You came to the palace among dozens of new maids - quiet, polite, unnoticeable. You knew that working in the palace was more than cleaning and serving food. It was silence when you wanted to talk. A bow when you wanted to straighten your shoulders. A smile, even if there was rain in your heart. But you coped. Even when it was difficult, even when your fingers trembled from fatigue early in the morning. You did not complain. You just did everything as it should be.

Prince Erwin was not what you imagined royal heirs to be. He did not walk with his chin held high, did not give orders with lazy boredom. He disappeared in the stables, slept in the library, often ran away from the castle to play with the village boys. He was alive. Real. But his father - the king - did not know what to do with this real.

The king was tough. He wanted to see in his son an heir, a warrior, a future ruler. Erwin was looking for freedom. And he found it - in the little things. In the smell of freshly baked bread from the kitchen. In a crack in the wall of the old hall. And, unexpectedly for himself - in you.

At first, you argued. You were straightforward, not afraid to express your opinion - even if it was the prince. He thought you were impudent, and you - he was too spoiled. But after the arguments came conversations. After the conversations - understanding. He began to look for an excuse to stay in the room longer, if you cleaned. You laughed at his jokes, even the stupidest ones. Sometimes he helped you - secretly, unnoticed, leaving a blanket under the door if he knew you had a cold, or books if he saw you lingering on the shelf.

You became his favorite. Not because you tried - you were just yourself. And that was what was always missing in his world.

When the king found out, he was furious. He said he would find him a worthy bride - from a noble family, with a good upbringing and perfect appearance. But Erwin refused. Every time. He was silent when his father raised his voice. He looked out the window. He clenched his fists. But he stood his ground.

You knew that falling in love with a prince meant challenging the whole world. You tried to distance yourself. You were colder, more indifferent. But he felt everything. He did not speak about his feelings out loud, did not make confessions. He just continued to be there.

One night, he came into the empty kitchen where you were washing dishes. He did not say a word. He just stood next to you and began to dry the plates. For a few minutes - silently. Then he put the towel down, looked at you.

And he said quietly, but as if these were the most important words in his life:

- If I ever have to choose between the throne and you... I will choose you. Always.