— …but meetings with officials are so boring! — Oriana was sitting by the dressing table with pain and suffering painted all over her sleepy face. She was forced to wake up early, again, on her day off, because her father wanted her to attend a meeting with some official.

Every inch of her sleep deprived body ached longingly for the comforts of her bed. The past couple of days, she was busy from dawn till dusk. If not sitting in class, then running from one meeting to another. The Princess thought that since her lessons with the Elder were suspended until next month, she would have more time to rest and indulge in reading. She most certainly did not expect to be drowning in work and having even less free time. What’s the point of having a bed, if you can’t even sleep in it?!

— Think about it as a way to pass time till the guests arrive, Your Highness. — Kyra was standing behind the Princess, combing her hair and arranging it into a thick braid, with two smaller ones that wrapped around the top of of her head like a crown, giving the Princess youthful yet elegant look.

— It would pass even faster if I could sleep through it. — Oriana muttered before straightening her back and raising her chin. - But, you’re right. I need to think about the good things. The Prince is coming, and my my epic love story will begin!

The Princess thought about something for a moment, then spoke again.

— Have you ever been in love, Kyra?

— I can’t say that I have, Your Highness.

— Never? Not with a man? Or a woman? Not even a small crush?

The girl shook her head.

— No, never. I have never loved anyone in a romantic way.

To Kyra, romantic love was a type of luxury that she could only admire from the sidelines. Abandoned by her own parents and forced to beg in the streets, she never felt worthy of the affection of others. There weren’t many occasions when people would even acknowledge her existence, much less show her any ounce of sympathy. At the end of the day, she was just another homeless child. It didn’t help that she wasn’t especially pretty, or smart, or at least brave compared to others. The word that she considered to describe herself best was “average”.

She had average looks, average wits, average strength. When she was still very young, she sometimes thought that maybe if she was at least exceptionally ugly, people would look her way and notice that she was there. Instead she was just average. Boring, ignored, unwanted.

That was her life before she met Valeria - the first person in her life to see her, to care for her. Even though her situation wasn’t any better than Kyra’s, she still took her in and gave her more attention than her biological family ever did. Valeria had become her home.

Meeting someone who noticed her and treated her kindly was already a dream come true for Kyra. That’s why coming to the Palace and becoming friends with the Princess was even more shocking. She suddenly had people to whom her existence mattered. People who wanted her to be happy and safe.

To someone growing up as an almost invisible being, it was all like a miracle. How could she ever demand more, then? How could she not be satisfied with all the love she was getting from her sister and her friend? No, Kyra didn’t need anyone else’s love. She was fully content with what she had.

— I have you and Valeria. Why would I need anyone else? You two being around and caring for me makes me the happiest person in the world.

Oriana looked at the maid through the reflection in the mirror. Kyra was still focused on the hairstyle. Her hands were moving skillfully, taming the wild waves of her mistress’ golden hair. She looked peaceful with a soft smile on her face.

— You are a saint, Kyra. You are the most good-hearted and gentle person in the world. - The Princess turned around on her chair and enveloped her friend in a warm, tight hug. - I don’t think there’s anyone good enough to deserve you! But it’s okay. We will always be together and once I become the Queen, I will spoil you more than any husband or wife ever would!

Hearing the sudden and passionate pledge of love and devotion from her mistress brought tears to the maid’s eyes. I don’t know what I did to deserve such precious people around me, but thank you, Gods. Even if my life ended today, I would be content.

— Well, what about you, Your Highness? — Asked Kyra, once freed from the Princess’ cuddles. — You must have someone you fancy or liked in the past?

— No… I never fell in love either… — The Princess became dispirited. — I only ever learned about it from books, but I have never experienced it myself. In the novels, they say that time stops, and in that moment, the person in front of you becomes your entire world. You can’t sleep, you can’t eat, you can’t focus on anything, because all of your thoughts are focused on that someone. I wonder if it’s going to be the same once I meet the Prince…

Oriana always wanted to fall in love. The image created by all of the novels was magical and enticing. She wanted to feel like she’s walking on clouds too. To have all of her attention stolen by the thoughts of that one special person. She wanted to feel the passion and excitement whenever she looked in the eyes of the other. For someone like the Princess, who spent many years of her life in solitude, the world of love was full of color, and beautiful images, and she wanted to see it all with her own eyes.

The yearning in her heart was burning even stronger now that the Prince, who was a potential love partner, was on the horizon.

— You can’t force yourself to have feelings for someone. The heart does what a heart wants. But we can make sure that at least the other gets to lose their head the moment they see you! — Kyra smiled to the reflection in the mirror and went back to working on Oriana’s hair with a newfound determination.