Once all the competitors had entered the field and been announced the first day of the tournament came to a close. Just before everyone moved to leave the man who was doing the announcing informed the masses of the tournament's schedule and where to find the challenge board. Giselle had opted to stay near Christian and me and consequently was forced to listen to Dewey as he talked endlessly. His occupation with Giselle had given me plenty of room to converse freely about the tournament with Christian. He talked to me about many of the men who circled the arena and who was the favorite to win such and such competitions. It was much more information that I would ever care to know and I mixed up most of the names he gave me, but it was nice seeing Christian talk about something he enjoyed.

"You will come to the tournament tomorrow, won't you?" He asked as the last of the men left the arena the way they came in.

I felt a flush of happiness at Christian's earnest inquiry. Of course I would come and watch the tournament with him. I told him as much. Not even my stepsisters would be able to keep me away, no matter how hard they tried. There was no doubt that Giselle would be furious when we returned to the inn and would most likely find some way to blame me for having to converse with Dewey. I wasn't looking forward to the confined ride in the carriage with Giselle, but I didn't think that there was much that could darken my mood today.

Christian smiled at my enthusiastic response and took my arm to lead me out of the royal box. I noticed that Hector had taken Victoria's and was doing the same. Nearby, Dewey was trying to follow suit with Giselle, but she was having none of it. While the rest of the occupants leisurely ambled out into the stands, Giselle picked up her skirts and went as fast as decency allowed to escape the charming Squire Dewitt. "It looks like Giselle is very eager to leave." I commented to Christian.

"Dewey will be so disappointed. There he goes now, chasing after her. I think he is quite taken with her. When he is around, he talks of nothing else."

I could imagine. The few times Dewey had been with Giselle he was doing all but stitching himself to her side. If she were anyone else, I might feel sorry for Giselle. As it was, I couldn't muster up any feeling but amusement at her unfortunate admirer. He was now scuttling to catch up with her as she tried to escape him.

"Tomorrow the official tournament begins. It is all rather exciting. The tournament is my favorite part of any celebration and this specific one promises to be bigger and better than anything I have ever seen before. My sister does love to make things as extravagant as possible." Christian commented as we walked through the stands.

All too soon we were nearing the exit of the arena and we would have to part ways. Christian was telling me about other tournaments he had seen and a few he had even been a part of. While he was explaining a particular sword fight he had been part of, a pair of giggling girls sidled up next to him. The first one, a petite red head, giggled behind her hand before asking, "You're Prince Christian, aren't you?"

The other girl who looked as if she could be the first's sister, smiled at Christian between giggles. Both seemed to be around fifteen years old. Christian stopped to talk to the silly pair. "Yes, I am Prince Christian." He declared proudly.

Both continued giggling while one swayed as if to faint before grabbing her friend's arm and steadying herself. "I can't believe that we get to meet you. I'm Marissa and this is my sister Clarissa. We both think that you are the most handsome of your family."

There was a trace of smugness in Christian's smile when he thanked them. I felt the corners of my own mouth pulling up at the two girls and how obviously enamored they were. Clarissa, or maybe it was Marissa, whispered something in her sister's ear. "Are you going to be attending the tournament tomorrow, your highness? My sister wanted me to ask you. She also wants to know if we would be seeing you then as well. I know being a handsome prince is a demanding job and you probably have other things that you need to do, but it would be amazing if we could maybe see you tomorrow as well."

The entire time she was speaking, the girl's face was getting redder and redder. Her sister was still giggling away beside her. Prince Christian was gracious though when he replied to their questions. "You are very right. My father, the king, wishes me to be at his side during the tournament. My sister, Princess Joslynn is also determined to keep me with her as well. She wants the royal family to sit in the box to watch the games. However, I will do my best to look for you two lovely ladies tomorrow." With a wink he motioned for us to continue our path out.

As we departed I glanced back and saw one of the girls put a hand to her forehead dramatically and swoon. Her sister was barely containing her excitement and was bouncing around her sister. "You make quite the impression on the woman, your highness." I joked.

Christian grinned. "I am their handsome prince after all. Who am I to deny them the chance at my company?"

I laughed. "And you are very humble too, I see."

When we arrived at where the carriage waited, I could see that my stepsisters had beaten us there. Dewey had caught up with Giselle and was dramatically gesturing as he talked to her. Hector and Sir Brockton where still with Victoria and they were talking together merrily. As soon as Christian and I approached, Giselle spun around to greet us. "Ebony, what took you so long? We are pressed for time and I don't need you dawdling about."

I rolled my eyes. She only wanted to escape Dewey. Christian however took it upon himself to apologize for my alleged lateness. "Forgive me; it was I the detained Miss Ebony. You see, we were detained by two fawning lasses who wanted a word with their prince."

Suddenly, Giselle was all charm and flirtatiousness, "Oh, Christian, I am sure that it was not your fault. It is the job of a benevolent leader to speak to any of his subjects who wish to speak with them."

Upon hearing Giselle speak more than a few syllables, Dewey seized his opportunity to start up a conversation with her. As soon as the first few words left his mouth, Giselle grabbed my wrist and Victoria's and all but threw us into the carriage. "I am terribly sorry, but we really must dash." She said just before climbing into the carriage after us. She quickly slammed the carriage door to cut off anything Dewey said in farewell.

"Enjoy your day then, Giselle?" I asked, barely able to control my laughter.

Giselle glared at me, "Don't you even start, Ebony. If Dewey is there tomorrow, I can assure you that I will convince him to follow you around all the blasted day and see how you like it."

"You could have waited a few more moments to whisk us away though, Elle. Hector was telling me about a most wonderful bistro in the North End." Victoria said calmly.

Giselle slumped back in her seat and sighed. "I am sorry, Tori, but if I had to spend another moment with that annoying squire I was sure I was going to throttle him to stop his endless chatter. He is so stupid. It's like he can't even tell that he annoys me to death. For some reason he thinks I like him in the same way he likes me. I don't even like him at all. If he wasn't Christian's cousin I would be free to tell him what I really thought of him. Did you hear what he said to me? On and on and on and on about how I was a lady and therefore didn't know the simplest things. He actually tried to explain to me what a sword was at one point. Then he went on in great detail about the number of swords he has at home. Did you know he has three whole swords of his very own? I didn't either and I didn't want to know. Did that stop Dewey from telling me every scrap of information about them? Of course it didn't."

The entire ride back to the inn and for an hour after, I could hear Giselle complaining endlessly about Dewey. Victoria was listening to every word her sister said, gasping at the appropriate moments, and trying her best to console Giselle. I found it ironic that Giselle was angry about how much Dewey talked when she had hardly stopped yammering in nearly two hours. She might not think to take her anger out on me if I was not near her. I went out onto the balcony where her rant could not be heard as well and read my brother's letter again. Andrew was coming to Pharyss and I had just spent the day with Christian. It almost made me forget about the horrible chase through the back streets only the night before. I shook my head; I did not need to be thinking about such unhappy thoughts on such a good day. I pushed those thoughts from my mind and went over everything that had happened today with the prince instead.

So there you are, a day off work and I write two (so far) chapters. I will post this and then return to writing because I am at a good point.