Minnie twirled gracefully across the floor, taking care to move her feet in time to the tapping of Magica's baton. The Princess was hardly a slouch when it came to dance, but the dancing master had eyes like a hawk when it came to spotting mistakes. With one more twirl, Minnie came to a stop along with the music and looked at Magica. She didn't smile… Magica rarely did… but Minnie could see the approval on her face.

"Good, my Lady. Remember, even experts need practice."

Minnie smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Magica. So tell me, are Daisy's lessons going well too?"

The female duck gave a dramatic sigh, tossing her head.

"Well enough. The lady has skill when she puts her mind to it."

Minnie's mouth quirked as she suppressed a laugh. Most people wouldn't consider those words high praise but coming from Magica they meant a lot. The lady gave no indication that she had seen Minnie's repressed mirth as she continued.

"I imagine Your Highness has received a great deal of invitations for tomorrow."

Minnie felt her face change as a solemn sadness filled her; tomorrow was never an easy time of the year for her. Though she had died several years ago, her father still insisted on celebrating her mother's birthday, and the court along with the public were quite willing to honor their beloved Queen. Of course, Minnie felt the same way, even if she couldn't help feeling sad about it.

"Including Prince Mortimer, I imagine?"

Brought out of her reverie by those words, Minnie couldn't resist rolling her eyes.

"Yes," she sighed. As if tomorrow wouldn't be difficult enough without that buffoon breathing down her neck, and certainly he would be. The man had no shame… Minnie had no doubt he wouldn't think twice about using her mother's death as an excuse to chase after her, to get what he wanted. Magica shook her head as well, hinting that she was thinking along similar lines, before looking at Minnie with a frown.

"If I may, my Lady, I would strongly advise against accepting. I've been hearing some… unsavory stories about him."

Minnie took care to look surprised as well as curious, widening her eyes.

"Really?"

Magica nodded, then lowered her voice.

"They say that he authorized an attack on a noble he felt threatened by. It may just be a rumor, but you can imagine how people are talking. The way he acts, though, I can certainly say I wouldn't put it past him."

Minnie managed to keep her face schooled, creasing her brow in a thoughtful frown.

"Personally, I wouldn't either," she said, keeping her inner satisfaction out of her voice. She and her friends had taken great care with getting this rumor started, and it was clear to see that their efforts had paid off. No one spoke of it when Mortimer was around, but it wasn't hard to see the barely disguised looks of uncertainty directed his way. He still didn't know that Mickey had survived the attack, but the way things were going, even when he did find out his reputation would be so damaged that he wouldn't dare make another attempt, just as Minnie and the others had planned.

"Don't worry, Magica," she went on with an encouraging smile. "I had no intention of attending with him anyway."

Magica huffed, crossing her arms.

"Hopefully he'll mind his manners about it," she muttered. "I'm sure His Majesty would be less than pleased if he makes a scene at this."

This time Minnie couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sure he will for that reason alone if nothing else. Even he knows Father wouldn't tolerate any disrespect to Mother."

Magica nodded, then looked at Minnie with a strangely distant, thoughtful look.

"What is it?" Minnie asked, uneasy. Magica continued to gaze at her, then a rare smile came to her face.

"Pardon me, Your Highness, I was only thinking… I see so much of Her Majesty in you. She would be proud, were she here today."

Minnie felt a tightness in her throat and had to swallow hard before she could speak.

"Thank you… I do hope that's true."

Magica nodded, still wearing that small smile.

"I know it is," she said, then adopted her usual passive expression as she clapped her hands. "Now then… begging your pardon, my Lady, but I believe it's nearly time for my next lesson."

Minnie smiled and nodded.

"Of course. Until next time then, Lady Magica."

The female duck nodded in return before dropping a practiced curtsy.

"I bid you good day, my Princess."

Minnie gave one more nod, then turned and headed out of the room. Out in the hall, she smiled when she saw Daisy approaching. Her friend gave her a wide smile before curtsying.

"Your Highness." She looked up with an enquiring expression. "Your lesson go well?"

Smiling back, Minnie shrugged.

"Well, they aren't exactly lessons anymore… more like practice. But it went fine." She looked at Daisy enquiringly. "And are you ready for yours?"

Daisy let out a good-natured sigh, giving a shrug of her own.

"Ah, ready enough."

The Princess reached out and patted her arm.

"Don't worry about it, Daisy… you'll do fine. Magica complimented you, you know."

The female duck looked at Minnie with wide eyes and jokingly exaggerated look of shock.

"Why, you don't say!" She grinned. "Well, I suppose saying it to my face is a little too much."

She knew Daisy was joking, but the mouse still couldn't suppress a twinge of concern.

"She likes you, Daisy," she said in an encouraging tone. "So do a lot of others at court. You and Donald are new territory for them, but they're seeing your quality."

Her friend smiled wider.

"Thank you."

"By the way…" Minnie began, lowering her voice. "It sounds like our story is catching on. Magica mentioned it just now."

Daisy's grin grew sly as she clasped her hands in satisfaction.

"Excellent. It ought to reach your father before long."

And then we'll see if he really cares at all.

Minnie nearly said the words out loud but stopped herself just in time. It wasn't the time to be thinking on the negative side of things. She nodded, then cocked her head just a little.

"Any letters yet today?"

Knowing what she was really asking, Daisy reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"A few. Just more of the same."

The Princess was unable to stop a sting of disappointment but kept it off her face. As much as she longed to hear from Mickey, she knew his responsibilities were more now since he'd recovered from his injury. With her free hand, she patted Daisy's in thanks.

"Well, I don't want to make you late."

Her smile returned when the duck rolled her eyes.

"Oh, don't worry about me… I can handle a lecture from Magica."

Minnie couldn't help but giggle at that.

"Of course. I'll see you later."

As she strode through the halls back to her chambers, the Princess found her mind turning to her and her friends' plan. Clearly it was catching on with the nobles, and judging from the way Mortimer was putting extra effort into attempting to be charming (to little effect), it seemed to be disturbing him as well.

Still, she couldn't keep a thought from disturbing her: should she have to tell her father, would he listen? Would he even care? Sad as she was to admit it, Minnie had no idea.