Kel brushed her sun-streaked brown hair. Cleon was coming back from border patrol today and she wanted to look her best. Not that it mattered, she smiled, Cleon loved her even when she was muddy and sweating after digging ditches all day. Still, she wanted to look nice for his arrival. Pulling on a white shirt and green tunic, she admired the picture she made in the mirror. It wasn't often Kel took the effort to dress nicely, so she had enlisted Lalasa's help. Lalasa had picked out green tunic and breeches, saying it brought out the green in Kel's hazel eyes. Admittedly Kel didn't notice it, but maybe Cleon would, she thought hopefully. She pulled on her dark, calf-length boots and went out the door. When she arrived downstairs in the mess hall, Kel filtered through the pages milling about, to get a look at the small table by the staff table. There was Neal, sitting with Yuki, Roald and Shinko. Disappointed that Cleon wasn't there, and not wanting to sit with the happy couples, Kel turned and left. Neal glanced up at the same time. "Neal? Are you even listening?" Yuki asked irritation plain in her golden brown eyes. Neal shook his head slightly. Shinko and Roald were looking at him quizzically. "Sorry?" Yuki rolled her eyes, and Neal thought bitterly that she had come a long way from hiding her emotions. "We were discussing Prince Roald and Shinkokami's wedding guests" she said. "What about them?" Neal asked. "I was trying to decide whether to invite my Great-Aunt Desiane" said Roald. "I don't know Roald, she doesn't seem like she would get along with Yamasaki noh Ditaro and he's my favourite cousin" Shinko said, looking worried as they consulted a long list. "What makes you think they wouldn't get along?" asked Yuki. As Roald and Shinko began listing political differences between Yamanis and Tortallans, Neal pressed his hands to his face and sighed. He wished Kel had stayed, this was going to be one long breakfast and she found this kind of thing just as boring as he. Making a quick decision, he got up, pleading morning exercises to Yuki, ignoring Roald's accusation that he never practiced when they were pages. He found Kel outside, with her glaive. He sat and admired as she moved through the motions of one of her pattern dances, loving the blend of grace and deadliness. When she finished, he crossed the practice yard to her. "Blowing off steam?" he inquired. Kel smiled at him. "You just missed Cleon" she said, "He wanted to see you." "That was a quick visit" said Neal, surprised "I was only in the mess hall for an hour, granted it felt like much longer" he finished under his breath. "Well, he had to continue on to Kennan tonight, his mother wanted him to greet his betrothed" Kel said, eyes a little sad. "Well, that's his loss then, because now I get to spend the day with you" Neal grinned. "Don't you have wedding plans to make?" Kel asked wickedly Neal shuddered. "How did you find out about those?" "I had breakfast with the Own, word gets around fast" Kel shrugged. "So, really, it worked out well for you today, getting out of endless debates on whether someone's Great-Aunt is a little too fond of ale and so on" she said, earning a laugh from Neal. "You have no idea how close to the truth you are" he said as they went to put Kel's glaive back in her room. He stopped her just before they entered the palace. "Wait, Kel, there's something different about you" he studied her face. Kel felt a little jolt in her stomach when he looked directly into her eyes. "Your eyes look greener" he said finally, heading up the stairs to their rooms while Kel stood still. She felt a little out of breath. Cleon hadn't noticed the green, but Neal had. Cleon, she thought sternly. Cleon and Yuki were part of their lives now. She couldn't go where her thoughts were taking her, and it was best to cut them off at the pass. Still, she thought, trudging up the stairs not thinking of Neal's dancing eyes and wide grin it's too bad things couldn't have worked out differently.

A/N: I want to write more but I am completely stuck with Yuki. What should I do with her? Any suggestions, constructive criticisms and (of course) reviews are appreciated! (