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James nodded to the man as the butler opened the door and bowed them into the room.

The room was possibly the most extravagant place they had seen yet in the castle. Pure silver was painted on the vast walls and sapphire covered seamlessly. The architect must have been a metal and stone mage. Cat eyed the room critically before looking at the three large thrones in the back of the room.

In the middle was a stately man with thick dark gray hair and cold green eyes. A large gold and ruby crown sat firmly on his head, but the colors clashed with the cool surroundings of the room. The king was dressed in red silk robes and he was looking at the travelers distastefully. A fragile blond woman was sitting in the slightly smaller throne next to him. Covered in a black dress and wearing a gold and amethyst crown, the queen of Malvint's very presence in the room seemed to drop the temperature several degrees. The third throne was empty.

James stepped forward fearlessly. "Your Majesties," he began, with a small bow towards them. "I am James Carmedd of Seghim, prince of Coutrun. These are my companions, Lord Stutrian and Lady Jarewl. We are here to discuss possible peace treaties between our two countries."

The king's face lost none of its frostiness. "Yes, I know perfectly well who you are. How long will you be staying here?"

James answered without pause. "As long as it takes for us to make suitable treaty."

"Indeed. Well," the king said, snapping his fingers and bringing a servant forward from the shadows, "this fellow can show you your rooms. I'll send you a message when I feel up to wasting my time talking with you."

"Excuse me?" asked James frostily. "I would think it should be a priority for you to make peace with Coutrun, seeing as we are the most powerful country near your borders."

The king didn't seem to hear him, and only beckoned to the servant to lead them away. The servant approached quickly. "I-" began James.

"Milord," murmured the servant so his masters couldn't hear him. "it is best not to argue when He is in one of His moods."

James nodded swiftly and whirled on his heel and followed the man out of the door. Cat cast a quick glance back at the motionless nobles. Her opinion of Malvint was sinking with every step she took.

The servant, slightly slowed by carrying their bags, led them unwavering throughout the labyrinth of corridors in the castle until they reached another long hall of doors. "All the rooms in this hall are unoccupied. Choose at your leisure. Inside will be a bell you can ring for a servant. One of us will let you know when dinner will be served. Depending on His mood, you may eat alone or with the royal family." The servant set down the bags and turned to go, but paused, turning back to the three travelers. "Prince of Coutrun, may I give you a piece of advice?" He flinched slightly, as though expecting a blow.

Cat nudged James to answer quickly. "Of course. It would be greatly appreciated."

The servant dropped his voice. "Be careful around the royals. They don't care who you are or where you're from. Politeness is the best course; make sure you look as nice as you can when you see them. They can't stand dirt."

James nodded and the servant left quickly. Cat shouldered her travel bag and motioned for Cylon and Callie to join her in looking for a room. Nathan and James chose adjacent rooms in the center of hall, much to the relief to Cat. Even in the castle, it was best to be hidden. Cat looked into the first room on the right. She blinked at the vibrant pink that clashed so horribly to the unremitting blues and silvers in the hall. She nearly slammed the door on Callie, who had started to enter the room.

She went to the room directly across the hall and found the yin to the other room's yang. Dull beige and little color change ruled in this room. Cat sighed and went the door next to it. Solid white. Across the hall? Pitch black. It seemed that the opposite rooms had opposite color schemes.

Across from a vibrant yellow and blue swirled room, Cat found the perfect place. It was varying shades of green with brown decorations. It had a beautiful mural on the wall of a peaceful forest, putting Cat immediately at home.

'This is it,' said Cylon decisively before sauntering into the room.

'What if I don't like it?' asked Cat with a raised eyebrow.

'Oh please. I've known you long enough to know that you love this room.'

Callie immediately hopped on the bed and curled up to sleep on a brown silk pillow. 'I dunno about you, but I'm going to sleep.' Cat laughed and declined politely, before setting about and unpacking her suitcase. When she finished that, she drew a bath and washed away the dust of the roads from her skin and hair with soft fruit scents. By the time she had finished, Cylon had joined Cal in the lands of slumber, so Cat was left without anyone to talk to.

She walked over to where the boys had their rooms and knocked on the door. "James?" she called through the door.

"Come on in." Cat opened the door into a dark blue and gold room. James and Nathan were sitting on the bed, talking lazily.

"What do you think about those amazingly generous royals?" asked James flippantly.

