Minnie took a deep breath as she smoothed her gown, trying to calm the uneasy flutter in her stomach. She knew she shouldn't be so nervous about her father's impending arrival. Since her identity was official now, though, everything had gotten so much more formal, and the stiffness of it was hard to adjust to after so long.

Although to be honest, it wasn't so much that then she missed the intimate time that her and Mickey were able to spend together, especially now.

"Do you need anything else, milady?"

Pulled out of her thoughts, Minnie turned from the mirror and smiled at the maids.

"No thank you, I think I'm ready."

"Shall we accompany you, then?"

Minnie nodded, smiling again. Having been around the castle in the past few weeks, she knew where to go, but company would help her feel a little more confident.

"Thank you."

The two girls smiled back as they curtsied, then followed her out. The halls were bustling with activity, but everyone stepped aside with a slight bow or curtsy. When they reached a side door to the throne room, the maids curtsied.

"We'll see you after, Highness," one said. The other looked up with an shy smile.

"Good luck, my lady."

Minnie smiled back.

"Thank you."

She couldn't stop herself from blushing a little as the guards announced her; it was taking longer to readjust to all the formality than she thought it would. She did her best to deflect the others' interest as she moved across the large, crowded chamber, keeping her replies as short as possible without seeming rude or uninterested.

Finally, a welcome sight emerged from the crowd. Oswald looked a little uneasy in the formal environment, but Minnie was impressed by his poise.

Mickey, however, took her breath away. He looked almost like a different person, so calm and regal-looking, but the gleam in his blue eyes as he gave a formal bow brought the same warm feeling.

"Princess." He smiled, quirking a brow slightly. "It's a pleasure."

Oswald cracked a grin, giving him a small nudge in the shoulder before looking at Minnie.

"So, you doing all right?"

Minnie smiled, brushing her hands over her gown.

"Yes. Just, well, nervous."

Mickey placed a light hand on her arm, concern in his eyes.

"I know it's not much," he said softly. "But you know we're here for ya."

For just a few moments, Minnie forgot that there was anyone else in the room. She reached up and gave Mickey's hand a gentle squeeze.

"I do know," she whispered. "And it's everything."

Mickey's eyes widened, then he smiled and held out an arm.

"Then will you permit me to escort you, madam?"

Minnie stifled a giggle and laid her hand on the offered arm.

"Of course, sir."

She heard Oswald stifle a chuckle as they started across the room, returning the greetings of courtiers that they passed. Minnie noticed more than one giving her and Mickey curious looks and felt a strange urge to giggle like a little girl, but managed to keep her polite smile on.

When they reached the dais on the far end of the room, Queen Lillian approached them with a warm smile. She still wore black, but looked more animated than Minnie had ever seen her. It made her smile even wider as she curtsied. The queen placed a hand on her shoulder, nodding in greeting.

"It's good to see you, dear. You look lovely."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Minnie replied. "You look beautiful too."

Lillian lowered her eyes humbly.

"You're very kind." She looked beside Minnie and her smile grew almost coy. "I'm glad to see my son has taken it on himself to escort you."

Minnie felt her cheeks flush and smiled shyly.

"Yes, he has been most considerate."

Another stifled chuckle came from behind her, and she noticed Mickey shoot a glare at Oswald. Lillian pretended not to notice and nodded, but then the herald's announcement rang out from the huge doors across the chamber. Minnie felt her stomach twist with nervousness; the exact words ran together from the distance, but everyone clearly knew what it meant. The large crowd in the room snapped to attention and began moving into two sections.

Minnie felt her nerves swell and took a quivering breath, fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist. A hand brushed her arm and she looked up to see Mickey give her an encouraging smile before going to stand beside Lillian. She couldn't help wishing they could be closer.

When the doors opened, Minnie took a deep breath and kept her pose. The crowd on either side of the room swept bows or curtsies as the king and queen of Burbank passed. Minnie tensed when she saw her stepmother, but to her surprise the queen kept her eyes focused toward the floor as she walked alongside King Marcus.

