Mickey grinned as he watched the newlyweds glide across the dance floor; it was clear by their dreamy expressions that they only had eyes for each other. Almost without thinking, his eyes then moved to Minnie, who was also watching with a smile. Looking at her brought a strange twinge to his stomach, as it had the past few times he saw her. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he didn't mind it… it was a strange feeling, but certainly not a bad one.

As the first dance ended, Mickey noticed a tall, elegantly dressed figure moving through the crowd toward Minnie. Knowing from her descriptions that this must be Mortimer, Mickey began quickly moving toward her as well. Luckily, he reached her first, and gave a bow before offering his hand.

"May I have this dance, Princess?" he asked in a respectful but jokingly formal voice. He heard Minnie stifle a giggle before placing her own hand in his.

"Of course, good sir."

They headed out onto the floor, where several other dancers were pairing off. It was a dance they both knew well, and they joined smoothly. Mickey gave Minnie a grin as they danced.

"So, havin' fun?"

He thought he saw a faint blush in her cheeks as she smiled back.

"Oh, yes. It's so wonderful to see Donald and Daisy this happy."

"Yep," Mickey said. "Don't think their feet have touched th' ground once today."

Minnie's smile grew a little wider, but Mickey felt concern when he saw it falter.

"Minnie? What's th' matter?"

He knew anyone who heard him would be scandalized that he was addressing the Princess so informally, but he knew she didn't mind. With a quiet sigh, she motioned with her eyes.

"We appear to have an observer."

Mickey glanced in the same direction to see Mortimer watching. He wasn't bothering to hide his displeasure, his posture rigid, and the look on his face resentful. Letting out a sigh of his own, Mickey resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Sure mindin' his manners, isn't he?"

Minnie huffed.

"I don't know how he hasn't taken a hint yet. Almost everyone avoids him now, not just me."

"I wouldn't worry 'bout it too much, then," Mickey said encouragingly. "Can't be too long 'fore your dad figure out he's bad news."

He hesitated for a few moments, then felt his face heat a little as he spoke again in a voice low enough that only Minnie could hear.

"'Sides, he doesn't deserve ya, and you deserve way better n' him."

Minnie looked up at him, and he could see a slight shyness in her look.

"Oh… you really think so?"

"Sure I do," Mickey said. You're one a' the nicest, smartest people I know, n' prettier than anyone else I've ever…"

Realizing he was making her blush furiously, he broke off. Clearing his throat, he gave her a sheepish look as his face heated again.

"Er, sorry… sorta ramblin' on there."

"Oh, it's all right," Minnie replied with a shy smile. "It's nice to know someone thinks so and means it."

With that, the music ended, and she dipped into a curtsy as Mickey bowed.

"Your Highness!"

Mickey turned to see Daisy heading toward them, arm in arm with Donald. She was waving with her free hand, a wide smile on her face. Mickey had a suspicion they had hurried over to cut Mortimer off from making another attempt as much as in their eagerness to talk to their friend, and judging from the grateful look on Minnie's face, he was certain he was right.

"You look like you're enjoying yourselves," she said with a teasing smile.

"Yep!" Donald said, and Daisy laid her head on his shoulder, still smiling widely.

"How could I not?"

Donald then looked at Mickey and held out a hand.

"Glad you could come."

Mickey smiled back as he shook his hand.

"Glad ya asked me. Boy, I haven't seen ya since we were kids."

It was true; since his one visit to court with his parents, they had communicated only by letter.

"It's a shame your brother couldn't come too," Daisy said, and Mickey gave her an apologetic smile.

"Yeah… sorry 'bout that, but these fancy events 've never been his thing. He said congratulations though."

"Tell him thanks when ya get back," Donald said, then frowned a little. "So, he's still hung up on… ya know?"

Mickey let out a quiet sigh as he nodded solemnly.

"Yeah. I can understand why an' everything, but I worry 'bout him sometimes… it can't be easy carryin' something like that with ya all the time."

He felt a gentle hand touch his arm and looked up to see Minnie gazing at him with concern. Once he was looking at her, she gave him an encouraging smile.

"Maybe just talking about it with the right person would help a lot," she murmured. "And I think you're one of the best people to help him."

Despite himself, Mickey felt his face heat a little. Almost before he knew what he was doing, he laid his hand on hers.

"Thanks," he said softly. Minnie's cheeks tinged pink, and Mickey's brain caught up with him. Quickly he removed his hand.

"Uh, s-sorry, Yer Highness."

"No, no," Minnie replied quickly. "It's fine, really."

She smiled again before speaking in a lower tone.

"Honestly, I like not being addressed like that."

"I know ya do," Mickey said with a smile of his own. "Just… folks watching, ya know."

Minnie let out a good-humored sigh, and he got the sense she was resisting rolling her eyes.

"Yes, yes… I know."

Realizing that Donald and Daisy hadn't said anything this whole time, Mickey glanced at them to see both standing with amused, knowing smiles.

"What?" he asked, cocking his head. Donald's mouth quirked and he heard Daisy stifle a giggle before speaking in a light, casual tone.

"Oh, nothing."

…

Mortimer glowered as he watched the Princess; he could understand her talking to Lord McDuck's nephew, with his high rank and all. But the other two, he couldn't understand at all. The mouse was only minor nobility, of little to no importance, and Daisy was only a peasant who had married lucky. Finally, he turned and stalked out of the room, not even acknowledging the bows and curtsies from those he passed. Once Mortimer was out in the hall, the guard who had accompanied him fell into step behind him.

"I don't understand at all," he muttered. "What can they possibly have that I don't?"

After a moment of hesitation, the guard spoke up hesitantly.

"If I may, Your Highness, they are dear friends to the Princess…"

Mortimer turned his head to glare at him.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion."

The man immediately fell silent. Once he reached the door to his chambers, he spoke to the guard without looking at him.

"Get your commanding officer."

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied. As his footsteps faded, Mortimer moved to the window and glared out. Finally, the sound of more footsteps came, heavier this time.

"You called, Your Highness?"

Mortimer turned as a heavyset guard straightened from his bow, a silver badge of command glinting on his chest.

"Yes. It's looking like that little 'friend' of the Princess's might be more of a problem than I thought. I want to know if she's seeing more of him. I assume staying unnoticed won't be a problem for you?"

The guard chewed his cigar, a grin tugging at his face.

"Never is, my Lord."

Mortimer nodded briskly, his own mouth quirking a little.

"Then I put my confidence in you, Captain Pete."

The guard swept another bow, still grinning.

"You won't regret it, Highness."