Welcome , crown prince !

The entrance of the servant's door was still blocked by the giant truck .

' It seems like they were telling the truth ! The door really is blocked ! I can't believe that something lucky actually happened to me . Not only has the truck blocked the way , but I also found the secret hole the servant mentioned . When I searched for it and couldn't find it , I feared that my money went to waste . ' thought Charlotte with a relieved expression .

She looked at the entrance and saw that the guards weren't patrolling outside .

Charlotte took this chance and ran inside then went towards the horse's stables . She ran so quickly that no one properly noticed her . After she entered the horse's stables , she looked at the hour on the wall . When she noticed that there were only forty minutes before the head maid came to check her . She rushed to get the cleaning tools and started to clean the place like crazy .

' I need to finish this before that old witch comes here and gives me extra work . ' thought Charlotte and did her best to clean multiple things at the same time .

She moped the floor , washed the stables , cleaned the windows and the horses too . After an hour passed , just as Charlotte had predicted the head maid came to check on the horse stables .

Charlotte had gathered all the cleaning tools in the center because she didn't have time to place them back in their place .

" Charlotte ! Looks like you have been here all day and yet you didn't finish you job . " said the head maid .

" I cleaned everything just as ordered . I was about to place the cleaning tools back to their place now . " said Charlotte .

" Still you haven't put them on their places . " said the head maid as she glared at her . 

" I am putting them right now ! " said Charlotte .

" You clearly had the whole day to clean this and still you didn't finish . " said the head maid .

" I cleaned all the horse's stables by myself . The other workers receive help while I do everything myself . " said Charlotte .

" The other workers don't have the chance to live in the castle and study at Oxford as you do . Of course, you can't compare to them because you are...................the crownless princess . The others don't have such privileges while you have . You should know that nothing comes for free in this world , neither your title . " said the head maid with a vicious smirk .

" ...........I understand ! " said Charlotte .

" Good ! You shall go to bed without eating today . " said the head maid and Charlotte nodded her head . 

She was about to walk away then saw the buckle with the dirty water that Charlotte had cleaned the floor . The head maid showed a grin and walked near the buckled with dirty water then kicked it . The dirty water inside , filled the floor and made it dirty again .

" Sorry , my foot slipped ! " said the head maid with a sinister smirk before leaving .

Charlotte was so angry and annoyed but what could she even do . She was forced to obey them and show a polite yet respectful manner before them even when they unjustly punished her . If she didn't behave like that , the one to receive the punishment from them , wouldn't be her but her mother .

' I was lucky to eat at aunty Nana today ! ' thought Charlotte with a relieved expression and started to clean the floor again .

It took her another hour to finish cleaning completely . After finishing , Charlotte placed the cleaning tools in their place and locked the door to the horse stables before leaving to go to her room .

When she opened the door , Charlotte noticed that the truck was removed from the front door of the servants and the guards number had increased .

" What is going on here ?! " said Charlotte with a surprised expression . 

The guards were twice more in number than they already were and they were placed in almost every corner of the garden . Charlotte remained shocked when seeing them . She couldn't believe her eyes .

' ........What is going on here ?!.......What are all these guards for ?!...........It can't be !.....Why ?!........... ' thought Charlotte shocked .

She rushed inside the castle to learn the reason behind the number of guards being increased . With the king's birthday on the corner , the guards and police were mostly placed around the city , to avoid the commotion and fights during the party . The king's birthday was not only celebrated by the nobles but by the whole country and during this time the security inside the palace was mostly focused on the main ball hall where the aristocrats , wealthy and noble family were gathered .

' I have been studying the guard's standing places for years just for this chance . What is going on this year ?! All these guards here...................There weren't so many guards even when the prime minister of other states visited.....................Who's visiting this time ?!........What kind of idiot important person has come ?! ' thought Charlotte with an annoyed tone and went inside to listen to the other maid's gossip .

The maids in the palace loved gossips and thanks to that Charlotte was able to gather useful information and avoid some troublesome situations . Charlotte climbed the stairs that would take her to the second floor where the most servants and maids were . She passed through the corridor then watched a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror . Her appearance was a total mess . Her clothes had become dirty and her hair was a mess from the cleaning she made at the horse stables .

' I look so bad ! I better wash up first then dig out some information . ' thought Charlotte and decided to go to her room first .

While Charlotte went to her room to get washed , prince Diego was on his way to the king's private office . When he arrived in front of the door , the guards opened the door and he entered in . The king raised his head and noticed that the crown prince of Spain had arrived .

" Crown prince of Spain ! Welcome to my kingdom ! " said the king and greeted him in a polite manner .

" King of Anadol ! " said the crown prince with a polite smile .

The king invited the prince to sit down , and ordered the waiter that was serving him to fill a glass for them .

" What would you like to drink , prince Diego ?! " asked the king .

" I would like some wine ! " said prince Diego .

" Sure ! " said the king and looked at the waiter who bowed in front of him and opened a drawer that the king had in his office .

After the waiter poured them a glass of wine , the king requested the guards and the waiter to get out and leave some space for the two of them so that they could talk freely .

' This king............telling all the guards and the waiter to leave the office...............It seems that he wants to discuss something that will definitely be like a sneaky proposal . ' thought prince Diego .

" How have you been prince Diego ?! " asked the king .

" Fine ! What about you , your majesty ?! " said prince Diego .

