A/N: Okay, I NEVER update one story twice in such a short amount of time, but once I was done with the last chapter, inspiration struck again. After dictating over half of this chapter to myself while in the shower (NOT an easy task remembering it all, I'll have you know) I wrote it all down and did my best to make it presentable. So, here we are.

YE BE WARNED: THAR BE FLUFF AND MUSH UP AHEAD.

(Disclaimer: These Author's notes were written at midnight. Uncharacteristic deviation from traditional ramblings may occur.)

Chapter 4

The King's Blessing

The banquet that night had been a wonderful reunion for everyone, and the food had been delicious. All were in for a special treat when Master Chubb and his protégé Jenny collaborated to feed the masses of people that night in Castle Araluen. The food grew increasingly better as the two chefs competed against each other throughout the night.

But more than anything, the atmosphere was one of pure delight. The return of his daughter, one his best knights, best advisors, and the two best rangers in the Corps put King Duncan in such a good mood, he could hardly stop smiling. And the rest of the court reflected the demeanor of their king, laughing and well-wishing and have a generally, all-around good time. Time seemed to fly, and soon, it was past midnight. Many were filing out of the great hall reluctantly, off to sleep after the memorable celebration.

As Horace explained to Gilan how Will's name had become Chocho (much to the chagrin of a sulking Will) Cassandra sat quietly, her eyes staring off at nothing in particular, her brow just slightly furrowed in thought.

"Cassie, what are you thinking about?" Duncan came to sit next to his daughter.

She shook herself out of her reverie and smiled at him. "Nothing," she insisted.

He tilted his head, unconvinced. "There's something you're not telling me. What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, father." He frowned at her use of 'father', instead of the usual 'daddy'. After moment or two, when she continued to feel his eyes boring into her, she turned to him. "Daddy, really, nothing's wrong. There is something I need to tell you, but not now. I'll tell you tomorrow, I promise."

Duncan frowned at her secrecy, but consented. "Very well. Just don't keep me waiting." He laid a kiss to her temple. "Come to my study tomorrow?"

"Of course, daddy," She promised, trying not to let on how nervous she was, now.

Later, just before everyone left, Cassandra caught Horace's sleeve and whispered in his ear, "My father wants to see us tomorrow in his study."

Horace pulled back, a bit surprised. "You told him?" He asked. Cassandra shook her head.

"No, not yet. Actually, he doesn't know that you'll be there with me," she looked down guiltily, "but I want you to be with me when I tell him. Can you be ready by eleven o'clock tomorrow?

Horace nodded. "Well, as ready as I'll ever be." He said.

She smiled. "Thank you, Horace," she had to stand on tip-toes to kiss his cheek, and then she was gone. Horace took a deep breath as he headed off to his private quarters, wondering what on earth tomorrow would bring.

The following pre-noon, Duncan was in his study as he was every morning, looking over various official documents. He didn't plan to delve too deeply into his work – this was a time to celebrate over his daughter's successful mission and safe return. Baronies could wait until next week. Cassandra had told him at breakfast that she'd come to his study to speak with him before noon. Whatever it was that she needed to tell him, Duncan gathered that it was a touchy subject – she had seemed rather nervous when she spoke with him. However, as he sat at his large oak desk, Duncan didn't know exactly what she wanted to tell him.

When his secretary came in to tell him that his daughter was waiting outside to see him, he still didn't know what was going on, and in the time it took for Cassandra to reach the door, he still hadn't figured it out.

But when she walked into the room with Horace, her hand tightly laced in his, Duncan suddenly got the feeling that this matter was much more than he had expected. He suddenly remembered seeing Will and Halt cast strange glances at Horace and Cassandra the previous night. He remembered how agonized Cassandra was when she'd learned that Horace had gone missing. He recalled how close Cassandra and Horace had become. How they had become such good friends. How she was always the first to welcome him home after a long campaign. How he always found time amidst his training and responsibilities to visit her. How obvious it was that they were in love.

And now, as Duncan saw his daughter standing before him, holding the hand of her Champion tightly in her own, looking at her father with a determined confidence and just a hint of nervousness, King Duncan suddenly knew exactly what was about to happen.

After the door shut behind them, Cassandra swallowed hard, and, after a long, tense moment, spoke.

"Father," She said, and paused. She took several deep breaths before continuing. "On our way home from Nihon-Ja, Horace asked me to marry him." She told him plainly. "And I said yes."

