Sofia and Gunther entered the courtyard.

"Sofia!" Jane ran up to her friend and hugged her tightly. "What happened?" She glanced towards Gunther.

"We went to heal a little girl with Sofia's magic. It was a little much for her and she passed out, so we stayed at the house." Gunther explained.

Jane looked back at the girl. "Are you alright now?" She asked.

Sofia nodded. "Never better. Now I have two dresses to finish perfecting, so you have to shoo!" She waved Jane away before heading to the stables.

Gunther went to Sir Theodore's office to explain why they didn't return last night.

When Sofia got into the stables she heard the distinct music of Jester's lute.

She stepped up the ladders and poked her head up onto the rafters, and there he was. "Why is everyone stealing my hiding spot?" She asked, startling the joker.

He looked at her. "I was looking for you to help with my ballad, I thought this would be a good place to wait for you." He smiled at her. "How are you, lady knight?"

She got upon the rafters and sat next to him. "Exhausted. First off I went out yesterday with Jane to get a gown, then a lady had her purse stolen so I chased the thief. Then I said I'll heal the lady's daughter so I went there late last night with Gunther and healed the girl before passing out because it drained me. Then on the way back, Gunther's father started to interrogate me." She listed before flopping down into the hay. "Now I have to fix up two dresses for tomorrow." She sighed.

Jester put his lute down. "Your problem is that you're too giving and you never know how to say no to anyone who needs help. It's quite admirable if you want my opinion."

She smiled softly. "Thank you. Now if you want help, can I help and sew at the same time? I really need to get Jane's dress done by tonight."

He nodded.

She took out the dress and her sewing kit.

"She will look beautiful in that." He remarked.

The silver thread shimmered in the sunlight.

"Oh, about the ball, you will be escorting her." She stated.

His eyes widened. "What did you say to her?" He demanded.

"I said that you seem to like her and it turns out that she may have feelings for you too. So, I told her to go to the ball with you and dance with you when you get a break from entertainment." She winked at him.

He stared at the girl. "Sofia... you are amazing!" He hugged her.

"I know. But please ask her early tomorrow. I don't think she has the nerve to ask you, just bring it up. Like 'hey do you want me to escort you to the ball before I have to start entertaining...' or something Jesterish. A poem or something that you normally write for her." She laughed.

He nodded.

That afternoon they completed Jester's ballad and Sofia finally finished Jane's dress.

"It's amazing, she'll love it!" Jester grinned. "You should give it to her so she can try it on." He suggested going down the ladder.

Sofia nodded and folded the dress carefully, putting it into the shopping bag. She went down the ladder too.

They sat at the table outside with the rest of the staff and Gunther.

"Where's Jane?" Jester asked, sitting next to Sofia.

Gunther glared a little at the seating arrangements. He was sitting across from Sofia but Smithy was on her left and Jester was on her right.

"On patrol, I think, what's in the bag?" Smithy asked curiously.

"You'll see." She winked.

He blushed slightly at the gesture.

"Hey everyone!" Jane came and sat next to Rake and Gunther.

"Hello Jane!" Jester smiled.

Jane blushed. "Hello Jester. You're more cheerful than this morning. Did something good happen?"

"I finished my ballad, with Sofia's assistance." He added.

Jane smiled. "Thank you for helping him, Sofia."

Sofia placed the bag in front of her. "I also done something for you too." She grinned.

Jane peeked inside of the bag and squealed a little. "Oh, Sofia!" She pulled the gown out of the bag and stood up, putting it against her. "It's perfect."

The gown was a simple, emerald green that had a ribbon just below where the bust would be. The scale design covered the front panel and there was also a dragon on the bottom of the skirts, stitched in the same silver thread.

"And no corset back, just like you wanted." Sofia smiled. "At least you'll be able to breathe and enjoy the night."

Jane went around the table and hugged Sofia around the neck, kissing her cheek. "You really are wonderful! Thank you so much!" She stepped back and admired the wonderful embroidery.

Jester watched his loves face. He hadn't seen her this happy in a while.

Gunther was watching too. You really do put a smile on everyone's face, pretty Lady Knight. He glanced towards the said girl. "What about your gown?" He asked.

