Important information in the authoress' note. Please be kind and read.

Chapter 23: New Ladies

The night was so short, very short. Even the newly-weds couldn't agree more. The new Grand Prince of Clarines had woken up hours ago. He had seen his mother at dawn before she had departed her way to Wilant and other visitors too. He had thanked them for their gifts, kindness, participative and support. Of course, Shirayuki had told him to wake her up when he wakes up, but Zen couldn't do that. She looked and Zen also knew how exhausted she was.

He had given her a small kiss on her lips when he had woken up. He had starred at her for a moment. That's when he realized Shirayuki was wearing his engagement necklace he had given to her on their proposal night, but with the long length, making it difficult to spot. She might have have been wearing it the whole time. Zen couldn't help but smile brightly.

The memory of today's morning kept repeating itself inside his cerebrum, making him always reacting to it. He walked past the familiar corridors and finally reached his newly-renovated office. His sudden opening made his attendants stop what they were doing.

"Good morning, Zen," Kiki said elegantly as she held a book in her hands. Zen immediately smiled at her with as a response. He averted his eyes to his other aides, they were also smiling elegantly. Zen raised his eyebrows at the scene but ignored it in a second. He walked to his chair. He could still feel eyes on him. They were waiting for their first orders from their Grand Prince. Zen had taken a deep breath. He gave Mitsuhide and Kiki an order of what to do. They nodded in an understanding.

After minutes of Zen given orders, Obi asked, "And me, Master?"

"I won't be ordering you anymore."

Obi was immediately taken back. "Why?" He asked.

Zen took something from his desk. He threw it to Obi. Obi caught it and read what was on it. He blinked many times. "Master?"

"Yes, your new occupation."

Obi looked at the tag again. It had his name on and his job: Aide to the Grand Princess of Clarines. He was just shocked he had been promoted.

"If you like, you can still be my immediate knight," Zen added.

Obi was overwhelmed with his master's trust, even though he knows about his feelings for Shirayuki. Obi felt like he was being trialed, but he put the feelings aside and thanked his master for trusting him. Zen had gracefully accepted his thankfulness.

"If possible, could Obi and I exchange places for a while?" Asked Kiki. Everyone was puzzled to her proposal.

"Why?" Zen questioned.

"Because I had promised Shirayuki few things and I also know she would need my full assistance, that's why I would Obi and I to exchange places for the first few months. That's if he's also okay with it."

After Kiki's explanation, Zen turned his head to Obi. "What do you say, Obi?"

Obi knew what Kiki was confabulating about. He nodded and answered, "I have nothing against it."

"Then we're clear," Zen said. Mitsuhide started proceeding his work, just like his Prince had ordered him to do, Obi had taken Kiki's place and Kiki had left the office.
.

.

.

Whilst the court workers and the royals themselves had woken up a few hours ago, there was still a lady who was still lying in bed. She roamed on the large bed. Lazily opened her eyes into half-opened eyes. She turned to the side her husband had slept yesterday night. He wasn't there. She remembered yesterday, during their conversation, when he had said he had an important early meeting and wanted to see the visitors off.

She became a bit upset her partner had not wakened her up, as she would've loved to see them off too, especially the Queen mother. She exhaled an exhaustive air and almost drifted to sleep. The nervous veins started working. She was now a Princess. No, a Grand Princess. She started panicking inside. She turned again and was now facing the elegant-looking curtains when a knock was heard.

"Enter." She replied turning to face the door. The door was opened by Kiki, smiling genuinely. "Kiki!" Shirayuki said excitedly.

"Good morning, Shirayuki." Kiki greeted. Shirayuki sat up on the bed and replied, "Good morning." Kiki walked to the curtains and opened it, revealing the bright sun rays.

"You don't mind?" Kiki asked, permitting for permission to open the curtains further from each other. Shirayuki shook her head and Kiki continued.

"Are you going to do that every day?" Shirayuki asked after Kiki had finished with the curtains.

"No", she simply answered. "Your lady-in-waiting would be, that is if you order her to do it."

"My lady-in-what?"

"Your lady-in-waiting."

Shirayuki just nodded her head.

"She would be your personal maid and companion. She usually tells what's up next on your a schedule too. I told her to let me do it, only for today, as I thought it would be better." Kiki explained further. Shirayuki just kept nodding her head. Kiki continued, "So, let's get you ready for your first day."

.

"So, you and Obi have exchange places?" Shirayuki asked as they walked inside the East Wing's corridors.

"For the meantime."

"Thank you so much. Do they know the real reason why?" asked Shirayuki. Kiki shook her head. As they walked, Shirayuki saw maids redecorating the decorations they had used for yesterday's celebration. Maids curtsied, guards bowed and the unexpected expected, nobles doing the same. Her do was to pass by them; ignore, and walk proudly.

Kiki gently opened the hall's door. Shirayuki followed. Inside the semi-small hall stood three girls. Shirayuki immediately recognized one of them, Cora, who stood in the middle of them. After gazing my presence they curtsied. Shirayuki remembered the first girl. She had been the one taking care of her wedding schedule and made sure everything was set, but the third girl remained unknown.

