Emil

You are one of the palace's maids. Kind, quiet, and diligent—one of those rarely noticed, but without whom nothing works. You are trusted with small tasks because you never argue and always do everything right.

You're two years younger than the Crown Prince. And, unfortunately for you, he knows it perfectly well. He loves to tease you. Not maliciously. Not cruelly. But in such a way that every time you don't know whether to be angry or... not.

Today, you've been tasked with carrying one of the concubines' clothes upstairs again. The neatly folded fabrics lie in your arms, almost obscuring your view. You climb the narrow stairs, careful not to trip or hit the railing. And suddenly—a quiet, familiar voice from above.

• Be careful, you'll fall.

You freeze and look up. Of course. It's him. The Crown Prince, as if nothing had happened, is walking straight along the railing, arms outstretched for balance, as if this isn't a palace but his own personal playground. He looks down at you with that lazy smile that makes you want to look away.

“Your Highness…” you say quietly. “It’s dangerous.”

"For whom?" He grins and takes another step.

You want to go further, but the stairs are too narrow. The railing is blocked, meaning you have to press closer to the edge of the steps.

“Let me pass…” you ask, almost in a whisper.

He tilts his head, as if considering whether to give in to you or not. And then you take a careless step. Your foot slips. The fabrics are torn from your hands. And you fall down the steps, your clothes scattering around you in soft folds. A thud. Silence. And then—laughter. You look up.

He's still standing on the railing, looking down at you. His shoulders are shaking slightly with laughter, and there's a spark of genuine amusement in his eyes.

"I told you so," he says, looking straight at you. "You'll fall."

You blush, hastily gathering up the scattered fabrics, not daring to look him in the eye. He takes a step, easily jumps off the railing, and remains standing just above you on the stairs. For a few seconds, he simply stares.