"Well, that is the last of everything, Your Highness," Michael said, picking up the last pile of paperwork. After my talk with Luna, we agreed that we needed to work on the next step of the plan and to do that, I need to have nothing tying me down like work. So when I returned to my study, I rushed to finish everything before sunset. Luna had parted ways with me because she told me that she would get a jumpstart on the plan, and then she changed back into her usual Luna self and disappeared. I stretched, letting out a small groan before rising from my desk.

 

"Well, I think I am going to retire to my chambers for the night," I said to Michael, and he nodded, following me out of the room.

 

"Well, there is one thing I would like to address with you, your Highness," Michael said.

 

"Well then, you can tell me on the way to my chambers," I said, walking with Michael close behind.

 

"Well, I would like to discuss the recent change in personal," Michael said.

 

"I assume you are talking about who will fill in for the new head maid?" Michael nodded, and I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Very well, that is something to discuss tomorrow. In the meantime, I would like you to get a list of candidates capable of handling the workload and ensure they are from an external source," I said.

 

"Might I ask why, Your Highness? It would certainly be easy to choose one from within the palace, is it not?" Michael asked.

 

"No, we will be going through every member of the palace staff and will get rid of the one who has aided the former head maid and has abused the position of power in the palace," I said.

 

"But wouldn't they question you if you were dismissing staff?" Michael asked.

 

"Yes, that is why I would also like to request an audience with my father after you have a full list of eligible candidates for the head maid position," I said.

 

"Yes, your Highness," Michael said once we arrived at my door.

 

"Listen, Michael, if this is too much for you, then I could ask Charles to assist you," I said, and the boy shook his head quite violently.

 

"Not at all, Your Highness. I won't fail you," Michael said, holding his fist in the air. That boy is something else. I am glad that I have him on my side. I smiled, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

 

"Very well, I place my trust in your hands," I said, opening my door.

 

"W- would you like me to get Edith to run you a bath for you, sir? " Michael asked.

 

"No, that will be fine. I will request her later on," I said.

 

"Very well," Michael said.

 

"Goodnight, Michael," I said, and the boy bowed, sending me a farewell, and ran off.

 

Once he turned the corner, I slipped into my room, shutting it close. I let out a long breath and turned, startled by Luna floating in the middle of the room. I called out to her, but she didn't answer. Her eyes were closed, and her hair was longer than usual. It was floating in the air, no longer her black and blue hair; it was now white with a dark sliver at the ends. There was a low white glow surrounding her, and whatever she was doing, she didn't seem to notice that I was in the room. I slowly approached her, and once I got a good enough distance, I reached out to touch her. I called out to her again in the blink of an eye. I was on the ground, staring at Luna on top of me. The color of her eyes was glowing white, and her white and silver hair cascaded down around my head. I blinked a few times because Luna's face was very close to the point when our lips were inches apart, and I felt her breath on my lips.

 

"Uh, L- Luna," I said, but she was unresponsive. All she did was look at me with an unreadable expression. I reached up and touched her arm, calling out to her again. Thankfully, that has gotten through to her, and her hair changes back into her signature black and blue hair, and her eyes return to amber.

 

"Stephen, what are you doing?" Luna asked.

 

"Well, I could ask you the same thing. I was trying to get your attention," I said. Luna gave me a long blank look before getting up from me and reaching her hand out towards me.

 

"You know you can't just roll up on a magical being unless you expect to catch these hands," Luna said. I stared at her, more confused than ever, as she pulled me up.

 

"I will assume you warned me about touching you when you were like that?" I asked, releasing her hand.

 

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting your back so soon," Luna said, rubbing the back of her neck.

 

"Well, with Michael's help, I managed to get my work done earlier than expected," Luna nodded and flew to the window, watching outside. "May I ask what you were doing?" I asked.

 

"No, you may not," Luna said with her back facing me.

 

"And why not?" I asked.

 

"Because we have a mission to plan, and we have to get you ready, and when I say we, I mean you. So hurry up so we can go," Luna said, looking back at me. I looked at her momentarily before turning to my room. I began to change into a black tunic and pants, pulling a cloak over me. I walked out, calling out to Luna, and she looked back at me, giving me a strange look.

 

"What is it?" I asked.

 

"Tell me you are sus without telling me your sus," Luna said.

 

"Luna, you know I don't understand you when you speak like this," I said. Luna groaned and snapped her fingers, and I wore clothes that a commoner would wear.

 

"There, now, you look less suspicious," Luna said, snapping her fingers. Her clothes were changed into the same clothes I wore, but she looked outstanding in them. My eyes ran down her body and how the pants hugged her hips and the shirt was tight against her body. I held down a groan as she raised her hands above her head, letting out a small sigh. I felt the blood rushing downward, and I spun around, running back into my room. I shut the door and banged the back of my head on the door, looking down at my situation. I closed my eyes and tried to make my thought drift to anyone but Luna. I jumped when I heard knocking on the door.

 

"J- just a second," I called out.

