"Mornin' Kaye." The old supervisor said groggily. Kaye smiled up at the elder and took up her apron and broom that he offered.

"Good morning Bard. How are you this morning?" The old man snorted at this question for he knew Kaye already knew the answer.

"'M as fine as I'll ever be I suppose. Jus' another day workin' in this slum fest." Kaye shook her head at this and took the list of chores Bard offered her. Her eyebrows rose and she sighed.

"He's isn't asking for too much today it seems." She muttered sarcastically. Bard nodded in understanding.

"It's days like this one that make me glad 'm getting old an all. Makes me glad I got promoted at leas' anyway." Kaye nodded and felt her smile fade away as she trudged to the entrance hall. The walk was quiet and she had some time to mull over things and daydream a little as she walked. One day a prince will come and save me. We may not necessarily fall in love but I'd be free and happy. She snorted at her imagination and turned down another long flight of staircases. I'd rather free myself more than anything. But I'm sure I would be missed by someone. Though it's not like the emperor even knows who I am…She sighed. She had always had thoughts of running away ever since she was little and first began working in the castle. The little girl couldn't see why this many servants were needed anyway. The castle was beyond help by far and all the emperor did was play with his maidens. The many soldiers and guards continually strut around like they own the place and didn't hesitate to whip servants if they slipped up even once. Kaye, being a bit of a troublemaker, was a close friend of the whip wielders. Close enough that she could actually have a conversation with them before she was punished.

"Y'er in trouble again girl?"

"Hey, the guard deserved it!" The young girl had retorted fiercely as she was positioned herself for the blows.

"Yeah, yeah and next it'll be that the poor wall deserved it. I know it was you who painted that mural up on them walls in the fourth floor corridor." The little girl couldn't help but laugh.

Yeah but wasn't it a pretty picture?" The man chuckled as he readied his whip.

"Aye, very pretty indeed." The whipping hurt but Kaye soon righted herself and shook hands with the whip wielder.

"I'll see you again sometime this week most likely." Kaye had said proudly. The man chuckled again and led her out of the room.

"Well I would be sad if I didn't get t'er see you at least once a week. Try and stay outt'er trouble girl."

She didn't mind being punished so much. The green eyed girl began her dusty job of sweeping the great floor of the entrance hall. And once that was said and done she had to go back over it with a scrubbing brush and scalding water.

She hissed as she looked at her red and swollen knees. Kaye was currently sitting down in the middle of the entrance on her break. Making me do all of this on my own…even though it's random the emperor should definitely be punished for this! She sighed again got to her knees again to continue her scrubbing. Her rough motions slowed as she began to notice the tiny black streaks that were appearing on the floor beneath her rag. Moving it out of the way she lowered her face to examine the streaks and found to her surprise that they were letters! She tilted her head gently to the side as she read her lips moving silently.

Ye whom can wield my power shall be recognized as kin, and as such ye shall be recognized as this kingdom's only hope.

Luckar Tas

Scratching her head she moved to scrub the offended and confusing letters away but found they would not disappear. Frowning she pushed up her sleeves and scrubbed with all the power she had but to no avail. Kaye angrily threw the rag on the ground and crossed her arms across her chest. I'll certainly get punished for this I know it. The small girl failed to notice the presence of the figure on the stairs.

"Giving up are we?" Came the cool deep voice of the stranger. Jerking her head up Kaye's eyes widened in surprise as she realized who had been talking. The boy was a little older than her obviously. His dark hair and handsome features should have made him irresistible but this was not so. Kaye was drawn to his dark and pitiless eyes. She shivered involuntarily from her spot on the floor and felt a twinge of fear in her heart. This…this is the emperor. He smiled and walked over to her. She bowed and he chuckled. "What is your name girl?"

"Kaye, your highness."

"Kaye huh? Is there a last name that goes with that?" Kaye's green eyes met his briefly before she lowered into her bow again.

"None that I can remember your highness." She could have sworn she saw a faint smirk cross his lips at her answer but a second later she thought she certainly must have imagined it.

"You needn't speak so formally to me Kaye. I would not tell of it to anyone else." The girl straightened herself up slightly and gazed at her feet.

"I couldn't possibly You're Highness. I am but a lowly servant girl unworthy of your acknowledgment."

"You seem to have rehearsed this speech well enough. Tell me Kaye; have you dreamed of meeting me often?" Kaye flinched slightly.

"Not at all My Lord, it's just there is not much else a lowly servant girl can do when she is not working."

"I could make your free evenings more pleasurable if you wish." The emperor whispered huskily with a small smirk. Kaye shook her head furiously.

"That would be unwise You're Highness."

"Is that really your place to say?" Kaye hesitated and shook her head. "Well there are things I must attend to but rest assured we will meet again my dear Kaye."

"My Lord…" Kaye murmured as he passed. Once he was out of sight her sank to her knees and shivered. "What a horrible man…"