Chammielle looked at her reflection in the mirror. She normally thought of her looks as bland, but not today. No, today she looked like a disaster.

Her restless dreams had set bags under her eyes that could hold as many severed heads as had been in her nightmares. And that included her own. It was at times like these she was glad for the camouflage that was her freckles. Still, she was a sight.

"My lady, you didn't sleep well I take it?"

She sighed at Belladonna, who was doing her best to arrange her hair.

"Dreams are fickle things. They let you know you're sleeping, but they don't always let you rest."

"Did you dream of Leians? The massacre?"

She shivered at the memory.

"No, but it did color it. How could someone do something like that and live to tell the tale?"

Belladonna chuckled lightly and she felt disgusted.

"What? Don't tell me you approve of such actions?"

"No, my lady. But what was reported on isn't necessarily what happened."

She turned on her stool to face Belladonna.

"Are you telling me that Maestro is not a mass murderer?"

The woman seemed torn.

"Well, he is and he isn't."

"How, exactly?"

Her voice fell hushed and her head ducked closer to her ear.

"It depends on ones definition of murder, my lady. To kill, or to execute. I will tell you, he did not kill any innocents that day at least."

Her jaw fell.

"But...women and children..."

"All propaganda. Leians was no town, though it appeared to be on the surface. It was a militarized splinter imbedded into Garten by one of our enemies."

"Then Sir Rochester is an agent of Garten...and a very talented soldier."

"He was. He became a mercenary after Leians. Posters of his sketch and the birth of the Butcher of Leians was born after. Hardly anyone knows the truth, but there it is."

She set herself back in place for her to continue her work. But something didn't seem quite right.

"Why are you telling me, Belladonna?"

"Because you ought to have your mind at ease. That man has done some terrible things, but he's no murderer. If you're working this closely with him, despite what others like Lady Aconia believe, you need to know who you're actually dealing with."

...

She stood before the doors of the solarium. Her mind lighter, and at the same time in trepidation. Maestro was less despicable than she'd though. But the possibility of someone being infatuated with her had her mind reeling.

The Duke was behind those doors. It was just a guess that he was the one who'd sent those gifts. But the idea that she'd meet him and see for herself had her uneasy all of a sudden.

But it would be alright. Violet would be with her.

She pushed the stained glass double doors open, the greenery under glass welcoming her and making it feel warmer than the cooler morning outside. Belladonna had dressed her in a new day dress. A baby blue gown with ruffles at the off the shoulder sleeves that draped down to her elbows. It was simple, and soft. No elaborate floral motifs or lace. A simple blush ribbon was tied at her waist to match her bracelets and hair jewels. It was all very elegant, but she hadn't told Belladonna where she was going.

"Chammielle, over here!"

Belladonna stood behind her and gave her a quizzical look. She pushed forward. Not wanting to share everything she did with the all knowing woman.

"Your highness."

She curtsied and then spied the young man beside Violet.

He had the same color of hair as Alfrina, but his look was entirely different. High and ruddy cheek bones, soft and large deep pink lips, and green eyes that looked less full of wisdom and more full of mischief. Still, she supposed it was a family trait. Above all she had hoped he was not overly ostentatious, but that was dashed away quickly enough. His suit was a soft pink and the ruffles at his throat sported a pink broach not too dissimilar from the one she'd received. If he was trying to tell her it was him, it was pretty obvious.

"Chammielle, this is my cousin, the Duke of Columbine."

She wasn't sure if he simply seemed ridiculous or far too at ease, but whatever it was it made her smile.

"Greetings."

"My, your smile is even prettier than reported. I am so pleased to meet you. I beg of you, call me Alfric, it seems our families are about to intersect."

He stood and his gentlemanly attitude caught her off guard. Something about him seemed very soft. Very easy going.

"So the rumors say... I must admit, you're not exactly what I expected."

He put on a charming smile and it seemed a little too bright. What was with this family? They were all too beautiful.

"Ah, yes, well Alfrina tends to have an entirely different sphere in which she operates. As for myself, I enjoy taking taking tea with good company over an interrogation with assassins."

He laughed and she felt it was a very foolish thing to laugh at. But his carefree attitude was contagious.

"I'd think she'd prefer it as well...but then who wouldn't?"