Just before he went to greet Lillian and Mickey, Minnie saw her father glance at her. She felt her stomach flutter, but then, almost too quickly to see it, he gave her a half smile and a wink… a look he'd given her since she was very small. Her tension disappeared right away, replaced by a wide smile.

She started to curtsy when her father moved to her, but was stopped when he pulled her into a warm hug.

"My little Minnie," he whispered. "How much I missed you."

Any remaining unease dissolved, and Minnie felt tears prick at her eyes as she smiled and returned the hug.

Finally, everything was all right.

…

Everything that day had gone as great as could've been hoped. Better, even. But right now, Mickey was pretty sure he'd never been so nervous in his entire life. He felt Oswald give him a gentle nudge and looked over at him. The rabbit gave him a concerned but reassuring look.

"You okay?"

Mickey managed a grin and nodded.

"Yeah. Just… half outta my mind."

Oswald chuckled, then cocked his head.

"You sure you wanna do this? I mean, not to put ya off or anything."

Mickey took a deep breath.

"I'm more sure than I've been 'bout anything. I just hope I don't blow it."

Oswald chuckled.

"Well, ya haven't blown anything yet. I wouldn't be too worried."

"Thanks for th' vote of confidence," Mickey snorted. Glancing at the door they were waiting outside, he took another deep breath and shifted his feet.

Okay… just be calm, be collected.

He barely kept himself from jumping when the door opened; a guard stepped out, bowed, and motioned inside. Oswald gave him a light thump on the back, smiling.

"Good luck."

Mickey smiled back.

"Thanks."

Squaring his shoulders, he walked inside. King Marcus, who was standing near the large fireplace, turned and smiled warmly.

"Ah, here you are. How good to see you back on your feet." Swallowing, Mickey started to bow, but was stopped when Marcus placed his hands on his shoulders with a thoughtful smile.

"Strange to think how long it's been… you were barely knee high the last time I was here." His smile widened. "Your father would be proud."

Mickey's eyes widened, then he smiled and bowed his head with a rush of gratitude.

"Thank you, sir. I'm glad you could be here too."

Marcus nodded, a gleam appearing in his eyes.

"Yes, and I can never thank you and Lillian enough for looking after my daughter. It's a shame the two of you hadn't had the chance to meet until now… she thinks quite highly of you." He stepped back and cleared his throat. "But I'm getting off topic, I think. You said you wanted to discuss something with me?"

Mickey forced himself not to blush at the reminder of why he was there.

"Yes, sire."

Marcus nodded and gestured back at the fireplace.

"Should we sit down, then?"

Judging from how stiff his legs were from keeping them from shaking, Mickey wasn't sure sitting down was a good idea.

"If you don't mind, sir, I think I should stay standing."

Marcus raised his eyebrows, a faint expression of curiosity crossing his face.

"All right… I'm listening."

Mickey swallowed hard, then took a deep breath. It was now or never, and no way was he taking the second option.

…

Minnie hadn't realized how much she'd missed Daisy's company until they were finally back in her room, chattering happily about everything that happened that day and before it. Daisy was in an especially good mood because Donald had called in any favor he could think of (or make up) so he could come along. She'd also brought some news Minnie had never expected: her stepmother had explained everything to her father, and even asked Daisy to pass on an apology for everything.

"She figured you wouldn't want to talk to her right now," the duck had said. "As much as I don't want to, I feel kind of sorry for her. She didn't say much about it, but I think her family was putting a lot of pressure on her. About possible rivals for attention and all."

At first Minnie was still confused, but it made sense after she thought about it. She could feel some sympathy too… she knew how it felt to be burdened with high expectations, and she couldn't imagine how it felt without the support she'd had.

"I'm just so glad everything has worked out," Minnie said, leaning back in her chair with a contented sigh. "Even if I do miss not being fussed over."

