Duke Dorian had great talent in filling up a quiet room with his chatter. His new heir was the topic of interest and it took less then a minute to convey to the present company that he was besotted with his progeny.

Luke kept his gaze on his roasted venison as if it held great mysteries of the world. Jade, unlike before, joined the Royals on their dining table instead of the chair resting against the stone wall. She worried her lip as she sent a furtive looks at the Prince. He had kept his eyes off her since they entered the dining room and she couldn't fathom why.

Jade was seated next to Prince Luke while the Princess and her husband sat across from them. The formidable Princess had a soft smile focused on her chattering husband. The woman was clearly too lovelorn to find the behaviour anything but endearing.

"So, when shall we hear your good news?" Dorian asked with jovial smile.

"Good news?" Luke frowned into his meal. His dour expression belied no anticipation of such announcements.

"The Prince has rescued the damsel and she must make him an honest man," The blond man laughed as if entertained by his own statement.

"You m-misunderstand-" Jade stammered but Delilah's wave of hand ceased her attempt.

"Hush, dear husband. This is indelicate talk. They have barely had a breath in the civilised word. You make them blush," The dark haired woman gave the pair a slowly unfurling smirk.

"Sister, that's-" Luke's face was indeed ruddy and Jade could not claim her own was any better. Their eyes held their gaze for a heartbeat before releasing each other of their hold.

"No need to clarify yourself. I know what I know," Delilah's smile was calculating. She was deliberately obfuscating the truth.

A self important looking servant entered the room and whispered in the Duke's ear. The man nodded and gave his guests an apology for abandoning them. He followed the servant out of the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Prince glowered at his sister. His hands clutched the silver cutlery with a painful grip.

"I haven't the foggiest notion of what you're saying," The Princess brushed off his glare as if it were a mild nuisance.

"We are not... together," Luke halted his words. He swallowed as if he could not bear to vocalise his thoughts. Jade felt her shoulders droop uncomfortably.

"Can't you see my husband has not recognised your secretary. He believes she is the maiden you were questing for," Delilah waved her hand as if it were obvious.

"Forgive me, Delilah, but your husband's wits have always been questionable. I don't know why you chose him out of all your suitors," Luke abandoned the cutlery with an ill natured humph.

"At least I did not attempt to find my beloved by shoving a glass shoe at all the women I could find," Delilah's words were cutting. She did not take kindly to anyone dimsissing her husband.

Luke looked ready to leave the table but Jade's firm hand caught his wrist. She wanted them both to hear what the Princess had to say. It always boded well for the future to have a plan. The woman in front of them had more cunning than them combined.

"Your secretary is dead in Dorian's eyes. It might be easier to merge Lady Durnn with polite society if everyone else believe the same," The Princess declared.

"Why are you so adamant to thust her into the forefront of the ton. She does not want that," The dark haired man crossed his arms. Jade could still feel the warmth of his skin tingling in her hands.

"Are you certain you know what she desires? You cannot be so foolish," Delilah insinuated and Jade felt the heat rise again to the sides of her face. She now wished she had allowed the Prince his escape.

"What I desire is to eat my meal in peace, your highnesses," Jade declared before stuffing her mouth with a large piece of meat. She had missed fine dining the most in the months of living in the wilderness.

Duke Dorian entered the room with his servant trailing behind him. The servant carried in a tray of toasted warm bread and placed it on the table.

"I cannot believe you were handing out this bread to the villagers. I could not have borne it," Duke Dorian looked thunderous and everyone was confused.

"I did not want it to go to waste. I doubt there shall be any need for it once we reach the capital," Jade hurriedly explained herself. The two elderly women had stuffed bagfuls of Jade's bread for the entire team of soldiers.

"Absolutely not! Taste it, wife. It is heavenly," Dorian's hand hovered around his wife's mouth. Delilah took a delicate nibble of the bread and her eyes rounded with surprise.

"This bread is delicious beyond belief. I am besotted with it! I must commend the maker," The blonde Duke announced. His wife nodded and took another bite. She offered the bread to her brother.

