Valerie would never mistreat anyone, or take her education for granted as she was scared if she messed up horribly the lord would take away everything she held dear, including the orphanage.
Something like that did happen, except the opposite. One day she was eating and doing her homework while waiting for Malphus to arrive at their rendezvous spot.
He arrived, and when he did he asked "Why don't you come to see my home, my parents know of you. I talk about you frequently, I asked and they won't mind if you come over and spend the night."
"Of course I'd love to come, but you'd have to ask the head of my orphanage."
"Well let's go ask her then Milady."
They went and the woman automatically agreed and even bowed to Malphus. It confused Valerie but if it meant she could spend the night with Malphus and his family, she was alright with it.
They walked the path that leads to Malphus' house and it took almost an hour to get there. They talked the whole way there, though they couldn't remember what they were talking about because they both were excited to have Valerie spend the night with Malphus.
When they arrived where Malphus lived, Valerie thought they'd have to walk around the castle to get to Malpus' home or that he worked there with his parents. They entered the place and Valerie said, "Wow it must be nice to work here".
"Maybe, I'm not sure. It is nice living here though."
"How lucky! You get to stay here for free while your parents work."
Obviously, Valerie misunderstood his words but he didn't correct her. He wanted to see how long it'd take Valerie to figure out that he didn't serve the palace, his parents owned it.
"Welcome to my room Valerie, do you like it?"
"Yes I like the room, but it is far too large to be a..... your not a servant, are you? If you aren't a servant then you must be!-" Malphus bowed as Valerie stood there shocked.
She never thought she'd be lucky enough to be in any royal's presence when it turns out that one was her friend and that they had been meeting and playing for a year now.
"No wonder you never asked me to provide food for the picnics and just to bring water!"
Valerie aimlessly wandered around Malphus' room, which was the size of the lunchroom in the orphanage.
"Are rooms even allowed to be this big, I- um Prince Malphus?" Realizing she was in the presence of royalty, she lost all playfulness and bowed to the young royal.
"Oh you don't have to bow Valerie, I find it too formal and silly."
"Silly? That is how you show your respects to people, especially royalty!" Malphus rolled his eyes at Valerie. Then walked over to his bed and sat down. He patted the space next to him, inviting Valerie to sit down.
"Do your parents know that I'm just an orphan?"
"You are not just an orphan, but no, which is why the maids are going to give you a makeover!"
As if the 3 maids were waiting for him to say those words, they walked in with a new expensive-looking dress, shoes, and a brush and hair curler.
Malphus left the room before Valerie had time to make an argument.
When the maids finished, she looked like a princess herself. Beautiful long, curly brown hair, liquid blue eyes, which added just the right touch of color to her look, and a long silky pale dress, with flower patterns and lace on the bottom and on the sleeves. The bodice was a little tight on her but she could still breathe and move.
As the maids left, Malphus came in. He was shocked by how nice the girl in front of him looked, he always knew she was pretty but had never thought her to be this beautiful.
"Great, you look just like a noble's daughter, I already told my parents who your father is so they shouldn't ask too many questions."
They left Malphus' room and headed to the grand hall where the royals ate their meals. They entered with their arms latched to each other. It gave off the wrong idea to the King and Queen.
"So it seems like you've chosen the future Queen. Should we contact her father to plan the future wedding?"
The statement from the King made Valerie blush. They hadn't be latched together out of their love for one another, not the kind of love the king had mistaken it for.
"That won't be necessary father, we are simply just friends and nothing more."
Valerie gave an agreeing smile towards the king, which he took and left the topic at that.
When the food was severed, Valerie's mouth watered at the delicious-looking delicacies.
Valerie didn't want to seem like a burp in a sympathy, so she secretly watched how the Queen ate, which was quite wasteful. She was picking over the food and only once in a while eating anything. Valerie copied, though she wished she could just eat normally and not have to pick over this delicious food.
When dessert was severed she Queen ate the chocolate dessert although she did it little by little. Valerie copied again. She wondered why the higher-ups always picked over food. It was something she'd never understand.