Daniel lifted Doris into a bear hug and spun her around a few times. Doris surprisingly laughed and gripped onto him in fear she would fall out of his grip. When he set her down, she had to hold onto him a moment longer so she didn't fall over when the dizziness hit her.
"Daniel! I didn't expect to see you here." Doris smiled and crossed her arms over her chest. He wore a lovely dark suit with red trimming and a messy hairstyle to top all it off."How are you doing?"
"Me? I'm the one that didn't expect to see you here! We didn't get any word that you were heading back." He grinned and scratched the back of his head. His smile was still so innocent and pure, it filled her with warmth. She missed him and she didn't even realize it until this moment. "I suppose I'm doing just fine, but you..."
Daniel looked Doris up and down slowly and she suddenly wished she was invisible. She stomped her foot so he would look back up at her. "Me what?"
"You look... a little different."
Her cheeks flamed in embarrassment. "Well, I haven't had a chance to bathe yet. It's been a long journey-"
"No, that's not what I meant! You're beautiful just the way you are. I meant that you seem different from the inside, if that makes sense."
Doris ignored his compliment and focused on what he meant. How did he notice that so quickly? She was definitely different on the inside... more than just a little.
"Well, either way. I'm glad to see you, sweet Doris. These halls have been dreadful to walk through since you left." He gave her a cheeky grin. She doubted any of that was true in the slightest. Daniel was a known charmer, that sweet boy.
Doris smacked his arm lightly, but she smiled anyway. "Don't try to flatter me! I know you don't mean it."
"I wouldn't dare!" He winced away from her, she only laughed louder. "All the other maids are so boring and scared of me. None of them are nearly as wonderful as you. Let me escort you to your room."
He held out his arm for her, and she wouldn't dare deny him. She held onto his arm as he walked her down the hall.
"What has the marvelous Doris been up to on her grand adventure?" Daniel asked a little louder than she wanted. It was embarrassing to have a finely dressed prince escort her to her room when she was in ripped, dirty clothing. But at the moment-she couldn't bring herself to care.
"Well, tons of things that only come from fairytales. Ambushes, kidnapping, horse riding! So much." She left out all of the passionate nights she had with his brother. Just thinking of them made her blush and they were already fading into a memory she couldn't grasp.
He looked at her in surprise. "Wow, I knew it would be an interesting adventure, but not that interesting!" He whistled. "What a time. I heard the north was quite ruthless and dangerous. I'm glad to see you survived it all. Everyone was certain you guys wouldn't come back from the north but I knew better." He poked her nose.
Doris shooed his hand away. "Everyone thought that, huh? I suppose that's why no one is glad to see us. I feel like we just walked into a strangers home and everyone is too afraid to tell us to leave."
"Ah, that's because everyone here is stressed about my father, is all. William isn't the friendliest man to be around, so that could be it too." He shrugged. "I just got back from the military camp the other day, I was gone just as long as you were until I heard about my father."
"It only happened a few days ago?" She frowned. "I wonder why they didn't try to tell William. He got a letter that the entire palace was sick, but it didn't mention his father."
Daniel furrowed his brows. "No one else has been sick here, how strange." Doris ignored the looks of fellow maids as they openly stared at them when they passed. She didn't care what anyone thought of her anymore. She was no longer afraid of how much weight someone's words held over her. It was almost freeing.
"Martin has been moping around though, not sure why. He was that way even before our father had gotten sick. I suppose it's only more intense now." Daniel said quietly.
"How strange...have you tried to talk to him about it?" Doris asked. "He didn't seem down in the library."
Daniel looked a little surprised. "You met him in the library? Didn't you just get back?"
"Well, yes. One of his guards caught me in the hall and told me that he was looking for me." Doris shrugged.
"Interesting." Daniel hummed. "Martin doesn't like talking to me about his feelings. If I had to guess, I would say it's been since his wedding. He hasn't been the same since they got married, not even at the wedding."
"What? That's crazy! I thought they were in love?"
"Hmm, perhaps he has another in his heart." Daniel said only loud enough for her to hear. No one else was in the hallway, but that was quite a risky thing to say. "Never mind him, he's boring. How was dear old William for your trip? Still as grumpy as ever?"
Doris laughed a little. "He was certainly grumpy a lot of the time, but I think he earned a greater respect. I didn't realize how great of a leader he could be."
"A leader? Madness, I would've never thought it!"
"He is! It's magnificent. He is so smart and- I wish you would have seen it!" Doris said excitedly. When she saw the look on his face, she quickly calmed herself. She didn't need anyone thinking she was into William. She silently cursed herself.
"Well, I'm sure I'll get to see it some day. He's a great man, I can only imagine he would be just as good as a leader." Daniel said.
They stopped by the servants quarters. Now, Daniel was dragging more than a few glances their way, she almost wanted to push him away from her when she dropped her hand.
"Thank you for the escort." Doris bowed her head. Daniel grinned as he bowed his own in return.
"I'll see you later, my lady. Try to get some rest." He poked her dark circles and she swatted his hand away without thinking. Several maids gasped when she did so. Doris cringed instantly when she realized her mistake. A normal royal would have thrown her in a cell for something like that.
Daniel only laughed and hurried down the hall as if he had somewhere important to be.
Doris walked past all the stares and quiet whispers and finally reached her room. There was a chance that Beth was still on a shift and not yet back to their room, but she didn't care. She'd wait all day if she had to.
She flung open the door and found Beth reading by a small light. She almost flinched out of her skin at the abruptness, but immediately gasped and threw herself at Doris.
Doris laughed as she caught her friend. She was almost pulled to the ground and it felt like a million little stars had lit up inside her. With everyone else acting saw awful towards her, she was glad to have a few people that cared.
"Doris! Oh my goodness, I thought you were never coming back!" She pulled away to get a good look at her. "Look at you! You look so... mature!"
"Mature? Is that a compliment?" Doris grinned.
"Of course it is you fool! I can't believe you're here! No one told me, when did you get in!" She dragged her over to the bed and Doris already knew this was about to be a long talk. They had so much to catch up on... but Doris wasn't sure yet how much she would want to share with her friend.
"We just got here not that long ago. I had to get guests set up and then Prince Martin wanted to see me. Oh! And I ran into Daniel."
Beth raised her brows and leaned closer. "You already have their hearts back in your hand, I see! That didn't take long." Beth laughed. "Wait-what guests are here?"
Doris rolled her eyes at her comments. "Some rogues have come to visit the kingdom."
"What? Rogues are here as guests?" Beth widened her eyes. "There's no way the king would allow that! If he wasn't sick, I would imagine he would have them thrown out."
"They're not here for war or fighting, they're here peacefully."
"They are-" Beth shook her head and waved the topic away. "We'll go back to that in a minute. Tell me, did William make a move on you?"