AN: So gone for more than a year and this is what I come back with (i'm so sorry) To anyone still hanging around here, Welcome back! I've been extremely busy between moving and changing schools and graduating, it was awful. But it's summer now and I can get this all done without dying in the process. Anyway, I leave you with this awfully short new entry, and this time it won't be long until the next one. I really enjoy this story and I hope you guys do too.

- Emmie

Clopin had seen one too many sunsets in his life. He had always found them to be anything but special. They usually signaled the end of the workday, the time to close up and head back home before dark. But this one was different, like the kind one would see out of a vision, only this time there was nowhere to go. It reminded him of a painting in Corinne's bedroom, portraying a setting quite like this one. He lifted his gaze to a pair of pigeons flying into it, and thought it was exactly what he wanted to do. Fly into the sunset. Be free again. He sighed and closed his eyes, wishing he could be somewhere else.

For a brief moment, he could see himself back at the Court. He pictured the scene of his daily routine: He'd make his way to bed, passing through the colorful display of his people's work. The elders would talk of their crafts and sales, kids would be pulled into their tents and put to bed, young men would begin their night watch, securing the entrance, and beautiful women would wish him a good night's sleep - not that he ever got a any. He liked to stop by Jaelle's tent and wish her goodnight, reminding her of their next outing. Her jewelry would be taken off, along with her colorful outfit and captivating accessories. Somehow, he found it to be a relaxing sight. Another detour to make sure Theo's fires were extinguished. Lastly, he would take over one post in the night watch and send a young fellow back to his tent. Most of his nights ended up this way. When he eventually gave in to sleep, it was Aldric's job to carry him back to the King's tent.

Another sigh. What he had known for his entire life now seemed so far out of reach. He rubbed his neck and focused on the sky's last glimpses of light. Only when he heard her did he react.

"Well, wasn't that loud."

He lifted his head and spotted Corinne sitting on a gargoyle one level higher than his own. "Mademoiselle Corinne! Get down here, or - "

"Or what? Oh yes, wouldn't want poor princess Corinne to scratch a knee," she laughed as she climbed with an agility Clopin would not have expected from a princess. He dropped to the floor next to her, both standing on the balcony of the main room.

"If I may, what were you do-"

"You were in my spot."

"What?"

She pointed to the gargoyle in which he was sitting and explained, "I come here often before dark to watch the sunset. What's your excuse?"

He paused. "Up in a gargoyle?"

"You're one to judge."

"I'm just surprised. Couldn't find some guards to sit on?"

"It's hardly worth the trouble."

Deep down, he thought it to be a little unsettling. He turned to her hands and reached for her right. He opened it up, revealing a slightly cut and bruised palm. "You should be more careful. You could get hurt."

"I've been doing this since I was a kid," she assured him, "I doubt it."

"What has gotten into you? You've been doing all these… things since the night of the ball."

"I don't understand," she admitted. This was surprising. Clopin seldom talked seriously about something, and this tone of concern in his voice was more than unfamiliar to her.

"You keep putting yourself in these situations. Late nights, unnecessary scenes, extending our meetings to spend more time with me, a gypsy, if you're in need of a reminder. It could get a bit suspicious. And don't think I haven't noticed you following me on my few allowed outings," he explained.

"How did you - "

"Don't get me wrong, I would normally like that, but if you keep this up, you could get me and my friends killed."

Corinne nodded and lowered her head in defeat. "Alright, alright… it defies my father, which is always amusing to some degree."

"So that's it? For fun? You're being reckless, which is always stupid to some degree. Trust me, I know about stupid."

"And here I thought I was being perfectly sneaky," she bowed her head and finally gave in. She could see it now. She had been selfish, putting his life in danger along with hers. Way to go, princess. Are you always this sensitive?, she thought. "I am deeply sorry. I did not wish to cause you any harm."

Clopin sighed and turned, facing the sunset. "I was ready to take you for a spy," he smiled for himself and let out a short laugh, "But then I assumed that maybe you're just dying to see where I live."

And he knew he was right, for Corinne's face lit up at the very mention. "You would take me there?"

"That is why you followed me, isn't it? Try to find out where it was and take a peek?" he asked.

"I figured out asking nicely wouldn't do the trick,"

"Absolutely not,"

"Well, I am willing to bet you're dying to show me as well," she said.

Now, that he did not expect. Much to his surprise, she had seen right through him. There would often be times when Clopin would daydream of that moment, when he would show Corinne all he really was. But that was merely a secret, one which he intended to keep for a long time. "W-What would give you such a daft idea?"

"Think about it," Corinne answered, "If you were really that bothered, you would have called me out sooner."

Clopin trembled. Clever girl. He let out an unexpected laugh, leaving a puzzled expression on her face. "Must be nice being right all the time."

"Oh, I wouldn't know. Whether I get what I want or not is still up to you," she smiled rather devilishly, and dared to look straight into his eyes.

