This is to be quick. I repeated. He is not the one for you. He is a prince. You are a commoner.

         But Cinderella was a commoner! A part of me piped up.

         Her Father was a Lord. I scowled.

         "Are you okay?" My Dad asked. I looked up suddenly. Dad's appearances were few and far in between. He'd offered to drop me off this morning. Just getting some coffee first before helping out with Hanna. I'd nodded very quickly after explaining how my bike was stolen. It was a long tale full of adventure, chaos and a mysterious stranger. Despite my hatred of the stage, I could tell an exciting story.

         "Yeah, just thinking about stuff," Dad nodded, unsure of how to respond. He was in a dress shirt at the moment, his suit jacking swinging from a coat hanger in the back seat. His hair was cropped and instead of the dirty blonde that it once was, it was now a mottled shade of grey. His eyes were normally distant, thinking about the million or so issues that came with his position. "Slow day today?" I asked, turning the conversation away.

         He nodded, "Not much happening in the morning, a few graduations here, some awards going out to really great guys. It'll be a good one," I managed a small smile.

         "No hectic meetings today?" Doing my best not to gasp. Normally my father would've been at the front of yesterday's parade for all his long years serving. Instead, it was meetings upon debriefings, forever and ever. For a peaceful country, Apolia required a very active military.

         "This week has been mostly EU work," He sighed, "bring your troops here, do that, no thanks, that's what you're supposed to do,"

         Nodding, I kept silent.

         "We're going to have to make some changes, other countries need to start pulling their weight. Turning here?"

         "Yeah, on the right," I pointed down the street. The cafe on the left.

         "Here we are," He pulled the car into a park on the right.

         "Thanks Dad," I grave him a kiss on the cheek, grabbed my bag, hopped out.

         "Goodbye!" He called out after me as I crossed the street. I gave him a grin and a wave, reaching the middle island. I turned back.

         Take in a deep breath. I reminded myself. You aren't here to play, give him his phone and then leave.

         The door opened with a wheeze and I instantly cringed. Can you not?

         The cafe was playing the soft strains of coffee tunes. Aside from a pair of young mums chatting away and a businessman sitting in the corner, it was mostly empty. Prince Casmir stood in line, he turned, spotting me. My breath caught in my throat. He wore a navy vest with a plaid shirt and dark jeans. It was very casual. The cut on his cheek was hidden under a layer of foundation.

         I slipped my hand into my bag, this needs to go quickly.

         "You shouldn't put foundation on that," I nodded to his cut, we stood less than a meter away from one another. "It might get infected,"

         "All the more dramatic," He grinned, a light in his eyes. Don't smile back, don't smile back. I repeated like a mantra. Instead, I bit back a grin and turned to my bag, retrieving his phone. I held it out.

         "Here you go," He paused, looking to me, then the phone and then back again.

         "Not even a drink?"

         "I need to go,"

         "A chai will be quick," He insisted, my heart paused. He remembered.

         "I can't," I shook my head. My arm was getting tired, holding it out.

         "One long black and chai for Cas!" The barista called. I looked to Cas who was already suppressing another grin. My shoulders slumped and I dropped the arm holding the phone, giving him a look.

         "It'll be quick," He promised.

         "Last time you said that, my bike was stolen," I tried to not sound like I was grumbling. In one smooth swoop Cas swept up the drinks and began moving to the table. The two of us sat.

         "Were you okay after the bike?" Cas asked, sipping the first of his coffee.

         "Yes thanks. Just went and set up stuff for the parade," Keep it vague.

         "Oh really? What were you doing there?" His eyes lit up and the way his head tilted forwards, a lock of hair touched his brow. Definitely not regulation, I thought.

         "My friend is doing all the decoration and planning," I went for another sip. Why am I so bad at talking to people?

         "No way," His lips parted in a small, shocked smile, "tell her she did an amazing job!"

         "Will do," I nodded, then I shook my head, "it was such a small crew, it was crazy,"

         "For that amount of work, that's crazy," Cas shook his head, "you all did amazing,"

         "Thank you," a small smile, a pause, "so what did you do yesterday?"

