Among the seven princes of Grand, there is one I don't have to approach. That's because...

"Hey, you! Are you up to something again?" I heard Prince Nathaniel James come up from behind me, squinting his eyes as once again I am under suspicion.

...He approaches me first.

I let my tired groan run forth with the midday air. The prince noted this and adjusted the rim of his glasses inquisitively, as if observing an unknown specimen.

"I am not in the mood to fight you, Eavesdropping Spectacles." I told him, crossing my arms.

I expected another one of his insulted gasps, but to my amazement, he simply smirked and placed his book of leather on top of my head.

"You say you do not want to fight, yet you still call me names. How daunting, Miss Stuttering Liar." He teasingly commented, looking at me intently. His eyes hinted a mischievous shimmer as if he was intrigued to what he sees. No, not just intrigued. He likes it.

I didn't bother retorting, my arms still crossed in an exhausted manner. The book nestled on my head in perfect balance.

Chuckling, he continued. "Ooh, was the argument with Agustus that bad?"

"So you were eavesdropping again." I stated, raising a brow at his remark, indirectly demanding for an explanation.

"I overheard you two down the lobby, that's all. The building structure here is pretty sensitive to noise." He remained unfazed, considering that he was of higher prestige. "Besides, the old library is just a few steps away from Agustus' bedchamber."

Checking nervously behind me, I asked. "Does that mean he can hear us too?"

The prince shook his head, and relief washed over me.

"I've memorized his schedule, his body clock." He said, pointing his index finger upwards. "At this hour, he's headed to bed. Assassin work usually happens during late evenings and early mornings, which means his break is in the afternoon."

I frowned at the thought. "But then what about Prince Tayden? I rarely see him, but he's active during different sections of the day."

This is good. Keep talking, spectacles. I can derive some juicy information from you.

"Well, that's because Tayden is an exception. Our father gives him the dangerous secret missions. I don't know what that guy does aside from being busy." He shrugged, as if this wasn't new to him.

"I see..." I trailed off, placing my gaze on the windowsill covered with silver linings as I gazed onto the bright sunlight outside the castle.

What does he do?

Strangely, I wanted to know more about him, discover what is under his mask of cruelty.

"Ow! That hurts!"

Before I realized what was going on, the prince hit me with his heavy leather bound literature. I rubbed my poor head as I glowered at him.

"You think I won't notice the meaning of your questions? I know you're trying to gain more facts from me." He tilted his head to the side, a playful snarl to his lips.

"B-But I was just curious!" I defended.

"Yeah, nice try," Prince Nathaniel sarcastically implied. "That makes you more suspicious, especially when you stutter like that."

Ugh, now that I think about it, two of the princes already know about my stuttering lies. Nice one, Rosette! You're doing great as the Heir's spy!

"Fine, I won't ask about them anymore." I pouted, sulking at the fact that I failed to gain more information about them. Oh well, maybe next time.

The prince nodded approvingly. However, my attention drifted to his item of leather.

"What is that?" I asked, pointing to the item he's been carrying around for a while now.

Prince Nathaniel's guise suddenly felt a bit distant like how he was the first time we met. He gripped tightly onto the book and avoided my stare.

"It is something precious to me. A very confidential possession of mine."

Oh? Another secret?

I tried to appear natural. "Your diary, I take it?"

Prince Nathaniel simply shook his head, clearly refusing to bring service for my unending curiosities. He pulled the diary away from me the instant I attempted to seize it.

"I am not bound to please thee with my answers," he calmly said, spiraling towards another direction. "Now if you shall excuse me, Miss Stuttering Liar, I must go."

I wanted to reach out and grab him by the collar. Despite the huge gap between our classes, I wanted to demand an explanation, not more mysteries.

But alas, I was too late.

"He escaped! Ugh, how infuriating." I clicked my tongue in irritation.

The word escape then danced around inside my mind, echoing like a reminder of other things, beckoning me towards another prince.

"That's right! He's about to escape!"

I spun off my heels, dashing down the stairs as the ripple of midday blows past my hair.

Third Person's POV

Prince Vante Osburne was already walking through the tree-strewn path as he was clad in commoner's clothing when a familiar lady stood by the bushes.

Khaleesi Dulcina Ermengard.

A girl who has left him perplexed. A girl so different from the others. Even now, he still doesn't understand why she was so desperate for something he has yet to unravel.

"You are here again." He stated, his eyes glued to her figure from afar.

Her petite frame moved closer to him. He didn't take a step back. He was a prince after all. He had a noble status casted upon him. Why should he be daunted by a small creature such as her?

But he is. Truthfully, there was something so beautiful about her that makes him hold his breath. The mere contact of their eyes had him flustered.

He doesn't know why. Maybe because the last woman he had talked to was the only woman he had grown to love- his very own mother.

