11 January 2023

I decided to take another look at Ella and Kal, and re-examine the way Kal presents himself to his friends. I realized he doesn’t try to hide it; most of the disconnect comes from the fact that no one expects the prince to hang out with a group of orphans, or pull the kinds of shenanigans he pulls. So I tried rewriting his first viewpoint scene to reflect that.

Prince Caspir Leonard Dutchins IV, fourth child and third son of King Edward and Queen Alisonde, practically danced his way to his older sister Serafina’s room. He gave a quick knock, and as soon as he heard her call “Enter”, he strode in.

Serafina took one look at his goofy grin and went back to fussing with her hair. “She liked it, I take it?”

“Yes she did.” Caspir gave his sister a hug. “Thank you.”

“No big deal; I meant it when I said it didn’t suit me.” She looked up at her brother. “So when do I finally get to meet her?”

“I… don’t know.” Caspir’s face fell. “She finally got the job at the Lester Mansion, and just being there for work almost floored her. Coming here, to the palace? As a guest?” He shook his head. “I’m not sure how they’d react to that, Sera.”

Serafina narrowed her eyes. “You haven’t told them you’re the prince yet, have you?”

Caspir flinched and collapsed into a nearby chair. “It’s not like I’m trying to hide it. I’ve even told them I’m wealthy, or that I bought this or that. They just… don't believe me.” He smiled wryly. “How much harder would it be for them to accept I’m a prince?”