Ever since I was three, remembering people's names have always been something fun to keep me entertained. By seven, I could say the name of every servant and guard in the palace that I came across. I knew their faces, their specific job, even their individual smells- whether good or bad.

But there was one person, in particular, I knew the best. Someone who always had time for me no matter how busy they were. Her name was Swethyna and she was a maid.

A stocky woman with chestnut brown curls. Not the most attractive woman- definitely not as beautiful as my mother- but I still saw her as pretty. A wart on the side of her nose, crooked teeth, and calloused hands made her a hard looking woman, but she was kinder than anyone knew.

I would often turn to her when my mother was busy or I couldn't play outside. She was witty and just. Everyone loved and respected Swethyna. She was up in age but could still do things younger people did.

"Swethyna," I called. I knew she would be somewhere close by.

Right on cue, she peered around the corner and smiled her crooked smile at me.

"Ah, what can I do for you dear prince?"

I crossed my arms and frowned. "It's not fair."

"What's not fair?" She asked, mocking my pouting face.

I sighed. "Momma won't let me help. I wanna see what she does every day and why she's so busy, but she never lets me help. She says it's adult affairs."

"Well, your mother has good reasons. One day she'll let you help her. I mean you are the future king."

I shrugged, still disappointed about my mother not letting me help. We slowly wander down the halls having no particular destination.

"What do you think I'll be like when I become king?" I asked her, genuinely curious.

"Well...I think you will be a very kind and fair king." She looked at me. "You could be the greatest king Edalirwen has ever seen if you wanted. You have it in you."

"Really?" I beamed.

"Yep."

"Then I wanna to be that. I wanna to be the best king there ever was."

Swethyna smiled at me and we continued walking until we snuck into the kitchen and stole some cornbread.

"Don't tell anyone," Swethyna whispered as we snuck back out.

I sealed my lips in promised. We ate our cornbread in one of the rooms that are never used.

"So when I'm king," I begin with my mouth full. "What can I do?"

She wiped a crumb off my chin. "Well, you can create laws, for one. You have to deal with the peoples' problems when they bring them to you. Figure out how to cope when an disaster strikes..."

"Sounds boring, what else can I do? Anything fun?"

"Plan festivals and big elaborate parties. But that's when all the work is done."

"Oh. So I can throw all the parties and balls that I want?"

"If you have the money."

I leaped to my feet, my eyes shining with eagerness.

"When I become king, I'll hold the biggest ball ever, and everyone will be invited. You and momma will be invited and all the servants and guards, even though they're sometimes mean to me."

"They don't mean to be that way, but it's nice of you to think of them still."

That's what made Swethyna even more meaningful to me. She was the only one in the palace other than my mother who didn't ignore me or give me menacing glares. I didn't know why everyone disliked me so much, I didn't do anything to them.

Laughing and pulling me up from where I dropped to the floor after twirling, Swethyna lifts up my chin and gives me a warm look.

"I know I'll be right about you. You will be the greatest king Edalirwen has ever known. Remember to always keep your head on and be kind. The you're kindest person I know and you're only six. Always be kind if nothing else, never change that about yourself."

I hugged her tightly.

"I won't. I'm me."

She hugged me back. "Don't ever change you."