After receiving chocolates from William, I've come to realize one thing. I can't keep ignoring him forever.

If I do, he might just make something much worse than those chocolates. Who knows, he might even make a deadly poison.

He might even be a worse baker than me. Although I wouldn't know. I never seem to get past the first initial stage.

Regardless, I should accept his apology soon.

But how do people usually make up with their friend?

In everything I've read or scene, there was always a climatic apology scene. So I just need to do that.

Except there's one problem. William hasn't tried speaking to me since giving me the chocolate. This was probably because I had avoided him before and haven't tried approaching him after receiving his gift.

I know I should say something to him, but every time I see him I get a queasy feeling in my stomach. I can't help but wonder if it would be better for us to stay like this.

Maybe it would be better to just watch over him without him ever knowing. Maybe I'm not qualified to be his friend. After all, I did make a heartless deal that would hurt William if he ever found out.

Even though William said some hurtful words, it's not like I didn't deserve them. Perhaps I could only harm him by being his friend. The last thing I would want is to hurt him.

I value him too deeply.

I'm not even sure when exactly I started seeing him as a close friend. However, he slowly became a person I couldn't afford to lose. I can't help but wonder when exactly he will abandon me.

So just like that, I continued to keep my distance from William. While I was going back and forth about approaching him, William was slowly becoming more depressed as the days went by.

And the rest of the student council members... Well they were becoming more and more irritated by the situation.

Before anyone realized it, weeks had already passed by. Today also just so happened to be the day of William's birthday celebration.

I was due to arrive at Lona's house to prepare for the birthday party. As I woke up, I felt as if I was missing something.

On my walk over, I spoke to Bertram. "Why do I feel like I'm missing something?"

Bertram glanced at me, "Perhaps you forgot something?"

I rubbed my temples as I thought harder, "I do feel like I forgot something important..."

I froze instantly.

Bertram turned to me and raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

I gulped, "I forgot to get William a birthday present."

Bertram frowned, "You didn't get him anything at all?"

I shook my head.

He sighed, "Are you still upset over what happened?"

This wasn't good.

How could I forget to get him something?! I know before Lona was the one who always prepared the gifts, but I still can't believe I would forget!

In the world of nobility, showing up to a birthday celebration without a present was basically saying that you didn't respect that person at all. It could even say that you hated them.

And that was the last message I would want to send!! I don't want William to think I hate him!! I've been trying to come up with ways to redeem our friendship. This would destroy any hope of that!!!

But what can I do?! I don't have any time to go out and buy him something thoughtful. I rubbed my temples trying to come up with something.

I snapped my fingers, "That's it!"

Bertram flinched, "What?"

I smiled in determination, "I will just have to secretly infiltrate the party."

"What."

I nodded, "If I arrive formally without a gift, everyone may get the wrong idea. But, if I sneak in... Then he will never know."

"Seri-"

I patted Bertrams arm and interrupted, "Tell Lona I can't make it because I'm planning William a surprise."

Before Bertram could complain, I rushed off towards the Royal Palace.

How does one infiltrate the Royal Palace? Well in all the novels and shows I've seen, there's always been one way to do it. And that's to pose as a servant.

If characters in a book can do it, so can I. How hard could it be? I just need to steal a maids outfit and throw on a pair of glasses. The rest will solve itself.

I arrived at the Palace and frowned at the guards guarding the entrance. Although they would be able to recognize and most likely let me in, I couldn't allow the Queen or William to know I had came in.

Luckily for me, I'm a master of stealth... Or rather, I just know about a secret entrance into the building.

I walked along the wall until I came to an conveniently placed bush. I stuck my hand in and felt around. I felt a lever and pulled on it. Suddenly the brick walls opened revealing a small passageway. I walked inside and let the wall close behind me.

Good thing I had read the original novel. There was a scene where William had snuck out to visit Mary. And this secret passageway was how he had done it.

I snuck into a maids room and snatched her clothes. I quickly changed into them and found a pair of glasses. I popped off the lens so I wouldn't have a hard time seeing.

I looked in the mirror but frowned upon seeing my reflection. My hair flipped out uncontrollably. If anyone saw it, they would know it's me. I need to find a hat.

I began to search the maid's quarters for a bonnet. After a while, I found one and quickly put it on. I shoved my hair into it and looked back into the mirror.