" I am fine too , thank you ! " said the king .

Prince Diego tasted the wine and noticed that it was his favorite wine .

" It is surprising that your majesty specially chose this wine and I am sure it can't be a simple coincidence . " said prince Diego with a calm smile .

" I understand your doubts and I can't lie that I deliberately had prepared your favorite wine . " said the king with a smile .

" May I ask how did you know which was my favorite wine  ?!........You are a royal too , your majesty and you can understand why I find this a bit weird ?!......Right ?! " asked prince Diego with a serious expression .

" I know ! The food preferences of royals must remain a secret but you.......I didn't know about this until my two beautiful daughters told me . " said the king with a polite smile .

' His daughters.....?!....... ' thought Diego with a doubtful expression .

" My daughters hold a deep affection and admiration towards you , your highness . I was surprised at the beginning when they suggested that I prepare the wine that you are drinking . They are very attentive and caring . Their beauty is no match for any other girl in this country . Once you meet them , you will also feel enchanted by their beauty . " said the king with a smirk .

' ..............So , this is what this man is after ! He wants to introduce me , to one of his daughters.............or rather........matchmake me to one of them . This king is so annoyingly foolish ! As soon as I sign the document about the export of the new markets , I will show him who's the boss and teach him a good lesson............He thinks he is a sly fox , huh ?!.......Well ! I am a merciless hunter in this case . ' thought prince Diego with a calm expression as he listened to the king's true intentions .

" I am sure that the princesses must be beautiful , just as his majesty says ! I have seen countless shiny and pretty gems , but they still don't manage to keep my attention long . " said Diego with a smirk . 

" Still , beautiful gems remained the apple of the eye . Even if you may lose your attention towards them , you will look at them again because of their beauty . After all , beautiful and expensive things are always the best ones . " said the king .

" When I was looking at my crown yesterday , I noticed that it didn't look as shiny as before..............it was lacking something......A unique gem that will bring back the shine and splendor that it once had . I have been searching and seen a lot of beautiful and priceless gems but none of those expensive gems would fit my crown , your majesty . " said Diego with a smirk when seeing the annoyed face of the king who tried to keep on smiling .

" What I need is a unique gem that will keep my crown shine for eternity and make the fire in my heart unable to fade . I hope that your majesty can understand my words . " said Diego with a polite tone and calm expression .

' This damn prince ! He is saying that he has seen a lot of beauties and my daughters are just one of those passing pretty dolls in his eyes . How dare he ?!.........Still , I can't offend him ! He is known as a prodigy moneymaker who has helped Spain grown in monetary power in the last years . If we could arrange a marriage with Spain , Anadol would become invincible and filled with glory . He seems quite a difficult type to deal with but I think that my beautiful daughters will manage to catch his attention . Even if it's just a position as a concubine , it still is enough . Just being able to form close ties with Spain is the main mission . ' thought the king with a vicious smirk although he continued to show a composed attitude towards prince Diego .

" .......I do understand ! But still, this is just a simple talk about gems . We should get down to business now , shall we ?! " said the king with a fake smile trying to avoid the current talk .

" I am glad that we are sharing the same thought . " said Diego with a smile and the two of them started to discuss about their business issue .

At the other side of the castle , in the quarters where Catherine , one of the king's concubines and Charlotte's mother lived , the sight from the window was magnificent because it showed a picture of the whole city.

" The view from here has always been a relaxation for my eyes . " said Catherine with a smile as she felt the wind on her hair .

The sudden peaceful and calm atmosphere was ruined when Charlotte opened the door in a fast way then started to search through the drawer like a tornado . 

" Charlotte ! What are you doing ?! " said Catherine as she looked at her daughter .

She remained surprised to see her in her robe .

" What are you doing ?! Get dressed ! You'll catch a cold if you stay like that ! " said Catherine with a serious expression .

" Mom ! where's the hairdryer ?! I am freezing ! " said Charlottte with only a towel around her body .

" On the second drawer with the mirror on top of that . " said Catherine and sighed in a troubled way .

" Thanks mom ! " said Charlotte and got the hairdryer from the drawer her mother told her then went to her room .

Charlotte was a good girl but her behavior as a lady lacked a lot .

' Where am I lacking in my education ?!.......I am sure that I have taught her how to be a good and delicate lady yet she.............With each passing day , i feel like I have given birth to a son and not a daughter ! Haaaa...................How will she be able to find her prince when she is like this ?!  ' thought Catherine with a worried expression .

She liked the fact that her daughter was strong and resourceful but at the same time she didn't want her to be too strong . Girls were a bit delicate no matter how strong-willed they were . In her daughter's case , it seemed like she had lost all that delicate side of hers when she was only just a child . 

Half an hour later , Charlotte had already worn her pajamas and dried her hair .

" Mother ! " said Charlotte with a smile .

" My beautiful daughter ! " said Catherine with a warm smile when she saw how much her daughter had grown .

Even though she had remained a bit short , she had grown in a beautiful , fine way .

" My princess ! You are so beautiful !...............If you were to wear some dresses and jewels , you would look even more astonishing than you already are.................I am sorry that I can't give you what you deserve . I am sorry that your father keeps ignoring us and you are forced to work as a maid . That woman hates me ! Because of me , you have to suffer so much........It's all my fault !......." said Catherine as she held her daughter's hands which had some new cuts on it and was about to cry  .