Long ago

"You are right princess, it is very stupid of me to not know who I was working for. If you are to punish me, let it be now so that I don't have to bare the humiliation of my fellow workers." He said slipping down to his knees and bent his head.
Why do they always do that? I thought to myself as I slid down to where I was standing in front of Alexander. Wihich was probably inappropriate because I was only in my night gown and the ribe Lisa had just thrown over me.
"I'm not going to punish you. The only time that I tend to punish people is if my father is watching or will hear about it. I hardly doubt that he will hear about this as long as your mouth stays shut. Can you promise me that?" I ask him straightly.
"Oh course, you majesty. Is there anything that I can assist with you tonight since I'm up here. I could bring up logs for a fire." He suggested.
"Well this normally doesn't follow under grounds boy duties, but coukd you fetch me your favorite type of cookies from the kitchen and come and help me eat them. I still haven't propery said thanks for you helping me up today. Sometimes those dress are such a pain."
"Right away Miss. I will be back faster than the sun sets." He said enthusiastically and quickly walked out of the door. Lisa gave me a perplexing look once she was sure that he was gone.
"Are you out of your mind, Anna? Or are you sick or something? If they find you all alone with that boy, they are surely to kill him." She said in husted tones.
"Oh lighten up and have a little fun. Besides, you will be here as well to keep an eye on us. So were aren't all alone, we have soon one watching over us. And we are eating cookies, I don't see how that can turn bad." I said blatantly. There was nothing wrong about some tea and cookies.
"Yes ma'am, and a walk down to a pub will certainly not get you into trouble. I'm just saying that if the wrong person finds out, then both of you are done for."
"At least then I will not have to deal with all of these different suitors. I can hardly keep track. And I'm pretty sure that some of them made up places to get to speak with me. And most of those wanted to so a little less thag speak."
"But that Lord Merrick, he was quiet the charmer, he was. He was funny and sweet while mostly everyone else has been rude. What do you think of him?" She asked to change the subject.
"He was pleasant, I will give you that. I was surprised that we would argue back with me. Most would scold and say to stop. He wouldn't be terribly bad to be married to." I said with a sort of far off voice, thinking about life with Merrick would be. For the most part, smiles is what I came up with.
"Your majesty, I have the cookies. Where would you like for me to set the tray?" I point to a little lounging area that I normally have for reading and looking out of the window. That should do just well. The two of us started in on the cookies when Lisa refused any of them. Oh well, more for us.
"I never would of placed you as a peanut butter cookie person. I think that you would of been chocolate chip because you always seem so fun of energy." I said in between bites.
"Well if we are making each other into cookies, then you miss are one with sugar drizzled on the top. Seems befitting for a princess."
"Well from now on just call me Anna if it is just the two of us talking. I don't really like the miss and your majesty. Makes me feel old and loke my mother. I'm still young, might as well feel that way."
"Okay, Anna. I don't think I have introduced myself, Alex Gaskarth, ground boy. I think we are going to be good friends." He said poietly while extending a hand that I shook cheerfully.
"Hello, Alex Gaskarth. My name is Anna Maria, but most peopel tend to confuse me for the Princess of Hathor. And I agree with that conclusion."

Notes