Your maid

The heavy door swings open and enters your personal maid, Ran Ran, her movements as silent and respectful as they had been when you were a child. Having been there at the palace since you're small, she is the closest person you have to a mother figure, even if the class differences exist.

The door behind her, the lock clicking with a soft, final thud. Ran Ran carries a tray with a tea pot, and a cup, and set it near the table. With a practiced motion, she poured the tea and drank from the cup. While others may frown at the seemingly blatant disrespectful behavior she had shown by drinking from the only cup, it was a precaution to prevent poisoning. After all, poison could be smeared on cups instead of being inside the tea all along. Therefore, having her drink it first would reduce the risk if you being poisoned that way.

"Speak freely," you say.

"Congratulations on reaching adulthood, Your Majesty. You look more like your father every day," she whispered. "But you have your mother’s energy," she said as she offered the half drunk cup to you

"I don't want to look like him. I want to be a man in my own right," you said as you drank the tea.

"So you shall."

You put down the cup and reached out, taking her hand. Her skin was warm, a sharp contrast to the cold stone of the railing. "I need you to help me."