He helped her into her seat and Violet eyed her with a knowing smirk. She tried her best to convey with her eyes that she had better not try to play matchmaker. Though the grin she received in return did not assure her.

"Alfric, you were absent at the concert yesterday. Mother was so enraptured at Chammielle's playing she marched up to the piano to praise her."

"The Dowager Queen stood? It's unheard of!" He beamed and V rolled her eyes, "It's a sign. Lady Kuchen shall be the next household name in music. Symphony houses shall be built in her name in the future, I'm sure!"

"Oh do stop. You weren't even there."

"No, but I have it on good authority that you are really very excellent in every way. So I will laud you without reserve, and don't impinge upon my right to be ridiculous about it. You are clearly a sensation, the whole palace is talking about it."

Chammielle thought she might have a headache if he continued this way but didn't dare beg him to stop. She had a feeling it would create an opposite effect.

"What a lovely suit you're wearing today, cousin."

He preened and dusted at his sleeves. He looked like a dove being cooed at, and she tried not to snicker at him.

"Pink does suit me, does it not? It's all the rage these days."

Fashion. That had to be it. If he really was her suitor then his choice in pink gems had to be because they were fashionable. She decided to test him.

"Ric, oh, may I call you Ric?"

"Oh, that does have a nice sound to it. You may call me whatever you like, Chammielle."

V looked like she'd smelled something unpleasant just then, but she ignored her.

"This was a gift I received the other day. You're a man of fashion, could you perhaps tell me what stones these might be?"

She pulled the broach from her pocket bag and offered it to him. Seeing it set against the one he wore they did look quite different. But the centerpiece gems were a match, even if his was less than half the size.

"Indeed. You've pegged me right at the start it seems. Clever Lady. This is one of the largest pink diamonds I've seen, I'm partial to them myself."

"Diamond? Not morganite?"

"Not at all. The cut is superb and very well done to catch the light. It seems your secret admirer paid a small fortune for this piece. Aren't you the lucky girl?"

He let his eyes do the smiling and she felt her throat close up.

A pink diamond? Small fortune? If he was being serious, and if he was indeed the man, then just how wealthy was the Ducal estate?

"Cousin, didn't you purchase a diamond mine yourself recently?"

He looked to Violet and she was glad to have his eyes off of her a moment. She thought she'd choke. She grabbed for a glass of champagne and sipped at it quickly.

"You know, I did. Just last week I got wonderful news that there was a large pink strain down there they'd uncovered. Beauties just like these must come to the palace, don't you agree?"

"Oh, not another bejeweled rocking horse..."

"No, no, Tulip is much to old for such things now. I was thinking of a statue. Something classic to be put on display in the throne room. Will likes constellations, right? One of those entirely of sapphires and diamonds. Either that or a gazebo..."

Chammielle thought she might have a stroke. She grabbed for a second glass of champagne and downed it to steady herself. He owned a diamond mine and probably a sapphire mine as well. He had a frivolous sense of money and ridiculous taste for expensive and refined amenities. Even the way he was holding his champagne glass and fork at the same time spoke to a gaudy sense of appetite. If he really was the man behind the gifts, she was afraid she was done for.

Chammielle felt a little fuzzy and remembered not drink too much champagne a little too late. She reached for a quiche instead and hoped he wouldn't continue talking to her and instead keep arguing with the now red in the face princess.

"Now now, V, you're the one who invited me to this little get together and you know how I am. Chammielle, what do you think of me?"

She could have choked.

A third glass of champagne was offered to her and she sipped lightly. She needed to be polite.

"You'll have to be more specific, Ric."

"I do like this new name. Very strong. Masculine. I suddenly feel bold. Really, what do you think of me? Am I indeed so ridiculous?"

She smiled and felt it must be the bubbles.

"I think you enjoy being ridiculous, so if I say yes then you'll be very pleased. But if I say no you'll pout like a little boy and insist on becoming far more ridiculous."

He laughed and so did Violet. At least they were having a good time. She was considering all she'd hoped for her future going down a pink and bedazzled drain pipe. And why was a drain pipe so glitzy? Because he owned a ridiculous diamond mine and possibly more than one. Champagne seemed to be the right answer.

"What an odd little party..."

"Will! I'm Ric now, you must call me as such. Chammielle has decided on it."

