Shao led the way through the castle without speaking. Ren and Nora followed silently, passing nobles and servants. Apparently, the news about them had spread, because a variety of disbelief, anger, and pity was shown on the faces they passed. Nora glanced sideways at Ren. He was walking straight-backed, almost marching, his eyes dead ahead. His expression was unreadable, but a trickle of sweat ran down his face. Nora wanted to say something, but her throat felt dry as sand. It suddenly occurred to her that Ren might be in more trouble than she.

Shao stopped outside the king's private study, knocked once, and entered. The king was standing at the window and spun around as soon as they entered.

"Nora!" he cried, striding forward. Nora braced herself, but to her surprise, her father gripped her in a hug. He held her at arm's length and smiled down at her. "I am so happy you are alright!"

Nora blinked.

"Uh, yes…Father," she said. "Sorry I went out, but I really wanted to explore the city. It is my birthday."

Her father sighed. "I've told you Nora, it is a dangerous place. What if something had happened to you? I don't know what I'd do with myself."

Nora smiled hesitantly. "Why would anything happen, Father? No one knows who I am out there."

The king smiled down at her, but then the smile vanished. He turned to Ren for the first time.

"Shao, I would like you to take Nora back to her room," he said. "I must have a word with your son."

Shao nodded, his face impassive. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Nora stared.

"Wait, Father, what are you doing?"

"Nora, this doesn't concern you," said the king.

"Ren is my friend!" said Nora. "It wasn't—"

"Nora," said her father sternly. "Despite that I am glad you made it home safely, you disobeyed me. You would do well to wait in your room until I have finished talking to Lie and Shao. Then we can talk about when the next time you can leave the castle. And that is a privilege that will be strictly regulated after today." He turned his back to Nora. "Shao, please escort Nora to her room, lock it, and return here."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Shao quietly. "Princess, this way please."

Nora opened her mouth to argue, but Shao quickly put a hand on her shoulder and steered her out into the hall.

"What is going to happen to him?" asked Nora.

"I am not sure, Princess," said Shao. "But you were forbidden from leaving the castle and you disobeyed. Ren is responsible for you and we need to hear his story on what happened today. Then a suitable punishment will be decided for him."

"But he didn't do anything! It was my fault we were so late!"

"It doesn't matter Princess!" snapped Shao suddenly. "Lie knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them. He has no choice. The best thing you can do for him right now is to stay out of trouble and leave him be." He sighed. "I'm sorry Princess, I did not mean to get angry. But Lie's future is at stake. Perhaps he can still be a bodyguard, but only if he agrees to obey the king's wishes from now on."

Nora hung her head. All she did today was cause trouble, both for her father and Ren. Maybe Shao was right; maybe not being around Ren was for the best. She didn't want to cause any more trouble for him, even if that meant being distant. Just another face in the castle.

Shao opened Nora's door and ushered her in.

"Now stay here and wait for your father to—" he glanced by Nora's bed. "What is that?"

Nora glanced at what Shao was looking at. A candy wrapper from that morning lay on the floor.

"It's your gift you gave me this morning," she said dully. "I ate the bag of candy and haven't cleaned up yet."

"I haven't given you anything yet for your birthday Princess," said Shao, frowning.

"But—" Nora said.

Then it hit her. Ren had given her the candy and note that morning. Despite being told to remain professional, he had gone out of his way to be friendly to her. The birthday gift, cooking breakfast, letting her explore the city, and protecting her from the Faunus, he had been both friend and bodyguard. Nora remembered how she treated him with distain and tried to trick him, when the entire time he had been making sure she was happy. How could Nora sit by while Ren faced punishment alone? What kind of friend would do that?

Nora stood up straight, filled with determination. For the first time in her life, she turned to Shao and issued an order.

"Shao," said Nora. "As the Princess, I demand you follow this order; allow me to talk to my father now on the issue of Lie Ren. I will not allow my own bodyguard to face punishment for my wrongdoing. It would be shameful and dishonorable to use my bodyguard…my friend as a scapegoat when it is convenient."

Shao stared at her. Nora stared right back, her hands balled into tight fists, her face stern.

"I'm sorry Princess," said Shao quietly. "But your father has made it clear that I obey orders from him first and you second. I cannot ignore a direct order given to me by the king."

Nora's determination drained away. She was so sure of herself, determined to finally stand up to her father face-to-face, but Shao could not disobey her father's wishes. As Shao turned, tears filled Nora's eyes.

"You remember," said Shao, without turning around. "I was told to bring you here and lock the door. Being worried about what will happen to my son, I could be forgiven for forgetting to lock it. And I would be in such a hurry to get back, I wouldn't pay attention to anyone following me back. And if you were outside the door and overheard what would happen to Lie, then I couldn't blame you for talking about it with your father."

Nora looked up in disbelief. Shao smiled at her from the doorway.

"While it is frowned on for a bodyguard and their client to develop a friendship, I have a feeling Lie needs a person like you in his life. Just as you need a person for yours." He bowed low. "Thank you Princess, for being Lie's friend." He closed the door. Nora waited a few seconds, then grinned as the door opened at her touch. She saw the Shao walking briskly down the hall and she followed as quickly and quietly as she could.