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    "Um..." I could not think of a single thing to respond with that would not turn out to be at least a little incriminating.

    "Well? Why were they not brought here with you?" The Prince's eyes were studying my face intently, searching for my answer.

    "My... parents did notwant them to go into the castle, My Lord, they thought it would be... dangerous." I stuttered all throught the lie, knowing full well that my parents had been killed only a year after my little siblings were born. I hoped it wasnt written across my face that I was lying.

    "Really? Well, you may invite them - your family - to reside in the castle now. I am sure they are over their immediate fear of palace subjects." He smiled in a way that made it seem that he knew what I was saying. It scared me.

    "They died," I blurted out unexpectedly. Well, thats one way to tell him, I thought. "They died ayear after they were born, My Lord, and their last wishes were for mybrother and sister to stay in a familiar place." Well, that was a half lie, it wasnt as bad a as a full lie, was it?

    "Oh, really?" He studied my face a moment longer, and seemed to find something entertaining in my eyes. "I do not believe you, young maid."

    "Mariah, My, Lord. My name is Mariah." I looked down as I spoke yet another lie to him. My real name is Fresia, but he did not need to know that.

    "Mariah? You do not look like a Mariah, maid."

    "I must get back to work, Sire." I turned and continued with cleaning the floor. I kept my eyes from meeting his steady gaze. They would betray all my lies if I were not more careful.

    "I have an idea, Mariah, we shall go fetch your siblings and bring them here for a small feast each evening. After each meal, they shall return to the hut with your..." He stopped, obviously thinking. "Who are they living wiht right now?"

    "Me." Another blurted comment. Sheesh, why couldnt I hold my togue at that moment?

    "But, you..." His face contorted swiftly from thought to rage. "You have been lying this whole time, wench!" He gripped my arm and withdrew a dagger from within his robes, holding it to my throat.

    Then, I did the smartest thing ever. I broke down crying like a little wimpering baby with a dirty diaper! Now it would be impossible to keep lying. Why did I have to be so bad at such a helpful thing? WHY?!

    The Prince loosed his vice on my arm and brought the dagger away from my throat. "Who are you?" His tone of voice was dangerous, so I decided not to lie.

    "I... I am Fresia, a girl from the village. I am not a maid, and I sneaked into this palace to find nourishment for my siblings, My Lord." All of this was said in a sniffling voice full of hiccups and sobs.

    He stared at me in shock for a few moments then walked to a chair near me. He sat down with a thud, obviously overwhelmed by my easy confession, and he began to speak to me, "I could have you beheaded for such a thing, Mar- Fresia." His eyes were sad, which made me very confused.

    "My Lord, I only needed some-"

    "SILENCE!" His roar of anger was almost defeaning in the confined chambers. "You may take the fruit, but I never wish to see you again. Leave me." He motioned me away with a flick of his wrist.

    "I am sorry, so very sorry," I whispered to him as I gathered as much fruit as I could in my apron and started to depart. As I was at the door, I heard his voice, quiet and sad.

    "I was hoping you were a new maid. All the others are unwilling to make conversation with me. I need someone to treat me like a normal human, not a royal all the time."

    "But, you treat people such as myself like underlings, My Lord." I turned and met his tortured gaze.

    "That is expected of me, Fresia," his voice was choked up with emotion. "I may not be able to inherit he crown if my Father ever hears of me treating a commoner like an equal."

    Ahh, so that's what the real problem was.