It was too early when Opal woke. She pulled herself out of the bed and yawned widely. The heavy scent in the air portended of rain. She hated the rain. She hated getting wet. Baths were the extent of her contact to water, and even then she made it as short as she could.

But the dawn was breathtaking. The lights painted the monotone clouds with bright colors so warm that Opal found it hard to move at all. She turned towards Tristan and shook him awake. “Tristan! Wake up!” He turned onto his side and looked sleepily at her. A slow smile creased his face.

“What is it?”

Opal smiled back. “It’s the dawn, sleepy head.” She turned back towards the window, gazing at the splendor. “It’s breath taking.”

“Yes, it is.” She leaned into him as he unconsciously wrapped an arm around her waist. The sun rose higher into the sky as they watched.

A sharp rap at the door broke the spell. Tristan rolled off the bed and efficiently rolled under it. Scowling, Opal threw the cover into place as she too rolled out of bed. “Yes?” she called.

The door opened. “Morning, dear,” came the sweet familiar voice. “I’m your new maid.” The door closed softly behind her, and all formality was lost.

“Mom!” cried Opal as she threw herself into her mother’s arms. Serenity clasped her child close, savoring the feel of her daughter, once more in her arms.

Tristan crawled out from under the bed, grabbing his shirt as he edged towards the door. Opal looked up over her mother’s shoulder and smiled at him. He gave a weak smile in return as he quietly opened the door and left. He heaved a sigh as he found safety in Viola’s room.

Viola grinned at him from her settee. “My goodness, Serenity is prompt. As you said, she is quite a woman.”

He gave her a look from beneath his lashes. “Only you would say that at a time like this.”

She watched him sardonically as he pulled the shirt over his head. “Where are you going to sleep now?” she inquired. “With the servants?”

“Nope. With you.” He said it flippantly as he fiddled with the buttons absently.

“What?!” she cried, coming out of the settee. “Out of the question! Do you have any idea what my maid would say if she saw you in here? I don’t have privacy as Opal does!”

“Did.”

“Did! And anyway, where would you sleep?”

He looked at the settee she was sitting on. “There.”

“No, no, no, no!” she cried. “There is no way you’re sleeping in my room!”

She stopped pacing as she heard something that sounded suspiciously like a snort of laughter. Her eyes narrowed. “You- you were playing with me?!”

His lips fought a smile. “You’re still gullible, Viola, for all your serene airs.” She rolled her eyes before sitting back down.

“Where are you really going to sleep?”

“Ryan’s room. Now you won’t have to worry about him sneaking into your room now.”

Viola’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink and she avoided his gaze. “Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Tristan grinned at her reaction. It was exactly how she had reacted whenever he had come back with a bit of romantic nonsense about Ryan.

“What are you thinking?” asked Viola.

He grinned enigmatically. “Nothing.”

“Why, oh why did I want my brother back again?” she pleaded to some unknown entity mournfully. “Truly, he is more obnoxious than loveable.”

In a moment her feet went out from under her and she ended up on the bed beside him, belly down and her hair was dangling off the side. He leaned close to her. “How is that for obnoxious?”

She tossed back her hair and glared. “Of course you’d have the same sense of humor!”

“You’re going to have to live with it now, sister mine,” he said, patting the small of her back. “I won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

Opal shut the door behind her with a grateful thud. One more minute with her mother’s fussing and she would tear her hair out.

“I like your hair tonight,” Viola said as she entered the ballroom. “Definitely a good style for you.”

“My m—“she hesitated “—maid did it. She’s new and quite good.” Two elegantly dressed matrons edged approached them, their skirts twitching with anticipation

“My dear, you really do have such a precious face,” proclaimed one. “This hairstyle fits it well. You simply must have your maid speak with my maid.” Opal smiled hesitantly. She caught Viola’s gaze, her grey eyes sparkled with humor.

“My m—maid is a little busy,” Opal said. “I’m afraid that such—“she hesitated, her fingers clenching and unclenching the handle of her reticule. A ridiculous item to carry about the place you lived, and yet it lent comfort. “Well, my maid is still adjusting to her new position.”

