How to win the hearts of aristocrats

By the time Alicia got to her chamber, Paulina was already waiting for her there. Alicia smiled at her, thinking that Paulina always took her duties too seriously.

"Good morning, milady," Paulina greeted with a smile of her own as she watched her mistress curiously. Two things were on her mind. 

First, she had come early to check on her mistress after hearing the rumours of her fight with Prince Ivan the previous night. She had rushed down to her chamber before the bells were rung to see if she was fine, but after waiting until the first bell rang, and her mistress did not show up, she raced back to her quarters.