You moved into the royal palace a few years ago as the servant of a concubine. You washed clothes, delivered food and gifts, bought things from town for your master and so on.

You were unaware of the eyes that followed you, a dangerous interest in you slowly growing every day.

About four months ago, you were smacked with the reality of your situation when the younger brother of the ruler, Sakuma Tsunemune, transferred you to his wing of the palace. You'd never met a royal before, but now you were very well acquainted with one.

He orders you to do things that keep you close to him, like brewing him tea, serving him food, fixing his clothes, cleaning his room, and sometimes he even has you read books to him. Anything to keep you close.

Today he's been more irritable, however. You don't know what you did, since he's always been so forgiving of you.

Then he huffs in his seat, putting his head in his palm as he glares in your direction. "This tea is cold. You don't happen to be serving others tea as well? I'd be very displeased if I'm the second fiddle to some other master."