"Luke are you not enthralled as everyone else," Delilah's words held double meaning which her brother ignored. Jade wished there was another stream that could carry her off right this minute.

As they finished the last of the dessert along with the bread basket the Princess abruptly stilled her husband from attacking the bread again. She looked around the room with a leisurely glance.

"Why don't you lead Lady Durnn back to the guest chambers, Luke. I feel tired and must retire," Delilah gracefully rose to her feet and gave them a wide smile.

"We must?" Luke arched his brow. He knew his sister well to recognise the concealed order.

"Yes, we are parents now. We cannot stay up till sun up on a whim anymore. Come," The Princess said imperiously to her husband who wiped his lips with the napkin with haste. He scrambled after his wife who barely waited for him to reach her. The door slammed shut leaving the pair behind.

Luke held out his warm hand to the Lady in question and Jade took his hand carefully. There was an awkwardness that had never been present before.

"My sister would be most put out if we do not comply. She might even kick us out of the castle if she's displeased. Edward learnt that the hard way," The Prince tried to smile but it did not reach his grey eyes. There was trouble brewing behind them that made Jade's protective instincts resurface.

"She may be formidable but she was rather generous in providing me with this outfit. She has been a good host. I haven't felt this fancy in a while," Jade smoothed down her gown and tried to invoke some humour in the situation but the intensity behind the Prince's eyes did not allow that.

"It suits you," Luke just murmured and helped her out the door. His fingers tightened around her arm.

"Thank you. I suppose it shocks you to see me in this form. It must be awkward to see me like this," The tall girl replied as she limped by the Prince's side. She did not long for her staff for the Prince did an exemplary job of guiding her.

"That isn't the word I would choose," Luke's words were so low Jade had to lean it to hear.

"What word would that be? If you say odious I don't want to hear it," Jade jested but her smile could not bloom under the intense scrutiny. She self consciously straightened the wrinkles on her waist with her free hand.

"Why would I be so unkind?" The Prince replied, with a curious tilt of the head.

"Yes, the Prince charming could never be this unkind. Forgive me," The brown haired girl's words could not be discerned as sarcastic despite her intent.

"You think I'm charming," Luke's dimples appeared and Jade felt her breath stop at the sight of them. The Prince always looked his best when he was carefree and mischievous.

"Perhaps, though I have yet to see that side of you..."

"My Lady, I am not bereft of charms. I could not do such a disservice to keep my opinion of you to myself. You look radiant tonight," The grey eyed man's gaze remained steadily on her face.

"Well, you look nice yourself. The stress has finally washed off your face," Jade pronounced with blinking eyes. She did not know what to make of his compliment. It was the wrong thing to say for his good humour faltered at her words.

"I must have looked wretched the entire time we were together. Doubly so after you disappeared but you never saw my state then," Luke's neck strained as he looked away.

"Even in the depths of despair you never lost your looks. Worry not, Prince. Lady Elena was not hunting you down just for your Royal status," Jade soothed his wounded air.

"So, you do find me attractive?" The Prince asked, sharply meeting her gaze and it was Jade's turn to look at the floor. Her lips were a firm slash that would not move even if she had tried. They were closer to her rooms and she welcomed the thought of respite. Her hand reached for the knob but the Prince's fingers caught it before her.

"I know of my sister's offer. She told you she would help you regain your family; your identity. Why didn't you take it?" The Prince asked.

"I needed to protect you. I wanted you to be safe. For your heart to be whole again," Jade whispered. Her own heart was beating louder than her words.

"You would have let me walk to another girl despite-" Luke said and Jade felt humiliated that he knew her innermost thoughts.

"Yes. Of course, I would always choose your happiness, even over mine," Jade said firmly. She bowed in front of the Prince with trembling knees and said good night. They had stood outside her rooms long enough and it was getting chilly.

....

The journey the next day was a welcome break from the Royal family. Jade had rebuffed any attempt at conversation from the Princess barring the visit to the nursery to see the new arrival. The other woman had surprisingly kept her mouth shut. She had bid them farewell with a teasing expression on her face.

