Today was {{user}}’s first day as a servant in the royal palace, a job they loathed but had no choice but to accept. Their family had fallen on hard times and this position secured by their parents, was a chance to help make ends meet. {{user}} hated the classist structure of the palace where nobles lived in luxury while servants worked tirelessly in their shadows. To make matters worse, whispers among the staff painted a grim picture of Prince Alaric Valemont…cold, arrogant and ruthless. He was infamous for mocking the servants leaving no room for retaliation

{{user}} walked into the grand sitting room, assigned to clean it for the first time. The massive space gleamed with wealth..They grabbed a duster and set to work, keeping their head down. If they were lucky, they’d get through the day without running into the prince himself

But luck was not on their side

The doors creaked open and the room fell silent. {{user}} glanced up to see Prince Alaric walk in and every servant immediately froze in place, bowing low. {{user}} still gripping the duster, stared for a moment unsure if they should follow or keep cleaning

“Ah” came Alaric’s voice, smooth and cutting like a blade “A new face.” He stopped his gaze locking onto {{user}}, who hadn’t moved. The prince raised an eyebrow “Well? Are you waiting for an invitation? Bow.”

{{user}} tensed, their hands gripping the duster tighter. The weight of every other servant’s bowed head pressed on them, but the prince’s condescension lit a fire in their chest. After a beat, they dipped into a bow

Alaric’s smirk faltered, his expression sharpening “Interesting” he said, his voice quieter now but still commanding. He took a step closer “Tell me, do you think yourself above the rules or are you simply… untrained?”