The chance didn't reveal itself when I exited the room, closing the door softly behind me. I went to start my walk in the direction of my father's study when I realized I wasn't alone. The guards were expected, but I hadn't been expecting to see a guest as well. To my surprise, it was the missing Arranged. I knew her to be Mae through process of elimination, as well as her expected resemblance to her father.

Mae was short, much shorter than me, guessing roughly five foot five or shorter. She had black hair styled in a pixie cut, shorter on one side than the other with long bangs down to her chin on the long side. She wore a simple black dress that went slightly below her knees, matching her black dress shoes and stockings. When she turned her head, I was able to get a quick glance at her face, finding her face quite feminine and delicate with bright pale blue eyes. She had one earring in with a light coating of dark eye shadow and lipstick.

She hadn't been what I was expecting, but I wasn't sure what I had been expecting either. We met eyes only for a moment in her short glance. She looked me up and down once before turning back to her conversation like I hadn't been there in the first place! Not that I wanted the attention, but I was surprised at her almost disregard for me! And judging by the lack of color in the entirety of her black outfit, a hand on her cocked hip, and the discussion with the guard she was clearly engrossed in, I understood her personality from one glance.

I knew we would get along great.

"...working with him like?" Mae said. Her voice was light, though not the most feminine, I noticed, almost a bit gruffer. "I imagine it took quite some time to get through training."

The guard nodded, seemingly enjoying the conversation as much as Mae was. I didn't tone out the conversation, rather, I was more fascinated by the scene in front of me. Had Mae been out here the entire time? Judging by the interest and half listening ear of the other guard on the other side of the door, I suspected I was right. Clearly, Mae fit in with the guard better than the upper class in the room behind us! I was excited to see it.

"Mind if I jump in?" I asked, nervously taking a casual step in the direction of the two.

Crowds made me nervous but talking with individual people I found much easier. Using the other Arranged as a reference, I was genuinely surprised at myself with how nervous I felt to interrupt Mae. Obviously, I wanted her to like me, and judging by her unwavering, and unimpressed expression, she wasn't too keen on my presence. Fortunately for me, the guard was appreciative of my input.

"Your Highness," the guard said, addressing me properly with a deep nod. "You'll have something to add to this. M'lady here was asking me what working with Cronin is like! I barely had any interaction with him despite training for the Royal Guard. He doesn't hand train every guard: Nobody would have the time for that!"

I laughed nervously. "Well, actually, funny you say that... It's expected of Cronin to hand train the royals. Lucky me..." I rolled my eyes. "It means all his attention is on me, and I mean all of it. Any mistake I make he'll catch, and he'll be sure to correct it."

The guard laughed a hearty laugh, surprising Mae and worrying me someone inside may investigate.  I was pleased, however, to see him treating me with such a friendly attitude. Some guards I knew were strict about their training which involved treating the royals with the upmost respect. That being said, it was refreshing when a guard would put aside the titles just to have a conversation.

"Damn straight." He smirked. "I've heard from my buddies that Cronin is quite the teacher. A bit forceful and realistic. Almost too realistic..." He cleared his throat. "But it's effective, that's for sure."

"I'll say. He's also very good at building confidence. But that may just come from the nature of the training."

"I would kill for a training session with Cronin." Mae huffed glancing away. "I'd kill for any training session, actually..."

I was pleased to see Mae open up again. She had previously dismissed me, like she was disappointed when I had arrived (which I suspected was because of my title), but upon seeing my casual and informal interaction with the guard, she must have pieced together that I was not my title. She was acting a bit more genuine, no longer with concern about how the prince might react to her attitude.

"Anyone is welcome to apply and enroll in boot camp." I told her.

She scoffed. "I know that. Believe me." She scowled at the air in front of her. "It's my father. He wants a "lady-like" daughter, not a solider. But if you couldn't tell," she smiled tightly at me and gestured to her outfit, "I'm not the most effeminate. Not to his standards, anyway..."

