"Yo- your Highness?" I heard Michael say as he shook me gently. After Luna left, I decided to head to my study and work on my personal. I managed to get through all of it. I was initially surprised, but I assumed it was because my motivation was fueled by rage. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and looking at Michael with a concerned look painted across his face.

 

"Good morning, Michael," I said, stretching my arms over my head.

 

"Um, good morning, sir. I thought you retired to your chamber last night?" Michael asked.

 

"I did, but I felt the sudden urge to finish up on my work, and I came right back, but to my surprise, I did not see you in here," I said.

 

"Oh right, I was in Charles's study all night," Michael said, placing a stack of papers on my desk.

 

"So you got help from the old man after all?" I asked.

 

"Not necessarily. Charles had all of the personal information in his office, so I assumed it would be easier to work there instead of traveling between your and Charles's office," Michael said.

 

"I see. My apologies," I said, and Michael only blinked at me. I grabbed the papers Michael placed and looked at everyone he had selected for the new headmaid. I stopped at a document of a young woman who I never thought would apply for this position. I looked at the sheet, felt a smile form against my lips, and slid the rest of the papers to the side.

 

"I see that Agatha Banksworth caught your attention, your highness?" Michael asked. I handed him the sheet of paper, leaning back into my chair.

 

"Yes, I believe she will greatly benefit the palace," I said.

 

"Okay then, I will inform Charles that you have appointed a new head maid," Charles said, and I snatched the paper back to Michael's surprise.

 

"Oh no, she will not be the next head maid," I said.

 

"My apologies, sir, but I am confused," Michael said.

 

"Miss Banksworth will be the new palace doctor," I said.

 

"But do we not have one already?" Michael asked.

 

"Oh no, we will get rid of him," I said.

 

"Why, sir?" Michael asked.

 

"All in due time. Did you request the audience with my father?" I asked.

 

"Oh yes, I have informed Charles, and he had informed me before I left his study that the King will meet with you in the palace gardens," Michael said.

 

"What time," I asked, and Michael looked back at the clock and grimaced.

 

"In two hours," Michael said.

 

"And when did you leave Charles's study?" I asked.

 

"Uh, an hour and a half ago," Michael said, and I shot up from my chair, grabbing papers from my desk and handing them to Michael. I pulled out of my drawer, reached inside, grabbed my journal, and rushed toward the door. I threw the door open and almost ran into Edith. The small girl jumped, holding her hand to her chest and looking up at me.

 

"Your Highness, thank goodness I found you," Edith said.

 

"Well, Edith, as much as I love this interaction, I must take my leave," I said, and Edith held her arm out, blocking my path.

 

"To meet with the king, correct?" Edith asked.

 

"Yes," I said, and the girl smiled.

 

"Well, The king told me to retrieve you early because there was something that he needed to discuss with you. I went to get you prepared for your meeting with the king, but you were away from your room. Then I headed to the training ground, but you were not there either, so-" Edith ranted, but I held my hand up, stopping her because she started to look panic.

 

"Edith, breathe. Can you take me to my father?" Edith nodded and started walking. "Wait, Michael, I need you to do one thing for me," I said, looking back at Michael.

 

"Yes, sir," Michael said. I grabbed the papers from his hand, looked through them, grabbed Miss Banksworth's paper, and handed him the rest.

 

"I need you to send a letter to the Ashcroft residence and say that I would like to request an audience with the lady of the house in two days. Can you do that for me?" I asked.

 

"Yes, your Highness," I smiled at him and gave him a pat on the shoulder, leaving him alone as I rushed to Edith's side.

 

I arrived at the palace gardens, and I heard the sound of faint laughter followed by a woman's voice. I began to feel anger rise because I thought Angela had finally received an audience with my father. And I turned the corner, and my father came into view. He was smiling brightly, but it was not Angela that he was talking to. It was Luna. She was sitting in her knight's uniform, smiling at my father with a cup in her hand. I glanced at her hair. It was blue, so I assumed she was no longer mad, and we could have a normal conversation about last night. We locked eyes, and my assumptions died when the color of her hair went to a fiery red. My father turned to me, giving me a bright smile at me.

 

"Ah, it is about time that my son arrived," He said, and Luna stood up and bowed at me.

 

"Good morning, Your Highness," Luna said, and my father scoffed at her.

 

"Oh Luna, please, there is no need for that. Please sit," Luna sat back down, not looking at me. Somehow, the lack of acknowledgment annoyed me. I sank in my seat, scowling at Luna, but all she did was take a long sip of her tea, looking at my father when he started talking again. I watch her listen to one of my father's stories and laugh alongside him. I felt unsettled because she could speak to my father effortlessly and ignored me like I didn't exist.

 

"So, Father, you requested to see me?" I asked, and my father tore his eyes off Luna to look at me.

 

"Yes, I was told you wanted to speak with me about the new personal," My father stated.

 

"Yes, I would like to make some changes to the personnel, starting with appointing a new head maid," I said.

 

"Oh, really, I assume you found someone suitable for the job?" My father asked.

 

"Yes, I would like my maid, Edith, to be selected for the position," I said, and I heard something shatter behind me. I turned to Edith, and she was looking at us with shock painted across her face. I looked back at my father, stroking his grey beard and observing Edith.

 

"Are you sure, son? She quiet young?" My father said.