         "Ah the same old," He chuckled, "looked nice, chatted with people, did this and that,"

         We lapsed into silence. Should I let him know I know, now?

         "Is... that what a prince does on a normal day then?" I raised an eyebrow. Cas went to say something, then paused, chuckling lightly. He wasn't sure what to say, instead, taking in a strained breath.

         "Does that, change what you think of me?" Cas' words were selected carefully.

         "Does it change who you think you are?"

         Wow Sofia, very deep.

         Cas bit his top lip, sighing and looking up at the ceiling. He took a few moments to think about it. I managed to sip at my chai. It was almost half done.

         "I don't think so," he concluded, "it just adds some additional external pressure,"

         I nodded, placing my cup down, "that's fair,"

         We lapsed into a comfortable silence, he was the first to break it, "Got any plans over the weekend?"

         That's right, it's Friday.

         "Nothing too crazy," I spoke absentmindedly, "got tomorrow's ball that I've got to pack down with Hanna, my friend, and that's about it,"

         "A few chill days for your town's busiest weekend," Cas chuckled.

         "Yeah, funny how that works," I took another sip, "yourself?"

         "Ah, it never ends, got a barracks visit today, lunch meeting and a bunch of other stuff... In fact,"

         He pauses, thoughtfully tapping his chin, he looks to me.

          "I'm not going with anyone to the barracks inspection today, do you want to come?"

         I squinted. The barracks, where my father worked, was usually quite tight-lipped. Sure, I'd visited a few times each year and could usually meet with my dad in his office provided there wasn't anything serious going on.

         "I don't think I'm allowed," I trailed off.

         "It's a press visit," Cas explained. "I look around, they take a few photos, but I need help with something afterwards. Are you fast at typing?"

         I'd done some online writing and suffered through school. "I guess so,"

         "Great!" He grinned, "I need a scribe... if that's okay?"

         "A scribe what for?" I asked curiously.

         "I'm meeting with a group of veterans and people who've served. We'll be talking about what are some of the things that they went through and how we can support them best. And, I need someone who can write it all down,"

         "Sounds like a lot of writing," I nodded slowly.

         "I can pay you," He replied quickly, I raised an eyebrow. He pulled back, "but it'd be uh, cool if you were there,"

         "Sounds good," The two of us locked eyes, "let me know when and where,"

         "Well," His long fingers danced across the table, "I'm planning to leave in an hour, do you have any recommendations of what to do in that time?"

         I sat back and sighed, biting my bottom lip, "I'm not going to lie, there's almost nothing to do here. There's the markets on, possibly?"

         Cas looked around thoughtfully.

         "It's probably a security risk," I spoke hurriedly, "silly suggestion,"

         "No it sounds cool," Cas nodded, slowly smiling, "watch this," He pulled back, flicking on his grey hood. From his pocket, he retrieved a pair of shades and plopped them on his nose.

         "Interesting..." I trailed off.

         "No one will be able to recognise me now," He grinned triumphantly. I just nodded, doing my best to swallow down the chuckle bubbling in my chest. Cas stood, offering a hand to me, "let's go!"

         I looked to his open palm. The skin was smooth yet old calluses were healing underneath. A hard working man. A part of me sung. I took his offer.

         The markets were moving swiftly despite the gathered overcast clouds. Cas and I drifted together, side by side. His hands planted in the pockets of his vest jacket and I had mine wrapped around my bag.

         "Looking for something specifically?" I looked sideways up at him.

         "Maybe a souvenir for home," He grinned, picking up a small, wooden toy. It was a doll the length of my pointer finger with a keychain attached. I chuckled.

         "Very cute,"

         The two of us wandered through the markets and with twenty minutes to spare before it was time to leave, we dropped by Cas' place. It was a classical home with a spacious, marble-themed waiting area. I placed myself in the corner of the room on the pristine sofa, picking at my clothes.

         "Having fun?" Cas appeared suddenly, I stood to attention. His hair had the slightest dampness to it and fell over his brows. He was in a formal suit with a simple white shirt and red tie underneath.

         "Just... taking in the moment," I gave a short chuckle and he grinned.

