Merry wiped the tears from her face, a gesture that was becoming far too familiar. "Thank you Charlotte, that makes me feel so much better." She swung her parasol over her shoulder from where she had dropped it. Meredith looked around the garden, they had wondered through most of the paths in the garden. "Do you want to try the maze? It's my favorite feature out here." The giant puzzle spanned the entire length of the garden, a formidable challenge for any novice. Merry had explored every corner of it as a child.

Charlotte smiled upon hearing that she had made Merry feel better. She had been hoping for that. However when Merry suggest exploring the maze, Charlotte wa a bit hesitent, "Uhm, well, I'm not sure how I would fare in a maze. I get lost so easily..." she admitted, "Jacob always found it utterly hysterical..." she laughed a little.

Meredith grinned, and took Charlotte's hand. "Come on, I'll even tell you the secret to finding your way." She began to walk down the the entrance completely sure that Charlotte would follow. The entrance was set to one side of the shrubbery wall. Merry entered the maze, at the end of the first corridor the path split. "Look, at the end of each corridor there will be a potted rose. If you're on the right path the rose will be white, if not the rose will be red. Just follow the white flowers to the center. Though if you'd rather not, we can go back to the castle."

Charlotte allowed herself to be led along to the entrance to the maze. She gazed around it, what she could see, and listened as Merry told her the secret. She was half tempted, but instead of a straight answer, she looked to Meredith, "What willl you be doing then?"

Meredith let her parasol hang at her side. She smiled. "Racing you to the center." She grinned and took off down the corridor. It was one moment of childish fancy. She took the fist few turns with the ease of practice and slowed a bit to let Charlotte have a chance to catch up. There were several ways to get to the center of the maze. Meredith wondered if Charlotte would take the same path she did.

Charlotte blinked as she watched Merry disappear. Instantly, her mind was made up, and she smiled as she walked into the maze, following path after path and looking for the roses Merry had mentioned. She was a bit confused, and a bit lost, but eventually she found her way through to the center and glanced around, sure Meredith would be there already.

Meredith walked around the last corner in the the small clearing. She was surprised to see Charlotte already there. "I thought you said you weren't very good at mazes." She hadn't meant to let her get there first, she just got caught up in the calm serenity of the green corridors. She moved to one side of the clearing and sat on a marble bench. Now that they were truly alone, away from prying eyes, Meredith could let loose. She took a good look at Charlotte, watching how she moved. For the first time she realized how pretty the girl was.

Charlotte brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes as Meredith moved towards the bench. She had been unsure of what to say, so she created a pause, after which she said, "I figured you would know this place like the back of your hand and get here first anyway, so I hurried along so I wouldn't keep you waiting. Plus, the hint you gave me helped." she smiled, turning and looking at Merry straight on, only to see her looking Charlotte over. A fresh cover of pink gracing her cheeks. "Wha-What took you so long, Merry?" she asked lightly, stuttering without meaning to.

Merry smiled and blushed a bit. "I got caught up in being alone. It happens very rarely that I cherish it." She realized how her statement sounded and covered her mouth with a hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to sound that way. I've enjoyed your visit immensely." She had the feeling of sticking her foot in her own mouth. Color returned to her cheeks in force. She bit her lip, hoping she hadn't offended Charlotte.

Charlotte smiled, nodding a little, "I understand. Everyone needs a moment along once in awhile, whether to escape company or in general. I imagine your life is hectic enough that the only time you do get to escape is when you have a visitor over, and even then you're expected to be a proper princess and you do not have much time to yourself, for just you. Stealing a few moments to yourself here and there just isn't enough sometimes." she offered, attempting to verify that she understood the princess' explanation and that Charlotte took no offense to it.

Merry smiled. She was relieved that her guest had not taken offense. It was true, this was the most relaxed she's felt in ages. Most of her guests were ladies her mother invited because they were 'of good breeding, and suitable company for a girl of her age'. Meredith hated every one of them. They had no interest in her, only hoping to get close to the prince. Merry noticed the daylight was fading, most of the clearing they were sitting in had been covered with shade. "We should get back,people will have noticed I'm missing, and will worry." She didn't stand when she said this, reluctant to leave the seclusion and good company.

Charlotte noticed the Princess' reluctance and smiled. She understood the feeling well. She stood first, looking around the shaded areas a moment before back to Meredith, "You do not seem to be too happy here..." she pointed out, sympathetically. "Perhaps you would like to visit my at my residence sometime, while I'm in town?" she suggested.

