“Don’t feel bad,” Brook said to me as I returned with all of my belongings to the room I’d shared with her. “I’m sure you did a great job as the prince’s personal attendant. Maybe he just wants everyone to have a try.”

I sat down on the end of the bed next to her and smiled at her. She was so sweet, always trying to cheer other people up, always trying to spare people’s feelings.

The truth of the matter was, I wasn’t upset about being removed ...