"Your Highness," Kiki's immediate call made Shirayuki a bit uncomfortable. She never refers to Shirayuki like that. "this is Alyne, Cora and Suki. Your maids." Kiki said pointing at each of them. She then added, "Alyne, will be your lady-in-waiting, specifically, your court lady. Cora will be your maidservant and Suki, will be your assistant maidservant."

Kiki's explanation explained lots of things. Alyne looked different. She was the only one wearing a noble-like dress and accessories. Whilst, Cora and Suki wore a normal-looking dress and accessories. The dress Cora and Suki were wearing had been seen by Shirayuki few times in the castle, by the Queen's maidservants. One thing they had in common, they all looked young, very young. In their late teens, to be specific.

"We're happy to be in your favor, your Highness." The three girls said at the same time, giving a pleasant courtesy.

"I hope you favor me well, too." Shirayuki also gave a courtesy, which made her maids confused. Their Princess curtsied. The least confused was Cora, as she expected her Princess do to so and knew what kind of person she is.

After the introduction Shirayuki and Kiki left. They made their way to the dining hall.

"Are you sure you don't want to eat breakfast with me?" Shirayuki asked a bit sad. Kiki smiled, "No, I can't." Shirayuki took a seat and asked taking a bread into her hands, "A small bitsy bread?" The sad look on Shirayuki's face made Kiki rethink about her loneliness during her engagement times. Kiki nodded as an approval which Shirayuki made Shirayuki happy.

"So tell me, who exactly is Alyne? I have seen her here in the court for a couple of times and mostly during my engagement. She usually came to check up things." Shirayuki asked and said after swallowing.

"She's a daughter of a Duke. She has been in the court serving for a while now. She was promoted within the court as a candidate for a lady-in-waiting and now one." Kiki drank a quarter of her drink. Shirayuki nodded but still looked unsatisfied. "But wasn't it that, I could choose my own lady-in-waiting and maids? And besides, why couldn't Cora become my lady-in-waiting?"

"Just like I said, Alyne was the only candidate for that position. Cora was not suitable because her status was below. In the royal court, a lady-in-waiting must descend from a duchy family. Yes, you could choose your own maids, but it was clear Alyne and Cora were going to be chosen as your maids. So Suki was chosen beside Cora."

"That's why I only got three?" Shirayuki asked.

"Seriously, didn't Lady Adela teach you all these? You seem to be innocent than I expected." The way Kiki said the sentence made Shirayuki chuckle. "Actually, Lady Adela gave me piles of books to read. Testify for my side, I had a lot of things to do during my betrothal. I couldn't have learned anything possible from them. I only read one book which I couldn't even finish, I only read till chapter 23. After then, I gave up." Shirayuki's sentence made Kiki raise an eyebrow and giggly.

"Well, one rule everyone knows, including the maids themselves, you can't take more than or equal of what above you has taken." Kiki took a bit of a bread. "Meaning, the Queen mother has nine maids, the Queen has four maids. Simple, you can't have more than that. It's the same with Majesty Izana and Zen."

"Okay." Shirayuki had finished her breakfast peacefully with Kiki.

"So, what do I do now?" Shirayuki asked.

"Firstly, you have free time, but I suggest you use that moment to redecorate your office. Then you would be introduced to your new work and have lunch. After lunch, I will tell you what's next. Also remember, changes can happen anytime." Kiki rose from her chair and Shirayuki nodded. Shirayuki also rose from her chair and followed Kiki to the door.

.

"Hey!" Zen said cheerfully as he walked towards Shirayuki. Shirayuki smiled and hugged Zen as tightly as Zen held her. They shared a wonderful kiss. Zen led Shirayuki back to her seat as he sat on a chair too.

"So, tell me about your day," Zen said after serving himself on the plate. "I'm not sure how I should describe today, but it was a bit tough. Kiki and I started redecorating, reshuffling and rearranging everything in my new office. That's when we realized the office needed more than that. Alyne, Cora and Suki, my new maids, decided to help us. I was also introduced to my new job. I was excited but at the same time a bit nervous and scared hoping I won't be making any mistakes."

After a long explanation, Shirayuki managed to cut her meat with her fork. "Indeed, tough it sounds like. I can't wait to see how you decorations turn out to be. I'm really looking forward to it." Zen's cheerful voice made Shirayuki smile. They ate their dinner and talked; which was prohibited.

They had talked to the extent of not even realizing the time had fled out. Immediately came to senses when Mitsuhide and Kiki have busted into the room, reminding Zen and Shirayuki, they had papers to take care of. Mitsuhide and Kiki separated the couple and they parted their ways in the worst manner.
.

.

.

A/N:

So, I had informed a week and a day ago that I would be editing, so updates wouldn't be.

Fortunately, I had successfully edited some of the chapters.

Unfortunately, I couldn't finish. So, I will still be editing. In that case, updates are still going to be a bit slower.

The most unfortunate part, I will be traveling. I have a one-month vacation. Problem: the data there is totally different. So, writing, editing, and publishing won't be.

The process will continue after one month. That's why I wrote this long and rushed chapter. As my last update as I depart.

Hope you enjoyed ;)