He never had time to share a conversation with girls of his age. Maybe that's why this girl from Duva can make him feel something else.

"So you escape the palace walls during every midday, huh. And then you return home by sundown."

"So you figured it out. What do you really want from me, Miss Khaleesi?" the young prince probed as he waited for an answer, tilting his head and showing his perfect visuals that girls all over the kingdom sought for in a man of their dreams. An aesthetic profile no one could hate.

On the other hand, she was a threat, a warning that might end up spilling his secrets to the King. He refused to bond with her. He doesn't want to call her by the name she wanted.

But her answer surprised every fiber of his being.

"Take me with you."

"What?" a flustered expression escaped his face. Clearly he had not expected the words she just said.

"You're headed to the village downhill, right? I want to join you. Bring me along."

"Why should I?"

"A Painter from Duva should get to know more about the neighboring kingdom of Grand. Besides, you can show me around."

"Our family's carriage visits the village once in a month. I believe the event this month will be in a few weeks. You can acquire your knowledge when that time arrives."

"I don't want to ride in a fancy carriage! I don't want seem high and powerful, for I am not."

Her sudden outburst shocked him even further. At that moment, he thought maybe she was just like him.

"I want to see you interact with the people there. I want to get to know you better." She added, looking down at her feet.

The prince could tell she was embarrassed with her statement by the sight of her cheeks flushing a bright red. Because of that, he felt his own face warm up.

There was a long heavy silence as the melodious tweeting of birds kept them company. She hid her fidgeting fingers, anxiously waiting for his reply.

At last the prince let out a deep sigh. "Fine, you can come with me."

"Really? So then-"

"You must never tell my father about this." He reminded her.

"I won't." She smiled reassuringly.

It's a good thing he didn't mention anyone else aside from his father. Khaleesi Dulcina considered her jobs as her top priority. In the end, she will tell his secrets to the Heir.

"Follow me. Avoid the guards at the gate unless you want to get caught."

She nodded. The two then proceeded to sneak past the bushes and crawled through a hole in the brick wall barrier, successfully escaping the two unaware soldiers.

The village awaits below.

Rosette's POV

My mouth was wide open as I gawked at the scenery before me. Villagers with medieval clothing walked along the cobblestone road, horses and carts streamed by, mini flags of the blackbird hovered above, and the pleasing aroma of fruits stashed at the corner had me smiling. I cannot believe I am actually part of a bustling town in the 18th century.

I stepped forward with excited eyes, but the prince pulled me back.

"What's wrong?"

"My tour. My rules."

I quietly groaned to myself as I crossed my arms, looking up at him with raised brows. "Okay, what are your commands, dear prince-"

He pressed his index finger to my lips, instantly shushing me and creating butterflies in my stomach.

"You already violated the first rule." He whispered lowly. "Rule one is to never mention my entitlement here. The people don't know anything about a prince roaming in their streets."

I scrunched up my tiny nose, mimicking the gesture of that bratty prince. "What should I call you then?"

"My second name." He coolly answered. "The folks here know me as Osburne."

Wait, first Jacque and now him?! Do princes really like to forsake their identities as easily as that?

The villagers next to us gave me wary glances. Prince Vante noticed and shielded me from their view.

"Rule number two is to wear appropriate dresses. You look like a duchess dragging a slave."

"You should've told me that before we got here!" I covered my gown, as if that would help me from the public mortification.

The prince released an extensive exhale and pulled me by the wrist, taking me inside the foyer of a building made of friendly brown wood. The warmth of crackling fire greeted me along with the stockpile of vintage attires.

The old woman at the counter beamed at the both of us. I had to get used to the fact that they haven't discovered light bulbs yet.

"Osburne, I'm so delighted to see you, lad! What brings you to my shop?" she chirped up, heading towards him like a grandmother welcoming her grandson.

"Good to see you're doing splendid with business, Mrs. Hemsworth! I'm here to buy fabulous dresses." The prince grinned, happy to see her. They must be close.

"Then you have come to the right place, dear!" she gushed, her head then popped to me. "Is that your beloved, perhaps?"

I wasn't sure if the heat I felt was from the nearby flames or from the rapid flow of blood rising to my cheeks. My heart thumped loudly against my chest.

"O-Oh no, she's...she's a friend of mine." Prince Vante clarified, rattled at the sudden question.

"Pfft, no need to be shy, young ones. Come now, you can pick the best assortments in this area. My husband is the best tailor in town if I do say so myself!" she piped on and on as she led us down the aisle. I have to admit, this woman is quite the chatterbox.

"I'll let you do the honors of choosing, Prin-Osburne." I pursed my lips, almost revealing the prince's identity crises, and possibly our uncertain doom.

The prince, who now goes by the name of Osburne, smiled at my clumsy tangle of words. "Well then, the honor is mine."

Why did he have to smile like that?

