Working for the Prince did not turn out to be as troublesome as Karalina might have imagined. Though he was disorganised, he was quite intelligent, and really did want to take care of his kingdom the best he could. Every morning, Karalina would report to the study to find the Prince already deep in his paperwork. Then she would attend to the list of things he had set for her, note taking and writing replies to various people.

Tobias was also present during these times, along with a myriad of people who came and left at varying intervals. Dukes and Lords came to present their cases of dispute to the Prince, while diplomats and ambassadors from neighbouring kingdoms arrived to discuss cross-kingdom relationships and alike. At first Tobias wondered as to why Frederick had appointed Lina, but finding her to be a useful and diligent worker, he concluded that there was no harm in her position.

The hours spent in the Prince's study seemed to fly by to Karalina, who enjoyed the work. Having been acquainted with many Princes in (what seemed like her previous life now) her time as Princess, she was pleased and surprised to find that Prince Frederick, though he was inexperienced, had a sincere care for his small kingdom. She also realised that her mother and father had done her a genuine service with the lessons they had taught her, and the wisdom they had had in allowing her to accompany them in royal duties so she could learn even by observation.

The more time she spent with Prince Frederick, the more Karalina began to admire the way he persevered even when he didn't know what to do. What is going on? She wondered to herself one morning as she caught herself admiring the Prince as he hunched over his desk and his coal black hair fell into his eyes. Now when there was a ball at the castle, Karalina found herself in the balcony with the other maids, envious that Prince Frederick was dancing with another girl.

This is ridiculous, Karalina declared to herself one night, seeing Frederick twirl another maiden around the ballroom floor. She spent the rest of the evening in the study, finishing a reply to the ambassador of the Kingdom of the South. I suppose if I were really concerned about who the Prince were to dance with, I could just turn up and announce that I'm a Princess and have him dance with me all evening, she thought. But I'm not even the slightest bit concerned with who he dances with. Besides, there would be no point because then he'd be dancing with Princess Karalina, not Lina. He'd never know the real me.

Karalina knew that even if she did love Frederick, she would never be content unless he loved her back as herself, not as some Princess from a kingdom who he didn't know. He will never love me as Lina, she thought distractedly one afternoon as she dusted some candles, because Lina is a maid and Princes are not allowed to love maids. If there was one thing Karalina knew about Frederick, it was that at all cost he would do his duty as a Prince, for the good of the Kingdom.

And that is that, Karalina decided, resolutely putting the matter out of her mind.

***

Unbeknown to Karalina and even Frederick, but the Prince had also noticed how diligently she worked, and had begun to consider her one of his closet confidants. Even if she didn't realise it, he consulted her on matters pertaining to almost every aspect of running the Kingdom. Not always because he needed another opinion, but because he saw her come alive when she answered his questions; her green eyes glowed with intelligence and wisdom.

Frederick himself had also changed because of their relationship. He walked around the castle, no longer rushed and besieged by the demands of being a Prince, but (thanks largely to Karalina's organisational skills) confidently and with purpose. Even though being a Prince was a demanding occupation, at long last he began to feel convinced and secure of his position and how he conducted his work.

Things are going well, Frederick thought as he approached his Mother's chambers, even if Mother wants to see me with regards to yet another ball to find a wife.

This however, was not what the Queen wanted to tell her son.

"I have arranged a marriage for you, Frederick," the Queen announced as he joined her at the small table by the window, which was set for tea.

"You have what?!" Frederick asked incredulously.

"You heard me son," the Queen replied. "Here, have some tea."

Frederick made no move to take the offered teacup, so the Queen put it down again and continued.

"I know you have been busy running the kingdom," she explained, "and your attitude to balls has improved somewhat, but the kingdom needs the guarantee that you are going to be married."

"So you have arranged it?" spluttered Frederick. "Without even consulting me?"

"Oh for heaven's sake Frederick," the Queen chided, "don't be dramatic. It's not something that has to happen immediately. You can take your time with this; get to know the girl."

"I'm not sure she will be as happy to wait as I would," Frederick replied dryly. "Princesses only want to be married. Why should she wait?"

"That is where you are wrong," the Queen replied, sipping her tea. "My childhood friend is Queen of the neighbouring Kingdom. She has a daughter, who isn't seeing many Princes. I wrote explaining the situation with you, that you want to get to know your future wife, and she replied that her daughter is of the same mind."

Frederick said nothing, only staring at his mother in continued disbelief.

"It's perfect dear," the Queen stated. "You might not even have to marry Princess Karalina for a few years yet."

There was silence for a few more moments. The Queen sipped her tea.

"This is ridiculous!" Frederick burst out. "Mother, how could you do this behind my back?"

"It is for the best," the Queen answered, putting down her tea. "I hate to see you so lonely, and consumed by your work. You need to have something else to think about. This way you have the chance to meet your Princess, to grow to like her, the way you dreamed."

Frederick stared at his Mother in continued disbelief. Was this really her explanation? Did she really think it was for the best? Suddenly an image of Lina passed through his mind. What would she think? He thought. What would she say? It was all Frederick could do to keep from storming out of the room and through the castle to find her and know.

"Frederick," the Queen said cautiously, "do say something dear."

What can she expect me to say? Thought Frederick in wonder.

"Thank you Mother," he finally replied woodenly, "for your help in this matter."

And then he stood and walked slowly out of the room.