Relief washed over me as the King, flanked by his guards, turned a corner and disappeared down another path. I straightened from inspecting a particularly promising patch of soil, ready to tackle the next task on my ever-growing list.
"Hey Annie!" a cheerful voice called out. I turned to see Alexander approaching, a broad smile on his face.
"Annie. Hi," he greeted, stopping a few feet away. "I heard about your big project. It's a fantastic idea! Creating a royal farm - it's something the palace needs."
A blush crept up my cheeks. "Really? You think so?"
"Absolutely," Alexander confirmed, his smile widening. "And if there's anything I can do to help, just say the word."
I felt a surge of gratitude. "Actually," I admitted with a sheepish smile, "all the help I can get would be amazing. There's so much to consider, and… well, let's just say some people might be expecting me to fail, and frankly, that's not an option."