Daisy raised her brow with a knowing smirk.

"And not being able to spend as much time with… someone?"

Minnie blushed, a giggle escaping, but the feeling was a little bittersweet. She appreciated any time spent with Mickey, but it was so formal now. She missed the days they'd spent together at the old castle, and during his recovery. There was no limitations to what they could share, no regulations keeping them at a distance.

"I'm really happy for you, you know," Daisy said softly. Minnie looked up and smiled as her chest swelled with gratitude.

"Thank you."

A sudden knock on the door made them both jump. Minnie glanced at Daisy; she'd given the maids the rest of the evening off, but maybe they needed something.

Clearing her throat, she called, "Come in."

Her surprise jumped through the roof when the door opened.

"Mickey!"

He walked inside as if he thought the floor might cave in, the look on his face a strange mix of excitement and apprehension as he rubbed his arm.

"Uh, s-sorry if it's a bad time… I can come again if that's…"

Daisy bounced from her seat and curtsied, a polite but wide smile on her face.

"Oh, no trouble at all, your Highness! I think it's about time I left anyway."

She swept out, the door clicking shut behind her. Minnie stood herself and walked over to Mickey, frowning in confusion and concern.

"Is everything all right? You look a little… stressed."

Mickey shuffled his feet, glancing at the floor.

"Um, no, everything's fine…" He chuckled and looked at her again. "It's… better than fine, actually! I just… don't know where t' start…"

Minnie cocked her head as he took a deep breath, then her heart sped up as he moved close and placed a hand on her cheek. His blue eyes glowed with sincerity as he gazed into hers.

"Minnie, I… what I said to ya the day after I woke up… do ya remember it?"

A lump rose in her throat, but she swallowed and nodded.

"Of course I do."

He smiled, and she saw that his eyes were starting to glisten.

"Well, I meant it all." His face suddenly grew uncertain. "You… you know that, right?"

Minnie reached her hand up, gently stroking one of his ears as she smiled with all the sincerity she felt.

"You know I do. And I meant what I said, too."

Mickey's eyes softened with relief, his hand caressing her cheek.

"I know." He took a deep breath. "Minnie, I know we don't really have our own lives… there's a lot of, well, a lot of things people expect from us."

He hesitated.

"So that's why I'm here now… 'cause this might be th' only chance I'll get and… I wanna ask you this just for myself, no strings attached, no hidden rules."

Minnie felt her heart start to pound as he took her hands. After giving them a gentle squeeze, he took another deep breath, and Minnie couldn't stop herself from gasping as he slowly sank onto one knee.

"Every minute I spend with ya is the best of my life n' I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. You're the most incredible girl I've ever known, n' you deserve someone who can love ya for everything you are.

Minnie watched with wide eyes as Mickey reached into his shirt pocket, never looking away from her.

"And I'm ready to be that person… if you want me to."

He opened his hand and Minnie gasped, tears welling in her eyes. The gold ring with its small, heart shaped diamond was one she'd seen many times before: it was the one her father had given her mother. Mickey smiled, his eyes glistening.

"He said your mom wanted you t' have it."

Minnie tried to speak, but words wouldn't come. Mickey's face grew uncertain.

"I-is it too fast? You don't have to answer right now, I'll wait, but I just…"

Minnie sank onto her knees and cupped his face in her hands, cutting him off. The tears finally overflowed from her eyes as she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

"Yes," she whispered when she drew back. "Yes."

Mickey blinked, his eyes wide, then a huge smile spread across his face and a few tears escaped from his eyes as he slipped the ring on her finger. Minnie cried out in surprise when he then swept her up and twirled her around. She couldn't stop a wave of concern that he might hurt himself, but it quickly disappeared when he set her down and cupped her face in his hands, tears spilling from his blue eyes as he wiped away hers.

"I love you, Minnie."

Minnie smiled through her tears, pressing her forehead to his.

"I love you, Mickey."