The morning sun rays beamed softly through the window, resting on Yvaine's eye, she woke to find a man half flopping off the bed. Then she remembered about the night before, she quickly got up (being careful not to wake him) and adjusted her hair in the mirror conveniently hung on the wall, she forgot about keeping the noise and movement to a minimum and jumped quite forcefully back into bed. "Ugh" Septimus grunted pushing himself back onto the bed and lying on his back "Morning" He smiled "I forgot about this happening" He brushed his hair off his face, and rubbed his eye.

"You know, that was the first time I've managed to sleep at night" Yvaine smiled snuggling under Septimus' arm.

"Well then, I think that deserves some sort of recognition don't you?" Septimus tilted his head round to look at Yvaine. "I agree" Yvaine beamed brightly "How about a kiss?"

"Perfect" Septimus softly kissed Yvaine. Outside a faint bell could be heard, accompanied with the songs of some very weird birds, both in looks and sound. The bell seemed to dong about 9 times "I better get up" Septimus sighed looking toward the window.

"Do you have to?" Yvaine ruffled his messy hair.

"I am King, it's a life with many benefits but one negative is I actually have duties now" He stretched, his tummy rumbled "Time for breakfast I guess" He got out of bed pulling his socks and breeches on, stumbling a couple of times. He slipped his shirt on and then his jacket. "You coming?"

"Mmm? Yeah." Yvaine answered, slightly dazed as she was mid-stretching. "In the same place as last night?"

"No, the front room, with the fire place and books." He noticed her lost expression "Just get the guard outside the door to show you down" He smiled leaving the room. Yvaine relaxed back in the bed, looking out the window. Although it was morning, winter was on its way so the stars were slightly visible. To us, the stars would just look like they always do, a light in the sky, but to Yvaine she saw her family and home. "Right" She mumbled pulling the covers off. First stage of getting up accomplished "It's harder waking up in a comfy bed" She thought as she contemplated just staying beneath the soft puffy covers instead of getting up for a breakfast she wouldn't even eat. But she continued to push herself off the bed and adjusted her dress and hair. "Hello?" She poked her head outside the door. "Morning ma'am, would you like some guidance going to breakfast?" The guard tilted his head down as a subtle bow. "If you don't mind, thank you." Yvaine smiled closing the door behind her. They walked down corridors she didn't even recognise, making her grateful for the guard's company. "He's different this morning" The guard half mumbled.

"Septimus?" Yvaine turned to the Guard, surprised at him speaking.

"Yes Ma'am" He nodded once.

"In what way?" Yvaine was intrigued, was the guard hinting it was because of her?

"He's happy" The guard smiled "Which makes things easier for everyone around here."

"I'm sure it does" Yvaine agreed "Do you mean to tell me that he wasn't already a happy chappy? He seemed so sprightly and giddy" She sarcastically sniggered.

"Surprisingly, no." The Guard chuckled, it was probably the first time he'd been able to talk frankly about the King to anyone (except the other guards, but those conversations were more often filled with moaning). They came to the grand staircase that Yvaine did remember.

"Aah, I know these stairs, I can find my way from here, thank you ... um?" Yvaine realised his name hadn't been mentioned.

"Gideon" He added for her.

"Well then, thank you Gideon" She smiled

"My pleasure Ma'am" He smiled giving her another subtle bow. She made her way down the stairs and to the dark wooden door across the empty greeting hall. Should she knock? Naah. She pushed the door open finding Septimus relaxed back in one of the red velvet arm chairs, by the lit fire. He had a small table in front of him with piles of toast on and a butter dish. "You going to sit or just stand there?" He laughed turning round to look at her. Yvaine smiled, plonking down in the adjacent chair. "This is cosy" She sighed lifting her foot up to the heat of the fire.

"Toast?" Septimus raised his eyebrows pointing to the table.

"I'm fine for now thanks" She leant forward looking at the surplus amount of bread.

"Not hungry? I'm starving." Septimus sounded surprised as he spread butter on a slice, the toast was still hot, and as the butter coated the bread it went from a yellow fluffy cream to a golden liquid in seconds.

"Nope, not ever, really" She leant back in the chair, folding her legs up under her.

"Huh?" Septimus grunted, the most he could struggle to say with a mouthful of toast. He quickly swallowed "What do you mean?" He asked sucking butter off his thumb.

"I'm a star" She said in blunt tone hoping the rest would be obvious.

"REALLY. Never knew that." He gasped. Yvaine threw her cushion at him lightly. "No, no I'm sorry, what do you mean?" His laugh grew softer as he composed himself.

"I don't know why, but stars don't get hungry" She leant forward, pulling her cushion off his lap.

"Oh right" He nodded "More for me" He sighed picking up another slice and giving Yvaine a wink.

They sat there relaxing by the fire for over an hour. "Right, we better get ready" Septimus took a sudden breath in as he sat upright.

"Ready for what?" Yvaine asked sitting up too.

"The hunt" He stretched. "Do you fancy joining me?" Yvaine had never hunted before, but how hard could it be.

"Let's go! Sounds fun." She nodded, standing up. Septimus showed her down to the armoury. He threw her some more suitable clothes, which consisted of some dark brown trousers and a dark green linen shirt, she tucked the shirt in to make it more flattering and tucked her trouser ends into a pair of brown leather boots. "Take your pick of the guns" He said gesturing towards the large chunky wooden table in the middle of the room that had many varieties of guns led out neatly upon it. Yvaine couldn't chose, she had no idea what she was looking for, but she didn't want to seem too novice at even choosing a gun, she was going to be hopeless at firing it, so she might as well look confident choosing one. Septimus was knelt over in the corner putting his boots and gloves on. There were many different kinds, short range pistols, long heavy rifles and many in between kinds. She picked up one of the longer rifles, it had gold embellishment fitted on the butt of the gun and looked to be made out of mahogany. "This one will suit me" She smiled pleased with her choice.

"Good choice" Septimus sounded impressed, getting up and walking over. "That one was Una's gun" He smiled. Yvaine remembered the letter.

"Oh right" She put the gun down.

"You can use it" He smiled "She wouldn't mind at all. We used to go out and catch lunch, our father Una and I. She was a good shot, maybe the gun's a good one!"

"Or maybe Una was a good shot never mind the gun" Yvaine picked up the gun "But I'm guessing you wouldn't want to admit that" She nudged him in the side lightly.

"Well let's see how you do with it" He challenged, lightly laughing.