There was music playing in the background-an aria from some old opera. I sat awkwardly in front of Frank, while he stood, trying to look regal. I had spent less than a minute in the presence of Her Majesty, as she proclaimed me the Prince's Royal "Playmate." I would be spending days and nights with the prince, only going home every other Wednesday night, which Frank spent with his future wife, a thirteen year old daughter of a wealthy philanthropist.

Other than that, I was everything but attached to the hip with him. I would eat with him, go to his tutoring with him, and follow him everywhere until I came of age at twenty, at which time I would have the choice to leave. I would even have to bed with him if he so chose. I was to be a maid and a concubine all at once-I was a Domestic.

Frank wold marry when he was twenty, but this would not stop him from needing a domestic-I may have to serve his wife as well.

Frank was fifteen-three years older than me. I would be spending eight years of my life with this boy I had only seen on the television before. eight years of my life without my family. Without my brother.

So I sat, while Frank searched for something to ask or say. I could see and feel him looking me up and down and deciding whether or not I was worthy of him. I could see the disapproval in his eyes, but he could do nothing about it-I had already been accepted by his mother.

I was awfully nervous, being judged by royalty. Suppose he wanted to do something with me, tonight. Could I handle that? I thought about being "alone with him "in that way." Would it hurt? I was only 12, and.small for my age. What would my brother think?

At this thought I simply broke down. I missed my home, my family, I hated the feeling of unfamiliarity. I simply fell to the floor, my shoulders heaving in sobs. I knew I looked just ghastly when I cried, but I couldn't help it. The prince took one look at me, and with a sneer of disgust stomped out of the room. This made me cry even harder.