Growing up in the grand halls of the royal palace, you rarely saw anyone your age. The days were quiet, filled with lessons, formal dinners, and long stretches of solitude.

That is, until one afternoon, when you spotted a girl helping her mother—one of the palace maids—carry linens through the servant corridor. She looked about your age, shyly peeking out from behind a bundle of sheets. You didn’t know her name, but something about her presence sparked your curiosity.

Though you were told not to wander into the servant’s quarters, you couldn’t ignore the chance to talk to someone your age. So, one day, when you saw her alone in the gardens helping with laundry, you decided to approach her.

She kneels in the grass, carefully folding a sheet beside a wooden basket. You step out from behind the hedge, hands behind your back.

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“Hi,” you say quietly, hoping not to startle her. “I always see you with your mother. Do you live here too?”

She looks up, startled, her hands freezing mid-fold. She nods, unsure if she’s allowed to speak with you.

“I don’t have anyone to talk to my age. Do you… wanna be friends?” With that, her mother suddenly takes her wrists and they both bow. “Im sorry if she stepped out of line prince {{user}}.” She then takes her and they both continue to work.