The Lesson of Humility

The Lesson Of Humility

Mai stood in the grand training hall, her hands clasped behind her back as she faced Prince Lilian. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the polished floor. The air was tense with unspoken defiance—Prince Lilian sat lazily on a cushioned chair, arms crossed, his expression smug.

"Let's get one thing straight," Mai began, keeping her voice firm but calm. "If you expect to pass my training, you will follow my rules."

Prince Lilian raised an eyebrow, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? You actually think I care about your silly rules?"

Mai ignored his provocation and unrolled a

parchment. "Here are the twenty rules you will abide by during our training."

She read them aloud:

• You will arrive on time for every lesson.

• You will listen when I speak.

• No talking back or interrupting.

• You will complete every task I assign.

• You must not mistreat the servants.

• No unnecessary arrogance.

• You will not dismiss my teachings.

• Respect is mandatory, not optional.

• You will control your temper.

• Every lesson must be taken seriously.

• You will apologize when you are wrong.

• Honesty is required at all times.

• No showing off or flaunting your status.

• You must treat commoners with dignity.

• You will admit your mistakes.

• You will practice patience.

• You are not above learning from others.

• You will not question my authority as your tutor.

• Obedience is non-negotiable.

• Humility must be practiced, not just spoken about.

Prince Lilian let out an exaggerated yawn. "Did you say something? I must have dozed off."

Mai took a deep breath, refusing to let his attitude get to her. "Very well, let's begin today's lesson—Humility. It is one of the most crucial traits of a true leader."

Prince Lilian scoffed. "Humility? And what, pray tell, is your grand definition?"

Mai folded her arms. "Humility is the ability to acknowledge that you are no greater than those who serve you. A truly noble heart does not look down on others but instead uplifts them."

Prince Lilian chuckled, shaking his head. "That's rich, coming from a commoner."

Mai's patience was wearing thin, but she pushed forward. "Being humble doesn't make you weak. It earns you respect, loyalty, and love from your people. A prince who lacks humility will never be a true king."

Prince Lilian rolled his eyes. "Fine. What's my punishment for not taking your lesson seriously?"

Mai smirked slightly. "Oh, you'll see soon enough."

She led him out of the training hall and down the stone corridors, eventually arriving at the servants' quarters. The scent of soap and fresh linen filled the air. A young maid was crouched by a large basin, scrubbing garments with practiced hands.

Mai stopped and turned to Prince Lilian. "Go and wash those clothes."

Prince Lilian blinked, then burst into laughter. "You must be joking."

Mai didn't flinch. "I'm very serious. Show humility by washing those clothes."

Prince Lilian's amusement faded. His expression darkened. "You expect a prince—me—to stoop so low as to wash a maid's filthy garments?"

He spat the word maid with utter disgust. The young servant flinched but kept her head down.

Mai stepped closer, her voice unwavering. "A prince who refuses to humble himself for his people is not worthy of a throne."

Prince Lilian clenched his jaw. "And what will you do if I refuse?"

Mai held his gaze. "Then you will never pass my training, and you will prove to everyone—including your father—that you are unfit to rule."

The silence stretched between them. The maid had stopped washing, too afraid to move.

Prince Lilian's fingers curled into fists. He was furious.

And yet, for the first time… he had no clever comeback.

The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken defiance. The young maid's hands trembled in the soapy water as she kept her head bowed, too afraid to make eye contact with the prince.

Prince Lilian's lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes burned with annoyance. "You must have hit your head this morning, commoner. Because there is no possible reality where I—Prince Lilian of the Veries Kingdom—wash a maid's filthy rags."

Mai didn't waver. She folded her arms and met his gaze with unwavering determination. "And yet, that is exactly what you will do."

Prince Lilian took a step closer, towering over her. His presence was meant to intimidate, to make her falter. "You're nothing more than a lowly girl from the streets. Who are you to command me?"

Mai didn't blink. "The one who will determine whether you are worthy of your title or not."