She felt the heat in her ears and felt her embarrassment multiplied. Of course he'd come. She stared at V who seemed as surprised as she felt.

"Has she? I'm so glad you're getting along. Do enjoy your abundant leisure time, cousin. I have a good deal of work to do still before the ball tomorrow."

She wouldn't normally, but felt surprised enough to stare up at him.

"A ball? Tomorrow? This seems rather sudden, Will."

The table was silent and his lips seemed punctuated as they formed a firm line.

"That it is. I find I do have a moment to spare, care to take a walk with me Lady Kuchen."

He wasn't asking and she felt herself being escorted hurriedly from the table. She could hear Alfric murmur as he was left at the table.

"Uh oh, it seems I've played with my cousin's toys and now he's upset..."

He was walking too fast for her and her head suddenly felt like it was swimming.

"Will...stop...please."

She ran into him and had to be held up.

"You ask me not to flirt and here you are doing so so indiscreetly?"

He thought she was flirting?

"Oh please! I absolutely was not and certainly not with Ric."

She tried to stand apart from him but his hands kept her pressed to his chest. Despite all the fabric he seemed very firm through it.

"Really? Ric? Are you drunk again?"

She felt offended, but at the same time she wasn't so sure she wasn't. Two glasses of champagne plus a little extra seemed to have her very aware of how she was feeling and with little reserve to keep those feelings in check.

"I had two flutes of champagne, don't be ridiculous. That's your cousin's job. And good Lord but he is!"

She realized she could hear his heartbeat and feel it with her hands splayed across his chest. Her face would be turning red if it could. She turned her eyes away from him, trying not to be so close to the brute he was being at this moment. Why was he so upset?

"Yes, but he likes to be ridiculous. The question is, do you like it?"

Her mouth fell open at his words. He was actually asking her this?

"What does it matter what I like, Will? I was born a woman, and without a fortune of my own my likes and dislikes are but daydreams compared to any nobleman's desires let alone your choice! If I seem so silly to you to consider your ridiculous cousin worth such fanciful pining, then who cares? I'm but an in-law, or perhaps not at all. No one knows. But I do. It won't be me."

And then she did something she knew she'd regret later. The bubbles that had tickled her nose from earlier were giving her courage to do this without remorse for the moment. But she felt she needed to do it.

She reached up and grabbed his face and pulled his cheek to her. She pressed her lips to it once more, fervently and with all the passion she felt bottled up inside. Then she released him and shoved at his chest so hard he let her go.

"There. I've taken my kiss back. Good day, your highness."

She glided away from him, not daring look at the breakfast table as she passed by. Belladonna came up just behind her and reached forward to open the door. She couldn't look at her either. She felt hurt. And she didn't like that she knew it.

...

William could hardly stand. He was propped up by a trellis of vines he'd been tossed into by Chammielle. First she trips into him, and then she berates him, and then kisses him and slaps him again with her words. What was he to make of all that anyway? And why did he feel like such a fool?

"I see what you meant now."

He dragged a hand over his eyes and groaned. What had he done?

"Alfric..."

"Good lord but she is perfect. I've never seen such fieriness in a Lady. She handled me quite politely, very diplomatic though I could tell she despised me. She'll make an excellent Queen, your freckled princess."

His fingers trailed to where she'd kissed him a second time.

"She despises you?"

"From my clothes to my exuberance and piles of money. It was plain as day. I wonder why she wanted to meet me at all."

He was an idiot. She wasn't flirting at all.

"Alfric."

"Yes, Will?"

"Go away."

"Oh very well. It's so much fun teasing you when you behave like an ass though. Such a rare occasion. Ta ta."

He was right. He'd behaved abominably. But goodness she was indeed full of fire.

He stood there a while, concocting an apology in his mind.

"Will?"

"V, am I an ass?"

"We all do foolish things for love. It seems you really do love her. I'm happy for you."

"Don't be. I don't want to force her to be my wife. If that's how she sees me then I don't know what hope I have."

He finally looked at his sister. Hoping she had some words of wisdom for him. She was altogether too kind, but he needed her perspective.

"Any woman who kisses you even as she's chastising you, has feelings for you. There's hope."

He felt her cool hand on his cheek and he finally looked into her eyes.

"Will, go get her."