For the nervous young couple, the most alarming part about Duncan's reaction was that he had no reaction. He didn't say anything – he didn't even blink. He just stared at them for a moment, and then looked away towards the window, running a hand over his mouth and gathering his thoughts. It was several minutes before he even looked back at them.

"I see." Duncan said eventually, turning back towards his daughter and the knight who was apparently now her fiancé. "Well, in that case, perhaps I should have a discussion with Sir Horace. Alone." Duncan gave Cassandra a pointed look. Under normal circumstances, she would have protested against being left out of the conversation, but she knew how delicate this situation was. Obediently, she nodded and backed out of the room, casting one last glance over her shoulder as she left. Once she was gone, Duncan turned his gaze to Horace. "Please, sit." He gestured to a chair that sat across the desk from where Duncan was sitting.

Horace quietly sat down, his shoulders and back tight, his throat dry. His heart was beating against his ribcage like a hammer on anvil, and he wondered if the King could hear it. Horace's mind was burning with anxiety. Should he say something? Would Duncan say something? What would he say? Did Duncan expect Horace to speak first? The young knight quickly went through his options, weighing the possible consequences in his head.

Meanwhile, Duncan was gathering his own thoughts. What should he say to this young man? Horace was a personal friend, not just some suitor who had become infatuated with his daughter. He had to take this seriously – especially since Cassandra had already accepted his proposal. Did Duncan have the heart to crush his daughter's spirit? The King sighed, gathered his thoughts, and moved to speak. But before he could, Horace broke the silence.

"Your Majesty," The knight said quickly, and Duncan got the feeling that he'd decided he was going to speak just seconds ago. "I am sorry that this is happening so suddenly. I should never have proposed to Cassandra without your permission, and the fact that I did is something for which I give you my deepest apologies."

Duncan studied him for a tense minute. "Apology accepted." He said at length, and then, with a slight tilt of the head, indicated that Horace should continue. The knight took a shaky breath.

"Cassandra and I have been close friends for many years. But while I was in Nihon-Ja, I came to realize just how important she is to me. For however capable people may think I am, I'm not always sure of what I'm doing. But Cassandra always seems to put me in the right direction, and always helps me sort things through. I've grown to need her there by my side to help me, and in the same way, I want to be able to be there for her and look after her and care for her for as long as I am able." Horace paused again, and tried to gauge Duncan's expression. The king remained unreadable, so Horace stopped trying and plowed on. "And although I am and have been her Champion for several years now, as things stand I can't always be there. Many times, I'm not allowed to be there for her. Sometime while I was away in Nihon-Ja, I realized that if I didn't make my feelings known, Cassandra would eventually marry someone else, and I wouldn't be the one to protect her. She wouldn't be able to be with me all the time, or help me like she does now. Likewise, I wouldn't be able to be there for her when she needs me. And I couldn't accept that." Horace swallowed, and looked up at his king. "That is why I asked Cassandra to marry me."

Duncan nodded thoughtfully after a moment of digesting Horace's words. "You've thought this through, haven't you?" He asked the young knight.

Horace's nervousness wavered and he smiled. "Yes, your Majesty," He said, "I've been thinking it through for quite some time, actually." He said.

Duncan nodded again, paused, and then said, "Horace, you love my daughter." It was phrased as a statement, not a question, but nevertheless, Horace stopped to ponder the idea. In his heart of hearts, he already knew what the answer was. But he considered all of the factors and emotions anyway, and eventually, he looked up at Duncan.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I do. I love her very much."

And in his honest blue eyes, Duncan saw that he was telling the whole truth. "I see." Duncan said. The King smiled sadly, and looked down at his desk. "You know," He told Horace, "even when Cassandra was a little girl, I knew this day would come eventually."

Horace looked slightly confused. "The day when a man would ask for Cassandra's hand?"

Duncan shook his head, "Oh, no, not that. Actually, there have been several men who have already asked for her hand. No, I was referring to the day when a young man would come into my study, ask my permission to marry my daughter," Duncan paused, and then let a smile cross his face. "and I would end up saying yes."

There was a brief moment as Horace's mind caught up with the conversation. "Y-you mean that you're giving me your permission to marry Cassandra?" He asked, taken aback.

Duncan nodded. "I see absolutely no reason why I shouldn't. Do you?" He raised an eyebrow at the young knight.

