I instructed a maid to call her to breakfast before heading to the dining hall myself. Jan was out to buy the mobile phone I've asked for her and will be joining us later. I was walking down the corridors when I ran into her. She had a complicated look on her face and looked tired with bags under her eyes. I wonder if she couldn't sleep? Then our eyes met.

"Good morning"

"Couldn't you sleep?", I touched a finger to the bags under her eyes. She flinched slightly to my touch and looked at me with wide eyes. Ah! What an innocent reaction! Maybe she missed her parents and couldn't sleep well. If so then it'd be my fault.

"Missing your parents so much you couldn't sleep?", I smiled remembering her face from last night.

"No! I was actually trying to get that paperwork done as soon as possible!", she said a bit loudly in defense. She obviously hates me to be working all night on it. 'Hey, does that mean I'm sad about it?' I didn't have anything to say to that and turned away asking the obvious.

"Are you always this loud in the morning?"

"Wha..", she looked at me accusing.

"Come", I said and started to walk.

"What are you..."

"Just keep quiet and come with me." She really is annoying with her never ending questions and relentless behavior. Still there's something about her.

The dining room was quite as usual. It's always been just me in the dining hall with Jan in attendance. Yesterday she joined me in the breakfast but I found nothing different from the usual. I was away from my parents for a very long time so I prefer it this way. Not to mention we have different schedules.

Today it was just us as I was reading the newspaper and she was quietly looking around. She wasn't eating. I thought she needed something and looking for Jan. So I spoke up.

"Jan has gone out for a while. But he should be back soon though, was there something you needed?"

"Oh, no..." She then started eating and I went back to the newspaper as I ate. Suddenly she commented on the food.

"This tastes really good..."

I was reading an article about the recent law changes so I answered without looking up.

"Mm"

My response got me another question and I gave her the same answer. Well, her questions weren't something to discuss about anyway.

"Are meals always like this?"

"Mm"

"Isn't it quiet sitting in here by yourself?"

At this point I wasn't paying attention to her small talk but just responded.

"Mm"

"Are you listening to me?" This got my attention for a second.

"Hm...Mm"

"You're not listening, are you?"

"Mm"

She then yelled at me and I looked up. No one has ever addressed me like that. She really doesn't know her place.

"Hey"

"What is it?"

"I don't think it's very good manners to be sitting there reading a newspaper at the breakfast table", she said disapproving. Just what is her problem? It isn't like it's against the rule so I never bothered. Plus it'd be a waste to be idly eating doing nothing.

"It's not against the rules", I said going back to reading. "I don't read like this in public or when there's other people around."

"Other people...", she muttered questioning.

"Oh, you don't count. Sorry."

Honestly I didn't feel like I've to worry about my princely facade in front of her. I felt comfortable around her and anyway it doesn't look like she looked at me like a prince at all.

"I... don't count?" Her voice was shocked but then she continued.

"I don't mean to be rude, Your highness, but while I think rules are important... I believe a person's feelings are even more important." Feelings? Where'd that come from? I didn't quite get what she meant.

"A person's feelings?"

"Yes. I think it's important to be able to put yourself in another person's position and imagine how they must be feeling."

A laugh escaped me. Why would I go to the trouble of doing that? Is she crazy? She thinks a prince has got time for something like that?

"What's the point of doing that? It's not something I'll need to know when I become king."

"The point is... Wouldn't it be better to enjoy your meal since we are here having it...? That way even your food will..." She appealed to me but her thoughts were so weird I understood nothing of it. So I coolly stated.

"I don't understand what you are talking about. It's more efficient use of my time if I read the newspaper while I'm eating... That way I have more time for work and study. Why should I take time out of my day just to savor a meal?" She stared at me intensely and I frowned.

"What? Did I say something strange?"

She was still looking at me as if she's pitying me for who knows what reason.

"You look like you pity me. Don't. Sorry, but I see no reason why a commoner should pity me."

She lowered her eyes saying nothing. The way she looked said whatever I'm doing is wrong. But I believed all my life it was right. So why now?

"My life has always been like this...", the words left my lips. I was raised to be perfect, rule my kingdom, obey the laws, not to enjoy myself. That was my life until now and she says it's all a lie. The thought troubled me. Maybe she's right?

"Huh?"

Hearing her response I came back to my senses. I didn't mean to say that out aloud. Just then Jan entered the room.

"I have returned Your Highness."

She looked somewhat relieved and the sight annoyed me for some reason. I turned to Jan.

"You took your time."

"Yes... I had trouble finding...", I then stood up not wanting the topic on me again. Also since Jan's back she won't be alone.

"I have work to do. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Understood."

He bowed deeply and I walked past him out of the room. All the way thinking about what has happened in the breakfast.

