Your Highness

Seira took out the pocket watch Ms. Cora gave to her on her first day. It was already 7:30 and she needed to pick the meal. She stood up and glanced at Almira who was a few feet away from her. A brown circle was glowing in her hand like the other servants in the garden. Dry leaves, petals, stems in the garden floated in the air until it landed the bunch of leaves in the corner. A blue light came from another servant followed by drops of water in one corner of the garden. They all use their magic. Some that already used their magic earlier are now using their bare hands as they only used it for a short period of time.

"I will go now Almira, see you later" she took out the soiled gloves and put them on the container with cleaning equipment set near the wall. With a final wave at Almira, she walked straight away to the kitchen.

"Hello Martin" she greeted, going right away to the sink to wash her hands; rubbing her hands hard so as to clean them.

"You're just right in time" Martin put the silver cloche to cover the food for the final preparation.

"Is the prince truly…… I mean a bad…. man?" she asked the question that bugs her for the past few days. A part of her believes the rumors but a small part of her wants to alter that belief, for her peace of mind and to lessen her nervousness every time she steps outside the quarters.

Martin glanced at her for a second; wiping his hands with a white cloth.

"He isn't but he surely doesn't want mistakes from the people that surrounds him"

"I thought so" she chuckled to lessen the sudden awkwardness that formed between her and Martin who looked somewhat distressed. She should've not asked "I really want to skip this meal for this time, the prince will not come after all" she added, changing the subject.

"You can't. Like what I said before, the prince shows up unannounced and maybe he is on his way here. You never know"

Seira sighed. Martin was basically right. She was no Saint, she also once thought of skipping her cleaning duties in the prince's room but like usual, her conscience beat her. She always ends up doing her tasks even though there was no single speck of dust or dirt in the room and she ended up waiting for a whole day.

"Just like what I thought you would say"

Martin give a half-suppressed laugh while handing her the tray where she took out "Here you go"

"Thank you," she said, stepping out from the kitchen.

In her one week of working in the palace, she never met the prince. She spent her days cleaning the room, again and again, picking out the meals and waiting in the small room for an unknown prince to come, at least for her. She was not excited or any near of that word to meet the prince but sooner or later she will eventually encounter the royalty, so it is better to meet the ruthless man as soon as possible than to spend her time feeling nervous and clueless about what she should do. The only eventful thing that happened to her in one week was Ms. Elena gave her the wig to cover her hair as per orders of Ms. Cora which the old woman thought she had none.

She put the tray on the long table in the prince diner hall; arranging the plates and standing up near the cabinet, tapping her foot on the floor.

The room was spotless of any mark or dirt as she tidied it up every day and there was no one coming or staying in there.

….

The guards in the upper walled part of the castle that was formed out of a low, narrow wall on top of the outermost protective wall of the castle catch sight of the man riding a pure black horse.

"Lower the bridge!"

The bridge over a castle's moat, which is hinged at one end made of cypress timber, was opened by four iron chains and weights with iron sheaves and rollers at the heads of the posts allowing Kyrian to pass through the gatehouse. It was a strong, fortified building positioned to defend the entrance of a castle.

"Open the gates!" one guard ordered once again. The heavy wooden grille made from strong wood that was metal plated with iron was raised.

Kyrian put pressure on the reins. His horse increased its speed even more passing the gatehouse. He reached the inner bailey that surrounds the castle. It is the main building where the royalties inhabit. It is the strongest fortification of the castle.

He closed his fingers and squeezed backward. The horse stops as soon as he feels the backward pull on the reins. He leans forward, shifting his weight onto his arms then he swings his right leg up over the horse’s haunches.

He glanced to his right and saw an old man—Mr. Herman in the distance, the equine caretaker of the palace. The man was holding the bridle of a horse. He didn't bother calling him. Noxus can find his way to his own stable, separate from the other horses. The animal can be temperamental sometimes and it didn’t get quiet along with other horses.

Servants lined up on either side of the stairs while trying their best to look unbothered and stop themselves from shaking. The mere presence of the man was enough to bring shivers to their spine. The new servants suppressed their excitement knowing that the crowned prince decided to grace the palace of his presence. They bowed once Kyrian passed; simultaneously released a breath of relief and stared at the back of the royalty with so much admiration.

Kyrian walked straight to his room; opening the door at once. A dark, quiet room, with a lack of any sunlight, welcomes him. It is the same way he left a week ago aside from another scent lingering in his room. He glanced at the double door where his dining hall was located, sensing someone's presence. It was probably the servant Sebastian notified him about.

With that thought, he saunters to the double door; opening the movable barrier unannounced.

A woman looking down at the floor was standing a few feet away from the table; tapping her heels on the floor. She was somewhat familiar.

"You must be my new personal servant"

Seira abruptly turned to her left. Her amber eyes widened along with her mouth. The color on her face was gone instantly as fear and horror filled her eyes.

"Y-you—" she unknowingly pointed at the man staring at her with the same cold eyes she saw in Herstings.