Fearful of night terrors, I roamed the castle, but only in the shadow of the night. During the day there were eyes, and they were everywhere. At night, anyone could do anything and nothing would be expected in return. Along with that, I've found that so many moments are hidden when no one is closely watching, except for me of course. I loved to watch every little movement. It was a different life I didn't know could be so elegant and yet so busy.

The servants and maids prepping for the day to come, it was a time when the King didn't roam because there could be lurker's outside the castle wall who wanted to take his life from him. He stayed barricaded in his suite with his Queen. That's why it was so pleasant to be around when he wasn't awake and barking at unknown passersby. He was consistently on edge for no reason, and his fear became anger. No one wanted to be in a meeting if he was angry. That's why he was always fed, always relaxed, and had everyone tend to his needs before he even knew he needed them. People were afraid.

I wasn't technically allowed to be out past midnight, changing of the guards was more frequent at night, and they always made sure that no one was out and about at night when they weren't supposed to. That prevented attacks from coming more often, which was easier to do when the guards were changed during the day.

I had a spot in the library, a hidden passage that led into a very small room where maids would usually take refuge if an attack came. But they've made new ones since, and this one isn't as used. They renovated it into personal study for the princesses and princes. It's quiet, and no one sits there at night, so I cozy up with a hand-crocheted blanket one of the maids crafted as a gift for me. But, tonight I was feeling peckish. I decided to do a little more exploring and go to a spot I was not allowed by any means to enter. But I did.

I have visited the kitchen before. Most of the time the kitchen staff don't mind as much as the maids did. If they caught me, I'd be rushed off and back to my room for the evening. Most of the kitchen staff enjoy my presence there, some of them would rather I stay in my bedroom. Once and while when they're making treats I help. It was the only thing I was taught how to make by my nanny.

When I went down to the kitchen, there was a person I hadn't recognized. It wasn't too often when I came down here, but I knew everyone well enough now to realize that he was indeed new, but vaguely familiar. I walked over to where he was, on the other side of the counter. I put my elbows on the counter and watched what he was doing. He slightly hummed a folk tune to himself, I smiled watching.

He hadn't realized I was there, so when he looked up, he fell backward, the rolling pin in his hand flew up and hit him on his shoulder. There was a loud clanging of pots and pans from below him. I couldn't help but giggle. "Y'alright?" I looked underneath the counter to see him sitting on the floor in a puff of flour. He scrambled to his feet.

"Yes! Fine, perfectly fine." His accent was different, one I hadn't heard an accent like that for many years. He really must've been new. Most people I knew sounded like me. "I didn't expect to see you up this early."

I smiled at his reaction. "I don't like to sleep much. If I do, it's a quick couple of hours and I'm up again."

"Strange, I thought that you'd be guarded in your room too, just like all the other roya-" I covered his mouth before he could speak.

I whispered directly into his ear. "I am. But if you speak of it too loudly, there will be consequences for my actions. I want this to be a pleasant experience for both of us."

He nodded, I uncovered his mouth and he gulped. "Got it milady. Won't speak a word." He smiled, continuing his work. "Yous come to the right place then. I'm making some apple cake for the Banquet. I don't like to use up any other ingredients than I have to, but I could make an exception for milady." He winked in my direction. My heartbeat fluttered, a small blush appearing on my pale cheeks.

The Banquet he spoke of made my heart scream for freedom. It was a betrothal to a man I'd only met once when I was a wee child. I was terrified. "I love apple cake," I whispered. "It's my favorite."

He smiled. "Well then, I'll just make you a little one then." I smiled back at him, he continued his work. I watched him do his thing. Some kitchen staff came in and smiled at my presence.

"Well hello there!" Ms. Gaitlyn exclaimed giddily. "If it isn't my favorite girl in the castle."

"Hi, Ms. Gaitlyn." She came over to me and squeezed my shoulders in a loving embrace.

"I sure missed you, why don't you visit us more?"

"I've been kinda busy the past couple of nights. My life has been a bit busy for the Banquet."

"Ah, that's right." She winked at me. She rubbed my arms and squeezed them again. "Everything will turn out alright, I just know it. "

The boy continued working in silence, listening to our conversation. Ms. Gaitlyn continued on her way. He and I sat in silence for a while until the cakes were in the oven.

He cleared his throat. "If I may ask, why is this Banquet so special?"

Panic arose in my heart. I looked down at my hands. Ms. Gaitlyn who noticed my fearfulness spoke for me. "It's a ball for the Princess of Melnoa's betrothal." I could feel the tears rising. She continued rubbing my shoulders.

"I see." He responded. I looked up at him, his voice had a smidge of hope. "Maybe it won't be as bad as you think it might be."

I nodded. I heard a group of people laughing, and looked in their direction. How I desperately wanted to be a part of their joy, and laughter. My small cake came out of the oven, and the boy handed it to me. I watched him, and a flutter came to my heart.

Before he could turn around, a loud siren noise erupted in the ambiance of the kitchen. "Urgent, intruder alert. Find shelter now. Urgent, intruder alert."

The boy grabbed my hand and we ran, I tried pulling away from him. "Wait! I can't!"

"Yes, you can! We need to go now!" We ran down a small passage and into a room where the door was locked shut.