Chapter five,

A month later,

I'm finally familiar with the palace-most of its rules, the endless duties, and the peculiar crowned prince.

I've stopped questioning his odd behavior. Maybe that's just who he is- possessive with his maids and unpredictable. It's not my place to question him anyway.

This morning, he left with the king to mediate a conflict in the Tabana Kingdom. Fighting over power, and as always, our king is the one they turn to for resolution.

He's the most respected, wise, and powerful ruler in the region. When he speaks, even rival kingdoms listen.

With the prince gone, I wander aimlessly around the palace, my thoughts scattered. I don't understand him. His actions and words often confuse me, leaving me with ideas I shouldn't even entertain.

Yet, despite his strangeness, I like him. He's friendly to me in a way no one else has ever been.

When he's free, we spend hours talking about nothing important, quarreling over nonsense.

For the first time, it feels like I've made a real friend. It's overwhelming to think he enjoys my company.

I've never felt special in my life, but being around him makes me feel seen.

I admire how determined and ambitious he is. His skill in combat is unmatched; sometimes, he trains late into the night, and I'm there to accompany him. He doesn't say it, but I think he appreciates my presence.

The king clearly favors him, perhaps because he's the successor or maybe because he's genuinely a good person.

The people love him, too, for his kind heart, though they fear him as well. I've yet to see the side of him that inspires such fear.

Even when he rejected Princess Ferrior's hand in marriage-causing tension between our kingdom and Charna- the king didn't reprimand him. Instead, he told him that his happiness mattered, both for the kingdom's stability and his own future.

That moment sparked endless conversations between us. I've asked him countless times who he has feelings for, but he only teases, saying I know her well. His refusal to give a name only makes me more curious.

As I wander, my aimless steps take me to the training field. It's where the prince often trains the knights. I stop, deciding to turn back before anyone notices me.

"Excuse me," a voice calls from behind, and my heart sinks.

I curse under my breath, silently berating myself for coming here. The person I've been avoiding all along is standing right behind me- Michael, my late uncle's best friend.

From the first time I saw him at the field, his piercing gaze unsettled me. He's been watching me too closely, and I can't shake the fear that he's figured out my secret.

"Madin, is that you?" His voice is firm, and my legs feel like they'll give out.

I try to remain calm, forcing myself to turn around. "I'm sorry, you must be confusing me with someone else," I reply, my voice as steady as I can manage.

Michael's expression darkens. "Cut the nonsense. Do you really think I wouldn't recognize you? I've been watching you closely, and I know it's you. Now tell me-what on earth are you doing here, dressed as a girl?"

I open my mouth to deny it again, but the words don't come.

"I went to your uncle's house two weeks ago," he continues, his voice softer now. "Your aunt said you ran away and that she doesn't know where you are. I've been looking for you, Madin. Your uncle made me promise to protect you before he died. And now I find you here... like this."

My defenses crumble. "Uncle Michael," I whisper, his name leaving my lips before I can stop myself.

The emotions I've buried for so long surge to the surface. Someone actually cares about me-someone other than my late uncle and mother. It's overwhelming.

Michael pulls me into a hug, but when he pulls back, his expression is grave. "Do you understand how dangerous this is? If the royal family finds out, they'll see it as treason. You could be executed. Why are you here, Madin?"

"She made me do it," I say, my voice barely audible.

His face hardens. "That woman is pure evil. I should've taken you in sooner. But we need to get you out of here before it's too late."

I shake my head. "I can't leave. He won't let me."

"Who won't?"

"The crowned prince," I admit hesitantly.

Michael looks horrified. "Does he know who you really are?"

"No," I reply quickly. "I'm just... his maid."

Michael exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. "This is worse than I thought. You are with him everyday?! If you're caught, there won't be any discussions. But don't worry- I'll find a way to get you out of here. The royal family sometimes listens to me. Just hang in there."

Relief washes over me, knowing I have someone in my corner.

"Thank you, Uncle Michael," I say softly.

"You don't have to thank me. I'm sorry I came too late. I should've taken you in before that woman had the chance to manipulate you."

I don't respond, but his words linger. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm not entirely alone.

"Let me train with you," I ask suddenly. "I want to be strong enough to protect myself."

Michael hesitates. "This isn't the kind of training you can just jump into. I can teach you the basics another time."

"Please," I insist.

After a long pause, he relents. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."

He hands me a set of training clothes, and I change in a nearby shed. Though I still have my wig and other disguises, I feel a strange sense of freedom wearing the simpler attire.

The training is brutal. Michael doesn't go easy on me, pushing me to my limits. By the time we finish, my legs barely hold me, and every muscle in my body screams in protest.

But I'm happy. For once, I feel like I'm reclaiming a piece of myself-the boy I was before all this deception began.

As I struggle back to the mansion, leaning against the walls for support, I notice the guards watching me with amused expressions. I must look utterly ridiculous, but I can't bring myself to care.

Despite everything, a small part of me dares to hope. Maybe, just maybe, I'll make it through this.