         It took only moments to leave Ardeena central and move past the suburbia. The countryside gave way into hilly mountainside and eventually Cas' driver was navigating switchback roads and dropoff terrain. I mostly watched in awe, the view of Ardeena. So small. My entire life contained within a small, poppy seed scattering of buildings in the valley of epic mountainside.

         "What are you looking at?" Cas asked. He was seated on the opposite side of the car in one of the reverse seats.

         "It's all so small," The wistfulness was evident in my voice. Cas looked to me, then out the window.

         "It is small,"

         "My whole life," My fingers brushed the window, then drawing a circle around the town, "enclosed in that,"

         Cas gave a little smile, his cheek pulling to one side to reveal a dimple. He unlocked his seatbelt, sliding across the seat to look out. Our knees brushed as he pressed a finger to the window. He drew a circle around Ardeena, then started drawing long, pointed lines across the window. "Then you have the rest of your life to discover that."

         He turned back to me with the same, slight smile. I gave one back. Our view was abruptly cut off as the car began moving into the mountain.

         "I don't know," My voice was almost a whisper, "I'm happy with where I am,"

          "And where's that?" His words were deliberate. I wondered what was fuelling the questions; was it interest? Was it entertainment? Or was it pure curiosity?

         Pure curiosity. My mind assured me, we don't have a contingency plan for if it isn't.

         "With my family," I did my best to smile, "it gives me purpose,"

         He nodded, "I get that,"

         The tunnel opened up, letting light spill into the car. The external terrain had morphed into a cement fortress. The white walls towering above us. It'd been originally built almost five generations ago and then modified a few years ago for the modern era.

         We arrived at the first of three checkpoints. Our faces and ID were checked. Approved, we moved through. That was the barbed-wire fence. The next required a car and bomb check. Hunched dogs watched us go by with the same expressions as their masters. That was the white wall.

         The compound itself was bustling to work. Press were held back by a roped line, snapping photos. Cas turned to me, "Vlad will take you around to the room. I just need to do some formalities. Hopefully I'll be there in about an hour,"

         "Until then," I nodded, giving a small smile.

         "Until then," He grinned back, sliding out of the car through the opposite door. I looked away, out the other window, pushing a fist into my lips and hoping that Vlad wouldn't see my stupid grin.

         The room that we were led to was almost identical to my high school gym; a long running space, lit mostly by large windows. The roof lifted several meters into the air. A gathering of thirty or so chairs were arranged in a haphazard circle. I took the one with a desk next to it. Vlad had handed me a laptop and a water bottle before returning to Cas. The silence was deafening, so I turned to the laptop, running it through its startup sequence.

         "Sofia?" I heard. My father stood in the doorway.

         "Hey there!" I grinned, placing the laptop on the table beside me and lightly jogging up to him. He met me in twelve, large strides.

         "What are you here for?" He asked after out quick embrace. I shrugged.

         "I was asked to write down some stuff for..." I turned, waving a hand towards the circle.

         "For... His Highness?" Dad spoke tentatively. His eyes crinkling.

         That's right. I wanted to laugh. "Yep," I smiled, "just got asked to do it out of nowhere. Figured, why not?"

         Dad had a million more questions for me, I could tell. How, why, where, when, what...?

         "Are you doing anything out there?" I dipped my head towards the courtyard where Cas was probably inspecting the newest additions.

         "Shook a few hands, took a few photos," Dad smiled, "I should be out there but I heard you were here,"

         "Well you better go," I nodded, laughing, "royalty only comes around every once in a while,"

         Dad partially rolled his eyes before giving me a final wave and leaving.

         I spent the next twenty minutes or so, looking out the window. Cas walked back and forth a few times, gave a quick speech. Handed out some medals and then slowly moved away from the crowd.

         I was playing around with the recording tools on the laptop when the double doors opened and a handful of men entered in uniform. They paused, looking at me, I did my best to smile.

         "Please sit, we'll be beginning soon," My throat caught on the last word and I suddenly smiled, hoping that would cover up the odd word. I hate talking in front of people. The men, thirty-eight, I counted, all found various places as I flicked back and forth between my document and trying to connect to the internet. Where's Cas?

