e to the sound of

shine, bir

linked ope

apron was already dusted with flour, his smile tired but warm. "Y

bbing her eyes.

"I made basbousa - just a piece. If the head chef catches

s bright. "Then I'

ending to look offend

say more, burying her face in

t ready. I heard the crown prince's coronation will happen soon. Everyon

won

ing wide, arms full of fruit baskets."Happy

an gasped.

her's store got the contract to supply the palace

wanted to

turning nineteen and working in a royal palace. T

g her friend playfull

he small room. "You think the

ked. "Why

cause you accidentally walked into him las

g her face. "Please te

en the laundry maids ca

ib

laughing. "Don't wo

e her smile. "I doubt princes forget p

he empty trays, "just in case

egends attached to

, shaking her head.

ete

it to herself

ghtened her back heading

e has been too busy to get his birthday celebration. The hum of the air system was the

d the but

ission to see you, Your Highn

ed for a beat

slid open wit

he smiled as though she

n on your birthday, you're worki

o quiet

s files. "That's how I prefe

er. "Quiet ca

ve learned to

er tone lowering. "Yo

r. "You seem to mistake

. "And you mistake at

he air as she circled the des

You should let someone

an dist

's what

corner of his desk -

"You're crossing lines you don't understa

espond, the inter

d the but

equests entry,

ow h

a digital tablet. Her posture was perfect, her tone calm.

iefly toward Jodha

harp. "I seem to have in

said coolly. "You

ecessary before she turned and glided toward the ex

," Kamil

hind her, sealing

he desk. "Should I have sched

No. She doesn't take

ou, sometimes. You barely have time to atte

d. "That's bold tho, I had

ility com

s tr

the edge of the tablet. "There

s reaching people it shouldn't."Kamil's

reaches the

d back slightly. "You

d quietly. "Including that P

r a moment. "And

hink you should be careful w

ially

nod. "You've alw

intly. "Someo

. Kamil glanced at the untouched qahwa, then at

sleeves rolled, hair escaping her scarf, muttering curses

rumbled, dodging a gua

anic. Someone needed to deliver the afternoon refreshments to

," she whispered to herself, balancing the tray. "If I get lo

e walking into his corridor,

n fr

quiet, polite man she'd met d

uickly grown co

h, thank heavens. I thought I'd

amusement glinting in his eye

ing the tray to the marble con

e cooks are shouting, and apparently, the pri

he murmured, l

smiles, never talks to anyone unless necessary, and people tremble when he w

You sound... brave for someone

er voice rising with each word. "If I ever meet him, I'll te

row. "You'd tell the

ding her arms. "He might need som

d, the private door sl

efore his body even appeared.

taking in the sight: Kamil standing by the window,

ed slowly. "Oh.

ked. "Your

"Forgive us, Your Highness. We

y slipped from

her throat. "Your.