 

"Well, that is truth, Father, but if I might add, I remember that the head butler, Charles, also started at a young age," I said.

 

"Yes, but Charles was only twenty at the time," My father said.

 

"That is true," I said, rubbing my chin. I glanced at Luna and watched her place her cup down, turning her attention to Edith.

 

"Have you ever asked how Edith felt about the position Prince Stephen?" Luna asked.

 

"W- well, no, but I-" I started, and Luna frowned.

 

"Exactly, so how would you think she feels about being put into a position she is not qualified for, and how would the other maids feel about someone who has just started working at the palace to become their superior?" Luna asked, and I started to feel my blood boil. She ignored me for most of this conversation, but when she decided to talk with me, she found fault with my decision.

 

"You know, Dame Luna, I think you are overstepping," I stated.

 

"Well, my apologies. I am just looking out for young Edith because she cannot speak up for herself, Your Highness," Luna said, bringing the cup to her lips.

 

"Even then, what you are doing is not insulting, is it not," I said.

 

"Insulting? I don't believe it is. I think it is more informative," Luna said, placing the cup down and glaring at me.

 

"You know, I think she has a point," My father said.

 

"W- what but father," I sputtered.

 

"Listen, son, I understand that you are doing this out of good intentions, but must I remind you that to be a good leader, you must see things from the other person's perspective," My father said. I looked back at Luna, and she was smirking. I huffed because I knew I would lose this battle, and I sank into my chair, feeling the wind knock out of me.

 

"So, who do you recommend for the position?" I suggested.

 

"Well, Luna has recommended a young woman who would be perfect for the position," My father said, and I glared at Luna. I thought that we were a team. Why would she not tell me about this? I cannot believe her.

 

"May I know who it is, father?" I asked, and My father only smiled at me, getting up from his chair.

 

"Well, it is time for me to retire to my chambers. Let us continue this conversation later, shall we?" My father said, and Luna rose from her chair, bowing at my father, and he smiled before leaving us alone.

 

"What the hell was that!" I shouted, and Luna turned to me and scoffed.

 

"I have nothing to say to you," Luna spat, walking away.

 

"Like hell you do. I am not got to let you walk away without disusing this!" I shouted.

 

"P- Prince Stephen," I heard Edith say, and I froze. I looked back at her, and she was shaking slightly. I sighed, feeling my anger lessen, before addressing the young maid.

 

"I am sorry, Edith. I was just upset with Luna for interfering," I said.

 

"If it is alright with you, can I please say something?" Edith said.

 

"Sure," I said, and the girl pushed her fingers together and looked at me after taking a long breath.

 

"Well, I think that L- Luna is right," She stated.

 

"What," Edith flinched, and I began to feel bad. "I am sorry, Edith. Please continue," I said, and she nodded, taking another breath.

 

"W- well, I don't believe I am qualified for this position, and I don't want to take it away from someone who deserves it. I- I am sorry," Edith said, lowering her head. It suddenly hit me, making me realize that Luna was right. My god, I have been so focused on getting people who supported Angela out of the way I didn't see how it would affect the people around me. Damn, I hate that she was right this whole time, but it doesn't excuse the fact that she went out of her way to make me look bad in front of my father.

 

"Edith, I am sorry. Please forgive me for acting rashly and not considering your feelings," I said. Edith smiled at me, and I smiled back, glad to know that Edith was not angry with me as I thought she would be.

 

"Thank you, sir," Edith started but bit her lip frowning. "A- am I still your maid?" Edith asked, and I patted her head.

 

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, and Edith smiled again.

 

"Well, in that case, would you like me to bring you breakfast since you haven't eaten yet?" Edith asked, and I frowned, thinking I had something else to deal with.

 

"No, Edith, I will be skipping breakfast," I said, heading back toward the palace with Edith close behind.

 

"I- is it because you are to speak with Dame Luna?" Edith asked.

 

"Yes, Edith," I said.

 

"Well, if you would like to know, she will not be in her room," She said.

 

"Okay, Edith, I will just head to the lake," I said.

 

"She won't be there either," Edith said. I stopped and felt Edith collide with my back before I felt her warmth disappear from me. I turned and looked at her, and she was playing with the end of her dress, looking at the ground.

 

"Where is she, Edith?" I asked.

 

"S- she is at the w- western tower," Edith said, and I felt my heart drop. I have never been in that tower since my mother died. That tower was locked away because my father couldn't bear to have it so accessible to everyone, mainly me. Why was Luna even there?

 

"Edith, how do you know this?" I asked.

 

"W-well, last night I saw that Luna returned to the palace quite late after you dismissed me, and she seemed upset, so I called out to her, but she didn't hear me, and I followed her discreetly until I noticed that she entered the western wing toward the western tower. I watched her enter the tower and waited for her to come down," Edith said.

 

"And did she come down?" I asked, and she nodded.

 

"She came down after two hours," Edith stated. I ran a hand down my face, turned, and entered the palace. "Do you want me to inform that king?" Edith asked.

 

"No, I will deal with this matter alone, Edith. Can you please deliver breakfast to Michael? He hasn't eaten yet," I said.

 

"Yes, your Highness," Edith said, and I heard him running off to do the task she was asked to do.

 

A sigh escaped my lips because I started to dread this conversation I would have with Luna. God, I hope I come out of this in one piece.