         Speak of the devil. As the last of the servicemen were finding the places, Cas entered.

         "My apologies," He grinned to everyone, "you know what they're like, want to spend forever talking about basic bs,"

         I raised an eyebrow at the candid talk, a few of the men exhaled. Cas gave an impish grin, doing his best to ease the tension. In a few, confident strides he stood behind the chair next to me.

         "We all doing well today?" Cas had a hint of humour to his voice.

         A chorus of "Yes sir," was the reply.

         "Please," Cas chuckled, sitting down, "none of that. It's a 'safe space' as the Americans would call it,"

         A few chuckles here and there. Cas was pleased.

         "One thing if I may, sir," One of the younger men piped up, "thank you for your service,"

         Cas was frozen, a half smile still on his lips. A beat. Cas blinked, looking down, his blonde lashes blinking very quickly. He gave a small laugh, "I should be the ones thanking you,"

         "May I speak candidly sir?" Another one asked, maybe in his young thirties.

         "Only if you don't call me sir," Cas laughed, a few more chuckles.

         "Of course sir," The man deadpanned. The room burst into laughter, Cas being at the forefront. "In all seriousness, I think they should've promoted you to Major after that last tour,"

         Cas was still for a moment, a soft, reminiscent, smile on his face.

         "It took me a little time to realise that I should focus on some serious stuff," His words were strong yet his voice was still soft, "sometimes you need a bomb blast to realise that. But that's what we're here to chat about. So tell me, what's your names? How long have you served?"

          So it went like that, in rounds. Most of the men were at the end of their contracts; anywhere between five to ten years. The youngest was twenty-three, the eldest in his late thirties. Most of them were planning to go into the reserves. Some were entirely unsure of what they were planning to do. The next round of questions were in regards to what everyone was dreaming to do after. This was when it became apparent of what we were here for. Some dreamed of pursuing an education or chasing a career but the general consensus was to settle down and find a family.

         I did my best to type silently and efficiently, taking tabs of how many times something was mentioned.

         "Mental health support is crap," One of the men spoke suddenly. Cas nodded understandingly, his plan had succeeded. Despite a woman in the room and thirty-eight generally guarded men, we had started an open and honest dialogue. Mental health support was the sixth time it had been mentioned in our 'what would you change?' round and we were only halfway through, "When I was on tour, I was having depressive symptoms. It took four months before I was even booked in for a legitimate examination. It just feels like there's a nod towards the issue but not an actual system,"

         "Mental health is at the top of my list," Cas admitted, "I'd like to see a support system that matches the medical community if possible. A certain amount of shrinks and counsellors would be awesome. I think this whole 'touring therapists' idea is silly to reduce expenses," Cas' words were bitter. I looked to him briefly before down at my laptop again, adding 'improvement' notes.

         The conversation started up again on everything from women dodging deployment due to pregnancy to community networks to help with work after retiring to having legitimate family holidays around the holiday season.

         As they continued, my mind drifted to the Chesno Forest. On the South side of Ardeena, a thick and unforgiving forest reached up the mountain range. It was uninhabitable but incredibly beautiful. Many had tried and failed to pass through it.

         It was also the place where many retired servicemen went to die.

         The Honour Forest. Where men and women could die honourably, on their own terms. It was so famous that men and women from across the country and from other countries would travel there to die uninterrupted. On the entrance to the park laid a large, sign-in book so that if family or friends were ever unsure, they could check.

         It was a shameful part of Ardeena that I'd never known about until Alek's close friend had entered and never returned.

         The things you learn as you leave the childish behind.

         The Chesno Forest was something that would probably never change. It was an option for those who'd struggled for many long years and who could never overcome what had set them back. However, the conversation sometimes awkwardly skirted around that.

         After a quick two hours, the conversation eventually devolved into tales and jokes. I slowly stopped making as many notes. Cas had received what he needed and gracefully wrapped up.