The matrons murmured of their misfortune, neither seeming to greatly displeased with the difficulty. For some reason, the subject of hair turned into estates, which turned to financial difficulty...

“Excuse me, my ladies,” Ryan said as soon as he could be heard without shouting. “I couldn’t help but notice such loveliness.”

The matron’s giggled at his outrageous comment. “Come now, you only came to collect Princess Viola.”

Ryan bowed low to them. “That was supposed to be my excuse to see you exquisite one.”

Opal’s eyebrow quirked up. Viola leaned down. “That’s what happens if you leave him with Tristan too long.” She adjusted one delicate pink sleeve on Opal’s dress. “Just wait until you speak to Tristan again. They spent all afternoon chatting.”

“You’re joking.”

“Not at all.”

Opal groaned as Ryan maneuvered them across the room. “Thank you,” Viola said, her hand so light on his sleeve that it wouldn’t leave the crease Opal’s would. Opal studied the hand, its long delicate fingers entrancing her. Viola truly was a princess.

“Lady Westminster!” hissed Viola. Opal snapped to attention, barely noting the red faced Ryan who also flinched at Viola’s declaration.

“I hate these affairs,” growled Ryan. “When Tri-“

“Oh how good to see you again!” Viola said a little too loudly to the approaching lady. Opal stomped hard on Ryan’s foot as Viola pinched the exposed skin between his sleeve and glove. “I did hope you would make it tonight.”

“How could I miss it?” replied the widow, simpering over Viola’s extended hand. “And who is your companion? I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.”

“Yes, well, there haven’t been many people invited to these dinners lately, what with the ball so soon,” she said in a soothing voice. “This is Miss Opal Stanton, from Calcin. She’s a guest of my father.”

“You are a ways from home young lady. What possessed you to come here?”

“Let’s just say I was…spirited away.”

Ryan grinned at her and winked. Since when was he so cheerful?

“That’s very sweet of you dear. Our king is a charmer.” Gag me, thought Opal, holding back the urge to sneer at the statement. “Oh, Viola dear, I heard your fiancé with be here in time for the ball. Isn’t that exciting?” Lady Westminster leaned in, as if hoping for a juicy tidbit from the bride-to-be.

“Oh I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be so wonderful to see him again!” Viola smiled sweetly up at Ryan. “Isn’t that so?”

“Thrilling,” he bit out.

A bell rang, singling to the guests that it was time to sit down for dinner. Lady Westminster left them to find her seat, which to Opal’s dismay was near her. Ryan and Viola seated at the fore of the table, Opal was alone to be bombarded by the nosy woman’s questions.

“Well now,” Lady Westminster began, “isn’t this nice? I’ve always wanted to know about Calcin. Not many people from thereabouts come here. What’s it like?”

“I’m not entirely sure, I’m not very well traveled you see.” Opal twiddled with the corner of her napkin, not wanting to catch anyone else’s eye.

“Really? I thought you were an ambassador,” remarked Lady Westminster. “Speaking of ambassadors, do you remember that ambassador from Sutland? Such a nice fellow…”

Opal was exhausted by the time dessert was finished. She stood up, disentangling herself from Lady Westminster, saying she had a headache.

She moaned softly as she mounted the stairs—it had been a very long day. She opened the door to her room, expecting to see Tristan there with a sardonic smile…only to see her mother.

“Opal—you’re early!” She put down her sewing, approaching her swiftly. “Are you tired? Let’s get you out of that horrid contraption.”

Mothers. She sighed inwardly as her mother unlaced the bodice, swiftly removing the garments. “Where’s Leon?” she asked when she finally got a break.

“He’s in the stables. That’s where he was stationed.” Serenity raised the modest blue nightgown for inspection. “He’s likely finishing up now. Stable boys work long and hard.”

Opal grimaced. “Poor Leon. Doing this all for you—have you given him a break yet?”

“What do you mean a break?” asked Serenity, handing her the gown. “I’ve stopped threatening to serve roast cat for dinner if that’s what you mean.”