There. Now I look just like a maid. There's no way anyone could recognize me when I look like this.

I quickly rushed off after looking over my appearance one last time. I made my way to where the party would be held. I noticed the head servant and approached him.

He looked at his clipboard, "You're late."

"That's right. I got... Distracted." I answered quickly.

He lifted his head up and frowned, "You're not a maid here. I don't recognize you."

Sh*t. I didn't think anyone would know.

I smiled, "That may be true, but I know who you are. And I'm sure you'll let me in without telling anyone."

"Hm? Why would I do that? Don't you realize today is the Prince's birthday? I can't risk strangers coming in and endangering his life."

I only smiled in response, "You'll let me in. Otherwise, I will tell the King and Queen about how you're stealing from them."

He went stiff, "I don't know what you mean."

"Sure you do. I also have evidence to show where you've been storing the stolen items. Aren't they in an abandoned barn outside of town?"

His face went pale, "Y-You... How do you know that?"

I shrugged, "I have my ways."

Good thing I told Bertram that we should start a business in blackmail. Thanks to that, we were able to discover juicy information on almost everyone in town.

He gulped, "Fine. You can go in. Just don't cause any trouble."

I gave him an encouraging smile, "Don't worry. I'm the most well behaved person around."

He nodded, "Very well. Report to the kitchen. You'll be helping them serve the guests."

I nodded and walked inside. I found my way to the kitchen where I was handed a tray full of drinks. I looked at it as I tried to balance it, "What should I do with this?"

The cook frowned at me, "Just go hand them out to people."

I nodded, "Right."

I walked out and went to the party. Everyone talked as they waited for the drinks to arrive. At first I worried that someone would know it was me. However, I quickly realized that this wasn't as much of a problem as I thought.

None of the nobles seemed to pay any attention to the servants. They would take a glass or drop off an old one. But, they never even spared me a glance.

As I did my sweep of the room, I noticed Dante amongst a group of girls, smiling at them pleasantly. I couldn't help but bite my lip in irritation.

I switched directions and held out a glass to him. Dante smiled and took it from me, "Many thanks."

As he took a sip, he nearly spat it out. He looked back at me with a dumbfounded expression. I glared at him before turning and walking away. As I walked around, I heard a familiar voice and froze instantly.

Queen Luna was next to William with a frown on her face, "I can't believe you. Are you really surprised Seri hasn't shown up yet?"

William looked at the ground with a sad expression, "But mother... I've tried apologizing... It's just that-"

The King interrupted, "Don't make excuses Prince William. You're going to be the next King. Why can't you be more level-headed like your friend Dante?"

William bit his lip as the King spoke in a disappointed tone. The King shook his head, "How do you expect to run the country when you act like such a child? I've never been so disappointed in you."

I hesitated upon hearing these words. I couldn't help but glance at William with a complicated look. However, just like always, William stood clenching his fists as he listened to his father scold him.

The King continued, "A future King is supposed to be perfect. They are supposed to be perfect at swordsmanship, yet you are only decent."

William spoke in a low voice, "But I'm the top student at the Academy."

The King sighed, "Just because you are the top student, doesn't mean that you will be an excellent King. Knowledge won't always help you in war."

Queen Luna gave the King a warning glance, "Honey. I thought we've talked about this."

The King shook his head, "I just think it would be better if he learned from Dante. If anyone would become a great King, it would be Dante. He's great at swordsmanship, he's quick witted, and he can easily hide his emotions if he needs to."

William maintained an expressionless face, but I could easily tell he was struggling to listen to these words. After all, his self esteem issues was a result from the criticism he faced with the father he admired oh so much.

Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but feel overwhelming anger.

Queen Luna spoke in irritation, "But William is your son. Not Dante."

The King frowned, "If he was Dante, I wouldn't have to say all this."

I clenched my jaw. Okay. That's about all I can listen to.

I stepped in glaring at the King. "Your Highness, with all due respect I think you ought to stop saying such horrible things to the Prince."

They all turned to me shocked that a maid had just criticized the King. The King frowned, "Just who do you think you are?"

I tossed off my hat, letting my untamed hair fall down. Queen Luna looked as if she had gotten the biggest shock of her life.

She blinked in disbelief, "Seri? Why are you dressed like that?!"