        "Thank you so much for coming here today and being completely honest," He grinned, "I'm hoping to get legitimate change moving in the government for some of our most important citizens. You all have really helped today in getting that done. As a result, in just over two weeks we're having our final celebration gala in the capital and it would be incredible if you would attend with your loved ones,"

         A murmur passed throughout the room. My jaw dropped. The final military gala was a coveted event. Alike the Christmas Eve Ball or the Autumn Banquet or any royal wedding, it was always the talk of the country. Apolians loved their flashy events; weddings, parades, parties, you named it. However, the Military Gala for Servicemen and Women was on a whole, other level. It was the event where supposedly, military contracts for the new financial year would be finalised, the newest military displays would be rolled out and King Miezko would thank our servicemen and women whilst calling for a disciplined and magnificent year ahead. Most importantly, the Military Gala would display to our allies and our enemies, that we were not to be messed with. We may be a small country independent of vile European Union influence but we could definitely hold our own. Especially with the assistance of our allies in the East; Russia, and to the North; Poland.

         A few excited gasps. A grateful chuckle here and there. My jaw still open I looked to Cas, who was looking to me. A smile danced upon his lips and he looked away, his chin tilting ever so slightly higher.

         Huh.

         The mountains had eased back into their view of a setting sun. Ardeena was somewhat larger than poppy seeds and Vlad was navigating the last of the switchbacks.

         "Why'd you do that?" I asked curiously. Cas had been going through the notes on his computer. There was a less than liberal space between us and at one point his knee had even brushed against mine.

         "I could spend tens of thousands of dollars flying consultants in. They would do the exact same we just did- interview a few people here and there. They would tell me numbers and quotations and meanings that would just miss the mark," He was passionate about this, I thought to myself, trying not to smile as he continued, "it's more affordable, gives me a better idea and i get a nice trip out of it,"

         "Ah," I nodded. are you sure it's not something else?

         And almost like he'd read my mind, he looked down, "And I like giving things to people. I like seeing the joy on their faces and... I don't know," He looked down at his hands.

         "Your love language is gifts then," I grinned. Cas looked up, confused.

         "What do you mean?"

         "Well a love language," I scratched my brow, "there's five of them and the idea behind it is that every person gives or receives love most effectively through these ways. There's acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time and gifts,"

         "Oh really? Which one are you? Wait-."

         He thought carefully and I did my best to suppress a rueful smile.

         "Quality time?"

         "Close, that's my secondary, acts of service is,"

         "Of course," He nodded, smiling, I looked down.

         We'd survived the switchbacks and were slowly starting to make our way through the suburbia. I directed Vlad off the main road via the quickest route home. The trees lapsed into homes. High-income, middle to high income, middle income and then... me.

         "Just here's good thanks," Vlad pulled up onto the curb. The lights were already on inside. Preparing for an interrogation. I mentally noted. My hand on the door, I was about to leave.

         "Sofia," Cas' words were soft, I stilled. He looked down, swallowing, "would you, I mean. I still have a long way to go. This is just the beginning for some of the stuff that needs to change and I... need someone. A scribe, a partner, a consultant, a helping hand, I'm not sure. But would... you be interested?"

         You're offering me a job. The thought leapt into my mind. Wait, a partner?

         "But you can't stay in Ardeena forever," I whispered hoarsely, the words fell out of my mouth before I could think.

         Cas nodded silently, he took in a half-breath before speaking. "I would want you to come with me,"

         "Come with-, to where?" I stuttered. Leave Ardeena, what was he, crazy?

         "Wherever we can help people the most,"

         Oh.

         "How would this work?" My words were slow.

         "It's mostly travelling. Stuff we did today. A lot of meetings, dinner parties to raise money and stuff like that,"

         "Sounds tedious," I managed.

         "It'll be an adventure," Cas promised, "a great purpose, helping other people. Just, think about it okay? We leave on Sunday,"

         Sunday, woah.

         "That would be great, thanks," I managed a small smile.

         "Before you go," Cas turned, retrieving a card and passing it to me. It was a green lettered card with gold cursive. The Apolian Military Ball.

         "I'm supposed to be packing all the Ardeena gear for this," I chuckled, running my fingers over the print.

         "Well I hope you can be there as well," Cas grinned, "think about it,"

         I opened the door, pausing, "I will,"

         "Until then," Cas farewelled.

         "Until then,"