Sofia met his eyes. "I haven't even started yet." She laughed.

"Will you get it done in time? You lost a lot of time last night and this morning." He added.

She nodded. "Dragons can see in the dark." She said.

"Well don't over work yourself, the princess demanded a dance remember." Jester petted her head.

She propped her elbow onto the tabled and rested her chin on her hand.

"Well you did a lovely job on that dress, I dare say." Pepper examined the needlework.

Jane folded the dress and put it back into her bag.

For the rest of the day and through the night, Sofia stayed up in the rafters to finish her dress. Once she had finally perfected it, she placed it in a bag and pulled the sheet over it so nobody would peek. She felt too tired to go to the tower and ended up falling asleep where she was.

Gunther found it hard to sleep that night, nerves bubbled in his stomach. The box that held the necklace was on his night stand. That necklace was given to Sally's great grandfather... by Sofia... three generations ago... what would she say if she recognises it? Would it be weird if I gave it to her as a symbol of friendship? Of thanks?

He sat up. I wonder whether she's still in the stables... He sighed. "I want to see you... pretty lady knight..."

He took a lantern and went to the stables.

He quietly climbed the ladder upon the rafters. He stared at the girl that was curled up, sleeping soundly. He sat down near her.

Suddenly she wasn't there anymore.

She was on top of him, with her dagger at his throat. Eyes blazing in the darkness.

"Sofia!" Gunther choked out. "It's me, it's Gunther!" He whispered.

Her eyes widened in realisation and she dropped her hand. "Gun-ther...?" She gasped.

"Yes." He exhaled.

She dropped her head on his shoulder.

He heard her sniffles. She was crying. "Hey?" He brought his hand up to her hair and stroked it. "It's okay, you're okay, and I'm okay. Everything is okay." He whispered. His heart was racing with fright.

"I-I'm sorry... I had a bad dream and I sensed a presence... so I just attacked. I couldn't tell if it was you." She shook.

"Don't worry about it..." He comforted. He moved into a seating position again with her on his lap, hugging her tight as he felt her tears seep through his night shirt.

She pulled away to look up at his face. "Please don't fear me..." She begged.

He chuckled. "How can I fear something that looks so cute right now?" What am I saying?!

She laughed and pushed his chest to sit straight. "Normally I'd be able to pick up your scent when you're near, but I was so caught up in the nightmare... I sensed someone there... I was scared you were someone who was going to try and kidnap me or something."

He lifted his hand and wiped away tears from her soft cheek. "You... scared? Never." He smirked.

She got up off his lap and moved to sit next to him. "So, why are you sneaking around, dear Squire?" She asked, drying her eyes on her cloak.

"I couldn't get to sleep, so I came to see my favourite lady knight." He added.

She giggled. "Then your favourite lady knight tried to kill you."

"Yes... she did." He rubbed his throat.

She reached out and stroked his cheek subconsciously. "I really am sorry." She whispered.

He took the hand and squeezed it. "If you kill me, it will be an honour." He intertwined his fingers in hers and leaned back into the bale of hay. "Have you finished your dress?" He asked.

She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded.

"Can I see it?"

She shook her head.

"Why not?" He pouted.

She smirked. "It's a surprise."

He was enjoying their closeness, the heat radiating from her was comfortable. "Again, I am sorry about my father today. He can be a right insufferable piece of work. He'd have a field day if he found out your secret. He'd exploit you to every one of his associates. Dragon is one thing, but a dragon queen under a curse is another."

She sighed. "If he did find out, I'd wipe his memories before he could even think about it. Don't worry about anything, Gunther. Unbelievably, I am more powerful than you know, I have a thousand years on my back."

He swallowed. I'm in love with a thousand-year-old dragon girl... but somehow... age doesn't bother me right now. "So, you will dance with me tomorrow, right?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Only if you ask me."

He felt his heart flip flop. "Do you want me to leave now? Let you sleep." He started to pull away.

She gripped his hand tighter and shook her head. "Stay?"

He looked down at her. Her eyes were closed, but she looked content. Could she feel the same way? He moved so he was comfier and closed his eyes too. "Anything for you, pretty Lady Knight." He whispered.