Horace's mouth opened and closed several times before he actually spoke. He had been fully prepared and expectant of a conversation that brought up Horace's peasant background and lack of noble birth, which should have eliminated him from Duncan's consideration for Cassandra's potential husband. But now that Duncan hadn't even mentioned it, Horace felt as though there was a large hole in the conversation that was still waiting to be addressed.

"Um, Your Majesty," Horace blinked, "I mean no offense by this, and I do not wish to worsen my own case by bringing it up, but… Well, I'm not exactly of a noble background, Sire." He looked meaningfully at Duncan, but the King just smiled.

"Horace," He said, "I've been King of this country for nearly thirty years. I've seen every kind of king, prince, baron, lord, knight and commander that you could possibly imagine. All of them claim to be of noble blood. But if I've learned one thing in my reign, Horace, it's that nobility has absolutely nothing to do with blood or birth. Nobility is a measure of character, strength, and spirit. And you, Horace," Duncan inclined his head at the knight, "are one of the noblest men that I know."

There was a silent moment after that while Horace tried to speak. "Y-Your Majesty, I…" He tried to wrap his head around the fact that the king, his king, had called him noble. The noblest man he knew. Strong character. Spirit. And he'd granted Horace permission to marry the princess. "I… I don't know what to say." Horace eventually finished lamely.

Duncan seemed unsurprised. "It's odd how that works, isn't it? The moments when our mouths fail us always seem to be the most important moments of our lives." He gave Horace one more evaluative look. "You are a good man, Horace. I could ask for no better a man to care for my daughter. All I ask is that you love her, help her, and protect her as long as you are alive."

Horace managed to return his smile. "I would like nothing more than to do just that, Your Majesty."

Duncan nodded. "Very well." He looked towards the door, and raised his voice so that he would be heard through the door. "Cassandra," He called, "You can come back in, now."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than did she swing the door open. Duncan gestured her over to his desk. She let the door shut behind her, and walked quickly over to where her father and Horace sat.

"Please sit down." Duncan said. Cassandra remained standing.

"Well?" She demanded, throwing decorum to the wind. "Can or can't we?" She glanced at Horace, and then back at her father.

Duncan paused, hiding a smile. Horace now realized that the king was merely torturing Cassandra with his silence. "Cassie," He began, his tone ambiguous. Horace hoped that Cassandra had remembered to breathe. Before the princess could pass out, Duncan finished, "of course you marry each other."

The king hadn't heard his daughter squeal quite so loudly with that much enthusiasm since she was a young girl. She threw her arms around Horace, and taken by surprise as he was, the knight did his best to return the embrace. The king just smiled and watched. He gave the couple a moment to themselves, but after Cassandra was done squealing, he went into business mode.

"Alright, settle down now. As joyous as an occasion this is, there's more to it than just receiving my permission. In fact, as excited as I'm sure both of you are, I'm afraid that you can't get married right away." As he said it, Cassandra took a seat, and the now-engaged couple shared looks of confusion.

"And why not?" Cassandra asked.

Duncan sighed. "Unfortunately, we're royalty. And nothing is ever that simple with royalty."

This answer seemed to shut up Cassandra, who moped where she sat, but Horace still didn't quite understand.

"Pardon me, your Majesty, but I'm not quite sure that I understand. What is it that is preventing us from being married?" Horace felt as though it was a silly question, but Duncan seemed to think it a completely legitimate point.

"Well, the royal families of many governments – like those you might find in Hibernia or Gallica or other such countries – often arrange royal marriages for the sake of treaties to prevent war and strife. The Araluan royal family has never been the kind to marry into alliances and agreements – usually we are able to achieve those contracts on paper, not at the altar. However, if the two of you were to suddenly be married, especially after you've just returned from a long absence in a foreign country, Horace, people are bound to assume that it's some sort of agreement between Araluen and Nihon-Ja, or something equally as vague, all in a measure to prevent war. And controversy like that is never easy to clean up, especially among the court."

Duncan took a breath, and then continued. "Of course, the political scene is only half of it. If the princess was to suddenly marry her Champion, most people will probably assume some sort of scandal. Courtship usually precedes marriage in any noble station, and for royalty it is all but required. If you were to be married having never properly courted each other, people will begin to assume all sorts of scandalous things. Some may think that you've been involved in an affair, and I found you out and forced you to marry. Some people may assume that you're eloping without my permission. And some people may think…" Duncan paused and looked away uncomfortably. "Well, how do I put this? Some people may think that I am prematurely becoming a grandfather."

