Loki was forced by Steven to sleep in a separate room because, "the princess can't handle a hard mattress." If Steven wasn't such an exceptional assistant he would have stabbed him right then and there. But he didn't. Instead he slept in a room near his office. It was as hard a rock so when be woke up not only was his back hurting but his hand. His doctor confirmed his wrist was broken and so were a few of his fingers.

Poppy had begun ignoring him sense that day. Loki wasn't sure why but Steven did. The Duke had attempted to kill her, so it was no surprise she disliked him.

Poppy sat unmotivated in her lab. "I'm bored," she huffed. She had no ideas for spells to make. Her maids back home used to tell her all kinds of things she should try to make. They never ceased to stop coming up with ideas. "A box with endless candy." The box worked but the candy was flavorless sense it was made with magic and not real food. "A self cleaning plate." That one failed too because it would clean off the food even before it was eaten. "Oh, I know! An apron that never gets dirty!" This one was a success and now all the maids in the palace use it. It doesn't absorb the dirt or liquids but instead evaporate them. So you can wipe your hands in it and the apron will look spotless in seconds.

"Maybe I can make self cleaning aprons for the maids here." Poppy shot up, with fresh inspiration. At least it would keep her busy for a little while.

•••

"Princess Poppy really is amazing!" Some maids chatted as they walked past the dukes office. Loki looked up from his papers with a face of unbridled anguish. 'Sire, I really think you should take a break,' Steven frowned in concern at his master's state. "What's all the commotion?" Loki asked. Steven excused himself so he could see what was happening. He peaked his head out of the door. The maids jumped since they thought it was the Duke but calmed down when they saw Steven's polite smile.

"Good afternoon Felicia, Wren, what are you girls up to?" He asked. They immediately started talking about the Princess's deeds. "I see. That's very ingenious of her." They nodded ecstatically. "Well I won't hold you much longer." Steven bowed as he left, leaving the girls in a blushing mess. Everyone loved Steven. He was a scholar who specialized in water magic. He was Loki's right hand man on the battle field and when the Duke came back from the war with Steven by his side they were all skeptical at first. But just his presence brightened up the manor just enough to make the environment a bearable place to work.

Steven straightened his facial expression as he walked back into the Dukes office. "So?" Loki asked, not even looking up from his work. "It seems that the Princess is gifting the maids self cleaning aprons. The Duke chuckled, "is that what she does all day in that lab of hers?" Steven shrugged. He had never gone into the Princess's lab since she warned the air can be toxic. It was a bit of a relief to learn that she was immune to poisons like the Duke.

Loki tossed the paper at Steven with a speed that could have sliced his head off but Steven calmly pinched the paper between his thumb and pointer finger. He used to be a solider too after all. "Are you angry?" He questioned as he turned the paper over to read it. Steven's eyebrows furrowed as he continued to read down the paper. "I see. And what is your opinion of this?" Loki leaned back into his chair. "I mean it's obvious. Someone is planning something. Something big. And I bet. The next attack will be here."

In Steven's hand was a report from Captain Gregory Light.