 

"Of course, your highness," Luna said. What the hell? Why is Luna talking like that? I swung the door open, walked outside, and frowned when I saw who was standing in my drawing room.

 

"How did you get in here, Angela?" I asked, and she turned to me, smiling at me. I shifted my attention to Luna, wearing the knight's uniform. She looked at me and nodded. I was so confused, and then I looked down. I was wearing the clothes I was wearing all day. When did she have the time to change my clothes? I would have at least noticed. I looked back at Angela, and she glared at Luna before she shifted her gaze towards me, giving me one of her fake signature smiles.

 

"Honey, I just want to talk," Angela said. I looked at her once over and tried to resist cringing. Before I said anything, Luna called out to me.

 

"Don't kick her out just yet. See what she wants first," Luna said. I looked over to her, and she wasn't moving her lips. Her powers are something else.

 

"Fine, Angela, let's talk. What is it that you want?" I asked, and I watched Angela face Luna, frowning at her.

 

"Do you mind giving me and the prince some time alone?" Angela asked her.

 

"No, I cannot," Luna said bluntly, and Angela's frown deepens.

 

"Well, Magus has told me that you didn't have a sliver of manners, but now that I see it, I hate to admit that he was right," Angela said, shaking her head.

 

"Angela, what is it you want?" I said.

 

"I would like to speak with you alone," Angela said, looking at Luna.

 

"I cannot leave his highness alone," Luna said as her hair turned red.

 

"Dame Luna, leave us please," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming.

 

"Of Course, your Highness," Luna said through clenched teeth. Oh god, I just made it worse. Luna stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. An uncomfortable pit settled in my stomach, and I knew Luna would not let this go. I should apologize when she comes back. My thoughts of her were interrupted by Angela's sighing very loudly. She always did this when trying to get my attention because she was jealous of something or someone. I glared at her, but she didn't notice because she was walking around my room with a disgusted look. It brought me a bit of satisfaction that she hated the space. I cleared my throat, and Angela stopped facing me, flashing a smile.

 

"What do you want Angela?" I demanded, and she rushed over to me, placing her hand on my chest.

 

"Why are you so cold to me, Stevie? Did I do something wrong?" Angela asked. I looked down at her face and saw the caked-on makeup she put on, and I pushed the bile rising in my throat. I never thought I would appreciate a natural face's look so much.

 

"Angela, stop calling me that," I said coldly, and she winced.

 

"But you loved it when I called you that," Angela said.

 

"If you are here just to speak on the names we used to give each other, then this was a waste of time," I said, pulling Angela's hands off me and heading to the door.

 

"But-" She started.

 

"If you want to speak with me, request an audience like everyone else," I said.

 

"I have been trying to, and you have been ignoring me," Angela said.

 

"No, Angela, I am just busy. Not everything is about you," I said. She looked surprised at the tone of my voice, and she shook her head, looking back at me, pouting.

 

"Oh, honey, take some time off of work. I miss you," Angela said, walking up to me.

 

"I have a lot of work that I was missing, and I am not going to miss anymore," I said.

 

"But what about me?" Angela said.

 

"What about you? Are you telling me to neglect my responsibilities to go out and spend money on you?" I asked, and Angela faltered a bit before regaining her composer.

 

"Of course not, I just miss you," Angela said, and I tried not to grimace when she said that.

 

"You said that already. Is that all you wanted to say?" I asked.

 

"Well, no, I just wanted to ask you for a favor," Angela said.

 

"What?" I asked, and she smiled at me, stepping towards me.

 

"Well, I just wanted to know if you can get me a new dress for the coming ball?" She asked.

 

"And why would I do that?" I asked.

 

"Well, I figured since I will be your partner-" Angela started but stopped when I snorted.

 

"When did I say that?" I interrupted.

 

"W- what?" Angela asked.

 

"When did I ask you to be my partner?" I said.

 

"Because I am your lover, am I not?" Angela said.

 

"I will be accompanying another to the ball," I said, opening the door.

 

"What ho- how dare you? I thought you loved me," I opened the door more comprehensively, and she stomped, storming towards the door. "Very well. I hope you will have fun with your new woman, but know that this conversation is not over," Angela left, and I sighed, closing the door.

 

"Luna," I called, and she appeared in front of me wearing the commoner clothes she was wearing before.

 

"Oh great, you are ready. Let me go change, and we can go," I said.

 

"That won't be necessary. I will go alone," Luna said.

 

"What? I thought we were going to go together, so we can-" I started, but the word died when Luna's hair turned red.

 

"No," She said coldly.

 

"What is with you? Is it because of what happened with Angela?" I asked, and she scoffed.

 

"Enjoy the rest of your night, your Highness," Luna said, and before I could even get a word in, she was gone.

 

 I stood in an empty room, sighed, and walked into my room, pulling out clothes for bed, but suddenly, I did not desire sleep. I felt more angry than tired. Shouldn't I be more upset? I didn't even want to talk to Angela, but Luna insisted. I huffed, throwing my clothes on the bed, storming out of my room, and marching towards my office. If Luna wants to be angry with me, then so be it is not like I even care.