Amphelice sat on her bed, trying to take deep breaths, but it was extremely hard to do with a corset on. It was her seventeenth birthday, and because of that she was going to make a public appearance. All she had to do was step out onto the balcony and wave her hand, and have her father announce her birthday. However, this was the seventeenth time she'd done this, and the past sixteen hadn't been pleasant. Because of all the rumors spread about her, there were really only two ways to feel about the princess; one either loved her, or hated her. The year before, after a scandalous (untrue) rumor that she'd tried to steal from her mother, she had rotten fruit thrown at her when she stepped out. Needless to say, she was nervous.

Aiden hated doing this kind of thing. Working as a server at, well, anything, was unappealing, but this was a once in a lifetime chance to be able to come and go around the palace... legally at least. He pulled at the collar of the serving clothes he had to wear, which were fancier than anything he'd ever worn (which to say wasn't very) , and shifted uncomfortably. He was impatient as the person (who was he? head maid or something?) continued to tell him over and over again what to and not to do. He just kept nodding. He wanted to go out and watch as the princess made her appearance. He'd heard about what happened last year, and though he really didn't feel one way or another about her, having had rotten fruit thrown at her really made him feel sorry for her. Even with the things he's heard about her, throwing rotten fruit at her is not the answer. He sighed as the person finally stopped talking and told him to go, faked a smile and nodded, then turned to leave. "About time" he thought.