Youth [MikhAiah] [Book #1]

05

MIKHA

Mornings in the palace started with the familiar rustling of curtains, followed by a knock at the door, and the gentle but insistent voice of my attendant announcing the day's schedule. I blinked my eyes open, momentarily disoriented by the ornate ceiling that loomed above me. Despite waking up to this sight every day, the grandeur of the room always felt more like a set piece than a home.

It's saturday and weekends are supposedly rest days but it felt the opposite for me.

"Good morning, Your Highness," My personal butler greeted as he entered the room, bowing slightly. He was impeccably dressed in his butler uniform, every detail meticulously in place. To everyone else, he was just another member of the staff, but in reality, he was my eyes and ears in places I couldn't be—like the coffee shop where Aiah worked.

"Morning," I mumbled, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. As Juno went about setting out my clothes for the day, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the royal responsibilities that awaited me. Meetings, public appearances, training sessions—it was all mapped out with military precision, leaving little room for anything that resembled freedom.

"Busy day ahead, Your Highness. But I've ensured that everything is in order," Juno said, glancing at me as he laid out a pristine attire. His voice was always calm and composed and he's been a butler here for years and I knew I could trust him being my eyes and ears about Aiah's whereabouts—atleast just in her work area.

I nodded, trying to muster the energy to face the day. "Thanks, Juno. Can you tell me what is she like— like as a person..?"

Juno's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement.
"Aiah's doing well—seems like she's a good teacher, she has guided me in perfectly with my role as a barista. Nag-gets ko naman po bakit niyo po siya gusto."

A small smile tugged at my lips. Knowing that Aiah was okay brought a sense of relief I couldn't quite explain. I had sent Juno to keep an eye on her, Not really me, It was my cousins' idea to send Juno to spy on Aiah. I don't intend to be a stalker but it's just there's something in my head that made me agreed with their plan too, but also because I wanted to feel closer to her without revealing too much. It was a complicated, tangled web of secrecy, but it was the only way I knew how to balance the two halves of my life.
"Good," I said, trying to sound casual as I got out of bed and began my morning routine.

—🦊—

The day rolled on as expected—meetings with the Castle's partners, briefings on upcoming public events, and a training session that felt more like a display of discipline than a necessity. All the while, my mind kept drifting back to Aiah. I couldn't help but smile to myself while thinking about last night's livestream, how flustered she got just by telling stories of us—I managed to sneak glances at my phone during breaks, scrolling through her messages and feeling a small spark of joy with every reply she sent. She was my escape, my little slice of normalcy in an otherwise scripted existence.

But my moment of reprieve was cut short when I received a summons from my parents. I made my way to the grand office.

"Mikha," my mother began, her voice as poised and regal as ever. "Alam mo naman na importante saamin na ipagpatuloy yung legacy natin here sa Pilipinas."

I nodded, the words so familiar they might as well have been etched into the walls.
"Yes, Mother."

She continued, "There's an event next month, a charity gala. We expect you to make an appearance. It's a good opportunity to meet... potential suitors."