The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

The First Turning Point

"Stand straight, don't slouch, and smile generously."

I remember hearing those lines from my favorite tutor, Miss Quisling. I learned from her how to act like a lady and how to impress the nobility. She taught me how to not be seen.

I loved Miss Quisling.

So, why is this happening now? Why is my world turning upside down?

I shouldn't have been complacent. I shouldn't have gone and wished for too much. I shouldn't have sought for happiness.

~~

My pudgy hands were incredibly slow and clumsy, but I executed with great focus the final pull, and...

"YES!" I screamed much like a commoner child. "I finally finished it!"

I held the piece of square, satin cloth in front of me, curating my work with meticulous care.

Needlework. One of the essential skills a lady must learn. Ever since I started taking writing lessons from Miss Quisling, I have done my best to prepare a welcoming gift. Finally, after a month, I had managed to sew her initials on the side of a handkerchief.

'Will she like it?' I wondered with furrowed brows, although I didn't really see anything wrong with my work.

After all, it still worried me how we still didn't have the same closeness that we had before. She always seemed to be so closed off whenever I asked her about her life. I mean, I do understand that I'm incredibly hastening things, but I suppose I'm quite stubborn and impatient that way. Anyway, what can I possibly lose by trying hard to get closer to her? The sooner the better, right?

On that note, I hastily kept my stitches and needles and wrapped up my present. I got up from my seat inside my vanity room, and skipped out of my bedroom with excitement.

Bumping into a few maids on the way, I didn't slow down as I bounced down the stairs.

I had finished the needlework just in time. It will only be a few more minutes until my tutor would arrive, and I could finally give her my present.

I had just stepped onto the first floor of the castle when I saw my tutor's familiar carriage going down the palace's circular driveway. With a bout of playfulness brought by my joy, I decided to hurriedly jump out of the windows and hide behind a bush. I watched as the fair horses tottered closer.

'I've surprised her multiple times like this in my past life,' I thought as a grin formed on my lips. 'Will she be terribly shocked if I suddenly show up like this?'

I waited for her to exit her carriage and to pass by my hiding spot. I wondered if she would be too frightened. She was incredibly quite skittish in my past life. But, I would be giving her a present anyway, so she'll probably forgive me easily...

My smile grew wider as I started hearing the familiar clicking of her heels on the stone pavement. Unexpectedly, I found she wasn't alone.

"Five, go back to the carriage," I heard my tutor's angry voice. "We'll talk about this later! Just trust me that it's going according to plan."

I froze, wondering what could make Miss Quisling, such a kind lady, suddenly so angry. I carefully peeked just a bit from behind my bush to see who she was talking with. However, I only saw a robed figure, halfway down the carriage steps.

The covered person drew nearer to my tutor and grabbed at her hands. 'How improper!' I thought with anger, ready to jump out to defend her if needed.

"Don't think so highly of yourself," the figure said in a deep, male voice. "Our plan had to be started prematurely because that brat unexpectedly had to be a prodigy too. We have to be incredibly careful-"