Meredith followed suit and stood in the gloom. "That would be lovely. I would like some time away from the castle." She straightened her skirts and headed to one of the exits. "Come on. I guess we can't put it off any longer. It's terribly difficult finding the way out in the dark." Merry said.

[b]"Then I would hate to have to find my way alone and am certainly glad to have you with me."[/b she laughed slightly. Following Meredith, even though she was partially sure how to find her way out. "Shall we decide when right now then, or wait until you go completely batty and are running around with you knickers on your head?" she laughed, looking to Meredith.

Merry laughed at the image conjured by Charlotte's sentance. "That would be a sight. I can imagine the looks on my parents faces. They would reccomend me to Bellevue." she turned the last corner and saw her parasol where she had left it. Lights had been put in the windows making the castle stand out against the sunset. "Would you care to have supper with me? I doubt the family will eat together this eve. We've seen enough of each other today." Merry slung the paper umbrella over her shoulder and walked up the path to her door.

Charlotte giggled, "Well, naturally I would get you out then. I can be very persuasive." she smiled. Beaming at the invitation, she nodded, "Why yes, thank you. I would love to join you for supper. This is the most fun I have had in a long time. It is nice to talk with someone who seems relatively down to earth, and not obsessed with their social status." she said, laughing.

Merry was full of smiles now, though the day had begun tearful. She opened the door for Charlotte and entered the room after her. After setting down the parasol, she spoke quietly to her maid and asked for supper to be brought in for them. "We'll eat in here." Merry said, gesturing to the sitting room they'd had taken tea in. Merry went ahead into the room and lit a few candles in wall holders. When she had brightened the room a bit she sat in her usual chair and tried to become the demure princess again.

Charlotte gave a small thank you to Merry as she entered. Walking around and helping Merry light the sitting room, she took the place nearest the princess once she had sat down. Just as Merry, Charlotte's mood had significantly improved, and though she still felt the loss of Jacob, it was nice to have pleasant company.

Merry allowed herself to lean back into the plush pillows behind her. Within minutes trays of food were brought in for dinner. Merry took the food and dug in, starved after a small lunch of tea and cakes. Small dinners like this were heaven, she didn't have to worry about decorum. "Oh, this is delicious." She tried not to speak around mouthfuls of food. "Sorry."

When the food came, Charlotte watched Meredith momentarily as she seemed to devour her portions of the meal. Charlotte laughed a little as she began to take care of her own, much slower than Merry had, but she had just a strong appetite. "No need to apologize, Merry. It has been a long day, and I am sure you haven't had much to eat these passed few..." she said, not particularly wanting to get on the subject. The wound was still fresh for both of them, but there was no need to ruin the few, sporadic moments when there were content with what they had, and with each others' company. Charlotte too began to eat, thinking about the situation; she had never thought she'd have become so casual with a princess like this. She began to wonder what her sister would say when she went back to her place.

"Months, really." Merry slowed her eating to a more ladylike pace. "I do not get a chance to eat so well unless I am in my own chambers. There has been far too much company for me to have such time alone." She finished her first portion and reached for a second helping. This plate lasted longer, and was left unfinished. Merry wiped her mouth with the linen napkin before saying. "I know I've already said it, but thank you for coming. It means the world to me that I have met someone who cares for more than fashion." Meredith set down her plate, having satisfied her hunger and sipped from a glass of wine that had been brought with the food. Within a minute she was yawning. "Excuse me. I didn't realize how much a day can take out of you."

Charlotte nodded, "I can understand that, but it sounds horribly unhealthy..." she said, concerned. One shouldn't put themselves through eating so little just because of company. Then, when she was thanked once more, "Again, I appreciated your company just as much. It's always lovely to meet a like-minded person, as rare as it is. So, thank you as well." she smiled.

Much like Merry, Charlotte took seconds helpings, though it was a smaller portion than the princess'. Charlotte didn't want to seem rude, though she was completely fine with Merry doing it herself. When Merry yawned, Charlotte giggled. "It's completely understandable. I myself am a bit on the drowsy side. Would you like me to take my leave now?" she asked, waiting politely for her answer.

Meredith smiled and sat back on the couch. "I eat more than you think. I end up having tea several times a day. I makes up for the small meals." The maid appeared out of the next room and gathered up the used dishes, carting them off to the kitchen.

"You don't have to ask my permission to leave. If you're tired, go home. I wouldn't want you falling asleep in your carriage." Merry found it was harder to keep her eyes open. She was glad the day was over, it had been exhausting. The maid came back into the room to ask if anything else was needed. "Could have Miss Charlotte's carriage readied. I believe she is ready to go." The maid curtsied and left.