AN: Just in case you readers are thinking, "Wow, things are progressing rather quickly," I just wanted to explain and say that these events are not happening immediately, so chapter 1 is not day one and chapter 2 is not day 2; it's more like chapter one is day 1 and chapter 2 is a few days later. Chapter 3 might even be a week and a half later. Long story short, there is a time gap in between the chapters unless stated in the chapter (for example, "yesterday, she...)

Yuna didn't know how she ended up in the servants' quarters but she didn't mind at all. The men and women slept separately but the servants told her that each of the sleeping quarters were furnished with twin-sized beds and trunks at the end of the beds for storage. There was also a communal bathroom and bath house that was separated for men and women, and couches and tables were provided for a homey feeling.

The rest of the servants were doing chores in the castle but a group of young female servants were taking a break and Yuna invited herself to make flower crowns with them. They were reserved and polite when Yuna asked them to teach her how to make a flower crown but they began to let down their guards and talked freely when Yuna messed up and laughed at her mistakes.

"I think Prince Rin is really handsome," Ami sighed.

Yuna quietly nodded in agreement though the servants didn't notice her.

"I would happily let Captain Sousuke be my bodyguard," said Hisa.

Aoi shook her finger at them,

"That's because you haven't met the soldiers yet."

"Not everyone is like Daiki," Erika sniffed, "Daiki is the exception."

"Who's Daiki?" Yuna asked.

Aoi blushed a pretty shade of pink,

"Daiki is one of the soldiers here in the castle. He's rugged, handsome, and incredibly sweet."

Ami rolled her eyes,

"Daiki is the one with light brown hair and high cheekbones; he's got that scar on his cheek."

"Ah, I know who you're talking about now."

Yuna could picture the soldier in her head; she had seen him sparring with Sousuke on occasion.

"I'm going to give this to Daiki," Aoi held up her completed flower crown, "I hope he likes it."

Yuna looked around at the group of girls and wondered how they all came to the castle. They were young-they couldn't be older than sixteen-and Yuna thought they were very pretty.

Ami seemed to read Yuna's thoughts and she set her flower crown on her lap.

"I came to work at the castle to help my parents. They're farmers but they don't make very much. My hometown is far away from here so I send money back home. It's not much but it's enough for my family to buy food and clothing."

"Me, too," said Hisa, "I haven't been home in years."

"I'm sorry. You must miss your families dearly."

The girls nodded unanimously.

"I do miss them, but being here gives me the opportunity to help my parents in a way that I wouldn't be able to if I was back home. Queen Miyako is generous and she pays us well as long as we do our work well." said Erika.

"With Prince Rin here, I would stay here forever."

The girls giggled and they tucked away their flower crowns when a bell rang, indicating that their break was over. They looked at Yuna, unsure of what to say to her. With a smile, Yuna stood up and she placed her mismatched flower crown on her head.

"Looks like break time is over, huh?"

The girls smiled and they walked out with her, bowing to her before they left to return to their chores. As Yuna left the servants' quarters, she couldn't help but feel sympathy. They were young yet they were working hard for their families. Yuna wondered if the servants at her castle had similar stories. She made a mental note to treat her servants better when she returned home.

Yuna stopped when she heard a hushed conversation. The voices were male and they sounded familiar although Yuna couldn't quite identify the speakers. She took slow deliberate steps until she came to the wine room and she stood beside the door, leaning in as close as possible.

"The young ones are blossoming quite nicely."

"They are. It's a shame that their beauty is going to waste here."

"Perhaps we could be the solution to that."

"What do you mean?"

"I wonder how much people would pay for them."

There was a pause in the conversation.

"I have some acquaintances who would be interested in the subject."

Another pause in the conversation.

"What would we do...if we got the money?"

"Leave, of course! We wouldn't have to work in the army anymore. The money we get from selling those girls would be more than enough to live comfortably for a while. Leave the negotiations to me, Daiki. You just find a way to get those girls out of here without raising an alarm."

"I know a way."

"That's my boy."

Yuna heard movement and she bolted from the door, running down the hall until she ran into Sousuke, who would have sent her flying backwards had he not caught her.

"Are you alright, Your Highness? Is something wrong?"

Yuna straightened and she shook her head.

"I'm alright. I'm sorry, Captain, I should had been paying attention."

Sousuke shook his head,

"You look alarmed. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Yuna glanced back and Sousuke followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing when he saw two soldiers exiting the wine room with two bottles of wine in each hand. Yuna exhaled; the soldiers probably hadn't noticed that she was eavesdropping.

"It's nothing, Captain. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Sousuke pursed his lips but he said nothing and bowed curtly as he allowed Yuna to continue on her way.

Yuna's heart was still pounding in her chest when she reached her room. She placed her hand over her heart and collapsed onto her bed. She couldn't believe what she had just heard!

"Daiki? Ridiculous! Aoi was just gushing about him…"

Yuna took off her flower crown and clutched it tightly in her hands. She knew that what the soldiers were planning was wrong. She knew she wanted to protect the servant girls but she didn't know what to do. Yuna groaned and she held her head in her hands. She didn't know what to do.

The next day, Yuna decided to tell Rin. She was told that Rin was in his office so she went to see him. She was relieved to see the servant girls cleaning the hallway and they were surprised when she asked them where they were cleaning next.

"We'll be in the kitchen, Your Highness," said Aoi.

"You promise?" Yuna demanded.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Yuna made a mental note of their location and she continued on her way to Rin's office.

Rin was surprised to see her but he welcomed her in and poured a cup of tea for her. Sousuke was also in the office and he was helping dust the bookshelves. Yuna fidgeted nervously in her seat and Rin couldn't help but notice.

"Is there something bothering you?" Rin asked.

Yuna set her cup down and she stood in front of Rin's desk, capturing his full attention.

"I think I overheard a kidnapping plan yesterday."

Rin's eyes widened in alarm,

"Kidnapping? Who?"

"Some servant girls in the castle. The young ones, you know, the ones who help clean the hallways."

Rin and Sousuke glanced at each other and Yuna wondered what they were communicating to each other with that glance.

"I am relieved that you're not the target, Princess Yuna."

Yuna didn't know why but Rin's answer made her angry.

"So what if I'm not the target? Prince Rin, two soldiers want to kidnap your servants and sell them!"

"I have informed the castle guards to be on high alert, Your Highness. There is nothing to worry about," Sousuke said calmly.

Yuna slammed her fists onto Rin's desk, startling Rin and Sousuke.

"You don't understand!" Yuna sighed, exasperated, "two soldiers want to sell the young servants for money! Aoi likes Daiki and Daiki knows of a way to get them out of the castle! If he gets them out of the castle, they'll be doomed!"

"Princess-"

"Rin, they can't be taken away! You need to protect them!"

Rin sighed and he set down his pen.

"Princess Yuna, Sousuke and I will look into this matter. In the meantime, don't do anything rash and don't dwell on it too much."

Yuna was disappointed with Rin's answer.

"And you call yourself a prince."

Yuna turned and left Rin's office without looking back.