I felt like a little boy as I tied the ribbon around her gift. Never before have I wondered whether someone would like something I gave them. That was always a given.

Now as I wrapped the rare book of classical poems, the only one in the kingdom since it had been translated from another language and has been kept in the Crown Prince’s library for the past five hundred years or so, I felt nervous.

“Your Highness, that is the third time…” I scowled up at him and he ...