Cat scowled. "I don't trust them, I don't respect them… I don't like them."

Nathan smiled. "Couldn't have put it better myself. So, we were just discussing what you'll be wearing to dinner. Are you going more towards skirt, or dress?"

Cat gave a pained smile. "Don't own either, actually."

James looked over at her so quickly that Cat was surprised he didn't get whiplash. "You need a dress. You heard the servant. They'll think you're being disrespectful. Do you know where you can get one?"

"Of course, seeing as I've been in Malvint so many times." Cat scowled. "Of course I don't know. And dinner will start soon. Any ideas?"

James leaned over and rang a silver bell. "What was that for?" asked Cat in exasperation.

"You'll see. Anyways, I know you said I couldn't wear a cape on the trip, but I can wear one now that we're here? Or will it attract assassins?" he asked with a smirk.

"Wear a cape if you'd like, Mr. Arrogant, but you should know how exceedingly royal you look in it."

"Exactly what I've been trying to tell him," said Nathan. He shoved James. "See, she thinks so too."

"Well, we are trying to make a good impression, aren't we? Rich and royal is the style in Malvint," defended James.

There was a timid knock on the door. "Come in," said James.

A girl who looked about their ages entered. Not speaking, she stood at the entrance with her head down. She had long red-blonde hair and darkly tanned skin.

James said, "I know this sounds strange, but do you have any spare dresses in this place?"

The girl looked up startled, revealing large brown eyes. She let out a giggle, but clamped a hand over her mouth. "Um, what size do you wear, sir?"

James jumped. "Not for me!" he yelped. "For her," he said, gesturing towards Cat.

"Now her we can find a dress for. Sir," she amended.

"Call me James," said James casually.

"I need a dress for dinner tonight as I currently am lacking a new one."

"Lacking a new one?" cackled Nathan. "I thought you said you didn't even own one?" he said with a smirk.

"Not own a dress?" asked the girl with large eyes. She suddenly became businesslike. "Well, the royal tailor can make you some, and, with a few adjustments, can use one of the ones the queen refused for tonight."

"Lead me to her," said Cat. "Boys, you stay here. In this room. Don't leave. At all. Got it?" she said slowly.

The nobles nodded and the girl led Cat out of the room. They started off in silence, the girl's original shyness restored. "So, what's your name?" Cat asked.

"Starella. Please call me Star, ma'am."

"Call me Cat. How old are you? You can't be much older than me."

"Nineteen," she said.

"And I'm eighteen," Cat said.

"Eighteen and you don't own a dress?" asked Star.

"Well, I always thought they were plain useless."

The girl looked surprised. "Then what do you wear to parties? I own a dress for every occasion. Birthdays, holidays, parties."

"Well, I went to a ball when I was twelve, but not recently. I prefer a tunic and leggings," said Cat, gesturing down at her current attire.

They talked until they reached a halt beside a large door. "Would you like me to come with you?" asked Star.

Cat nodded and the girls entered the room. Inside was a large woman who was busy sewing. "Ah, 'ello Stara! An', who is dis?" the woman said, rising quickly and wrapping Star in a hug.

"This is Lady Jarewl from Coutrun," introduced Star.

"Call me Cat," said the spy, shaking the woman's hand. "Do you have any dresses?"

"Dat is like asking a baker if 'e 'as any bread!" replied the woman, dragging Cat into a large room. Inside were rows of racks of all kinds of dresses. "Dis size should be gud. Vy do you need von of my dresses?"

"Well, Madam Meroux, it's 'cause she doesn't have any," said Star with pursed lips.

The woman whipped out a yellow tape measurer. "Well, we can change that, can't we?" the two advanced on the worried Cat.

Over the next hour, Cat was pinched and pulled, squeezed in and out of dresses and had been inspected thoroughly. Once a perfect dress for that night had been selected, Cat was forced to wear it as Madame Meroux, with help from another servant, fixed up her curly animal hair into the latest fashion while Star applied face paint to her.

"Why are you being so nice?" asked Cat curiously.

"I know a kind soul vhen I am seeing von. And you need our help," the tailor said motherly.

Star told her to hush while she added lip paint to complete her new face. When they finally finished, Star said, "You look great. I should get you to your rooms, for dinner will be ready soon. Don't sit down, or touch anything."

"Come back as soon as you can, Cat!" called Madame Meroux from inside. Cat nodded and followed Star back to her room.

There, I updated. Yay me! Please review!