I stood next to William and glared at the King, "Prince William is his own person. Comparing him to another isn't fair to him at all. Dante may be good at certain things, but he's not perfect. Your son may not be able to beat him with a sword, but he's far faster and maybe even smarter. He's the student council president and is able to run it perfectly despite how hard some members make that to do."

William looked at me in surprise. I continued, "You ought to be more proud of him. He works harder than anyone I've ever seen. He's going to make a great King one day." I spat out angrily, "And he will be far better than you ever were."

The King looked shocked by this and could only blink in surprise. Queen Luna seemed excited to hear me speak so passionately.

I turned to William without giving them a second look. I smiled at him softly, "Prince William... I seem to recall you wanting a dance before. Shall we?"

William blinked completely confused by the situation in front of him. He had no idea where I came from. Why I was dressed as a maid. And why I defended him so strongly.

I pouted noticing his lack of reaction, "Do you not want to dance anymore?"

He shook his head quickly, "No, no! I do!"

I smiled, "Then let's go."

He nodded with a blushing face and held out his arm. I took it and followed him out to the dance floor. Queen Luna clapped her hands in excitement, "Did you see that?! Seri just defended William and even asked for a dance!!!"

The King sighed, "I saw that... But she also insulted me in the process..."

The Queen frowned at him, "You had it coming."

As I walked with William, he spoke in a low voice, "Why did you do that?"

"Hmm?" I glanced at his serious expression. I couldn't help but sigh, "It's because we are friends."

His eyes widened and he looked at me, "But... Why? Even after I said those awful things to you? Don't you hate me?"

"Well... I can't say I didn't feel hurt by what you said. In fact, it hurt almost too much." William deflated upon hearing this. I smiled, "But, it's not like you tried to kill me or anything. So of course I will forgive you."

He looked at me in disbelief, "You forgive me??"

I nodded, "Of course. That's what the chocolates were for, right?"

He blushed and whispered, "Yes..." He paused, "Wait you ate them? Were they good?"

"No. They were disgusting."

"Oh." William felt like crying.

I added, "But I still ate them all."

He sighed, "At least they were edible..."

"Actually, they weren't. I got a bad case of food poisoning from them."

"Then why did you eat them?!"

I smiled softly, "Because you put so much effort into making them. I couldn't let it go to waste."

William faced me and blushed. He glanced away awkwardly, "Thank you."

I raised an eyebrow, "For what?"

"For defending me... And just... Being here."

I felt slightly moved by his bashful appearance. I grinned, "Of course."

I looked at him with a serious expression, "But William... I really don't like your father."

William looked surprised by this, "Why?"

"Do you really have to ask? He treats you and Queen Luna so poorly. Not to mention most of his own people hate him."

William looked down, "But he's an excellent King."

I smiled, "But you'll be an even better one."

William blushed slightly at this. However, it wasn't a lie. The original novel mentioned that he was the best King the kingdom would ever see.

Everyone whispered as we stood in the middle of the dance floor. William looked at me, "By the way, I thought you didn't know how to dance?"

My face turned serious, "I don't. Not at all."

"You don't know how to dance?"

"I know how to twerk. I could show you. You just kind of stick your butt out and-"

He interrupted quickly, "Don't you know how to dance formally?"

"Nope."

He blinked, "Then why did you ask for a dance?"

I chuckled lightly and scratched my cheek, "Because I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to show off to your father."

He sighed then smiled slightly, "Just follow my lead."

I placed my hands on his shoulders and attempted to follow him. However, no matter how hard I tried, I was so clumsy I even stepped on his foot a few times.

His face twitched, "Why are you stomping on my feet?!"

I frowned, "Hey. I told you I was bad at dancing."

He rolled his eyes, "And I thought my half brother was teaching you."

"Nope. He gave up after I accidentally broke his foot."

"I see..." William glanced at me, "And why are you wearing a maid's outfit?"

I looked off to the side guiltily, "Because I had to infiltrate the party secretly."

His face twitched, "Why? Did you forget a present or something?"

"..."

"You did."

"No!" I shouted quickly, "I got you a present!!"

"Oh?"

I nodded and motioned to myself, "It's me! My forgiveness is your gift!"

"I can't believe you actually forgot."

I went to speak, but I felt as though someone was watching me with a sharp glare. I looked over and noticed Dante against the far wall crossing his arms with a particularly angry expression.

Why is he glaring at us so much? Is he jealous or something? A smile crossed my face.

For some reason, that makes me feel very pleasant.