Alaric's pov:

"Do I answer only to you or is there also someone else I listen to after you?" Alicea asked me. Oh shoot I haven't even thought about it. Well... Technically she only answers to me... I guess. "Well. For now you only need to know that you answer to me," I answer half decently. I really should have thought this through and not after twenty minutes debating on impulse by myself and then deciding. Should have counseled with the elders. Not just decide it and tell my whole court about my decision regarding Alicea. Also this is my first time dealing with these kind of stituations.

Ugh I shouldn't have skipped breakfast I literally can't think straigth. I was also so anxious that I couldn't sleep well after realising what I have done.

I blink. W-wait! How long have I been stalling?! I look araound. Alicea was standing patiently waiting for further instruction. Well there's nothing else to inform so I told her to go. "Yes your majesty," she answered. As she went away I heard a small and faint giggle from her.

Okie dokie. Now the breakfast I skipped.

When Alicea was fully out I called a servant to inform the cook to prepare me breakfast and extra strong tea so I can manage trhough the day with my kingly duties. Because I care about my people. *stomach rumbling...

Alaric eating his somewhat late breakfast:

As I'm eating my breakfast I begin to recount what happened half an hour ago. Like what am I thinking!? Did I just appoint a trained warrior princess who can kill hundreds of soldiers on her own to be my personal maid?! Isn't this basicly suicide?! *sips tea.

But then memories of Alicea sobbing and demeanor before me flood to my head. Then the sight of her being in chains looms in. My heart immedietly started to trhob. She wasn't rebellious at all unlike other princesses of her kind I've encountered while battling on the battlefield or elsewhere like parties I've been invited to in my princehood in ally kingdoms. Alicea on the contrary seems like a gentle person plus Atefeh said that she is sweet also Luwi and Maruf basicly said the same thing last night before Atefeh. Like Atefeh actually told me that Alicea is not of any harm! AND I TRUST HER SO MUCH SO THERE 'S NOTHING TO WORRY RIGHT? RIGHT?*breathes out. Ok now Alaric just calm down a bit.

You didn't sleep well last night so just calm down. I continue eating. "Yes your majesty_". ‘Your majesty’? Disapointment creeps in. It isn't wrong for her to address me like that since it's tecnically right. It's just that my people address me as their king (my king). It feels strange since she is kinda my 'subject' (in a sense since she is now my servant) so I'm not used to it. But I understand that she doesn't really trust me. I hope I made a right and just choice since I am kinda putting my life at risk for possible assasination. I finish my breakfast and hurry to my duties.

Alicea's pov:

While walking to somewhere in the palace I admired the scenery that passed by me. Cheerful servants bustling around to complete their duties. Soldiers chatting while working oddly enough made me feel comfortable. I really didn't know what to expect. Before everything happened I was so busy to improve my subjects lives that I didn't have the chance to travel to other kingdoms to experience or learn about other ways of life. The thought of not traveling made me a bit embarrassed since I feel so uncultured and the thing is that you'd expect a royal to know about other cultures so you can form allys. "Ally...". "Allyy..". -"Y-yes?" I snapped back to reality. "Why the sad face?" Atefeh asked. "Oh, it is just that I feel embarrassed that I have not been able to travel outside of my kingdom to learn about others and I'm afraid of coming out prejudiced in some aspect," I told Atefeh mustering a small smile avoiding her eye contact a little. "Oh honey that's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure you had your reasons," Atefeh comforted me. I looked at her and smiled as we continued our way. "Also I think that this is the period of your life where you get to travel Ally," she added....

We get to our first destination: the room I will stay in. I look around my surroundings. I notice not so far away a pair of fairly ornate doors. "Atefeh?"I breathed out . "Yes Alicea?" she replied. "Is..Is that the king's bedchamber!?" I asked cold (or somewhat cool) sweat trickling down my back. "Yes it is," Atefeh answered in a calm voice. Upon hearing her answer my heart starts racing faster- "It is so that you can reach him quicker when he needs you since you are his personal maidservant," Atefeh seemed to figure out how I felt. Well even though I appreciate that Atefeh is emotionally smart I still feel like all my royal training has gone down the drain. I nodded as a reply to Atefeh. She then showed me around the room. The blanket from the cell was there neatly folded on the rooms bed. The room itself was simple with all the necessities and extra clothes exactly my measure. They most likely used my dress I wore when I was captured.

After that Atefeh showed me around the palace and introduced me to the other servants. She also explained how everything operated. Oh! And she also gave me a map of the whole palace ground. As I inspected the map there was a section of the palace ground that read Concubines quarters (basicly vacant). What does it mean? So I inquired Atefeh about it. She explained that his majesty doesn't have any concubines since it makes him uncomfortable. So they use it as guest rooms for high ranking or royal guests.

Interesting. If only there were no royal concubines back home... As the tour was concluding we ran to the two kind guards that were in charge of me. "G'day Atefeh and our new workmate!" they greeted us. "Greetings you two mighty men"Atefeh greeted back. "Hello!" I greeted with a sweet smile. The two guards smiled brightly. It gave me a confidence boost since they reminded me of the soldiers I led to battle back home. Alright now Alicea if you want to survive and help your people you have to stop moping and get it together since you are still a princess and a warrior at heart. Try to think this as a another kind of battlefield. So you might as well gain allys/befriend some people.