His nostrils flared. "Worthy? You think washing a maid's rags determines my worth? Do you even hear yourself?"

Mai gave him a measured look. "It's not about the clothes, Prince Lilian. It's about your pride. A prince who cannot humble himself is unworthy of loyalty."

Prince Lilian scoffed, turning away from her. "This is absurd."

Mai raised her voice slightly, her patience wearing thin. "Tell me, Your Highness, do you think this girl scrubbing your linens is beneath you?"

Prince Lilian turned back, his expression unreadable. "Of course, she is. I am royalty. She is a servant."

Mai clenched her fists at his arrogance, but she kept her tone calm. "And yet, if she stopped washing your clothes, what would you wear? If the servants stopped cleaning the palace, who would clear your filth? If they stopped cooking, who would serve your meals? Would you sweep the halls yourself? Fetch your own food?"

Prince Lilian narrowed his eyes. He had no response to that.

Mai took a slow step forward. "Servants may not sit on thrones, but they are the hands that uphold them. Without them, you are nothing but a man in an empty castle."

The young maid gasped softly at Mai's words, her eyes darting up for a brief moment before quickly lowering them again.

Prince Lilian inhaled sharply, his shoulders stiff. He was silent for a long moment before his lips twisted into a sneer. "This is a waste of time."

Mai sighed. "Then I suppose you fail your first lesson." She turned away as if dismissing him.

Prince Lilian stiffened. "What?"

Mai looked at him over her shoulder. "You refuse to follow my training, which means you are unteachable. Your father entrusted me with your education, but I see now that you are a lost cause."

Prince Lilian's jaw clenched. "You don't get to decide that."

Mai smirked. "Oh? But I do. The King gave me full authority over your lessons. If you refuse to comply, I will simply inform him that his son is incapable of change."

His fists tightened at his sides. "You wouldn't dare."

Mai crossed her arms. "Wouldn't I?"

The challenge in her eyes set his blood boiling. He hated that she had the upper hand. Hated that she spoke with such confidence, as if she could control him.

He looked at the maid, who was staring down at the water, pretending she wasn't listening. His pride screamed at him to walk away. But his father's disappointment… the idea of being called unworthy…

That was worse.

With a low, frustrated growl, Prince Lilian threw off his velvet coat and tossed it onto a chair. "Fine."

Mai raised an eyebrow. "Fine what?"

Prince Lilian exhaled sharply and rolled up his sleeves. "I'll wash the damn clothes."

The maid gasped audibly, her hands flying to her mouth.

Mai, however, only nodded. "Good. Now, kneel down and begin scrubbing."

His eye twitched. "Kneel?"

"Did I stutter?"

He sent her a murderous glare but slowly lowered himself to the ground. His fingers hesitated above the water before finally plunging into the cold, soapy basin.

The young maid stammered, "Y-Your Highness, you don't have to—"

Prince Lilian shot her a glare. "I know I don't have to!"

Mai clicked her tongue. "That's not how you treat someone showing you concern."

He gritted his teeth and turned back to the clothes, gripping a soaked tunic. The moment he tried to scrub it, soap and dirty water splashed onto his face.

Mai pressed a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing.

Prince Lilian glared up at her. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

She smiled innocently. "I'm simply overseeing your training."

He muttered curses under his breath and scrubbed harder.

Mai leaned down slightly, watching him. "What's wrong? Struggling already?"

He didn't respond. His arms were already sore. How did the servants do this all day?

Mai turned to the maid. "Is he doing it correctly?"

The maid's eyes widened in horror. "I-I wouldn't dare correct His Highness—"

Mai sighed and looked back at Lilian. "You're using too much force. You'll ruin the fabric."

Prince Lilian exhaled sharply but loosened his grip. "This is ridiculous."

Mai smirked. "And yet, here you are, washing a maid's clothes."

He threw her a sharp look but said nothing.

For the first time in his life, Prince Lilian—the arrogant, untamed, prideful prince—was kneeling in the servants' quarters, washing clothes.

And Mai knew…

This was only the beginning.