He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. He took a quick look at Corinne's body. She was closer than he would have anticipated, or even liked, to be honest. Clopin had felt quite paranoid those last days, thinking about what his royal pain would say if he'd found out what they've been up to. He wondered how good the King was with picking a scent, thinking he had probably made "gypsy" his specialty, and pictured himself in real trouble if he happened to pick it up from his daughter.

But tonight's desire was stronger than intended. He wanted to show her. He wanted her to be closer. So he sighed and admitted a terrible defeat. "I'm due for a visit today, actually," He offered his hand to the princess. "Up for it?"

She felt she smiled as big as she could. "Lead the way."

They headed out when the dark set in. It wasn't long before Clopin suggested they climbed down from Corinne's room. The halls were infested with guards, not to mention the enormous soldiers placed outside Corinne's door after her last talk with the King. Slim as he was, Clopin found himself able to carry Corinne on his back as they went down, and after a few minutes, they made it to the floor. She showed him to a path she had used for years, which neither the soldiers nor her father had bothered to check. After a few minutes of wondering through the dark, they reached the city streets. They both slowed down to take in their surroundings. Clopin often turned to gaze in awe at the princess, who laughed and sprinted with every light and sound. He figured she hadn't been out in a long time, which made him even more excited to show her around.

The way to the Court of Miracles was no short trip, and there was no way to avoid the features of the city. Along the way, they began with small talk, often commenting on what they saw here and there. She once dared to ask about his family as a mother and child crossed their way.

"Did you have any?" She asked as politely as she could.

Clopin felt reluctant. He didn't remember his father, so he told Corinne what he could about his mother. He talked about how she taught him of music and art, how she used to dance for people on the streets, how she gave him his first mask and how they made Petite Clopin, his trusted puppet, together.

She reached for him when he had finished. Se felt, in a sort of way, that she could sympathize. Her mother had left for no apparent reason when she was very young. They had discovered months later that she had been taken by gypsies to make a profit, making her father enraged with their kind.

"So there's the root of all royal madness," he laughed.

"I don't believe it's true," she answered.

"Why not? We have the reputation, after all."

"My father has always loved to exaggerate. I wouldn't doubt that he was looking for the first chance he had to blame you."

"You're oddly confident of our innocence… For that you have our thanks, your Highness." The tip of the hat and a little bow for a jest. She laughed faintly at his big gestures.

As they got closer, Clopin made sure he took good care of what he was doing. He was, after all, inviting royalty into his home. But Corinne's very self made him rethink. He could trust her. He could certainly not trust her father. Taking precautions was imminent.

"This way," he said quietly, taking her into a dark part of the graveyard, where the entrance was waiting. He reached the tomb, opened the lid and stepped inside. "Mademoiselle," he offered his hand and led her in.

Once in, Corinne felt the rush of her senses going wild. The smell was foul, the cold formed goosebumps on her skin, and her eyes struggled to adjust with the darkness.

"Trust me, it gets better." She heard him say.

She pulled her dress up above her ankles, preventing it from getting it wet. With one free hand she grabbed onto Clopin's shoulder, balancing herself and trying not to fall into the dark waters.

Still so delicate, he thought. He took her hand and pointed forward. "There," he said, pulling her in. The end of the tunnel gave a dim light, and the princess felt her heart skip a beat. "Step," he instructed her from behind. Her small heels touched the hard floor again. Like a moth to a flame, she accelerated her pace, hungry for whatever it was that waited for her at the end of that tunnel.

"Hold it, princess. I'll go in first," he said, grabbing a light hold on her shoulder, "We don't want to have a deadly accident, do we?"

"What? What do you mean, deadly?"

"Well, you are the first outsider to ever be allowed on these grounds by choice, and let's just say most of our people are not all royalty lovers like I am… In a way, I'm leaving everyone's reactions to luck."

"W-Well, then maybe this is not such a good id - "

"No one will touch you unless I say so. I promise you that," he said. He dared to run his finger through her dark curls and caught her attention. "But you are getting what you asked for, and you'll just have to trust me."

She turned to the light and felt the cold shivers run down her spine. She had what she'd been wanting right in front of her, and she certainly would not let it go. Running away now after all their troubles - not to mention being marked forever as a coward - would not do. "… We can always turn back," Clopin suggested.

She scoffed and pulled off a smile, "Don't be ridiculous," she replied, "Who bails on the most exciting night of their lives?"

She gave him a small nod and pulled her hand closer, brushing her fingers against his. Clopin felt a small gasp forming inside him, and slowly pulled back, pretending not to notice. His eyes fell on Corrine's face, faintly illuminated by the tunnel's dim light. "I'm ready," she murmured softly.

"Then welcome… to the Court of Miracles."

AN: To all the readers who still follow this piece of whatever it is, thank you so very much. I'll try my best to make this even more enjoyable for you guys. Comments and reviews are welcome and I am always open for opinions and suggestions. Until next time! c: