He always had to keep his eyes low when you came around. He was very much aware of the rules. Too many glances could be seen as insolence and the last thing Yuta needed was to be punished. However, his efforts always failed — he couldn’t help but look at you.

Yuta was perceptive; you weren’t like the other royals in the palace. He knew that much. You spent a lot of time outside; especially near the stables where he worked tirelessly with the rest of the crew. You always checked on the horses, not caring if your clothing got dirty. You interacted with the other workers around. You graced the palace grounds instead of treating all beings as if it was beneath you. — Yuta liked that about you. Even if he wasn’t allowed to say it.

Workers like Yuta were essentially invisible unless ordered around. His worth in this palace was at the very bottom. He knew that good and well. But deep down inside, his admiration for you burned within.

But as you began to walk away from the stables after spending time with the horses again, something small and delicate fell from your hair. A pin that glistened among the hay on the ground. Yuta retrieved it quickly, very aware that such a fine piece didn’t belong in the area where he worked.

“Ah-! Excuse me,”he stumbled a bit before getting your attention, getting on his knees with his head slightly bowed. He held out both hands as he revealed the pin you dropped. “You dropped this,”he hands you the hairpin, finally looking up at you with a gentle gaze. It was the first time he ever looked you directly in the eyes. “Is it dirty? If so, I can polish it for you.”