While he was busy handling the pile of clothes, I blankly stared at the spinning wheel, observing Mr. Hemsworth and his act of profession.

This feeling is so nostalgic. I am in a state of déjà vu. The blurry image of a man's youthful smile flooded my memories, but his face wasn't vivid enough for a full description. Why recall vague clues today of all days?

"Are you alright?" Prince Vante called out, leaning in to check my stature.

"A-Absolutely! Why do you ask?" I lied, managing a blissful expression.

He pointed to the corner of his eye. "You looked like you were about to cry."

I was?

"Y-You must've been mistaken," I lied again. "I was just...reminiscing some things, that's all."

He gazed at me for a very long time. I plastered a fake toothy grin to make it seem more credible.

"Here, wear this." He finally let the matter go and handed me a fabric.

It was a silky austere blue dress. Crisscrossed ribbons of copper hue added more to its design. Its long sleeves draped lower and wider with every inch, and a hood became the cherry on top.

Enthused of a medieval get-up, I immediately ran in a changing room. I wanted to see myself in such dress. I wanted to finally feel comfortable with something I am more used to wearing.

After a few minutes of waiting, Prince Vante looked up at me with his mouth agape.

"Well? How do I look?" I spread my arms, curious to know what he thinks.

The prince seemed speechless, blinking repeatedly in a hurried state. Does it not suit me?

"It is not proper to delay an answer upon a lady, Osburne. Just tell her already." Mrs. Hemsworth chimed in, chuckling as if the boy had become dumbstruck.

"Well, you, it's... nice, I guess." Prince Vante stammered, gazing at different directions while scratching the nape of his neck.

"It means he really likes how it fits you. The language of men can be confusing at times." Mr. Hemsworth said as he turned to face me after discerning the young lad's reaction.

The sudden deep voice behind us made me flinch. The prince turned to him and sputtered a bunch of inaudible phrases. I witnessed how his ears burned a bashful crimson. I stifled a giggle.

"W-We'll be heading off now! Thank you for the clothes, Mr. and Mrs. Hemsworth!" he pushed me to the exit, leaving the husband and wife laughing to themselves in their homey tailor shop.

Third Person's POV

The noises of the outside streets made its way to the young lady's attention again.

The prince beside her forced out a cough. "Ahem, let's go back to the rules, shall we?"

"There's more?" she gasped in an unenthused surprise.

"Of course there's more." He stared at her like it was a natural thing, "Rule three is to avoid contact with the soldiers, especially gentries and members of royalty who can recognize you."

Khaleesi Dulcina dipped her head in full understanding, the edges of her hood covering her small face. The men in heavy armor marched around the proximity, some checking the town while riding proud horses.

She noticed a soldier reading a list of quests on a parchment pinned to the board at the center of the village square. The paper next to it revealed a familiar rugged picture of a man. It was a poster of none other than Rocco, the leader of the bandits. His head was down but his eyes were looking up, smiling wickedly.

WANTED
Rocco Hesiquio
DEAD OR ALIVE

If she made enemies with the palace, will she also end up like them? It is likely so. Perhaps the royals had something to do with her disappearance in the woods after all.

It still feels off though.

She stared at the castle uphill. The village appeared to be small compared to the majestic stature of the Grand palace. She remembered the fact that the people here have no knowledge of what the princes look like. It was as if they belonged to a different world.

Yet here he is. Despite belonging to a different world, Prince Vante Osburne would crawl on the dirt and live life as a commoner, interacting with the folks as if this was the world he wanted to belong in, as if this was the world where he could actually be himself.

Distinct from the rest of his brothers, there was something about him that sets her heart aflutter, like a forgotten iridescent gem buried beneath the damp earth. She felt he had brought great influence, and that is importantly etched in her life. But she doesn't know what it could possibly be.

"Stop that." The prince grumbled.

"Stop what?" she looked at him, perplexed.

Batting your pretty eyelashes at me as you gaze into my irises, what else?! was what he was aching to say. But he couldn't, so he pressed his lips together and thought of another reply.

"Rule four. I forbid you to flirt with me."

"You just came up with that at this very moment." She commented, raising another brow as she lightly shook her head in disbelief.

"Yes. Yes, I did." He awkwardly told her the truth, internally slapping himself on the face.

A chorus of gushing and squealing grabbed their focus of each other. Little children rushed forward and clung to the prince's legs, their expressions only filled with glee.

The first thing she observed was that they were all dressed in rags, torn and scratched. Their cheekbones were alarmingly defined, as if they weren't fed adequate meals. What do their parents do for a living?

She could see the sadness in Prince Vante's eyes, but he energetically gave the kids an earnest box-like smile.

"It's the Wizard Os!" one of the children squeaked happily, getting all excited at the young man before them.

"Wizard Os! Wizard Os!" all of them chanted in chorus, jumping up and down as their eyes gleamed joyfully.

