Ravenna looks so regal as she asends the winding silver staircase to the observatory above. She holds her head high not knowing I watch her from below.

I'm really not stalking her, but after our conversation earlier, I made up my mind. I want to see her without any facade one last time before she becomes Queen. The way she looked out the window, she knows every part of what her title means, and she knows what will happen if she fails.

Gaggles of people flow in through the main doors below there chatter bouncing off the walls. They are all so excited to watch Ravi become Queen.

I'm happy for her. I really am, but I always knew that she would become Queen and she would do it with grace and pride and here she is.

"Your highness," a male voice whispers from behind me.

Raphael

A smile spreads across my face before I can stop it and everything seems that much brighter.

"Raphael," I greet running to him on silent feet. His warn sent fills me ad we embrace and as I pull back he lands a swift kiss on my forehead.

This all started a few months back when I was walking through the garden and I ran into him, not literally thank the Gods. He's a servant in the castle and was carrying a horse saddle that needed fixing and he offered to walk me back to the castle. We have met there secretly for the last few months when our schedules aline.

Then things just worked out from there on out. We eat a meal together at least once a week more if we are lucky. It shocked me that Ravi knows. She must have gotten the talent from Celeste who will literally walk into a room, scan possible men and decide who is right for Ravi. The thing is to, she isn't wrong. Then if she teases Ravi she will always get back at her with Arryn and then they threatening to push each other off of balconies.

"Raphael," I whisper trying to keep my voice down. Ravi wouldn't care if she found out I was in a relationship with a servant. As long as he treats me well, she won't push him off the pier into the rocks below. It would be the rest of the kingdom seeing me with him. They will judge me really fast. "Why did you come to see me?"

"I just missed seeing that beautiful smile of yours and I know this is a big change for you and your sister and I wanted to be here for you," he says caressing my hand with his thumb.

"Well thank you," I want to stay with him so I don't have to go up above to the people trying to sell sons to me.

"I know have to go... I'll be there. If you need me. In the background but I'll be there"

"Thank you," I responded sincerely meaning the words with all my heart. "Truly."

"Anytime." He kisses my hand and strides off down the dark hall. I stand there for a minute staring after him as he walks down the hall.

I hate it. They think we can't love. But he is so kind to me and wouldn't hurt a fly. Even Ravi loves and it makes me furious as he turns back once to wave me goodbye that Good says we can't like we are some sort of monster with no emotion.