They all blushed at that.

"The point is," the King said, "that you can't simply be married when you wish. There are things that must be considered first, for my sake as well as your own."

"And… What do you propose we do?" Cassandra asked.

"Well," Duncan said, "I must admit that you've caught me quite off guard with the timing of this whole thing." He glanced at Horace when he said it. "But, I think the best plan for now is to announce your relationship as a courtship – not an engagement."

"You think that will help?" Horace asked.

Duncan nodded. "Indeed. Courtship is much more conventional before marriage, and thus, the court will be more accustomed to it. It will give us time to nip any rumors or talk of controversy and scandal in the bud, and it will give you," he looked pointedly at Horace, "time to prove to the rest of the court that you are up to the responsibility that comes with an engagement to the princess." He nodded at Cassandra.

As the young knight and princess absorbed this, the King sat back in his chair. "If you were to formally court each other for, say, three months, at the very least, it would give us all time to accustom you to the court and present the idea of your relationship to the skeptical masses, so when the time comes, no one will whisper and gossip about the nature of your marriage. Besides," Duncan added, "There is much to plan if there is going to be a wedding in my house. Invitations, guest lists, decorations, venues, food, accommodations, formal documents, ceremonies, wardrobes, not to mention the fact that you two will need to have wedding bands made, and many of our guests will have to travel a long way to get here." The king sighed. "All in all, it will be a royal nightmare, in a very literal sense."

Cassandra and Horace looked at each other uneasily.

"In the end, it will all be for the better." Duncan reassured them. "But until then, I apologize for the fact that planning a royal marriage is anything but simple."

"And… When do you think we should announce our courtship?" Horace ventured.

Duncan's eyebrows rose as he considered the idea. "Well," He said, "If you are not against the idea, we have the perfect opportunity to do so tonight. I have already planned a large celebration for the success of your mission – I suppose that the announcement would fit in well with such an occasion.

"Tonight?" Cassandra repeated. "You mean to say, by tonight, Horace and I could be officially considered as a couple?" She asked

Duncan smiled at her, recognizing the strange feminine joy she found in the prospect. "Yes, Cassie."

She smiled with a trill of victory, and latched on to Horace's arm. "I say yes," she said, looking up to him for his opinion.

He shrugged. "Well, yes it is, then." He couldn't help but smile at her blatant enthusiasm.

Then it was settled. The Princess and her Champion; officially a romantic couple.

Duncan rose from where he sat. "Now, Horace, if you would, do you think you could spare me a moment with my daughter?"

Horace nodded. "Of course, your Majesty." He smiled and the two shook hands, a new understanding in their eyes, and Horace turned to leave. Just before he was out the door, Duncan stopped him.

"Horace," he said, and the knight turned around.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

Duncan shook his head. "You know… If you truly are going to be part of my family, there's really no reason to keep up with this 'your Majesty' nonsense. A simple 'sir' will suffice perfectly fine." He smiled.

Horace blinked, and then nodded. "Of course, your-" He stopped and shook himself. "I mean, sir." The word tasted strange, directed at Duncan, but the King seemed pleased. Horace smiled, bid the two royals good day, and left. Halfway down the corridor, Horace suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His brain was just now catching up to all that had happened in the past two hours. In that moment, the realization hit home hard. He'd just asked the King for permission to marry the princess. And, even crazier, the king had said yes. Horace blinked. He'd said yes. Yes. Slowly, a grin spread over his face, and the knight could barely contain his glee as he walked back to his quarters. It was just after he'd shut his door when the full-force of this new realization hit Horace head-on.

He was getting married. He was getting married to Cassandra.

For days later, the maid who passed by Horace's door at that particular moment was still trying to decipher the meaning behind the whoops and hollers of joy coming from the Royal Champion's suite.

She never did quite figure it out.

A/N: WHY AM I WRITING SUCH A FLUFFY SAPPY ROMANCE? I AM NOT A SAPPY ROMANTIC, I SWEAR.

…Okay, maybe just a little bit of one.

…Just a little.

I'm sorry for updating this AGAIN instead of Revenge AGAIN. I'm horrible. Send angry PMs if you like. It's not as if I'm getting paid for this.

Anyway… R&R will be rewarded with more fluffy romantic chapters, a few non-fluffy romantic chapters, and perhaps a happy review reply from yours truly. So, Read&Review away!