The castle has changed since the last time I lived here. It’s been maybe ten years since I last took a room here. I went straight to my old spot, but I quickly realized that the nobility has moved on to a different part of the castle in the meantime.

My seclusion was only underscored and highlighted when a maid stumbled in on me changing. She clearly didn’t realize that someone was staying in that room. Not that I minded, really, since she was fucking gorgeous. I loved the way she stared at me. Those deep green eyes, that long, thick brown hair, it made me very, very interested.

But when I found out that she’s American, I know that I have to get to know her a little bit better. Maybe coming back to the castle won’t be so bad after all. Looks like I’ll have at least one fun game to play amidst all this bullshit.

But I don’t have time for that, not yet at least. Once I’m dressed, I head through the old familiar corridors. I can hear people whispering behind my back as I go, but that doesn’t bother me. The return of the rightful prince after all this time must be a nice little sensation for the staff, but I’m only here for one reason.

I’m here to get my crown.

I head down the steps and stop outside of an ornate door. The plaque on the wall reads Andrew Schmid, Second Steward which just makes me grin enormously. I knock once before opening and stepping inside.

Andrew looks up from his desk and a smile breaks out across his face. Andrew is my age, and I’ve known him since I was a little kid. We’ve been friends for a very, very long time, and he’s the son of the castle steward. Now that he’s the second steward, he has some serious responsibilities around this place, and I haven’t been able to see him that often in the last few years. But we’ve always kept in touch, and I still consider him one of my closest friends.

“You’re really back,” he says to me, standing.

“Well, you know how it is,” I answer, shutting the door behind me. “When I hear that I may be losing my crown, I have to head home.”

Andrew winces a little bit. “That shouldn’t have leaked,” he says to me.

“So it’s true?” I frown at him, shaking my head.

“Not yet,” he says. “Your father is going to name Julian the Marshall of the Air Force, but he’s stopping short of actually naming him Crown Prince.”

I clench my jaw. Marshall of the Air Force is mostly a ceremonial title, but for the last hundred years, it has gone along with the title of Crown Prince. It technically doesn’t have to, but that’s just been the way things have gone.

“That bastard,” I say. “Were you going to tell me?”

“Yes,” he says. “When I knew it was real. I only heard it confirmed today.”

I shake my head and pace in front of his desk. “He’s really going to do it,” I say.

“I don’t know,” Andrew answers, a little nervous. “But don’t get worked up, Nolan. You’re here now. You can do something about it.”

“What can I do?” I ask angrily, turning on him.

He hesitates a moment. “Nolan, I’m not the enemy here.”

I take a deep breath and sigh. “I know. I’m sorry.”

He stands and comes around the desk. “I can help you, Nolan. But you have to be willing to play the game.”

“It’s why I’m here,” I say, a little grudgingly.

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, then. You’ve been away too long. You let your father forget about you.”

“Speaking of that. When can I see him?”

Andrew hesitates and drops his hand. “Soon,” he says.

“Soon?” I raise an eyebrow. “I need an appointment to see my own father now?”

“No,” he says. “He’s just in meetings right now. As soon as he’s out, you can have his ear.”

I grunt, shaking my head. Things seem to be going from bad to worse. I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do. I let myself get iced out over all these years, and now I fear that it’s too late to turn things around. I’m going to have to do something drastic and big to get the king’s attention.

“At least tell me where everyone’s staying these days. I’m down in my old room, and it’s a ghost town.”

Andrew laughs a little. “They vacated that wing four years ago. They’re up on three, back right corner.”

I nod. “Thanks. Should I move up there?”

Andrew shakes his head. “Stay where you are for now. I think it’ll look better if you come back and claim your old room. Like you’re picking up where you left off.”

I sigh but nod. “Okay,” I say to him. Andrew knows how to navigate court politics better than I do, since he’s been immersed in it for longer than I have.

“It’s good to see you,” he says, smiling again. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“I just hope it’s enough.” I say.

“It will be.” He pats my back again. “Go get settled. I’ll find you when you can see your father.”

“Thanks,” I say to him. I head out of his office and walk slowly back toward my room.

I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I need to get a plan together, start making calls and visits to the lords and ladies that are staying in the castle right now, start getting my face out there.

But instead… I keep thinking about that American girl, the maid named Hazel. I shouldn’t have pussy on my mind, but god damn, she was fucking interesting. I don’t think I’ve felt this intrigued by a woman in a long time.

And so instead of settling in, I go in search of her. It doesn’t take me long before I find her vacuuming a hallway on the other side of the castle.

She looks around like a frightened rabbit searching for an escape as soon as she spots me. I grin at her and approach, my hands up in the air. She turns off the vacuum and looks at me.

“I come in peace,” I say. “Fully clothed.”

“Ah, uh, okay,” she says.

I raise an eyebrow. “You seem nervous. Are you okay?”

“Fine,” she says. “Your highness,” she adds quickly.

I laugh at her. “So you figured it out.”

“I didn’t know before,” she says.

“You don’t have to call me that,” I say. “I’m a prince, not a king, and even that’s a little much for a king. We’re not that bad around here.”

“No, right, of course,” she says.

I laugh a little and walk closer to her. She clearly looks nervous and keeps glancing down at the floor.

“How long have you been working here?” I ask her.

“Three weeks,” she says. “Not long.”

“Where are you staying?”

“A hotel in town. I’m just saving up for a plane ticket home.”

I cock my head at her. “You plan on leaving?”

“Soon,” she says. “I’m halfway there.”

“That’s a shame. We only just met, and you’re already trying to fly away from me.”

She cracks a little smile. “You’re always undressing in front of me.”

That makes me laugh. “You act as if you weren’t staring at me.”

“I wasn’t. Where else was I supposed to look?”

“Anywhere but my crotch,” I say, smirking at her.

She blushes again. “I was not looking at… that,” she says.

“At my cock?” I ask.

“Yes,” she answers, bright red.

“Don’t be so embarrassed. You’re not he first woman to stare, you know.”

“Are princes always this crude?” she blurts out.

I laugh again and shrug. “Probably not,” I say. “But I don’t know many princes.”

“I thought royals, you know, hung out together.”

“Some do,” I admit. “But I’m not really into that sort of thing.”

She looks a little thoughtful. “So what sort of thing are you into then?”

I smirk at that question and step a little closer. “Barge in on me again and maybe you’ll find out.”

She gapes at me, shocked that I’d be so forward, but her reaction only makes me more excited. I like that I shock her. She probably doesn’t expect the prince to talk to her this way, but I can tell she’s enjoying it more than she’ll admit.

Before she can respond to me though, one of the lower stewards appears at the end of the hall. He salutes and quickly approaches.

“Prince Nolan, his majesty will see you,” the steward says.

“Thank you,” I answer, and look back at Hazel. “Duty calls. See you later, Hazel.”

She bites her lower lip. “See you.”

I turn away and follow the steward down the hall, heart beating fast. I don’t know what it is about that girl, but I’m fascinated.

I know I’m not going to stop before I have her. Maybe it’s stupid and I should pay more attention to my real task here, but I can’t help myself. I deserve a little taste of something good to help make all this shit a little easier.

And I can tell she’s going to taste very, very good.