The Minister of Autumn stormed down to the prison cells. He approached Milori's cell and the guards stared in amazement. One of them got up and approached the minister, "Sir, you can't be down here, Lord Milori-"

"He's not the Lord of Winter anymore remember!" The guard who remained ready his magazine hissed.

"Well I don't care! It just doesn't seem right to call him otherwise!"

Milori who had been watching the whole ordeal from his cell smiled proudly. A faint chuckle escaped him, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, but you've already had a visitor and I can't allow the Minister to see you unless it's by the Queen's order."

"Well this had to do with the Queen, so I think I have the right to speak with him considering I rule over you!" Red yelled as he walked over to Milori's cell.

The guard frantically looked over to the one reading the magazine who simply shrugged. He gave up and went back to his friend.

Milori watched as Red came closer. Fear suddenly appeared on his face as the Minister grabbed him by the shirt collar through the bars, "What did you say to her?"

"Excuse me?"

"Clarion has been balling her eyes out all afternoon, what did you say to her?" Milori stared at him bewildered and Red groaned and dropped him. This was going to take a long while to explain.

000

Clarion let out a sigh. She had gotten an awful headache and probably from all the crying over the past few days. At this point she might do anything to take her mind off of things since she had already run out of tasks to do. Now Clarion was just filling out scrolls at her desk.

Then there was a knock at the door, "Come in."

Benedict entered the room, "I just came to check in on you. I brought you some tea." She hasn't looked up previously, but at the mention of tea he gaze instantly shot forward. Benedict was carrying a platter.

"Thank you." Clarion gladly took the tea cup and took a sip. She then let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair.

"Queen Clarion, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"I'm not sure," he held the back of his hand to her forehead and it felt oddly warm, "You do feel warm."

"Oh, I hadn't noticed, it's probably just from all the stress. As you can imagine I've been under a lot of it lately."

"Yes, maybe we should do something to take your mind off things." Benedict suggested.

"Like what?"

"Maybe dinner tonight?'

"What!"

"Just something to distract you, a casual dinner between friends."

That was odd. Clarion had never really considered them friends, acquaintances maybe, but not friends. Although he was plenty nice to her and catered to her every whim, almost like- no stop you don't need to think about that right now! Okay maybe this dinner would be good for her! Why not?

"I don't see why not and it most definitely can distract me."

"Good, I'll make a reservation for seven." Benedict then left.

A blush appeared on Clarion's cheeks when smiled to her before shutting the door. She suddenly realized she was and tried to get rid of it.

An hour and a half later...

Clarion had changed out of her royal attire and into something more comfortable. A simple dress and a coat to keep her warm. It was a little chilly at night after all. She repinned her hair so it looked at least a little more contained. No makeup was applied, since she didn't want to give Benedict the wrong idea.

Right as the clock struck quarter till seven there was a knock on the door. Wow, Benedict was there exactly when he said he would. The was definitely something she liked, being on time. Maybe Clarion would actually have fun at this dinner.

Minutes later the two were seated at a table in the center of the room. Benedict was wearing a simple suit in colors of red, purple, and yellow. They weren't exactly the center of attention because the room was filled with many other fairies including the minister of Autumn and Winter sitting at a nearby table.

"I took the liberty of ordering before hand," Benedict said.

"Oh really, you didn't need to do that."

"I thought about it, but I mentally insisted."

Clarion giggled slightly.

Moments later their meals were served and Clarion's favorite dish was placed in front of her, Gnocchi with brown butter and sage. She was utterly speechless. "How did you know this was my favorite dish?" Clarion managed.

"I am your royal adviser afterall, it is my duty to know almost anything and everything about you that could possibly be important to know."

"Why thank you, then." A blush crept across her face.

The dinner went on and they surprisingly talked about things that didn't have to do with work. From a nearby table Red was watching them closely. He couldn't believe that Benedict was blatantly flirting with the Queen. She had just deemed the sparrowman she loved a traitor yesterday and neither of them seemed to care!

At one point Clarion excused herself to use the bathroom and Red took this time to excuse himself and have a word with Benedict. He asked the sparrowman out into the hall and Benedict followed. Once outside Red took a moment to see if anyone was nearby. When it was all clear he bragged Benedict and pinned him to the wall, "What are you playing at!"

"Excuse me?" the sparrowman sounded utterly terrified.

"I know you're up to something! You seemed far too happy to see Lord Milori found guilty, and now you've convinced the Queen to go on a date with you! What are you playing at!"

"Oh nothing," there was no longer fear in Benedict's voice, "So what if I was happy to see Milori stripped of his title and Clarion's trust in him shattered. It's nothing I can't help, besides, she's finally seeing that they were never meant to be together."

Red dropped the sparrowman, "You framed Lord Milori didn't you!"

"Now I never said that. But why are you so upset? Is it because your best friend in locked in a cell, or the fact that I'm no where near as interested in your girlfriend as I am in the Queen?"

Red groaned in anger and in a split second his fist connected with Benedict's face. There was a scream as Benedict dropped to his knees. Red turned to see the Queen who had obviously seen him attack the sparrowman. Guards immediately ran in and grabbed Red. They then dragged him away as Clarion ran over to Benedict.