"You saw WHAT?"

Pete resisted the urge to roll his eyes, not because he was at all worried about the consequences of doing so but more because he wasn't in the mood for more of his boss's complaining.

"Like I told y', some simple-like runt was hangin' around the place, him n' yer lil' princess were makin' sheep eyes at each other."

He smirked nastily.

"I… heh… asked around, n' turns out she's been spendin' some time alone 'round that time o' day… 'course, it don't look like she's been ALL alone…"

"Enough!" Mortimer snarled. He began pacing around the room, clenching his fists.

"Sounds like some peasant, thinking he can step in on his betters. And here I am, stuck waiting for an invitation from that little minx!"

Pete just stood and watched in amusement, waiting for the order that would no doubt come after this little tantrum. Finally Mortimer stopped ranting and whirled back around to face Pete.

"I want you to get back there tomorrow and take care of it! Wait until she lets him in, then get rid of him!"

Pete's grin grew more sinister.

"N' if he don't go nice n' quiet?"

Mortimer narrowed his eyes.

"Then do whatever you have to, I don't care. Just don't get caught and make sure nobody knows who sent you."

Pete couldn't help chortling; he might not think much, but he could've figured that out himself. Bluebloods always preferred to keep their dirty work as far away from their fancy lives as possible.

…

"Whew! I was startin' to think that reception was gonna go on longer than the real business!"

Mickey smirked at Oswald's complaints as they walked down the hall leading to the council chamber. The official welcome for the two Burbank envoys, Count Sheckels and Sir Basset, had just ended and now they and the council were gathering to begin the meeting.

"I thought ya didn't like the business part either."

"Well, I don't," the rabbit replied. "But I don't see much point in puttin' it off either."

Mickey laughed, shaking his head. suit

"Gotta agree with ya there. But it's something we gotta do, even if it's boring."

Oswald snorted, tugging on the tall collar of his formal tunic.

"Try so boring ya wanna pull off your ears just for somethin' to do."

"Guess it's safe to say ya don't want to sit in on the meeting, then?" Mickey asked with a grin as they reached the chamber's double doors, where Horace and Lillian were already waiting as the last of the council gathered.

Oswald gave him an exaggerated look of horror.

"Oh no… sorry, but you're on your own for that one. I gotta get some air."

He stopped and poked Mickey's chest, grinning.

"But I wanna hear all the details after, got it?"

Mickey grinned back and raised his right hand.

"Got it… promise."

"I'll hold ya to that," Oswald smirked, giving his shoulder a friendly clasp. "Good luck keepin' the peace."

Mickey returned his gesture with a smirk.

"Thanks for keepin' the pressure off," he joked, and Oswald swept a playful bow to him and his mother before heading off. Mickey grinned, then put on his formal face as Horace opened the doors and announced them.

After all the bows and polite greetings, everyone took their seats and the meeting got under way.

"Gentlemen, your Highnesses," Count Sheckels began. "King Marcus sends his regrets that he was unable to come in person, but he has asked us to express his good wishes and warm feelings toward your country, and we also wish to offer both his and our deepest sympathies for King Walter's death. We consider it an honor to finally complete this alliance."

Mickey smiled and nodded; even if Sheckels seemed a little eager to do most of the talking, he could tell the words were genuine.

"Thank you, and I hope you'll express our own good feelings when you return."

He looked at Horace, who was sitting beside the two envoys.

"Horace?"

The minister nodded and took out a roll of paper.

"Before we start discussing a final treaty," Mickey continued. "I think we should review each other's terms to make sure there aren't any disagreements."

"Ah… yes, of course, your Highness." Basset said, picking up another paper. At a nod from Sheckels he handed it to Horace, who proceeded to read each list out loud. Every so often, Mickey noticed Basset and Sheckels glancing at him with impressed looks. He felt bad that Minnie couldn't be here to get some of the credit; she'd helped him review the terms, after all.

No objections were raised on either side, and the talk moved to working out the fine print of the treaty. Mickey couldn't help grinning to himself.

Probably a good thing Os isn't here… poor guy'd be bouncing off the walls.

By the time a draft finally got worked out, Mickey noticed that a lot of the councilors were beginning to shift in their seats. It didn't surprise him; they'd been at this for hours now. For some reason, figuring out the wording seemed to take three times as long as the actual content.

"All right," he said, standing. "I think we've gotten enough done for today. We can meet again tomorrow to finalize everything."

Everyone agreed right away, clearly happy to finally get a break. Mickey glanced out a nearby window and was relieved to see that it was still light. He had to wait until everyone was out, but if it didn't take too long he should have time to see Minnie and let her know everything had worked out; she'd seemed pretty worried about it and he didn't want it to bother her.

Luckily most of the councilors only hesitated for a few words of compliment or a handshake. Basset and Sheckels were the last ones out, after offering further condolences to Queen Lillian.

"Your Highness!" Sheckels said as he and Basset bowed, smiling. "It's been a true pleasure. We're very glad to finally conclude this with one so capable."

Mickey felt his heart leap, and allowed himself a humble smile as he shook their hands.

"Thank you, sirs. I'm glad too."

Sheckels nodded, his smile widening.

"Yes, yes… and perhaps this alliance will gain even more strength soon."

Mickey furrowed his brow slightly, wondering what he was talking about.

"What do you mean?"

Sheckels cocked his head.

"Why, one of your nobles is courting Princess Minerva."

Mickey felt himself freeze at those words, stunned. A strange, sickening feeling began to fill his chest and stomach.

"What?"

Both envoys looked startled, but it was Basset who spoke up for a change.

"He overheard our queen speaking to King Marcus about it not long before we left… is it not official yet?" He gave Sheckels an irritated look. "I told him not to bring it up, but he never listens to me."

Mickey was still struggling to make sense of it. How could he not have heard about this? Why had no one mentioned it during the council meetings? He turned to look at his mother only to find that she looked just as startled.

"Mother, did the council mention that at all?" he asked. Lillian shook her head.

"No, I heard nothing about this… but they wouldn't go so far as to allow it themselves, I'm sure."

Basset's eyes widened.

"Do you mean no one gave permission for a courtship? Who could be so bold as to proceed without it?"

Mickey thought for a moment, running the words through his head, then it came to him. Anger began burning in his chest as he narrowed his eyes.

"Only one guy I know," he growled.

Sheckels cleared his throat, looking anxious.

"I-I do apologize, your Highnesses. I didn't mean to overstep my bounds…"

Mickey shook his head, giving him a slight smile.

"Don't worry about it. In fact, I'm glad you told us."

Sheckels sighed in relief as Basset bowed.

"Thank you, your Highness. Please let us know if there's any way we can help you resolve this problem."

Sheckels bowed as well before Basset pulled him out of the room. Once they were gone, Lillian stepped forward.

"Did you mean Mortimer Rodawn? I know he's been insolent, but do you really think he'd go that far?"

Mickey shook his head, his eyes narrowed.

"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't put it past him. He's been actin' like he can get away with anything plenty long."

His mind still churning, he bowed his head and headed for the doorway.

"Where are you going?" Lillian called.

Mickey paused at the door and glanced back.

"I've just gotta take care of something, won't take long."

He pushed open the double doors and hurried down the castle hall to his room, forcing himself not to run. Of all the scrambled thoughts whirling in his head, one seemed to push above them all.

Why didn't Minnie tell him?

…

Oswald smiled as he sat against a tree, his hands behind his head. even after years in a castle, he was much more at ease out of all the formality. It still surprised him that Mickey was too, despite being born into it. He glanced at the slowly sinking sun and was wondering how much longer that meeting was going to take when his ears suddenly twitched at the sound of hoofbeats on the nearby path. Oswald caught just a glimpse through the tees, but he recognized both the horse and rider right away.

"Mick!" he called, but they'd already disappeared around a corner. Oswald's surprise only increased when Pluto came trotting down the path not long after, looking confused. Mickey hardly ever left him behind, unless he was doing something important. Oswald walked over and scratched his ears.

"Hey there, boy. What's goin' on?"

The dog only whined, as if echoing the question back at him. Oswald patted his head and looked back up at the path.

"Hmm. Well, how 'bout we go find out?"

A/N: Lack of activity has led me to doubt people are interested in this story anymore. If you would like to see it continue, please let me know. Otherwise, I will no longer update on this site.