July 20 – It has been ten years since I've arrived on this island nation, and today my Prince and I are setting sail to visit his sister. It has been twenty-six years since my darling has left his home, and he is understandably nervous but overwhelmingly excited.

"Dan? Are you ready to go?"

I got into one of my finer coats, the best provided to a palace servant, the Prince's favorite. I nodded and turned to him, and in the appreciable privacy I cupped his cheek and kissed him softly. "I'm ready whenever you are."

He smiled and dragged his last trunk out of the carriage. I gestured for a deckhand to take it onboard for him. Phil thanked him kindly. Even in his most plain attire, he looked ever princely to me. I held my hand out and took his carefully. "Your Highness? Are you ready to board?"

He blushed and nodded, and followed me onto the ship.

We stood together at the starboard bow, out in the middle of the sea. "How long now?" he asked.

I estimated. "We have about two more days on this ship. Then we can dock." I touched his hair. "Are you feeling ill?"

He shook his head and stared out to the sea. "I bet it's beautiful."

"There's not much to look at," I assured. "It's just water all around. You know what water looks like."

He laughed and squeezed my hand. We could only hope we wouldn't get caught by any of the crew, who'd willingly report back to the King and Queen. But it was smooth sailing right now, nothing but soft waves and blue sky. Most of the crew was napping, and the man working the wheel couldn't see us here, where we were tucked away in shadows.

"When I'm King," Phil started (and he would be), "I will make you my husband."

I grinned and kissed his head. "Are you sure it's legal for a King to marry a servant?"

"If it's not, I'll make it so!" he laughed and buried himself against my chest.

"I can't wait."

We were silent for a while, but then, "Dan?"

"Yes?"

"If I made it legal for a servant to marry a King, would you take me up on that?"

I tilted his chin up and kissed him. "I would, Your Highness."

END

(Sequel)