I stood to the side with the other butlers as we watched the Princes and Margo mingle among the crowd. Two of the Princes stood close to Margo, while one stood far away from the rest. The King stood next to Margo as they talked to the Princes. Some of the guests watched from their seats. In contrast, others stood close by trying to take in every word. Others mingled around the tables while being served by staff that had bite-sized cheese sandwiches, green grapes, sliced green apples, cubes of cheddar cheese, and champagne glasses filled with champagne or sparkling white grape juice. 

Cameras panned from a distance, trying to offer some privacy to Margo and the Princes, but I was sure they would pick up some of their conversations. It wasn’t interesting to watch from the sidelines with the help, but rather be in the action. I then heard a cough to the left of me. I turned to look over at the crow butler, he looked down at me. Then another soft cough came from him.

“Sorry. Nervous habit,” he whispered in a softy and husky voice. Which was followed by another pestering cough but he gestured his head towards the camera. I noticed now that a camera was pointed at us.

“They really do want a show. Is this your first?” He then paused realizing his mistake, his head dropped slightly. “Sorry, it is. Isn’t it? Stupid question.” I nodded in response and refocused my attention on Margo. 

“They like to get our reactions since we know them the best. I would know. This is the second William and I have been in,” he continued in a whisper. He paused for a moment. He breathed heavily, every breath in and out I could hear him make. It seemed intentional. That he was forcing every breath to come in and out, like he had to remind himself to breathe.

I hated it.

“I’m Marcus,” he whispered with a chuckle. “I think it’s a bit silly we are just standing here. I want a drink. What do you say?” I looked back over at Margo who now looked over at us. She stared at us for a moment before she brought her hand up and gestured toward me. Come, her hand told me. 

“Thank you, but Princess Margo wants me.” 

Marcus sighed, “Then maybe next time?” I only nodded and made my way toward Margo’s side.

The King smiled at me as I made my way, “I’ll be taking my leave now. I wish you all the best of luck.” He turned and started to make his way toward the personal butlers. 

Margo let out a breath, “This is Suki,” she spoke in a hushed whisper. The wolf Prince nodded rapidly as she spoke.

“Suki,” he said as he closed his eyes, “It is a pleasure to meet you.” He bowed towards me and I bowed back. He stood up straight and proud like nothing could bring him down. He took in a sharp breath. “I’m Harold. Thank you for taking such great care of Princess Margo.”

Margo shuffled and turned away from the man.

“It is a pleasure to meet you too. I’m very happy that you are here,” I replied with another bow.

“Can you get me a drink,” he gestured over to the snack table. My eyes darted over and as I was just about to take a step.

“No. She can’t,” Margo paused, “She doesn’t have to.”

“But, it’s right there. She can get it.”

“You can too,” Margo barked. 

There was a moment of silence between the three of us. The Prince sighed in defeat and shook his head. 

“It’s been a pleasure, talking to you,” he sneered as he made his way to the table. Margo turned to the other Princes. Her head slightly tilted towards me until it was on my shoulder.

“I’m getting tired,” she whispered in my ear. I nodded.

“Yeah. Me too,” I replied. 

Our days were never this eventful. Oftentimes we would be reading in the library around this time. Margo would be cozied on the red loveseat under a gray blanket and I would sit in front of her with a cup of tea. We would sit in silence while reading books. 

Margo’s head turned over toward the Prince who stood the furthest from us and away.

“Do you think it’s some kind of tactic? The cool quiet kid,” Margo inquired. I shrugged.

“Probably just shy. I heard one of them doesn’t talk much. His last showing ended with him being the first to leave.”

Margo shrugged as she walked over to that Prince and stared at him. He was much shorter than Margo and didn’t stand straight but instead more slouched. His body was small and thin, fragile almost as if you could blow him away like fire on a birthday candle. A camera drew closer to us.

“You know nothing will happen if you just stand there,” her voice was blunt. He took a step back. 

“Y-you’re right,” he stuttered a bit too loudly. His body trembled slightly as he looked around and took a deep shaky breath. His body turned over towards Marcus. I watched as Marcus darted past us and placed an elbow on Prince William’s shoulder. He learned forward and laughed.

“William, go on and introduce yourself,” Marcus said. William straightened up and tightened his hands into fists.

“I’m William. They, them pronouns. This is Marcus. Nice to meet you!”

Their hands loosened and they let out a breath. I make note of what William said, finally remembering that one of the Princes did come out last year as non-binary. William reached up and started to pat their shoulder lightly as they took deep breaths in and out.

“It is very lovely to meet you both. This is Suki. Should I refer to you as a Prince or a Princex?” Margo nodded her head towards me. 

“Oh. Uh. Prince is fine. Thank you,” William said as they turned their head away.

We all stood in silence staring at each other, examining each other's clothes trying to see if there were any wrinkles. There weren’t any.

“This is so strange, isn’t it? How are we supposed to talk to each other with this many people? And cameras?” Margo sighed, crossing her arms. The camera still stayed on us. William looked down towards the ground and Margo stared at them, waiting for a response. Marcus nudged William, but William didn’t move an inch.

“Yes, it can be strange. I’m sorry about William,” Marcus said with a bow.

“No. This is fine. I’m pretty intimidating,” she joked with a laugh.

William looked up at Marcus and grabbed his elbow. Marcus sighed,

“I think we need to go for a little walk, but it was lovely meeting you, Princess Margo. I hope you and William get to know each other,” Marcus said with another bow. He and William began to walk away towards the garden. Margo turned to me.

“I think I want to go for a walk too. It’s stuffy in here.”

She turned back over to the other Princes who mingled with each other. 

“Thank you for entertaining me, but I am going to take a small break.”

The Princes stopped talking and stared at Margo.

“Enjoy your break, Princess,” replied the Fox Prince, “We’ll be waiting for you.” He smiled and gave a slight wave.

~~~~~~

Margo followed William and Marcus from a distance. The two of them walked towards the fountain and stared at the flowers. William sat down on the ground. Margo pulled me to the side and stared intently at the two.

“I blew it,” their head bowed down towards the ground. Marcus stood next to them and placed a hand on William’s shoulder.

“You still have a chance,” he answered. William shuffled on the ground and balled up even more.

“Yeah. I guess. People are just. Scary.” William said with a huff. Marcus sighed and removed his hand from the shoulder.

“Everything is at one point,” Marcus started to sit down next to William.

“The flowers are pretty. Just like her,” William said, they took a moment after spending some time looking at the flowers. “Do you think my garden will be fine?”

“Of course, it will be fine, we have some of the best gardeners watching over it right now.”

Margo looked over at me and gave a firm nod. Her face, a slight red, “They seem. Nice.” She was right. William did seem nice and I could agree with them.

She was is just as pretty as the flowers.