Minnie felt as if she hadn't been able to relax in ages. At least, as much as anyone could relax in troubled times like these. It was only a day since she had mercifully seen the back of Prince Mortimer, and things already felt less tense in the castle. She only regretted he would likely not receive the punishment he deserved for what he did to Mickey, but the humiliation of his father's displeasure and shattered reputation was clearly a hard blow in itself. Whatever other trouble he ended up in was of little concern to Minnie.

"Pardon me, Your Highness?"

Minnie looked up to see Clarabelle standing nearby.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have a letter."

The Princess set aside her book with a smile.

"No trouble at all. Do you know where it's from?"

The maid gave her a sly smile.

"From Pomona, my Lady. It came to Lady Daisy first."

Feeling a surge of eager excitement, Minnie smiled as she stood and held out her hand. Clarabelle chuckled as she handed her the folded parchment.

"I thought that might please you."

"Oh, yes," Minnie said happily. "Thank you, Clarabelle."

The maid dropped a curtsy, then headed back out as Minnie broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. Mickey's script flowed over the page, making her smile widen as she began to read.

To Her Highness, Princess Minerva,

I got your last letter, and I'm real glad that Mortimer's not around to bother ya anymore. And it was great of you to stand up for that girl, though I didn't expect anything else. I told ya you'd do what's right even if ya were scared. I'm also writing to ask ya something. I know ya haven't felt safe leavin' th' castle lately, but with that problem cleared up, I think it'd be a good idea for ya t' get out for a bit. Let me know if ya can soon, okay? Things are goin' fine here… everyone else says hi and asked how you're doing. Hope to hear from ya soon.

All my best,

Mickey

Minnie lowered the letter, her smile now replaced with a slight frown. Even if he hadn't said outright, she knew what Mickey was saying. If he was asking her to meet him, he must have something important to tell her. And it had to involve Resistance activity… there was nothing else he would have sent her this for. The letter was carefully worded but sending it would still have been a risk.

Pressing her lips together, the Princess frowned as she thought. She and Mickey hadn't met in person since Mortimer's ordered attack, so she had no idea of Resistance activity other than the rumors from the streets that made their way into the court. Of course, hardly any nobles dared discuss those things for fear of it getting back to the King, so that meant Minnie had heard very little.

Suddenly a thought came to her, and Minnie's eyes widened. If something the Resistance was doing involved her, it likely meant Mickey wanted to meet her to ask her permission. Could it be they were about to make a move?

Minnie wasn't sure what she was supposed to feel when she considered that thought. The man they were planning to overthrow was hardly fit to be a ruler anymore, more content to take out his pain and bitterness on his helpless subjects rather than serve them to the best of his ability as he'd sworn to do. She knew better than anyone the things he had done, and even she feared it would only get worse if left unchecked.

Still, there was one thing she couldn't forget… he was also her father. Even though he hadn't acted like one in years, Minnie still couldn't look at him without remembering the man who had come with her mother to tuck her in every night, who would sit her on his lap and tell her stories of her ancestors, expressing his confidence she would one day prove herself their equal. She remembered how he had once always had a smile for her, or for her mother, how he had lived for the quiet moments with them.

As much as Minnie cherished those memories, there was something else she could never forget. The man she knew now wasn't the loving father she had known. For years, she had held on to the hope that he could be again, but he was either incapable of change at all, or simply incapable of it as things were now. Whatever the case, things had to change if there was any hope of them getting better. If this was the only option, for him and for her people, Minnie couldn't see any reason to say no.

Slowly, the Princess rose to her feet and walked to a nearby window, gazing out at the grounds. With the danger of Mortimer's prying eyes removed, it was certainly safe to use the old secret passage to the outside. Clarabelle had been scoping out the alley between her that the activity of the street, especially with Mortimer banished. She would use it, too… once she and her friends did one final check and made sure it was when the guards wouldn't think to come in asking for her.

As she continued to look out over the castle grounds, watching both residents and servants moving around on their individual errands, the thought came to her that soon she may be ruling them… everyone beyond the castle walls. She had always been destined for the throne; she'd been brought up with that knowledge and trained for it since early childhood, winning the admiration and respect of her tutors, and in time of the public. She couldn't say that she didn't understand the concept of ruling or not have the necessary skills, but still she felt a sliver of doubt lodging itself deep inside.

What if I fail to fix things? What if I make a big mistake that makes it all worse?

Troubling as these thoughts were, somehow the next one worried her even more.

Would Mickey still love me?

Deep down she knew that was silly… of course he would love her, just as she always would him. But whether they could truly be together was another question. Everyone would expect her to marry for political advantage, take a husband who could bring benefit. In the end, the decision was up to her, but she couldn't forget that she wasn't the only one in the equation. She had an obligation to her people, to always put them first. The thought filled her with a strange feeling… a mix of both resignation and reluctance.

Finally, Minnie took a deep breath and turned from the window. There wasn't much point in standing here fretting about it, and besides, she couldn't even know if that was what Mickey wanted to discuss with her. And even if it was, there were far more important things to be concerned with. Crossing her sitting room, she pulled open one of the double doors.

"Excuse me, guard?"

One of the men on guard turned and stood at attention.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Please find Lady Daisy and ask if she can spare some time, I'd like to speak with her."

The guard swept a bow.

"Right away, My Lady."

As he strode off down the hall, the other guard gave Minnie a polite nod. She smiled and returned it before going back inside. Picking up Mickey's letter, which she had left on her desk, she sat down and scanned the writing again. Anxious as she was about what he might be wanting to discuss with her, she felt excitement too. She hadn't seen Mickey since he was attacked, and as pleasant as exchanging letters was, she had missed seeing him.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting there before a knock sounded on her door.

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but Lady Daisy is here."

Minnie blinked, then rose from her desk and set the letter down.

"Thank you," she called. "Show her in."

She gave Daisy a smile as her friend stepped inside.

"Thank you for coming, Daisy. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

The duck returned her smile.

"Nonsense. I can always spare some time to talk." Her look then grew slightly concerned. "It is a little late, though… is everything all right?"

Letting out a quiet sigh, Minnie turned and picked up the letter again.

"Oh!" Daisy said. "Yes, that just arrived. I…"

When she looked up, the troubled look was clearly visible on Minnie's face.

"Your Highness?" Reaching out, she placed a hand on Minnie's. "What is it? Something wrong?"

The Princess hesitated, then held out the letter.

"He wants me to meet him."

Looking somewhat confused, Daisy took the letter and began to read. As her eyes moved down the page, the confusion turned into surprise, then grim understanding.

"And you think it's about…"

Minnie nodded.

"Yes."

The two stood in silence for a moment, then Daisy spoke again.

"That must be why me and Donald haven't heard anything… he wants your approval first." She looked up at Minnie, then she gave her a gentle smile.

"I know how hard this must be, my Lady. But I want you to remember… whatever happens, none of it is your fault."

Shifting on her feet, Minnie gave one more sigh.

"I'm not so sure about that… but thank you."

Daisy's sympathetic smile never faded.

"I'm just saying the truth, Your Highness."

That finally brought a smile to Minnie's face.

"You really are the best friend anyone could have, Daisy," she said softly. Her friend's gentle look grew teasing.

"Isn't that the truth, too?"

At that, Minnie found herself laughing more than she had in weeks. It took a few seconds before she could speak.

"I would certainly say so."