I walked through the hall, and I felt anger running through my veins. Why would Luna leave me like that? I thought that we were in this together. What happened to her? She looked so unhinged. When I turned the corner, I was so focused on Luna that I didn't see who was in front of me, and I collided with them, almost falling to the ground.

 

"You know, if you are going to run in the halls, you should be aware of the corners," I felt my heart stop when I heard the voice. I slowly looked up, and my father stood there with the same proud smile he always had. Then, I suddenly felt a wave of guilt as the images of my past life started flashing in my head of my father lying on the ground in a pool of blood. I swallowed hard and forced a smile on my face, looking at my father.

 

"I'm sorry, Father, I needed to talk to my knight before I headed to my study," I said. My father touched my shoulder and guided me away from Luna's room.

 

"Well, how about we head to your study first, and then you can talk with her afterward?" He suggested.

 

"But I need to talk with her. She left the train grounds, and I needed to know why," I said.

 

"Oh, I know, son. I saw. I also saw that she was quite upset," My father said.

 

"Yes, and I would like to speak to her as to why," I said, and my father frowned.

 

"Son, word to the wise: whenever a woman is upset, you need to give her space so she can calm down," My father said as we approached my study.

 

"You were watching?" I asked, and my father only nodded.

 

"Yes, did you think I wouldn't know when my son started changing his habits or ignore the rumors about you two?" He asked.

 

"No, I guess not," I said, and my father's smile returned as he opened the door to my study, where Charles and Michael were arguing over something.

 

"What seems to be the problem?" My father said. Charles and Michael froze for a second before bowing and greeting him.

 

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I was telling Michael to treat the head maid, Elanor, with respect," Charles said, and Michael frowned, holding his head down. I looked at Michael and knew he was not the type to talk to people disrespectfully.

 

"Michael, tell me what happened?" I asked, and the boy looked at me surprised. Michael cleared his throat, giving me a slight nod.

 

"I was told that you were at the training grounds, so I was going to tell you about the meeting that you need to attend, but I ran into Edith, and she said that you requested Charles to meet you in your study. So I could speak to you about your upcoming meeting in your study where you feel most comfortable. Still, when I walked into your study, I noticed that the head maid, Elanor, was inside searching for something on your desk," Michael said.

 

"And what did you do when you caught her?" I asked.

 

"She insulted Your Highness and told me to mind my business, and when I refused, she told me that my position was nothing but a glorified title and proceeded to tell me that she holds the real power. She also told me that if I continue to speak to her this way, she will make my life miserable. I knew that she was doing something suspicious, and I informed her that I would have her removed, and that is when Charles arrived and requested her to leave," Michael said. I sighed and walked to my desk, looking at the mess, and the only thing missing was my journal.

 

"Michael, can you please get a knight and tell them to recover Elanor and bring her to me?" I said, and suddenly, the door swung open.

 

"There is no need," Luna said, kicking Elanor in. The older woman fell to her knees and looked back at Luna, glaring at her, but Luna looked unfazed. Elanor looked back at everyone, and her face morphed into a look of fear when her eyes settled on my father. Elanor slammed her head to the ground, bowing at my father.

 

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I'm sorry, but I was working when this barbarian grabbed me by the collar and dragged me here," Elanor said.

 

"Are you sure, Elanor? I was told that you were in my study searching for something, and I believe you succeeded in retrieving what you needed, correct?" I asked. As expected, Elanor just looked at me, blinking, not saying a word.

 

"Since the thief wanted to be mute, I found this on her as she was trying to rush out of the palace," Luna said, handing me my journal.

 

"She is lying, Your Majesty. I would never steal," She said to my father. I frown, stepping around my desk and walking up to Elanor, looking down at her, watching as she never took her eyes off my father. She is trying to say that she does not even acknowledge me and never will, no matter what I say or do. I looked at my father; he was frowning because he seemed to have caught on to what Elanor was doing.

 

"Charles, please have Elanor escorted to her chambers to collect her things and have her escorted out of the place because her position as head maid is no longer needed," I said, walking back to my desk, which made her turn to me.

 

"You cannot do that," Elanor said, and I sat at my desk, folding my hands together.

 

"Oh, I believe I can. Until my father removes my title as the crown prince of the country, then I am in charge of every member of this staff. Isn't that correct, father?" I said, looking at my father, and he smiled.

 

"Yes, you are my son, so you can do what you see fit," My father said, sitting on my sofa.

 

"But, Your Majesty," Elanor said.

 

"If that is the case. Charles?" I said, and the older man bowed at me.

 

"Of course, Your Highness," Charles said, walking towards Elanor to take her away, but she had to make a scene.

