With that and the court dispersed after the announcements, I sneak away toward my friend group’s old haunt. An abandoned servant’s quarters, where we hung out and chatted. The door is shut as I approach, so I knock on the door.

  “Who goes there?” A voice I barely recognize says from the other side.

  “The Archer from Rorues,” I state, smiling at the childhood nickname. The door opens and I am pulled inside roughly, as voices overlap each other in the chatter. “Calm down calm down. One at a time!” I say.

  “Of course, Your Royal Highness,” my oldest friend, Glen Bakely says, with an over-the-top bow. “Come on peasants, we cannot disobey the heir!”

  I push him over and walk over to my group of friends I was raised with and smile. My father told me what court positions they were given.

  Glen, in the uniform of a Lieutenant in the Royal Guards.

  Monica Archer, assistant to the Spymaster of the realm.

  Frances Gilkes, Deputy Treasurer.

  Poppy Conwayn, Deputy Constable.

  Madie Tabener, Deputy Seneschal.

  Clay Lege, Deputy Steward.

  And Lou Sullivan, a courier.

  My friend group, and all appointed to positions in court they would thrive in… and if needed, be perfect for my need. Of course, my father thought of that.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “So I kinda need your guy’s help.” I start, as Glen cuts me off.

  “Women like men who are confident.” He starts, as Poppy shoves him.

  “Not always, they can like the quiet ones.” She says as Glen falls off his seat.

  “Not with that you two idiots,” I say, laughing. Their attraction to each other was known to everyone but themselves forever. “I need an inner court.”

  “An inner court? Us?” Monica asks, looking at the group. A bunch of orphaned nobles or bastard children of nobles.

  “My father…” I start as Glen cuts me off.

  “The king!” He calls as Frances places his hand over his mouth.

  “Thanks, Frances,” I say, shaking my head. “As I was saying, my father as is tradition ensured if I was ever revealed as a prince, my friends were ready to establish themselves in my inner circle and court. So are you in?”

  “I think I speak for everyone here when I say yes,” Madie says as everyone nods. I smile, as I hand out the rings designating their new posts in the Whitwater court.

  Glen, Marshal of Whitwater.

  Monica Archer, Spymaster of Whitwater.

  Frances Gilkes, Treasurer of Whitwater

  Poppy Conwayn, Constable of Whitwater.

  Madie Tabener, Seneschal of Whitwater.

  Clay Lege, Steward of Whitwater.

  Lou Sullivan, Courier General of Whitwater.

  “You will like who I appointed as Chamberlin already.” I start to say, smiling. “It’s Glen’s favorite person.”

  “You found Jasper?” Frances asks, smiling. He got along well with Jasper. Everyone did, but Glen, for the simple reason that Glen was his apprentice and got his backside beaten by Jasper time and time again.

  “He’s going to be my boss?!” Glen says, walking over to me.

  “Once again,” I reply, keeping a straight face as much as possible. I eventually break out into laughing at Glen’s antics as everyone else does as well. “I’ve missed you guys.”