Amelia sat down in a daze. She was eating with the royal family!

When she looked up, she realised she was facing Tristan!

Prince Tristan smiled.

"Hello!" he said, cheerfully, "Fancy meeting YOU here!"

She blushed and the young prince giggled.

"H-Hello Pr--um...Y-Your Royal Highness..." she said.

"Since you're working here now," Tristan said, "You can call me 'Tristan'. You've got my permission!"

"Oh I couldn't do that!" said Amelia, blushing.

"She's right", said another prince. "To you, Tristan, that's 'Your Royal Highness' until she's earned a level of trust and friendship!"

"But she has, Darius! Otherwise I wouldn't have introduced her to mother!" said Tristan. "This is my brother the Crown Prince. He's dreadfully conventional..."

"Cunvengcion's gimbaughgunt!" Darius said around a huge mouthful of steak and kidney pie. "Without it everything...*gulp!*...falls apart!...OM!..."

Amelia smlied. She thinked she liked this Darius boy. He was interesting!

"Hi!" said a third prince with brown hair. "I'm Prince Richard. Me and Darius are Tristan's older brothers".

"Yes, your Royal Highness", said Amelia. "It is very nice to meet you!"

"Wow!" said Richard, "Tristan you dog. You found a real sweetie here..."

Amelia gasped! Tristan turned red!

"Rrrrriiiichard!!" Tristan said, punching his brother! "Not in front of Amelia! You're going to embarrass her!"

"I think she's very nice!" Richard said. "I think..um...why IS she here?"

"She's going to be one of mother's new ladies in waiting", Tristan explained.

"Mother's very nice", Richard assured Amelia. "I'm sure you'll be just fine here!"