 

"Why are you doing this to me, Your Highness? I did nothing but care for you," Elanor said, which made me laugh.

 

"Care for me? Okay, let's go back to those times you cared for me. How about when I was seven, and you pushed me into the pond and watched me struggle before a knight noticed and saved me? What about when you locked me in a room for a week because you couldn't be bothered? While we are at it, let's talk about recently when I fell ill, and you told my maid Edith not to care for me because I was faking it," I said. I clenched my hands and fixed my cold gaze on Elanor, and she stared at me, surprised.

 

"My son was sick? When I asked about my son, you told me he was neglecting his duties again," My father said, getting up from the sofa.

 

"Your majesty, I swear I didn't know he was sick," Elanor said.

 

"Is that so? Luna, can you go get Edith, please," I said, and Luna nodded and left the room, returning a moment later with Edith. She looked around and bowed at my father before looking at Elanor. Even though it was a split second, I saw the anger in the young girl's eyes before switching to a plain face.

 

"Yes, Your Highness," Edith said.

 

"Edith, I would like to ask you what Elanor told you about tending to me," I asked.

 

"Well, you were ill for three days, and when I asked the head maid about the prince being ill, she told me not to bother because he was just faking it for attention and to get out of his duties," Edith said.

 

"She is lying!" Elanor shouted.

 

"I do not want to hear another word from your mouth!" My father shouted. I flinched because I forgot how terrifying he was when he was angry. I looked at Edith, and she looked scared. Still, Luna placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering something, and she managed to calm herself down and look into my father's eyes as he approached her.

 

"May I ask what you did after Elanor told you this?" My father asked, and Edith nodded, closing her eyes to take a breath before looking at my father with her newfound confidence.

 

"I knew no one would do anything, so I grabbed a bucket of water and headed to the prince's chambers to tend to him. I continued to do so until he woke," Edith said.

 

"I see. I have heard enough. I would listen to my son and have you removed from your position. Still, after hearing what you have done, I am having you locked away until a trial for harming a member of the imperial family comes your way. Guards!" My father shouted, and two men walked inside bowing. "Take Elanor to the prison in the palace and lock her away until her trial is set," My father said.

 

"Oh wait, see to it that she has no visitors," I said, and the guards nodded and grabbed Elanor, dragging her out of the room with her screams echoing halls. Once she was gone, I sank back into my chair, looking at Edith. She nodded at me, bowing at me and my father.

 

"Excuse me while I go fetch you some tea," Edith said, and I beamed at her before she left. Luna leaned against the wall next to the door with her arms crossed with an unreadable look on her face. There were many things I wanted to talk to her about, but I had to take care of some things before I could get to her.

 

"Charles, I hope this matter doesn't happen again," the older man only nodded. "Now that that is handled. Father, I need to discuss something with you about my personal," I said, and my father looked at me amused.

 

"Well, since you are on a roll, let's hear it, son," he said, sitting in the chair across my desk.

 

"As you have noticed, Michael will be my new personal assistant, so if there is anything you need from me and can't reach me, Michael will be there," I said.

 

"Okay, and what about the young maid?" My father asked.

 

"Edith will be serving as my maid and will report to me and only me," I said. My father nodded, rising from his chair, and approached Luna, who was watching him with her arms still crossed. I scrambled to my feet, rushing to my father's side, and observed the two exchange looks with each other.

 

"I am assuming she will be your knight?" My father asked, his eyes still glued to hers.

 

"Yes! Father, this is Luna," I said.

 

"Well, I must say I am quite surprised about this arrangement," He said.

 

"I could say likewise, but I knew what I signed up for," Luna said, and my heart stopped. Did she talk to my father like that? No, did she speak to the King like that?

 

"Young lady, hold your tongue," Charles stared, but my father held a hand up.

 

"If this were anyone else, I would have them escorted out of the palace, but I know what you are capable of, so I will ignore it just once." My father finally looked at me before looking back at Luna. "If you are looking for a moment of silence, then please approach the palace gardens, and if you are up for it, go relax by the lake," My father said, and Luna just smiled at him.

 

"Will do, Your Majesty," Luna said, and my father let out one of his booming laughs.

 

"Well, that is all. I must take my leave," My father said.

 

"Wait, Father, I was hoping I could talk to you about Angela," I said.

 

"Oh well, I must say, you must look into the future to forget your past. Let us go, Charles," My father said, leaving the room with Charles following closely behind.

 

 I walked back to my desk and sank into my chair, thinking about what my father said, and I was more confused than anything. What the hell did he mean by that?