I raise hand for a handshake and to establish mutual respect to each other. "May I now what's the names of the soldiers this maidservant is working with?" I asked confidently smiling. The two guards seemed a little confused of the way I asked their names. "My name's Luwi," the guard who had smiled to me introduced himself. We shaked hands. "My name is Maruf," we shaked also shaked hands. "Now could ya also tell us ya name?" Luwi asked me. "The name of this maidservant whom you are working is Alicea but you can just call me Ally," I introduced myself. Then I explained the custom of my kingdom of introducing ourselves in this matter to them. After the explanation we we chatted a little more before continueing our seperate ways.

A male servant came to Atefeh relayng a message from his majesty telling that if we were ready with the tour he is currently in the main trhone room. So we went there. When I saw the massive greatly decorated pair of doors I felt like butterflies were in my stomach. "I have now finished showing you around so I shall go now. Any questions before I go?" Atefeh asked. "So..How do I please his majesty I am bit nervous," I ask her while fidgeting with my fingers. "My advice is to just be yourself and not fuss around," she answers with a soothing tone. "Best of luck Ally," "Thank you Atefeh,"

Atefeh goes away and I enter into the throne room. When I entered in his majesty seemed to notice me immediately. He seemed to smile brightly. I am not sure since I can't see too well from afar with these glasses. He waved me to his side. Before I was too near him I bowed and greeted his majesty. Then I go to stand by his right......

Hmm... It has been a while. His mjesty seems stiff. Should I offer him something to make him more comfortable? Buuut I am not sure. I don't know how to act since at home the servant speaks only when spoken to. So I really don't know. Also he's so focused on his work that I don't want to disturb him...

Alaric's pov:

Welp. This is not what I expected. The silence is so awkward. But to be frank this is my first time having a personal servant. And I think I'm regretting my decision. My eyelids start to feel heavy. My mucles ache. Oh how I dread this paperwork. Okay! I just can't with the silence! I got to break the ice here since Alicea also seems uncomfortable. And that's the last thing I want her to feel around me after everything that has happened to her.

I turn to Alicea. "So uhh, do you have any hobbies you like to do on your free time?" I tried to ask her. "Yes your majesty," she answers with a shy smile. Should I just admit that this is my first time? Maybe I should since I can't really think of anything else. "I-its actually my first time having a personal srevant so uuhhh... Right," *scratches his head trying to not sound too awkward. "Well it is also my first time doing domestic service (wispering):so I am a bit nervous too " Alicea replied with a smile. This seemed to work since the tension loosened up. We looked at each other and laughed awkwardly at each other. "So uh what do you like to do?" I asked with curiosity. Her eyes light up. "Well your majesty I really enjoy reading and to be more specific I really enjoy reading fiction," Alicea answered. I smiled. "Do you play any instruments?" I ask more. I hope I'm not pushy with asking her these things. I just want her to feel comfortable around me. Alicea seems hesitant with answering me I really don't know.

Maybe I'm overanalizing due to barely sleeping well plus it's already midday. So yeah. "Yes I do. I like to play the harp your majesty," Alicea answers while fidgeting her fingers. "W-ould your majesty like to hear your maidservant play the harp?" she asked with a petit smile. "Yes please. That would be wonderfull," I replied. Then I called a servant to bring a harp and and a stool for her to sit while playing the harp. "Is there a specific song your majesty would like your maidservant to play or?" Alicea asked.

"No nothing specific, maybe some song from your homeland," I answered her.

When the harp and the stool arrived Alicea lightly skipped to the harp. Wait?! Ligthly skipped? Am I hallucinating or did she really just skip to the harp. Has she warmed to me a little. Am I making progress. *yawns Now now Alaric just focus a little. When Alicea got to the harp she starts palying. Oh the melody it's so calming like a sweet scent of the eucalyptus and lavender. The sound is oh so... so... good....

*Alaric's field of view gradually darkens*light snoring......

After 4 minutes:

" Your majesty?" ......" Your majestyyy..."...."Hello?" -" YOUR MAJESTY,". GaH!! My eyes shot open. How long was I asleep? I look around. Alicea has stopped playing the harp and is now slightly worried. Oh no no no y-you did nothing wrong Alicea. I look at myself. What posture is this?*Alaric touches his face. Wait..Saliva?! I quickly fix my posture and brush the dripping saliva forgetting all my royal manners. "(muffled):Hehehaha" Alicea tries to not giggle out loud by putting her hand on her mouth. "I-I h-hope your maidservant didn't bore his majesty?" Alicea asked me trying to hide her amusement. "Oh no Alicea you didn't," "I just didn't sleep well last night," I explained as I laughed a little. Alicea smiled sweetly her eyes glittering. I smiled and then laughed. Thankfully Alicea also laughed too. After this incident we continued our day. Alicea assisting me in things and so on.

Late in the evening Alicea's pov:

Me and his majesty are walking together to our rooms. The sun has now set the beautifull sky now glitters with stars. As we near our rooms we start to depart from each other. "I will go now your majesty," I informed his majesty. "Please do Alicea," his majesty replied smiling tenderly. I smiled back and bowed before I go to my room as his majesty continues his way to his room. But before I enter my room I watch him going to his room. Then he stops midway and turns to me. My heart starts to race faster as he looks at me. His gaze tired but good willing. He smiles slightly- "Hey Alicea," "Yes your majesty," "You can speak freely to me, you can ask and offer me things,". I nod to his majesty. "Good night Alicea," his majesty wished me. "Good night your majesty". I enter my room. Then I go and take a quick cold bath and after that I plop to my bed. The king seems really kind. I think I might be able to trust him t-to *yawn sssoommmeee exteennnnttt......