I winced, expressing sympathy, as did the guard. "I'm sorry to hear that, Mae." She was surprised I knew her name. "If it'll make you feel better, you'll be at the palace without your father's supervision. After today, unless you give him permission to visit or visit him yourself, you're welcome to do as you please at the palace." Her eyes sparked with a sudden realization. I laughed seeing it, nodding. "Within reason, of course, I'm sure I—or Cronin—could find the time to show you the ropes. Or maybe you could sit in on one of my training sessions with Cronin! I found watching was a great introduction."

"I would fucking love that!" I was surprised by her swear, but greatly amused by it. She didn't take me for the type to apologize, but her expression did read a bit of regret. When I smirked and looked her over, it faded quickly. She returned it. "You're not so bad, Your Highness."

I snickered. "Call me Sonjay. When it's just us or the other Arranged, of course." I cleared my throat and looked back to the guard, hoping to spare him any uncomfortableness with Mae and I's interaction. "How long have you two been talking? I came out here for a bit of a breather, but judging by the interest of you two in your previous discussion, this isn't a five-minute talk."

Mae and the guard blushed slightly, making me laugh. I told them I wasn't judging and had left parties before to talk to guards and other guests outside the main festivities. Guards had interesting stories to tell!

"Yeah, it's probably been half the gathering I've been out here..." Mae said a bit shyly. "Parties aren't my thing, let alone socializing. I can do it, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it. Or, well, in large groups. A group of one, two or three can be interesting."

"Agreed." I said, smiling. "I love a good conversation, but when a whole group is hanging on my every word, I get a bit nervous."

"Public speaking must be difficult then." She snickered.

"That's an understatement." I scoffed. "I'm just thankful I'm an extroverted prince and not introverted. Being the heir to a country as an introvert is a bit... Complicated." I smiled tightly.

She snorted. "I don't even want to imagine that on my shoulders." A slight realization came to her face as she pieced together that it may become true if I were to choose her as my spouse. She had to be willing though, and I would be the first person to understand why someone would reject the title of queen. Royalty was a heavy weight on anyone's shoulders. "Uh, that aside... What time is it anyway? I suppose I should return to the party before it ends, at least. Meet a few of the other Arranged..."

I checked my watch again and had been about to speak when the door opened softly beside me. I flinched, standing up a bit taller when I realized it could be my father. I quickly turned around and smiled warmly at him, having expected him when I realized it was past one. We met eyes and he smiled at me.

"I thought I might find you out here." He said, closing the door behind him, making both Mae, the guards, and me nervous. He didn't seem to notice, having something else on his mind. "Are you ready for lunch?"

"Only if you are." I responded. "And before you accuse me of avoiding the party!" He went to speak, but I interrupted when I stepped backwards to stand behind Mae. I could already read her personality; She was just as playful and as rebellious as me. She'd appreciate my joke, even if she was a bit nervous to address the king directly. "I'm talking with the Arranged! I met all of them too! I now have faces to names." I smiled smugly.

He looked Mae over very briefly before returning to me, his mouth slightly agape in confusion. I could see the gears turning in his head and I began to worry I may have stepped to far, when he laughed. He turned away and smiled to himself, suppressing what could have been a loud laugh. I started laughing with him, snorting and looking at Mae with my smug smile. She snorted seeing it and shoved me away, elbowing me harshly in the shoulder as a way of saying she appreciated the joke, but also didn't appreciate being thrusted in front of the king for the first time in such a manner. I smiled at her, thanked her for being a good sport and turned back to my father, who had collected himself.

"You're hilarious, Sonjay." He said, smiling. "Of course, I know you haven't been out here the whole time. I keep tabs on you, you know. It's kind of my job to make sure you are being a responsible heir. I know you've met every Arranged. Including... Uhm, I think that was Autumn you met before you left out here? You looked disgusted. What happened there?"    

I smiled nervously. "Questions have a lot of subtext, I'll just say that. She implied something I'm not quite sure she meant yet. I plan to investigate that..." I said a bit more seriously, surprising my father.

"Ah, well... This was just a first meeting. Keep an open mind."

"Believe me, I am." I waved my hands and begun to turn him around in the direction of the door, much to his protest and confusion and the amusement of our audience. "It's just past one: Back to the party! Move this along so I can eat! I'm starving!"