I whirled around looking for anyone, but there wasn’t a single servant to be seen.

‘This is the imperial palace-how could there not be a soul here?’

“Hello?” I called out. I started back the way I came in hopes of finding someone.

“Is anyone there?” Things became quite uncomfortable with the sun setting and no candles lit in the corridor. Spooky, honestly.

‘If I get caught somewhere I’m not supposed to be, they aren’t going to lock me up in my room, right?’ I shuddered at the thought.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah!” I turned around, as relieved as I was startled. “Oh thank goodness. I was lost-” Looking up, I was greeted by the displeased face of my older brother, Fredrick.

Unlike our siblings who took after our father's brown hair and red eyes, Frederick was the spitting image of our mother: short blond hair and piercing blue eyes. 

‘He looks like the typical crown prince in most stories like this.’

“You are-lost?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Unlike Olivia, I didn't feel particularly comfortable with the idea of calling him his name. Not when he constantly glared at me like so.

“What's the point of a nice face if all you’re going to do is scowl?”

“What?”

“Huh?”

I looked back at him. I said that out loud!

As we looked at one another in surprise I realized I had to find some way to salvage the situation.

“Ahem. Your Highness, I’m sure every lady in the capital would be head over heels for you if you’d smile more!” I spoke, grabbing hold of my dress and stepping forward. “Even during the meal this morning, you did nothing but frown. If you continue this downcast behavior your face will develop terrible wrinkles. Much less would any lady of befitting status think it alright to approach!”

I did my best to stand my ground despite the alarm bells in my mind.

“Your Highness, you are the future of the empire, and a strapping young man to boot-it would be sad to see miscommunications happen between you and your future bride.”

“Mi-miscommunications?” Stuttered the prince, trying to keep up. I was truly on a roll.

“Yes. If you don’t smile more often you may create issues with your wife-to-be. Such as her thinking you’re upset with her when you aren’t, or thinking she might have done wrong based on your expression. God forbid, you’re frowning and she takes it as you hate her! You must relax, Your Highness, the empire too will feel at ease seeing such a handsome young man smile.”

“A-Alright.” He said.

“Wonderful, Your Highness! Then pardon me for bothering you, but I find myself lost. Would you know the best way to find a servant to guide me to the South Palace?”

“You’re lost. Truly?”

“Yes?”

He looked at me in confusion.

“You…There are instructions at every corner, signs that indicate what is which way.”

“What?”

Pointing, he approached one of the signs.

“This one says that the study’s are this way-where we are now.”

“Oh…” I looked at the sign he indicated.

‘I don’t know how to read!’

My expression betrayed my realization, as my brother looked down at me.

“Do you not know how to read?”

“Um.” I was already sweating. While I might have told Olivia I was uneducated, I’m sure even she thought I knew how to read. But I couldn't even learn much more than the alphabet trapped in those woods.

He pointed at the sign below the previous one.

"What does this say?"

'Ugh, that's not fair, you bastard!'

He looked at me with wide eyes, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"D-di…" I feel like I'm going to end up biting my tongue!

"Hah, unbelievable!" He said. "I know you had to be uneducated after not being raised in society but, to think you're unable to read! The person who taught you ought to be ashamed."

"You-!."

Screw pleasantries and keeping my dignity-he went too far.

"Your Highness, have you ever been made to sleep on a bed of straw?” I began, a ferocity gripping my heart. “Made to wear things cut and sewn from the smallest animals, unable to wash the smell of death away? Have you watched as the one person you care for is on the verge of death and you're not allowed medicine?" I glared at him.

"What about your food? Rotting meat and moldy bread- has that been all you could eat before? Broken bones and infected, pulsing skin unable to heal right due to not having the resources."

"Your Highness. While you may have been to war before, my entire life has been such. Strife, struggle, and effort day after day to avoid dying in those rotten woods all alone. And to insult my nanny, who was forced to care for me in complete isolation amongst those beasts in dire straits each day, you have crossed the line."

I turned and stormed off down the hall despite his shouts.

'Aggravating, like most crown princes are.'

I felt like crying.

I wish Amelia was here with me. Getting lost, running into jerks like that, and even the silverware. I wouldn't be struggling like this if I had at least one person here truly on my side!

"Oof!"

I ran straight into someone and hit the floor.

'These damn heels!' I thought as a few tears escaped me.

I looked up, ready to apologize to the poor soul I ran into.

"Oh." It was my eldest brother.

The last thing I wanted right now was to deal with anyone, especially more of my family. I just wanted to be in my room. No. I just wanted to be home.

I couldn't help the tears that spilled out. I must have looked like a wreck. My ankle throbbed.

'It might be sprained.' I thought, reaching down only to feel the swelling begin. “Who would have known heels were my weakness…” I mumbled to myself.

"It seems this attire doesn't suit you, little sister." Looking up, I saw he had already knelt and was assessing the damage.

"Here. Let me help you up. I'm sure you don't want this to cause a big fuss."

I was hesitant, but couldn't feel any strength of my body with my anger now gone.

"... Thank you."

Taking his hand, he helped me stand. He held my hands and looked me over. He seemed dissatisfied.

"These dresses must be too heavy. I'll have the tailors prepare lighter dresses and flats for you."

I laughed wryly. I didn't even try to stop my tears now. My exhaustion was too great.

"It's not that even. I've never worn dresses or heels, these unflattering things. I-" Pursing my lips, I felt sick from how much I was crying.

"I just want to go home…" My head hung as I barely stood there, swaying ever so slightly.

"I'm sorry."

I looked up. His face was contorted into pity. I turned away from him and tried to stand on my own. His pity or sympathy, I didn't need it.

"You may not be able to go home anymore, but…Is there anything you'd like from your home?" He asked quietly.

In shock, I stared him down. Could I trust what he's saying? I felt the pendant under my dress, despite the pain I felt holding it.

"I…I'd like for my nanny, Amelia, to be brought here. Just as I-she too has suffered out in that forest long enough."

"I see." He knelt and took my heels off as I wiped away my tears.

Standing back up he gave me a sad, gentle smile.

"I'll let the tailor know to visit in the morning."

"Thank you."

"Will you make it back okay?" His questions felt probing but at the same time comforting. It was as if he was seeing right through me.

"If you could point me to the South Palace, anyways."

"Will do. Please be prepared for the tailor tomorrow. I'll drop by to make sure things are going well."

"All right. Thank you-"

"Cassius."

He handed me my shoes with a faint smile.

"Thank you, Cassius."

I smiled back.