“W-What are you talking about, Your Highness?” I stammered, still in shock that he was even there, let alone what he was talking about.

“You heard me,” he replied concisely.

“But, Prince Theo, Your Highness, I was of the opinion you didn’t exactly care for me—at all,” I reminded him. “Do you recall—”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence as he interrupted me. “This is an order, Ciana. I’m not here to debate with you. Beginning tomorrow, you ...