Tristan looked down at the couple on the grass. Serenity’s head was nestled in Leon’s shoulder, her dark hair had loosed itself from the long braid and tangled around their shoulders, twining with Leon’s hair. Tristan had to admit that it was an endearing picture. He knelt beside them and gently shook Leon’s shoulder, carefully avoiding the long brown locks.

Leon moaned, stretching awkwardly before pulling Serenity closer and falling back to sleep. Cats, Tristan thought. Lazy creatures.

Again he shook Leon’s shoulder, this time hard enough to shake Serenity as well. Serenity’s eyes popped open. She gasped as her eyes settled on Tristan, jerking upright in the process smacking Leon in the chin by accident. Leon yelped, dragging himself upright almost throwing Serenity off his chest.

“Morning.” Tristan stood straight over them, hands on hips. Leon glared at him, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Your hat is falling of Leon. You look too much like your daughter to risk losing it.”

“What time is it?” asked Serenity as she finger-combed her hair. She winced as her finger caught on a stubborn knot.

“Almost time for Opal to wake up.”

Serenity’s brows snapped together. “And you know this how?”

“And the stable boys are waking. The prince will be down for his daily ride soon as well. Princess Viola will be come down about a half hour after the prince has left for her ride.”

Leon chuckled. “You would make an admirable spy, Tristan.”

“You mean I’m not doing that now?” he replied dryly.

The halls bustled with maids and servants. There was a beautiful young woman dressed in a stiff dress embroidered with little flowers. Her dark hair was swept into a simple coiffure with fat curls dangling around her heart shaped face. Serenity slowed as she saw her, her mouth gaping slightly.

“Excuse me,” said the vision. “A moment of your time?”

Serenity curtsied, closing her mouth with a snap. “What may I do for you?”

“Could you take this menu to the cook?” She smiled, her gray eyes warming. “I’m afraid that we can’t serve—oh. Excuse me, I must go. Thank you for your help.”

“Your highness!” She turned towards the voice, hoping to see her highness. To her surprise, the man ran right passed her to the young lady who had given her the menu. Serenity admitted that Opal was right—the princess had very good taste. She tucked the menu under her arm and headed for the kitchen.

The kitchen bustled with activity as she forced her way through to the cook. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a familiar treat.

Licking her lips, she inched towards the creamy cherry filling that filled the hot, fresh, paper thin crepes. She watched them, her teeth digging into her lips. She could almost taste the fresh cherries on her tongue.

“Can I help you? Before you drool into the filling, if you please.” Serenity jerked back, looking at the woman before her. She smiled tremulously.

“I’m sorry; I was supposed to give this to the cook…” She thrust the menu towards the woman.

She took the menu. “Hm…ah yes, I forgot about that.” She looked back at Serenity. “Thank you.” She tried to hand the menu back to her, but Serenity’s attention had already left the conversation.

With a laugh, the chef took a crepe and handed it to her. “Don’t tell anyone, okay sweetie?”

She turned big amber eyes filled with worship to the chef and nodded vigorously before scampering out of the kitchen, her treat held by her heart. When she was sure she has escaped notice she slipped into a corridor and held up the crepe. Gently, she raised it to her lips and into it, holding it so that the gooey filling didn’t flee its wrappings.

The first bite was ecstasy. She closed her eyes, and leaned into the draperies until she was immersed in them. She took another bite, flooding her mouth with the cherry flavor.

“What are you going to do with him?” It was a feminine voice, one with a slight purr to its contralto tones. Serenity jumped, almost choking on her bite. She rubbed her throat as she peered out from her nest.

“What do you want me to do?” this one was deep and masculine. He moved, and a host clinking sounds followed. “It’s not like he’s a threat.”

“Is this why you made him your personal guard?”

“Because he wasn’t a threat? Not really.”

“No, because he’s a spy and member of the rebellion.”

He gave a low laugh. “They’re too cowardly to attempt anything.”

“You’re going to ignore him?”

“Of course.”

They walked away, the click of their formal heels audible for what seemed like ages. Serenity stepped out of the drapes, the last of the crepe slipped from her fingers.

Leon watched Serenity leave, feeling a little bereft. Beside him, Tristan leaned on one foot, his head cocked. “Leon…”

“Mm?”

“The stables…”

“Mm…”

“You’re needed in the stables…”

“Mmhm.”

Tristan gently clasped his elbow, turning him away from the direction Serenity had left in. “Back to work, cat.”

Leon’s feet moved of their own accord as he allotted the oats to the younger stable boys with his superior. Tristan waited patiently, watching Leon finish with the last of the oats and approached one young stallion. He sidled into the stall with him. “Are you awake now?”

