my mother made me swear to never tell him." I said trying my hardest to hold back a few giggles.

We continued to ask each other questions for a while longer, before he asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Shocked, my brain froze making me unable to answer.

"Forget I asked, it was clearly out of line."

"No, no, don't worry about it," I said stammering. "To answer your question, I do not. I don't get out much, so I never really get to meet any guys my age."

I thought I heard him say, "That's good," but I shrugged it off, convincing myself that I was hearing things. I glanced at the clock on the prince's wall and sprung up to my feet.

"Dominic, it is getting late and I know you have a busy schedule tomorrow. We must get you ready for bed, for I have orders to have you ready by eight a.m. for a special breakfast in the garden, followed by a welcome back parade down main street," I recalled.

"Right, yes!" he said standing up and twisting so that he could crack his back.

Grimacing from the sound, I walked into the bathroom and turned on his shower, "Unfortunately you will not have time for a bath, so a shower should do, my apologies."

"It's fine Isabelle, could you find my blue pajamas and lay them out on the dresser for me?"

"Of course, now hurry up! We can't have a tired prince parading around the kingdom."

"Yes ma'am," he said with a salute.

After finding his pajamas and laying them out on the dresser, I peered in his closet, trying to determine what he should wear tomorrow. I soon heard the water shut off and I patiently waited for him to emerge so that I could help him with anything that he may need.

My eyes widened as the prince stepped out of the bathroom in nothing but a fluffy, green bath towel wrapped around his waist. He strolled to his dresser and picked up his pajamas. As he turned to walk back to the bathroom, he looked over at me with an amused expression.

"Is something wrong Isabelle?" he asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

"You're in a towel," I said, stating the obvious. I did my best to regain my composure on the outside, while inside my mind was going crazy.

"I could take it off if you would prefer," he said laughing as he walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

"That's not what I meant!" I exclaimed as embarrassment consumed me once again.

Moments later Dominic emerged, yet again from the bathroom, but this time, fully clothed. "You know I was joking," he said with humor still evident in his voice.

I simply rolled my eyes and began removing the pillows from his bed and pulling back his blankets so that he could get in and go to sleep.

"You aren't mad, are you?" he asked sounding concerned.

"Of course not," I said with a laugh, an attempt to lighten the mood.

Before I knew it, the prince was standing in front of me, tucking a few stray hairs behind my ear. I felt my self unconsciously lean closer to him, hopes of us finishing what we had started before dinner running through my mind. Soon he too began to lean in. It was as if we were both captured in a spell, as all the sounds and sights within the room and the palace began to disappear. As our lips were about to meet, I suddenly came to my senses and jerked away. The prince looked at me confused. "It is getting awfully late, isn't it?" I asked.

"I suppose it is," he said with a hint of annoyance as he got into bed.

Pulling the covers up over him, I wished him a goodnight, before turning on my heels and swiftly walking out of the room, shutting off the lights and closing the door as I left.