The newly fitted Royal carriage loaned to them by the Princess was miles better then the haphazard construction the men had made just for Jade. It was comfortable, spacious and best of all she was all alone.

The Prince had taken his place on the horse leading the procession and then Jade had lost sight of him. They had only conversed when deciding where Jade was to go after reaching the capitol. He had insisted the palace while she had demanded she be taken to Mr. Gepetto.

Once they entered the city the group had dispersed. The carriage had come to a stop in front of a horseless carriage vehicle. Luke had ushered the Lady out of the carriage as a handful of his men watched.

"Is this safe?" Jade limped around the motorised vehicle with uncertainty, staff in hand. The horseless carriage had spindly mechanics and thin, large wheels. She had heard of such an invention but had never seen one.

"It is much slower then a trotting horse. It will keep you safe," Luke helped Jade into the seat and placed her staff at her feet.

"And where am I to go?" The girl asked with a frown.

"You will be taken to Mr Geppetto but you must return to the palace, at least for the night. I have sent men to get your rooms ready," The Prince revealed. The former secretary beamed at the thought of reuniting with her former landlord.

The vehicle suddenly made a choked growling noise and began to vibrate with zealous energy. The man at the helm pressed a lever and the Prince and his entourage was left behind in the dust. The vehicle honked through the crowds at a fast pace. The open cabin allowed wind to pass through Jade's tumbling curls. Before she knew it the vehicle screeched to a halt outside Mr. Geppetto's townhouse.

A small crowd gathered close to observe the horseless carriage and Jade noticed the door of Mr. Gepetto's building open due to the commotion. Jade was led through the crowd by the driver in front of the open door. The older dressmaker looked at Jade with disbelief.

"Of course you're alive. You had to be. You have the gumption of a fox," The man uttered as he led her inside. He looked at the staff in her hands and elegant travel frock she was wearing, a gift for the Princess.

"Barely. I'm too sloven to attain such lofty goals," Jade rid of her gloves and sat down on her usual spot in front of the fireplace.

"You made it out alive. That is enough. You needn't achieve anything else in your life after this moment," The man declared. Jade noticed how his hands shook as he made the tea.

"I am a Duchess now so I may have achieved just a little bit more," The girl replied just to be contrary. She then relayed her entire journey to the older man and received appropriate reactions. When she told him she was to receive her home back the man clapped his hands.

"Let me show you my home. The magistrate wouldn't stop me, would he?" Jade wondered with her palms itching. She couldn't wait to see her home again.

"They shouldn't stop you. I would not lay down arms if they did," The dressmaker declared.

"You don't even know how to fight," Jade said, but she stood up with the decision made. They were to go to her house as soon as they were finished with tea.

The pair accosted the driver outside who looked rattled by the change in orders but he was facing a Duchess and he could not say no. He was hers for the evening and he allowed her to command him to a grand home in the middle of the fashionable ton.

Her former home was bolted shut with wooden boards on the windows and doors. A yellowing notice was stuck on the door indicating the magistrate's orders. Jade absorbed the sight of her home in thrdim light. It was almost night time but she could still see all the details.

"Some other time perhaps, yes?" Mr. Geppetto took her arm to support her waning feet.

"I don't want to leave," Jade's voice cracked in the middle. She was losing her composure rapidly.

"My daughter, you have much life left in you. The home will open up to you soon," The older man guided and his former tenant nodded. The pair took a detour to the Palace to drop Jade off. The girl was so tired she waved away her appointed maid and fell asleep almost immediately.

..

.

"Jade!! Jade, is that you!

I just - You're alive. He said you were but I thought he was losing it. Oh, Jade!" Emma shrieked as she entered her well proportioned drawing room. The other girl had been told there was a Lady Durnn visiting by her butler. She had watched the tall, elegantly dressed Lady, curiously, until the woman had turned her face.

"How have you been?" Jade rose with a beaming grin. The two girls held hands, staring at each others smiling faces.