In the evening as I was sitting at my desk going through the papers her words rang clearly in my ears. And those eyes with so much concern, they looked back at me in my mind and my pen stopped. I stared blankly at the document I was signing for minutes without actually seeing it. I was so confused as to what to think. I thought a nap could help free my mind and laid down on the sofa.

"Your highness?!", I heard a high pitched voice call out to me. "Are you all right!?" I know this voice. Odette?!

"Your highness?!" Someone shook my shoulders gently.

"Mm... mnn..." I didn't feel like waking up yet.

"Oh, Your Highness... I-I should call an ambulance... Or atleast get Jan first..." I shot up at the word ambulance.

"Shut up." She stared at me intently as I yawned and rubbed my eyes.

"Uh..."

"I was just sleeping..." At those words I saw relief wash over her features and I stood up. She must've thought I've passed out or something.

"But why were you sleeping down there...?" I turned towards my desk as I answered and sat on my chair.

"I didn't go to sleep there... I fell."

"You fell?" She looked back at the place I was lying and seemed to understand. Then her face softened.

"Oh... I guess even Your Highness falls asleep on the sofa then..." She whispered as if to herself.

"I was just taking a nap. I ended up working until late last night...", I said keeping my expression neutral. As if I could say I was napping because the thoughts about her won't leave my mind.

"But, you'll catch a cold if you sleep like that..." I looked up to see her concerned face. That look again...!

"You're one to talk... You're the one who fell asleep at their desk last night...", I said without thinking.

"What...?", she looked at me startled and I realized what I just said. Embarrassed I turned away.

"Nothing..." I mumbled a reply.

"Um... Was it Your Highness who gave me that blanket last night?" I jumped slightly at being found out and tried to act as if I don't know a thing.

"What blanket is this?"

"I'm sorry. Last night someone covered me with a blanket while I was asleep... I had thought it was Your Highness who did it..."

"Why would I do something like that?" I said coolly.

"I'm sorry." She bowed to me and I cleared my throat. But still I couldn't help asking.

"You don't need to apologize. Oh... Did the blanket help at all...?", I said looking at the documents to appear casual.

"Yes. It did. It was very warm." That brought a smile to my lips.

"Oh, that's good." There wasn't any response so I looked up at her. "Don't go getting the wrong idea. It would be a hassle if a guest caught cold while staying here not to mention an embarrassment to the royal family." I said in a noncommittal voice and she looked disappointed.

"I see..."

"If that's all I suggest you go back to your room. I'm busy."

"Yes. I'm sorry for disturbing you." She then left and I let out a sigh. I didn't mean to say it like that. I was just nervous as to what I'll say next if she asked about the phone. I bet Jan told her it was me. But I don't know why I was nervous at all and it's only when she's around. It was all so weird and my nap didn't help one bit.

Despite everything her presence does make the manor look like a different place to me. Great! I mean now my home feels like a different place to me. But in a pleasant way though!

The next morning I was sitting at the breakfast table while she chatted with me.

"Doesn't this taste great?"

"Mm." She fell silent at my response. I didn't like the silence and told her my preference.

"It goes well with ketchup."

"Huh?"

"You put Worcester sauce on yours but it goes better with ketchup." That's how I always eat it and I know that's the best combo. She looked up at Jan. He stared at her confused before going to the trolley to get her some ketchup.

"Here you are"

She put some on her food tasting it and her eyes went wide a smile forming her lips. She likes it?

"Wow! It really tastes better this way!" Her outburst was loud and happy and I smiled happily too.

"Oh, sorry, I..." Maybe she remembered me calling her loud, she apologized. I ignored it and continued to smile. When was the last time I smiled carefree like this?!

"I did tell you it tastes good this way." I nodded happily going back to reading the newspaper and eating my meal all the while feeling her eyes on me. Reading the paper or not this the best breakfast I'd had in ages.

The day went by in a blur my mind registering what I read just enough to approve or disapprove. As the long day wound up I was lying in my bed gazing at the ceiling.

Well, a lot of things changed after she arrived. She annoyed me at first but gradually I stared to like her presence though still couldn't believe it. The manor seems to have more life. My mind has been in the clouds, I admit. But I've never been comfortable with people especially women around. I mostly avoid even the dances in parties unless it's given that's a ball. She is different though. I even yawned that day in front of her. We disagree but she never judged me and for which I was glad. I feel like I've really changed. And today, I was really happy to see her enjoying what I like.

Hmm...It all feels like a dream which I just never want to end. If it really were one I don't want to wake up. Even if it means forever. I don't mind.

A/N: What do you think about Joshua so far?! Tell me anything I missed about Joshy :D

(I basically envision him similar to Seig, only a little more bashful and little less snarky)