Elsewhere, within the castle, the grand halls stood tall and beautiful. Sunlight poured through large windows, reflecting off polished stone floors. Maids moved busily through the corridors some sweeping, some cleaning the windows, others carrying baskets or tending to their duties. Guards stood at their posts, alert and disciplined.
Safiya, Aisha's mother, walked through the hall, greeting everyone she passed.
"Good morning," she said kindly to the maids and guards alike.
They returned her greeting with respectful nods.
As Safiya made her way toward the prince's chamber, another maid hurried up behind her.
"Safiya, wait," the maid called softly.
Safiya turned. "What is it, Azira?"
Azira hesitated, lowering her voice. "It's about His Highness… lately, he seems different. Depressed, even. He barely speaks, and he hardly leaves his room."
Safiya frowned slightly, concern appearing in her eyes. "I noticed it too," she said quietly. "The weight he carries is far too heavy for someone so young."
Azira nodded. "Everyone in the castle is worried. We don't know how to help him."
Safiya glanced toward the prince's door, her expression gentle but troubled.
"Then all we can do," she said softly, "is serve him with sincerity… and pray that his heart finds some peace."
With that, she continued down the corridor, the silence of the castle suddenly feeling much heavier than before.
Before Safiya could knock on the door, another maid appeared, gently pushing a small food trolley laden with breakfast.
"I'll take this," Safiya said firmly, taking the trolley. "Come with me."
She paused just outside the door and took a deep breath. I am the head maid. It is my duty to make the Highness happy. He has been through a lot, but I must do my best.
With that determination, she knocked. "Highness, I've brought your breakfast. May I come in?"
Silence answered her. She tried again, but still no response. Carefully, she pushed the door open. The room was dark. The prince lay asleep on his bed, the window tightly shut.
Safiya glanced around, then gave a discreet signal to another maid, who quietly opened the window. Morning sunlight spilled across the room, falling gently on the prince's face. His eyes fluttered open.
"I said I don't want to eat. Don't disturb me," he mumbled.
Safiya stepped forward, bowing slightly. "I apologize, Highness, but I cannot ignore my duty. Your health is important. If you do not eat and spend all your time in this room, it will only harm you."
The prince stared at the untouched breakfast in front of him.
"Ok… I'll eat this later. For now, I need some rest. Then I'll eat," he said reluctantly.
Safiya stepped forward gently. "Your Highness… the breakfast will get cold. I apologize if I seem rude, but you really should eat something."
The prince sighed, slumping back against the chair. "I know… you won't leave until I eat, huh?"
Safiya nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll wait patiently."
The prince groaned. "Ugh… fine. First I'll freshen up, then I'll eat, okay?"
"Very well, Your Highness," Safiya replied. "I will wait here."
"Whyyyy?" the prince asked, frowning. "You don't trust me?"
Safiya smiled softly. "I trust you, Your Highness. But after you freshen up, I'll help you put on your clothes."
The prince chuckled lightly. "I'm not a child anymore! I can dress myself."
Before Safiya could answer, he gently pushed her back. "Now, go on."
Safiya and another maid stepped aside as the prince moved toward his chamber. The doors closed behind them, leaving the hall silent except for the echo of their footsteps.
A maid whispered to Safiya as they walked. "Madam Safiya… you're amazing. Everyone else has tried, but no one has succeeded like you. How did you manage it?"
Safiya smiled faintly. "It's simple. Your Highness is still a child at heart. I know how children think… because I have a daughter of my own."
The maid's eyes lit up. "I want to see your daughter someday!"
Safiya shook her head. "Not now. Your Highness isn't fully recovered yet. If I were to bring her here, it might cause trouble."
The maid hesitated, then spoke carefully. "I think he needs friends. Your Highness has no one his age in the castle… everyone else is an adult. If he had a friend, he would be happy."
Safiya paused, thinking.
"What is it?" the maid asked nervously. "Did I say something wrong?"
Safiya shook her head. "No, don't worry. You're right—if he had a friend, he could change. But other nobles won't allow it… they hate him. And we can't just bring a village child here."
The maid's eyes brightened as an idea struck her. "It's simple! Your daughter… she could be here. She could play with him, and I could watch over her while she helps him."
Safiya frowned. "But we're commoners. We can't just bring a child into the castle."
The maid leaned closer. "Your Highness isn't treated like other nobles. He is kind… he deserves a friend."
Safiya bit her lip. "Even so… we still can't bring her here."
The maid's eyes sparkled. "Then we can do it differently. Children nowadays work from an early age, right? She could be assigned as a maid… her 'work' would be to play with him. That way, no one would suspect anything."
Safiya's expression softened as she considered the idea. "…Hmm. That might just work."
Safiya's lips curled into a small smile, but the maid's expression shifted, her voice quiet and hesitant.
"I… I've never been outside the castle," she began, looking down. "I didn't have anyone… I didn't know who my parents were. I didn't even know my own name when I was a child. I… I was sold as a slave."
Her voice trembled slightly. "But then… the prince rescued me. My life changed. Now… I'm here, in this castle. I've never spoken to anyone like this before… this is the first time."
She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "Everyone calls me Rin. I… I don't know my real name from before. But… I want to live my new life here, and I want to see your daughter."