There was nothing beyond the castle window but trees. Just like yesterday. Just like every day before that. Princess Minerva sighed heavily and leaned against the sill cushion, ignoring the wrinkling of her red silk gown; almost a month now she'd been shut up here. She had known things would be different when her father remarried, but she never imagined this.

She still didn't know what she had done, but her stepmother simply didn't seem to like her. Then, after her father became ill, the queen told Minnie that the decision had been made to send her away, but never really gave a reason why. And ever since, she had been shut away in this unused castle. It had been fixed up and the living conditions were all right if not she was used to, but she didn't understand the point. Was there even a point to it?

Small giggles made her look up at a young female duck sitting on a chair, looking down at a small piece of paper. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, and a dreamy smile was on her face.

"So, what did Donald say this time?" the princess said, smiling. The pink tinged feathers immediately flushed red and Daisy quickly crumpled the paper.

"W-why, your highness…" she stammered. "The very idea! I… I…"

The young mouse giggled. Then she sighed softly.

"I'm sorry, Daisy. You shouldn't have to settle for just letters."

Her lady in waiting looked at her sympathetically.

"Minnie," she said gently. "We both know this wasn't your fault, and you know I'd never leave you alone."

The princess looked back out the window sadly. Daisy wasn't the only one here, of course, but she was the only one who spoke more than three words to her. Minnie sighed as she kept looking out at the forest.

If only something would change…

…

Many miles away from the tower, in the kingdom of Anaheim, a yellow dog lay basking peacefully in the palace garden, the golden tag on his red collar shining in the sun. Suddenly three short whistles made his ears perk and his eyes pop open.

"Hey, Pluto! C'mon, boy!"

The dog's tail instantly began wagging as he leaped up and ran toward the owner of the voice. It was another mouse, a young male. He was simply dressed in a plain green tunic, but the gold chain he wore revealed high rank. He laughed as the dog began licking his face happily.

"Hey, take it easy, ol' pal!"

As he scratched Pluto's ears, another voice came from behind him.

"Goin' out again, your highness?"

Grinning, he turned to see a rabbit a few years older than him.

"Y' don't have to call me that, Oswald. Did Mom tell you to ask me or are you just concerned?"

Oswald snorted and crossed his arms, but he was grinning.

"Yeah, right."

He frowned slightly.

"Look, you know she's just worried."

Mickey felt his smile drop and he looked at the ground.

"Well, I… I'm okay. Will be, anyway…"

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Oswald's sympathetic look.

"I miss him too, Mick."

Mickey couldn't help smiling slightly; the familiarity he preferred to the usual way he was treated was very rare. And sometimes he felt like that was the one thing he needed most… just someone to talk to as an equal.

"Thanks, Os."

Oswald smiled and gave his back a playful smack.

"See y' later," he said before dipping his head and turning away. Mickey turned toward the pathway to the forest and whistled again.

"C'mon, Pluto!"

Barking happily, Pluto trotted after him. As the trees closed around them and the sounds of civilization disappeared, Mickey felt a small sense of peace. As they often did these days, his thoughts turned to his father. The grief cut fresh; he'd known his father was very sick, but he'd somehow never really believed that he would…

Mickey sighed heavily, earning a concerned look from Pluto. He smiled and patted the dog's head, then looked up at the path. They had come to the point where the path divided into several others.

"Well, which way, boy?" he asked. Pluto frowned as he examined each path very carefully. Finally, he walked to a path that slightly overgrown from little use and struck a pointer pose. Mickey chuckled as he followed.

"That one, huh? Well, guess I'm in the mood for some adventure!"

…

Minnie shifted on the window seat, still gazing out at the trees. She found herself thinking about the people beyond them, wondering what they were doing. Either way their day was undoubtedly more interesting than hers.

A flash of movement caught her eye and she immediately sat up, wondering if it was a deer. She didn't see many forest animals, considering where she was. But as Minnie tried to see, the animal suddenly burst from the forest. She blinked in surprise; it was a dog, and though she was high from the ground, she could see the flash of a collar.

Who could he belong to?

Her question was quickly answered as a second figure moved out from the cover of the forest. Almost right away, she gasped. The male mouse below looked at the castle with extreme curiosity, stepping closer.

In her excitement Minnie almost called out to him, but quickly stopped herself. She glanced back at Daisy, who was amorously engrossed in her letter again. She was a wonderful friend, but like any good lady in waiting, she was very protective and there was no guarantee she wouldn't raise the alarm at the mere sight of a man.

So Minnie just continued to drink him in with her eyes, silently hoping that he would see her. Suddenly his head turned, and her eyes met his. Even from this distance, she saw them widen.

A tingle suddenly started in her chest and traveled down to her toes, making them curl in her soft shoes. The mouse opened his mouth as if to call up, but Minnie quickly shook her head, placing a finger to her lips. He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. The dog sat beside him, his head cocked curiously as he looked between the mice.

The male mouse scratched his head, then brightened and opened his mouth again, but this time he spoke silently, pronouncing each word clearly.

You all right?

Minnie felt a slight blush heat her cheeks and nodded, smiling shyly. She didn't want to risk mouthing back in case Daisy noticed. So she continued to watch him, and he did the same with her. His face showed the same fascination that she felt, and she wondered what he was thinking about her. She herself was sure she'd never seen anyone so handsome, and found herself trying to discern the color of his eyes.

All of a sudden, Daisy's voice reached her ears.

"I'll be back in a minute, your highness."

Minnie shook her head, feeling as if she'd been awakened from a light sleep. She was startled by how low the sun was; how long had it been?

"Oh… y-yes, yes, of course," she stammered, but Daisy was already flouncing from the room, sighing blissfully as she held her letter to her chest. Minnie sighed in relief, and turned back to the male mouse below. Her look must been clear, because he visibly drooped with disappointment and nodded. He pointed at himself, then at the ground and clearly mouthed 'tomorrow'. Minnie giggled and nodded.

Yes, she mouthed. The mouse perked up so cheerfully that she couldn't help giggling again. Drawing himself up, he bowed gracefully and smiled up at her. Minnie blushed and curtsied in return. She watched him until he disappeared into the trees, and found herself hoping tomorrow came quickly.