Thank you so much, readers. I already have one review. That's great progress compared to my other stories.

Note: Spoilers are still present.

~*~H~*~

Kai saw his advisor Torin walking down the hall, talking with someone. He hurried to catch up with him. When he did, he overheard something about giving them a great deal on the Emperor's wardrobe for the evening. Sadly he was too late and Kai had a fitting later that afternoon. Torin lead him to the front gate and sent him off before he turned to see Kai.

He bowed. "Good morning, Your Majesty."

Kai nodded his head in return, too tired for formalities. "I talked with Cinder last night. She will be here tomorrow."

"I thought she wasn't coming for a few weeks." They were heading inside now.

"Plans change, Torin. I was surprised too."

"Who is going to take care of things on Luna?"

"Iko, naturally. Along with the thaumaturges."

"Alright, I'll tell the servants to prepare the guest wing. When is everyone else coming?"

"As scheduled, as far as I know." Torin pulled out his portscreen and commed the servants' part of the palace, letting them know of the change in schedule.

They, soon reached the Emperor's study and Kai took a seat behind his desk.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. I am your advisor. It's what I'm here for." Kai looked troubled and deep in thought and Torin could see that.

"Well, I really like Cinder and well..."

"You want to marry her, don't you?" Kai blushed.

"What? How... how do you know?"

"It's pretty obvious." Kai blushed deeper. "She will be stepping off her throne soon and you need a bride to produce an heir to your throne."

"You are my heir."

"You aren't in danger anymore." Kai rolled his eyes. "How about we go visit some jewelry stores so you can see what you would like in an engagement ring."

"No need. I can go on my own. It'll be less conspicuous." Kai stood and headed for his bedroom. When he got there, he saw Nainci standing at his door.

"Your Imperial Majesty, the servants asked that I inform you that the guest wing is already prepared for the arrival of the Lunar Queen and her friends."

"Thank you, Nainci." Kai stepped past her, into his room and pulled out a sweatshirt from his large closet. "I'll be back in a couple hours. Comm me if you need anything."

"Where are you going? Your fitting is at 3:00 sharp."

"I'll be back before then. I'm just going to the market."

Her sensor light scanned over him from top to bottom. "Are you sure you want to leave the Palace dressed like that?"

"Yes. I don't want to be recognised."

"It is in your best interest if you bring a couple guards with you."

"No. It is not. I do not want to be noticed."

"How can you be sure you aren't going to be assassinated?"

"I've done this before, there's nothing to worry about."

Her fan whirred. "I do not remember such an instance."

"When you were temporarily disabled by the D-Comm chip Sybil Mira installed in you. The royal mechanics couldn't fix you so I took you to Linh Cinder. I'll be fine. I promise." Kai walked out of his bedroom before Nainci could argue further. Nobody stopped him as he approached the front doors of the palace and walked out to the gate, which was open because of the preparations for the ball. He pulled out his portscreen and commed a hover. He didn't have to wait long. He told the hover to drop him off a couple blocks away from the market.

When the hover got there he paid for it with his ID chip and got out. He didn't mind walking a couple extra blocks. Once he got close enough to see the crowd of people he pulled his hood up and strolled along the booths until he found one that was selling jewelry. He found one with a display case full of diamond rings. An older woman with long blond hair stood behind the table when she noticed he was looking at the rings.

"Can I help you find anything?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No. I'm just looking." He thought for a moment. "Well. Actually I'm kind of looking for an engagement ring. But I'm not sure if I want to buy one today."

She ducked under the table and came up with a tray of rings with large diamonds, rubies and sapphires. "Would this be more what you're looking for?"

"Oh, goodness, no. I think she would like something simpler... less flashy."

"I understand." She ducked down again and came up with another tray. These rings were much simpler and the diamonds were much smaller. They looked much more Cinder's taste. But none of them were perfect for her. Kai looked at all the other trays of jewelry. Some were full of bracelets, other's earrings. Then his eye was caught on a locket, displayed on a plastic outstretched hand, dangling over the finger. On the outside of the locket it looked like a normal human heart, on the inside however it looked like how he imagined the inside of Cinder's head looked, filled with wires and the walls held a feint blue glow. Kai stepped closer to the display and saw a ring on the thumb of the hand. The silver band had lines of blue along it that feintly glowed and a small deep blue sapphire. He could tell just by looking at it that it was much too big for Cinder.

"How long can I put this on hold?"

"One month."

"Perfect and how much to have it resized?"

"Anywhere from 10 to 30 univs. It just depends."

"Alright. I'd like to put it on hold and I'll be back next week to tell you the new size." She scanned his ID chip to hold the order in his name.

~*~H~*~

"You can help me pick out a tiara when we're done saving the world." -Cinder, Cress Book 3 of the Lunar Chronicles