Suddenly feeling tears pressing from behind my eyes, a mix of being frustrated from my own helplessness, and anger towards Prince Chaker, I clench my fists and breathe violently in, forcing my brain to work.

First, is there anything I can do right now, that won’t make the situation worse? The sad reality is that even if I tried saying something, it would only give more leverage to Prince Chaker, letting him know he had me where he wanted. It might also end up with Sir Windsor being punished even more.

Now, is there anything I can do later? Telling Prince Horus somehow would probably be my best bet. Even if the princes are technically of the same status, in these situations, Prince Horus should have the final say as the older one, and also as the one responsible for the guards.

So all in all, putting on my poker face and not letting Prince Chaker know how much this is bugging me right now is all I can do.

Now that that’s settled.

“Aw, you took my playmate, Prince Chaker. Whomever am I supposed to have help me find around the palace now?” I say, with a smile. Forced. But it shouldn’t be visible.

“Oh, dear sister-in-law, I was actually just thinking I would love to get to know you a bit better, so please let me have the honor. It is my fault you do not have a guide after all” He says, without missing a beat.

Oh-oh. Did I just dig my own grave? This wasn’t supposed to happen. I can’t very well turn royalty down, but I really don’t want to spend a single second more with him, if I can avoid it. Did he plan this? Or did he just take an opportunity when I accidentally presented it to him?

“Oh no, the pleasure would be all mine, Prince Chaker. However, I must say, with how busy my dear Horus is, I would not think you would have any spare time either” I say, digging a bit at him, walking the line of being rude and just being worried.

“Do not worry your pretty little head about that, Amy, I would have a few minutes to spare to walk you around”

He is completely talking down to me now, not even pretending to hide it. Suddenly I’m reminded of Lady Rosa and how she might have to get betrothed to this spawn of satan. I hadn’t met him when she told me about it, but her getting that drunk makes a lot more sense now.

“Well then, who am I to decline?” I say, trying to keep up the polite act.

“Yes, indeed. Who ARE you to decline? Happy so see we are on the same page” His hostile tone makes me want to grow wings and fly away. Or just run. Or punch him. I don’t really know. My fight or flight response seems to be confused.

“Well then, I will see you tomorrow” I curtsy and try to leave, stopping myself since I feel like something like this has happened before. Remembering the first time I met Prince Horus and how I’m not allowed to leave before getting permission when we talk about royalty.

Even though Prince Chaker told me to be a bit more casual with him, after what I just witnessed, I better be extra careful.

I look at him frowning a bit. Yup. He for sure waited for me to slip up. No doubt about it.

“Yes, I will come pick you up in your room” He says, making a motion with his hand for me to leave.

And off I go, as fast as I can walk in heels and with a big dress, that is.

It’s only the afternoon but I feel sick. Apparently, I also look sick. The maids immediately take me to bed and calls for Prince Horus. Oh well, one problem taken care of. I did wonder about how to get into contact with him.

Pretty soon after he sits in my room, waiting for me to talk after having pretended to be oh-so-worried until the door was closed.

“I met Prince Chaker today, or more like, he came and interrupted Sir Windsor and me enjoying our tea” I say, short and to the point. Shortly explaining what happened and how.

Then I break down.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t do anything. I just stood there watching it happen. I couldn’t do anything” F*ck manners, F*ck nobility, F*ck status.

“I couldn’t do anything. Sir Windsor paid because of me. Because I’m useless. It wasn’t his fault” I keep crying.

Prince Horus comes closer, sitting awkwardly beside me on the bed, fumbling around with his hands, until he finally lays down a hand on my shoulder with a force that makes me forget to cry.

“OW! THAT HURT!” I scream.

“But you stopped crying” He said, acting like it was according to plan, when his face tells me he is just as shocked at my reaction as I was by the pain.

“You could not do anything, Lady Amy. Had you done anything, my brother would have sent you along with Sir Windsor. In all honesty, it sounds like that was what he aimed for. Bringing shame on you would inherently bring shame on me. The crown prince election will soon be announced, and as such, everything he can do to dishonor me will help him. This is also why I went to you the last time, to warn you. But you simply ended up giving me such a headache that it completely slipped my mind in the moment” His words are harsh, but somehow they put me at ease.

“Sir Windsor is a trained knight and will be just fine. If needed, he can go for two weeks without food or water. He knows his actions have consequences. I will not be able to help him either, as it would put me at a disadvantage. It is not your fault, Lady Amy. This is simply how this place works. Watch everything you say and do and be five steps ahead. That is how to survive. Now, rest. You begin your history lessons tomorrow” His voice is monotone, but I feel like I can sense some worry in it.

“Oh, also, please be careful when walking with my brother. He most likely offered to walk you around in order to easier catch you in case you slip up”

After he finish talking, he leaves, not letting me say anything back.

Haha… He is terrible at comforting someone…

I lay down on my bed, crying myself to sleep.

The next day Prince Chaker comes to pick me up as promised, unfortunately, and we walk in awkward silence, because if I don’t say anything I can’t say anything wrong, to my lessons, where he says he will come pick me up afterward as well.

I wonder how Sir Windsor is doing…