Rose was at her desk when the crown prince returned for the night. He was dressed in his robes, but instead of slipping his arms through the sleeves, he let the top part hang down while the ropes remained around his waist, essentially leaving him topless.
Rose didn't even lift her head as he entered; she had her gaze locked on the table. She had only managed to finish her tasks just before he walked through the passageway, and she was making sure nothing was wrong before he sat down.
"Your Majesty," she called without lifting her head as his shadow fell on the table.
"Rose," he said stiffly, annoyed that she wasn't paying him any attention.
Rose grunted in response but didn't lift her head. She noticed his shadow moving across the table to the other side but barely heard his footsteps. Rose couldn't figure out how he did it.
