Minnie stifled another yawn, trying her best not to lose her patience. She'd been enduring yet another visit from Mortimer, which mainly consisted of him talking about his good qualities… which she was pretty sure were mainly in his own head… and giving her very little opportunity to talk herself.
"… though my brothers took credit for it, as always."
Minnie nodded; from the way he complained about his older brothers, she had felt sorry for him at first, but now she had a sneaking suspicion that most of his complaints were mainly out of jealousy. And even if his brothers were as difficult as he claimed, she was sure their company would be more enjoyable than his.
"I've often wished I had a sibling," she said, managing to speak up before he could go on. "It can get lonely being an only child, especially when your friends are required to keep a respectable distance."
He gave her an almost incredulous look.
"That's nice of you to think," he said, his tone suspiciously close to condescending. "But there are advantages to being an only child too, especially for us."
He gave her a wink at those last few words, and it was especially trying for Minnie not to frown. In his position, she would be grateful for a large family. She had a feeling that most of Mortimer's problems with his were mainly his doing.
"Well, to be honest," she said, her voice a little wistful. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't next in line. There's so much responsibility, and so little time to yourself or any real privacy. I would be happy if I could just find someone and have my own family."
Now the look Mortimer gave her was genuinely incredulous, and annoyance tugged at Minnie. Life wasn't always about how much advantage and power you could get. Of course, it wasn't hard to tell that Mortimer believed the exact opposite.
"Well, if you ask me, you've got it pretty good," he said, giving her what he clearly thought was a charming grin. With those overly sized front teeth of his, the attempt fell somewhat flat. Minnie cleared her throat and managed a polite smile.
"Well, this has been an interesting discussion," she said carefully. "But if you don't mind, it's been a rather long day, and I'd like some time to myself before it ends."
Mortimer's look showed clear disappointment, though Minnie didn't know how he could expect anything else. Talking about oneself could only carry a conversation so far before it got boring. Taking the hint right away, Clarabelle, who had been the designated chaperone, stood with a brisk smile.
"I would be happy to escort you back, Your Highness," she said, and Minnie stifled a giggle at what the maid was implying. Mortimer gave her a distinct uninterested look, as if he found her mere presence unsatisfactory. It was common gossip among the servants by now of how disdainful he was toward them in comparison to the nobles. It was yet another reason for Minnie to dislike him.
"Thank you," he said, his tone dripping with forced patience. "But I think I can see myself back."
Without another word to Clarabelle, he cast Minnie another smile and perfected bow.
"I bid you good night, Princess."
Minnie had barely smiled and nodded than he turned and swept across her sitting room. He gave three sharp raps on one of the doors, and they swung open as the guards outside opened them. As soon as he was gone, Minnie sank down in her seat with a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Clarabelle," she said with a grateful smile. "I don't know how much more of that I could handle."
The maid scoffed.
"From what Clara says, even the higher ups lose patience with him before long. If it isn't his constant and obvious toadying up, it's his constant talk of his 'numerous' qualifications."
Minnie shook her head as she stood.
"I hope Father is starting to think less of him too." She stretched. "Honestly, after that conversation, I think I could use some fresh air."
A knowing grin came to Clarabelle's face.
"Unchaperoned?"
Minnie returned her grin with a rebellious smile.
"If you don't mind… just for a few hours."
"Not at all, Your Highness," Clarabelle replied, waving a hand. "I'll tell the guards no visitors."
Within a short amount of time, Minnie was in simple traveling clothes with her cloak on. Moving across her sitting room to her bookshelf, she reached out and felt the far-right shelf until she found the familiar indentation and pressed. With a soft click, the bookshelf swung forward to reveal a dark tunnel.
"I'll be back in a few hours," she said over her shoulder. Clarabelle nodded, smiling.
"Enjoy yourself, my Lady."
After returning the maid's smile, Minnie stepped into the tunnel. The hidden door closed behind her, leaving it so dark she could barely see. But she knew the way by heart now. She and Mickey had discovered this tunnel by chance years ago as children, when they overheard some servants talking about it. She had continued to use it even after he left; it was very useful when she wanted some time to herself.
Withing minutes, Minnie reached what appeared to be a dead end. But she only felt the wall until she found another indentation and pressed. Another hidden door swung open, revealing an alley just outside the castle walls. Smiling, the Princess hurried out. After taking a moment to close the hidden door, she moved toward the end of the alley with quick, eager strides. The hum of countless conversations, merchants calling, and wheels of carts turning greeted her as she stepped out onto the street.
Hardly anyone gave Minnie a second look as she moved seamlessly into the crowd. The western market was always crowded, a good place to go unnoticed. She strolled along the street, looking at the stalls. She had come here with her guards, but much preferred to do it this way… without people making a fuss over her.
Suddenly, a scream split the air, making Minnie and several other people jump. Alarmed, she rushed through the anxiously chattering crowd and pushed through a throng of people to see some soldiers at a particular stall. Two had the arms of the merchant, a small rabbit, and were forcing her onto the street.
"No, please!" she cried. "I don't know anything, I swear I don't!"
"Too bad," one of the soldiers said, he and his comrades smirking as if they found the merchant's fear amusing. "Our source says you do, so you're coming in either way."
The townsfolk watched anxiously, but no one dared do anything to interfere. Minnie stepped forward and opened her mouth, an order for them to stop on her tongue. She would get in quite a bit of trouble if she revealed herself, but she was determined not to let that stop her. Before she could speak a word, however, a chain shot out of the crowd and pierced a wooden beam of the merchant's stall. The crowd exclaimed as a small figure shot out of nowhere, a booted foot hitting a soldier's head with a hard thwack and dropping him like a sack of flour.
Despite the mask, Minnie recognized the long ears immediately and her heartbeat quickened. Sure enough, several other masked figures rushed from the gathered crowd, and among them she saw another distinctive pair of ears.
Mickey! They're here!
The soldiers had all pulled out their swords, and the Resistance fighters met them with their own. Minnie, without missing a beat, rushed forward and snatched the merchant's arm, pulling her out of the fight. The rabbit looked at her incredulously, clearly never imagining someone watching would help.
"Don't worry," Minnie said, patting her back soothingly. "They know what they're doing."
Sure enough, the Resistance was quickly gaining the upper hand. Minnie was certain they had learned from someone in the military; their form was very similar to the soldiers'. But none of them struck to kill, just to incapacitate. Before long, several of the soldiers were out cold on the ground, and finally one of those left standing called out.
"Fall back! Get reinforcements!"
As the remaining soldiers obeyed, Mickey turned to where Minnie stood with the merchant. Even though her hood remained up and her distinctive ears flattened against her head, she saw his eyes widen in surprise and knew he had recognized her. Quickly recovering himself, he gestured.
"C'mon… bring 'er this way."
Minnie immediately ushered the still shell-shocked merchant forward.
"Come on, quickly," she urged. When they reached him, Mickey took the merchant's other arm.
"Don't worry, ma'am," he said. "We're here t' help."
As he and Minnie merged into the crowd of chattering onlookers, the other Resistance fighters clearing a path, Mickey looked at her and raised a brow.
"Didn't expect t' see ya here."
Minnie met his gaze with a sly smile.
"I snuck out."
Mickey immediately returned her sly look with one of his own.
"Hidden tunnel?"
"Hidden tunnel," she replied.
"Y' know, you'll get in pretty big trouble if yer dad finds out," Mickey said as they rushed through the crowd. Minnie gave him a wink.
"Well, where's the excitement without some risk?"
Mickey blinked, then chuckled.
"Ya haven't changed a bit."
Minnie couldn't help but giggle.
"Neither have you."