“Maybe,” he yawned. “Why?”

“Just wanted to chat.”

“We never chat. We’re happy not chatting.” The stallion began to prance as Leon put the bridle on him. “It’s a good arrangement considering how close you are to Opal.”

“I know,” said Tristan. “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to know…when you’re leaving with Opal.”

“Whenever this silly ball of hers is over.” He turned to Tristan, agitation radiating from him. “It would be earlier if she weren’t so eager.”

“Why don’t you tell her that she can go to one of the demon balls?” Tristan leaned to look him in the eyes. “Her background would not be questioned, and—“

“Just because she’s a demon? If so then let me remind you how—“

“—because of her lineage.”

Leon stopped fussing over the horse. “How did you know?”

“I thought it was obvious. What with that red hair and those slitted eyes.”

“Don’t be dense. How did you know of my lineage?”

Tristan chuckled. “I’m Opal’s confidante. She loves to read, and you told her yourself that you were of noble birth. Noble demon birth, that is.”

With a sigh, Leon leaned against the stall. “Yes, Opal would be allowed in to demon society. If I was so inclined to bring her to it.”

“Why not?”

“Because a sweet innocent girl should never be thrown to those cut throats.”

His brow wrinkled as he tried to absorb what Leon said. “But in order to be accepted as part of your family she must have a debut.”

A stable boy with a pony passed, silencing them both. Leon picked up the reigns, leading the stallion from the stall. “So I won’t have her formally accepted as part of my clan. She will still be my daughter.”

“A daughter without her birthright!” Tristan growled. “She deserves better.”

Leon ignored him, leading the horse down the hall. What he saw at the end stopped him. “Opal?”

She stood at the end of the hall, tears

“Were you even going to tell me?” Her voice was quiet, calm.

Uneasily, Leon reached for her hand. “Of course, I was waiting for the right moment.”

“Which would have been when? When I was married and gone? Dead? You know I could have died a few months ago and never knew that I knew my father?” She gave a small laugh, her amber eyes filling with tears. She turned to Tristan. “And you knew? I poured my heart out to you, and you never told me about my own father?”

“You can’t blame me for this, it wasn’t my place to tell you,” he said.

Opal shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. “You’re right Tristan. But my mother…” She spun on her heel, giving her back to them. “I don’t want to see her right now. If you see her before I do…”

Tristan stepped towards her, but a familiar hand snaked around her shoulders. Sir Thomas stepped out of the shadows and tucked Opal into his side.

Opal sniffled, turning her face up to Thomas, giving him a watery smile. “Thank you, but I need some time alone.” He squeezed her one more time before releasing her.

“If you need me…” Thomas said. She nodded and left without looking back.

“Thomas,” greeted Tristan. He rubbed his aching jaw

“Morning,” said Thomas. He tugged at his plain uniform, the one soldiers wore while not on formal duty. It was more comfortable and movable without the layers of armor.

Tristan leaned against a stall his eyes on the exit both Leon and Opal had taken. “Meeting today?”

Thomas nodded. “His majesty requested my presence during negotiations with the prince of Sutland.”

“Prince Samuel is here?” he asked, surprised. “I’d heard he wasn’t going to be here until Saturday.”

“Officially, he won’t. They’re settling Viola’s dowry and setting a date.”

“Why do they need a plain uniform soldier?”

Thomas shrugged. “For show? I’m sorry, but I can’t stay any longer.” He bowed slightly to Tristan before leaving.

Tristan hesitated. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he had goose bumps on his arms. With a growl of frustration, he took off after Thomas.

The courtyard was almost empty. Thomas was stalking towards the castle. Tristan began towards him, but the clang of armor stopped him. He slipped under the shadow of a tree. At that moment, soldiers exploded from around Thomas, forcing him to his knees. Thomas struggled, freeing one arm to knock back one of his assailants. Finally, one man brought his fist down hard on Thomas’s skull, causing the big man to topple over.

As they dragged him away, Tristan quickly made his escape to the barn.

Woot! Another chapter up and one halfway on its way! And we are actually getting close to the end!

Anonymous D. Disclosure: I've read some Judith McNaught. It's kind of hit and miss, but I adored Perfect.

Stormie-Daze: Sadly, I have midterms in a few weeks. Pretty sad that it took my so long to update^^;

Fenyana: oh yes...MagicRealms. I've slowed down quite a bit on that. I slowed down so much that they kicked me off^^; I hope you reach here, I know that the story is pretty muddled.

My hope is to finish the next chapter by next week. As for the chapter after that...who knows-_-; See you next time!