The birds chirped. The sun shone. The leaves were a bright, ordinary green—the familiar cliché of a beautiful, average day.
In the vast gardens, where the trees grew in ordered rows, dozens of groundskeepers moved about their work.
"Have you seen the young prince?" a maid asked, stopping another along the gravel path. Worry pinched her voice.
The other maid's face tightened as well, but she shook her head.
"No. Why—is Lady Amaya searching for him again?"
"Yes." The first maid nodded, flustered.
"I thought I saw him a moment ago, but I lost him. Lady Amaya will be furious if I don't find him soon…"
"I'm sure he'll turn up. It's just him being mischievous again."
The first maid sighed and pressed her fingers to her forehead.
"I only wish he were as obedient as Her Highness. Look at her—perfect. Smart, strong, talented, beloved… and His Highness—well, the rumors about him are just getting worse by the day."
"Shh! Are you mad?" The second maid darted a look around.
