Aisha thought quietly to herself.
I still don't know Your Highness's name.
She had never heard it not even once.
She had asked her mother before, but Safiya only shook her head and said she didn't know either.
Aisha knew that wasn't true. Her mother definitely knew the prince's name… but she refused to tell her.
She had asked Mio and the other maids as well, but no one answered her. Many of them were new maids and truly didn't know.
Even those who had worked here since the prince was born avoided the question.
No matter how many times Aisha tried, no one would say his name.
She had even asked the prince himself.
But every time, he only replied calmly,
"You may call me Your Highness."
The only thing she knew was his family name Karki.
Before she could think further, the prince's voice called out to her.
"Aisha."
She looked up.
They were already standing on the training ground inside the hidden area. The air felt different quiet, heavy, sealed away from the outside world.
The prince raised his hand.
Mana flowed.
A transparent barrier spread outward, covering the empty land. The space shimmered faintly, completely isolated.
Look there, the prince said, pointing ahead.
Several wooden targets stood upright in the distance, neatly arranged.
We'll start with something simple, he continued. First, feel your mana.
Aisha swallowed and nodded.
"Focus," he said. "Bring the mana into your hand."
She slowly raised her hand, closing her eyes as she tried to sense the familiar warmth inside her body.
If you can use any type of magic,"the prince added, try that one.
He glanced at her calmly. "I know it's hard the first time."
His voice softened slightly.
"But if you practice every day, it will become easy. Magic responds to effort."
Aisha opened her eyes.
Her palm trembled faintly as mana gathered.
This was her first real step.
Not hiding.
Not suppressing.
But using her power openly.
Aisha raised her hand and focused.
Water responded.
Clear blue mana gathered in her palm, swirling gently before taking shape.
The prince's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh… you can use water magic," he said. "Then try this. Hit that target."
He pointed toward the wooden target standing inside the barrier.
"Focus your force on the target," he instructed.
Aisha nodded.
She had used water magic before. She had learned it when she was only six years old.
This wasn't difficult for her.
A sphere of compressed water formed instantly in her hand.
Without hesitation, she released it.
SHOOM—!
The water ball shot forward at terrifying speed.
The wooden target didn't just break
It exploded.
Fragments scattered across the ground as the water sphere continued forward, smashing straight into the barrier.
CRACK—!
A massive hole tore open in the barrier.
The air trembled.
For a brief moment, the barrier destabilized… then slowly, the broken area began to regenerate, sealing itself as if nothing had happened.
Silence followed.
The prince stood frozen.
…If a person had been standing there, he said slowly, …they would be dead.
He turned to Aisha, shock clear on his face.
I only told you to use magic, he continued. I didn't expect you to control it so perfectly… like a master mage.
He exhaled, still staring at the destroyed ground.
…I still can't believe what I just saw.
Aisha froze.
…How foolish I was.
I used my full power without thinking.
She quickly looked at the prince, then lowered her head, bowing slightly.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," she said sincerely. "I am very grateful that you gave me a chance to train with you. But I became too excited and forgot myself."
Her voice trembled.
"I used my water magic without thinking about the consequences. I'm truly sorry for my rudeness."
The prince watched her for a moment, then shook his head lightly.
"It's fine," he said. "But from now on, don't use magic like that again."
He turned his gaze back toward the damaged ground.
"I already know you possess powerful mana. What you lack right now is control."
He looked back at her, serious.
"If you can control your mana properly, you will become one of the most powerful mages in this empire."
Then his tone softened slightly.
"For now, focus only on mana control. Don't repeat a mistake like this again. Understood?"
Aisha nodded quickly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Several hours later…
Aisha sat alone in her room.
The quiet allowed her thoughts to surface.
…I know the prince already knows about my magic.
She clenched her hands.
But I can't use it freely.
He only knows that I can use water magic.
In this world, humans can only use one element water, fire, wind, earth, or lightning.
Only demons, or extremely rare beings, can use two elements.
Those who can use three are almost unheard of.
Her breath grew shallow.
…But I can use all magic.
If he finds out about that…
Her chest tightened.
He will see me as a monster.
I can't let him know the truth.
No matter what…
I must never reveal my full power.
These days, I don't have much work.
Even though I am His Highness's personal maid, I don't work like an ordinary maid. My duties are more like a personal assistant to the prince.
My daily job is simple: To wake the prince. To follow him. To assist him with his work.
That's all.
I know normal maids work all day without rest, cleaning and serving nonstop. My job is different. Sometimes, it feels like a part-time job.
I can't work the way my mother does.
Mother works from morning until night. She never complains.
She has taught me everything she knows.
She also tells me stories about my father.
He left for work two years ago and hasn't returned since. He accepted a high-ranking noble job, serving as a protector during long and dangerous journeys. Because of that, he has been away for so long.
It's been more than two years since I last saw him.
But even so, he always sends letters to both Mother and me.
Yesterday, another letter arrived.
My fingers trembled as I read it.
He wrote that he will return soon.
My heart leapt.
…I'm so excited.
For the first time in a long while, I feel like our family might finally be together again.
Three years later
In her room, Aisha stood in front of the mirror, wearing her maid uniform. She quietly spoke to herself.
"It's already been three years…"
Every day, she trained with the prince. Time had passed so fast that she almost couldn't believe it. Now, in just two weeks, the prince would leave for Karki Royal Academy, the prestigious school located in the capital.
When a noble reaches the age of fifteen, they must join the academy and the prince had just turned fifteen.
And with him, she would be going as well.
Nobles were allowed to bring their personal maids, and this time, both Big Sister Rin and Aisha would accompany the prince. Thinking about leaving the familiar palace and stepping into the capital made her heart feel strangely restless.
A new chapter of her life was about to begin.