A/N: I'm back! I'm really sorry for all of you who asked me to keep this going. I don't really think it's that good, but I feel guilty for never writing. So, here goes.

Rianne's POV

I walked through the grand hall quickly, my slippered feet making soft shushing noises on the stone floor. Doors lined the hall on both sides, a beautiful marble staircase winding up towards the second story. I stepped lightly into the hall and headed for the small door marked "latrines". Holding my nose, I entered and shut the door firmly behind me. Pulling a maid's dress and cap from within the folds of my voluminous skirts, I began my transformation from conspicuous party guest to invisible servant scum. Opening the door just a crack to make sure the coast was clear, I walked calmly out of the latrines.

I glanced at the marble staircase rising majestically before me, and couldn't help but smirk. There really wasn't a better give-away than a marble staircase. It practically screamed "Royal Family's Quarters This Way!" I lifted my skirts and took the stairs two at a time, glancing over my shoulder as I went. This was no time to get complacent. The stairs opened onto a landing. I pressed my back up against the wall, poking my head cautiously around the corner. I wasn't about to get this far only to be caught unawares by an idle servant. The hallway was empty. I spotted a deep green door to my right and crossed the hall quickly. The hour was late, and anyway, the lock pick was fairly burning a hole through my pocket.

I frowned. I'd sewn that pocket on myself. Really, noble women had no practicality. Where were you supposed to keep your dagger? Of course, you could always keep it in a long boot or strapped to the side, but it wasn't entirely comfortable. I gave my head a shake. I really needed to work on focusing.

I jammed the small bit of crooked wire into the lock and jiggled experimentally. Hmmm. Not very secure for a palace. I gave the wire a firm twist, opening the door easily. I'd been in many grand houses in my shady career, but I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my throat.

I'd never seen anything so grand. The royal suite was done up entirely in shades of blue, ranging from a deep navy to the shade of a robin's egg. Thick carpets lay strewn about solid oak floors, no doubt worth a king's ransom. A huge canopied bed, big enough to hold any number of people, lay in the middle of the room, flaunted by an equally large maple wardrobe. Priceless paintings hung on the walls; each so beautiful I'd gladly spend forever and a day just admiring them. Five wonderfully overstuffed chairs sat proudly about the room. The largest, a leather wing-back, lay before an expansive fireplace, a small settee snuggled intimately at its elbow. Book cases lined the walls, filled nearly to bursting with leather-backed tomes. Floor to ceiling windows looked out over the practice yards, dressed handsomely in brocade curtains. A jeweled globe stood proudly atop an ebony writing desk next to a crystal inkpot. Another door lead to what must have been the bathing chamber. I stumbled into the Crown Prince's Bedchamber.

I rifled through the desk drawers, pocketing anything that looked valuable. At last, I found it, the royal purse. I weighed it in my hand and grinned. Definitely worth the effort. I went through the room quickly, stowing my spoils in a large bag I'd found in an open chest, taking everything from hangings to jeweled vases and rings. Seeing the wardrobe, an idea began to take shape in my mind.Oh yes, yes indeed!

I snatched open the doors and rifled quickly through the prince's clothing. Pulling out a hanger at random, I was rewarded with a green silk vest with solid gold buttons and silver trim. Definitely not. The thing screamed royalty. I stuck my head in and kept looking. Bright orange cape with red brocade. Disgusting. His Royal Highness must have been a royal fool to have actually paid money for the atrocity. Blue velvet waistcoat. No. Too… stuffy. Feathered cap. Hmmmm….. No. White silk lace-up shirt. Not bad. I stuffed it into the bag. Black silk breaches. Very nice as well. I smirked. Next time I came to a royal ball, I'd have an escort.

Throwing my now very heavy bag over one shoulder, I walked curiously over to the other door and twisted the knob. Oh, such a glorious bath I'd never seen in my life! The room was made up almost entirely of marble. Black and white and deep crimson. The tub was huge and set into the floor, filled nearly to the brim with steaming water. The Prince must have ordered a bath directly after the Ball. I knew I shouldn't do it. I knew it was unnecessarily foolhardy. But temptation overcame me. Stripping off my ball gown, I sunk gratefully into the deliciously warm tub. I'd not had a proper bath in ages.

A/N: Well, folks, how was that? Please review! Maybe it'll help keep me focused on updating!