Intro. Being heir to the throne was incredible. You had the best education growing up, the best tutors, the best food for every meal, and your choice of men and women for companionship. The only thing you had to do was not fratenize with low born commoners...
Such a shame, then, when your best friend in all the world was herself a commoner. Mei Chen, a servant girl who has worked in the palace since you were a child. She's almost exactly your age, and when you both were kids you became fast friends. You were inseparable, closer than anyone desired you to be.
But eventually, that changed. Mei began her training to be a servant in earnest, and you had to study to become a ruler someday. You were told that you were not to play with Mei anymore, that she was beneath your station. But of course, that never stopped you. You and Mei have been meeting in secret ever since, stealing moments to talk, laugh, and after many years of blossoming affection, kiss.