They had no trouble getting back into the castle, which spoke volumes about the security. "Remind me to tell Rusty his guards suck." He commented dryly to his daughter once they were in the castle. They crept through the main hall, keeping to the shadows. Zidane peered cautiously around the corner, Kura hidden behind him. His view of the corridor was blocked by rusty metal. He sheepishly looked up to meet Steiner's disapproving glare. "Busted." He and Kura chorused.
"Queen Garnet requires yours and Princess Kura's presence to greet the suitors." He said frostily.
"We'll be there in a minute." Kura told him, equipping her most charming smile.
"I really should tell your mother about this." He said reproachfully. "I think that she'd share my views on the subject of you associating with thieves, murderers and others like that." Zidane snorted.
"I've already ordered you not to say a single word on the subject." He chuckled. "You'd get into trouble for breaking your word as a Knight of Pluto."
"You are putting the entire royal family at risk by befriending these...these…-"
"These whom, Albert?" Came a feminine voice from behind the Captain. He choked and both Zidane and Kura groaned inwardly. Queen Garnet was standing there, her expression sweet. That in itself was a warning indicator. "I...uh...that is…" Steiner stumbled.
"Do you mean to tell me, that my daughter has been hanging around bars, and in clear and present danger and I wasn't informed." Garnet asked sweetly. Zidane and Kura started to edge away. Garnet didn't notice until it was too late. "You pair come here right this instance." She yelled to an empty hallway.

Trent idly flicked through a book Kura had given him for his birthday. "Where is the princess." Max demanded, putting his boots on a small table. "I am not leaving until you tell me, it is imperative that I see her." Trent glared at him for a while.
"She's somewhere safe." He said at length. "You have her to thank for your life."
"And if you had your way, you would have had me slain?"
"You're still a threat to her." He put the book down and slid on a pair of gloves with blades on the knuckles, much like those his father wore. "If even think 'bout hurtin' her, I'll rip your intestines out, wrap them around your neck and hang you by them off the biggest tree I can find." Trent stated flippantly whilst balling his hand into a fist. "Or I'll dip you into a large vat of boiling acid, using said intestines to drop you in." Max eyed the blades warily. Trent stood up and walked to Max. A cold chill ran all over Max and he shivered. 'This one is tricky, I must get him out of my way fast, or the mission shall be ruined'. Trent chuckled mirthlessly. "Not only do you get to keep your life, you get to become a member of our gang."
"Whooptydoo." Max replied sarcastically. Trent picked him up by the front of his cape.
"I'm the leader, so mind your tongue." He snarled. Max smirked.
"You are presently unable to kill me." He stated coolly. "Your princess told you not to." A cold spasm hit Trent and he dropped Max unceremoniously on his behind and took a step back as Max started to glow blue.
"I am sorry to say that this is as far as it goes." Max lifted his hand up to shoulder height; palm-facing outwards and small, glittering particles started to form around his hand. The temperature of the room started to plummet. Trent fell onto one knee, struggling for breath. "Tell me where Kura is." Max demanded imperiously, advancing on him. "I would speak with her, but for your interference in matters that don't concern you." Trent shook his head, trying to clear his head of the fog that enveloped his mind.
"I won't let you harm her," he growled. Max shrugged, and Trent sprawled onto the ground, his vision going blurry.
"I hope that you remembered to say farewell to the princess, for you shall never see her again." Trent lost consciousness. "That is what you get for meddling in meetings that don't concern you. Fare thee well." Max dipped his head as he opened the door and left.
"...Ku…ra…I'm...so...rry..."

Zidane and Kura dashed up the hallways, down the corridors, past subjects and servants and into Kura's room. "I love ya mum an' all, "Zidane panted, bending over and trying to catch his breath. "But I druther face a Silver Dragon than her in a temper."
"I know what you mean dad." Kura gasped, clutching her side. Zidane collapsed onto the four poster bed. "Do I still have to see all those suitors daddy?" She pleaded. "I really don't want to, and I'm never gonna marry." Zidane laughed.
"Never is a very long time, and you may change your mind." He told her. Kura pulled a face.
"All those boys are sooo boring." She explained. "If I do marry, I want someone adventurous, has a good sense of humour and can keep up with me." Zidane sat up to meet Kura's puppy dog eyes.
"I'll just tell them you'll be along shortly. That'll give you enough time to fix your hair, make-up and put on that lovely dress." He left the room, leaving Kura staring unhappily at the hated pink dress.