Her heart drummed an accelerated pace when he played along, tossing them in the air like how a big brother would to his younger siblings.

"It is I, the Wizard named Os!" he began to sing. "Tell me your wishes for this wizard will cast a magic spell and grant them in a wonderful cause!"

They all sang along to his melodic cheer. That must mean he does this to them every time they meet. Since when has he been going to this place?

One little boy giggled as he went forward and announced his wish. "Toys! Candies! Cupcakes!"

"Oh yes, I promised you that, didn't I?" the prince laughed, finding him adorable. "Your wish shall be granted, since you've been a very good boy!"

From the depths of his pockets, he pulled out a thick medium-sized pouch. He opened it and gave them their requested toys, candies, and even cupcakes.

Just like a real magician, he brought gifts of amusement and enchantments to the town's people. He brought delight to their poor lonely lives.

It amazed her. He was like an angel sent from above.

So this is what he does every single day? He goes out to the village and generously blesses them with the items they want and need? They were right. He definitely is a wizard, a wizard named Os.

"Excuse me, are you Sir Osburne's lover?" a woman asked Rosette, stepping near to her as a hand was brought upon her dainty mouth.

Her eyes widened as he waved her hands abruptly. "What? No no no-"

"We're so grateful to him!" the woman cut her off, "Life has been very hard for us villagers, so he was a big help! No one knows where he gets all this stuff, but we are still happy he is thoughtful enough to send us these presents!"

She couldn't do anything except smile.

Everything looks so beautiful, watching him fool around with the children and toppling along the grass made her all giddy inside. She'd love to see this scenery over and over again.

"Wizard Os! Wizard Os!" a young girl called, beaming genuinely as she went towards the young man.

Prince Vante knelt down before her like the handsome gentlemen he is. "What is it that you ask for, little miss?"

"Can you play the piano for us again?" she showed her best puppy eyes, "Please?"

The prince and the painter exchanged looks. Strange, it appeared as if he was hesitating. Nervous sweat trickled down. The afternoon sun kissed his forehead.

But soon, he replied. He couldn't reject an innocent child's request. "It's a good thing this Wizard is also a musician! Your wish shall be granted!"

The children leaped in excitement. Before she realized what was going on, the little girl grappled her arm, tugging her along to the pathway, as if it was the yellow brick road.

"Since you're the Good Witch of the North, we must take you with us!"

Rosette's POV

I snuck a glimpse back at Prince Vante, internally yelling at him to help me. He saw the signal in my eyes and chased after us. However, his actions gave the tiny brats a thrill and they sped off faster than the previous celerity, resulting to the cool wind thrusting my hood upwards.

What made me fear for my kismet is that we were rushing towards a group of knights yet the children didn't plan to halt. Like a movement so slow, their heads gradually turned to our direction.

His voice ricocheted from the distance.

"Miss Khalee-" he narrowed his eyes at the men, ascertain that they will hear my famed name and will most likely interrogate me afterwards. He had to call me something else. He had no choice but to call me by the name I cherish.

"Rosette! Miss Rosette, your hood!"

Quickly, I managed to lower my hood. Fortunately, nobody caught me as we passed by. The prince, already used to the routes, slipped through the alleyways to avoid them.

I wheezed when we made it to an old classic inn. The torches of fire lit up the room, letting me see the toast of fresh ale and the loud merriment happening inside.

One man with a scruffy beard peeked over to our side and waved his giant muscular arms, "Osburne! You and the children are hanging out again? Come and drink with us!"

I jolted out of surprise when a figure reclined within the shadows moved closer to where we stood. It was Prince Vante, and wow how'd he get here so fast?

"I'm afraid I have to reject your offer, Mr. Gudmund." He politely waved his hand, "Peggy wants me to play the piano, would you mind if I use it?"

The man by the name of Mr. Gudmund boomed with laughter. "Oh sure, my boy! We love listening to you play anyways! Feel free to do so!"

They all clapped in anticipation as their favorite wizard climbed to the mini stage at the center most part of the tavern. The rays from the outside shined down upon his noble body, providing him a spotlight of his own.

He held his breath and he closed his eyes, sitting calmly onto the piano seat. The way he gazed at the black and white instrument triggered a switch within me, like a memory begging to be remembered.

Who are you?

His fingers hovered aloft the keys. I clutched onto my chest, the steady rhythm long gone.

And then...the sweet sorrowful melody entered my ears.

I want to know. I want to know what this melody means to me. I want to know what this melody means to them.

Like Dorothy, I have found myself crying as the wizard's magical tunes circled around me. Like Dorothy, I have found myself in an epiphany.

Even the Wizard named Os has a secret, a secret he can never tell.

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you liked the chapter, I actually thought it's not a great chapter, but anyways yeah.

Goodnight!

Lovelotss <3