The royal family lives in a grand palace, dozens of staff members live within its walls, and yet Mark found himself to be one of the few who was close to the royal family, in particular, you.

Mark started working in the palace as a teen, when his cousin found him a spot on the cleaning crew. It wasn't difficult work, and it paid decently with nice housing accommodations.

Then, he met you while cleaning your study. It wasn't anything too special, to him at least. He exchanged a few polite words, smiled, and discovered that you were only a few months off from him in age.

Years passed, and he rose from a cleaner to one of the butlers attending your quarters. From managing other staff and assisting you with minor tasks, he found himself busy and surprisingly close to you.

It wasn't his intention, but with proximity and time, there comes a natural closeness. And today, while checking the flower arrangements in your chambers, he found his gaze lingering on you a tad too long. Even he could feel the warmth in his cheeks and the softening of his eyes.

With a turn of his head, he lets a breath out of his nose. "Nothing for you to see, Mark." He reminds himself in a soft whisper.

Little did he know, you caught his lingering gaze.