"Oh, I've just been... It hasn't been good," Emma proclaimed, her smile winded down to nothingness. Jade was alarmed by the change.

"I honestly thought you would be married by this time and I was most put out that I missed it," The Duchess said. She hoped her friend would confide in her the worries.

"I heard the news you had perished and I- I refused father. I didn't feel like I could enjoy my own wedding when my dearest friend was missing. What was the point of living a miserable life if it could be cut short," The shorter girl sighed. Her hands stayed uselessly on her lap. The butler brought in the tea cosy and fine china.

"You shouldn't have stalled your life," Jade chided, gently.

"Some days I feel like I made the right judgement but other days... Father had an episode last month," Emma started crying and wiped her escaping tears, ruthlessly.

"Good heavens! How is he?" The taller girl cried out.

"He's... doing much better. It wasn't a serious incident and the doctors are adamant he will be back on his feet soon," The fair haired girl nodded as if trying to pacify herself. She made the tea for the both of them. She offered Jade shortcakes but decided to have two herself.

"You're alive and father shall recover and I feel like all will be well soon. I shouldn't have floundered but I did," Emma sighed as she licked her crumbs from her lips. Jade placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"You should've asked for help. Your father has been a model employee for the palace. They shouldn't have left you alone," The taller girl uttered with ire bubbling in her words.

"He- They didn't leave me alone. I had more help then I thought possible. The best doctors, the nursemaids. They were all to his satisfaction," Emma said, plainly.

"Prince Edward's? Jade surmised.

"Yes. He visited weekly... To ask about my father. I was honoured he carved time from his busy schedule for us common folk," The fair haired girl's smile was bitter, "He told me I shouldn't worry about anything and he shall take care of us."

"I hope he was kind about it. He can get very brusque," Jade asked. She finished her tea and placed the cup back on the trolley.

"Yes, he was very quiet in my dealings with him. I have grown to trust his judgement," Emma mused, "Sometimes I wondered whether not marrying was a negative since I had no one to share my mental load but what if I had a cruel sort of husband? He might have forbidden me to spend time with my father."

"Don't think about it. What do we need to do first?" Jade pushed her sleeves of her spencer up her arms. With the use of her staff she helped herself up.

"You shouldn't," The shorter girl tried to stop her, "You only just got back. You're limping. I only have been clearing up my father's library."

"I'm Prince Luke's former secretary. Sorting papers is my speciality," The Duchess smiled. The two girls exited the drawing room and into the messy study.

"How is Luke? It took him so long to return and when he did he was distraught to put it mildly. It was as if he lost a piece of him. He did come for a brief visit before he departed as soon as he realised you were alive," Emma informed. She listened with fascination to Jade's adventures.

"And here I thought I was going through the worst time!" The shorter girl slammed a dusty book shut.

"I know what it's like to nurse an ailing father, Emma. I promise you all the broken bones in the world do not compare to that sorrow. I know how you feel," Jade contained the sudden emotion in her voice.

"Do you want to meet my father? He will be up soon," Emma asked.

"How will you explain my appearance?"

"Oh, I shall tell him you're the secretary's sister but perhaps we should wait another time to introduce you. I honestly don't know what mood he'll wake up in."

The two girls spent the rest of the morning in the study cheering each other up just by being in each others presence

...

It was like old times. Jade sat on an unused chair in the corner while Sir Elliot sat at his desk though he faced the other way as if deep in thought.

The gold painted doors slammed open and Prince Edward barged in with no care for propriety. He marched halfway across the room until he came to a halt. His eyes bugged out despite knowing Jade's truth for months now.

"You," He hissed, venomously. His long fingers pointed at her. Jade delicately rearranged her wine coloured dress and did not deign it worth her while to reply to the Crown Prince's rude mutterings.

"I knew it that you were not to be trusted. You are an unrepentant liar who has the gall to show his- her face," Prince Edward's voice was measured but the hint of fury laced. The man suddenly looked towards Sir Elliot and paused. He had good reason to be alarmed for the older man's shoulders were shaking.