Opal giggled. “I’m going to miss that.”

“Please,” Serenity said dryly. “The very thought of his flesh burning makes me ill.” Serenity hesitated for a moment. “I take it you like Leon?”

“Very much so.” Opal fiddled with the ties on her gown. She had only worn it a couple times. “I think he’s a good man, and I think you and he mesh well.”

“Then…” Serenity frowned. “You don’t mind if we go back with him? To his home?”

Opal’s eyes widened. “You have given him a break!” she cried, her voice filled with excitement. “That’s fantastic!”

Serenity pulled back the covers on the bed. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”

“Of course.” Opal crawled into the bed, snuggling into the pillow. “You and Leon are-“she yawned abruptly “-perfect for each other.”

Leon put the rest of the equipment away before blowing the light out in the lamp. Not far from him, a fellow stable worker snored. That one was a woman—one of the three that worked in disguise as boys. The poor economy must have forced them to find work, leaving their options limited. He admired their strength. The girl turned on her side, her hand cradling her cheek as another snore escaped. He took one of the horse blankets, and wrapped it around her.

Only the soft padding of booted feet on hay warned him of her arrival. He stood up straight, turning to watch her as she marched through in her maid’s uniform. “I see you’re getting along well.” She stopped before the rows of sleeping stable boys. “You seemed to fit in well.”

He weaved through, taking her hand in his. “I can adapt anywhere.”

She smiled. “Is that so?” She raised his knuckles to her lips, kissing them gently. In a swift motion, he tugged her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “I was hoping that there’d be a nice place in the stables…” She looked around mournfully.

Leon growled. “And of course there’s not. I should have kept the room at the inn.”

She smacked his shoulder with her free hand. “Enough of that. Let’s go outside for a while.” He let her tug him along behind her, grinning foolishly.

“It’s nice,” he said.

“What’s nice?”

“This relationship.” He lifted their entwined fingers. “You were never so natural before.”

She shrugged. “I grew up. What can I say?” They sat down on the lawn. “Besides, this time we don’t have as many obstacles.” She leaned into his shoulder, her expression relaxing.

Leon snorted. “Your beau back in Ralie, my ex-fiancée popping up out of the blue, a daughter you never told me about…that very same daughter being kidnapped and dragged across the sea…” He snorted again. “I think we’ve had a few obstacles.”

Serenity laughed, her head thrown back. Large locks of hair escaped the braid she’d tied it back in and gently caressed her back. Leon looked around to see more than one other man enjoying the sight and sound of her. He played with a strand that had fallen on hi shoulder, trying to ignore them.

She sighed contentedly as she snuggled closer. Within moments she was asleep. Leon shifted her head carefully, not wanting to wake her. She turned into him, burying her face into his shoulder.

It was a dream, he thought grinning like a fool. He remembered when he first tried to cuddle with her…she had damn near bitten his finger off.

He lifted the lock he was playing with into the light of the silver moon. How he wished they could stay like this. As he looked up at the men watching him, he lifted an imaginary brow wryly to himself. Maybe not like this.

The moon glowed down at them, lulling them into peacefulness. Leon smiled. Peace. Perhaps it was easier to find than he thought.

Yay! College student extroadinaire finally putting up a chapter. I just wanted to thank those of you who added me and/or my story to their alerts and favorites. Merci beaucoup! It does a writer's heart good =)

Stormie-Daze: Thanks. I thought I'd managed to create another glitch all on my lonesome...the internet loves me like that.

Anonymous D. Disclousure: I know! XD I just read the book that inspired that unconsciously too...I had no idea how close Opal was to Robin, and Lacey to Serenity. If you want a good adult romance, the book's Looking for Lacy.

crystal blue sky: lol. I like writing those. They're packed with the insights rather than stretched thin. I'm working on writing better chapters psychologically...but the process is slow. Especially when I'm trying to find the happy medium between 'show don't tell" and "tell don't show." You hear a lot about the former, but the latter is what's got current authors after more advanced amateurs.

Au revoir! I'll get started on that next chapter right now =)