Cody gritted his teeth to hold in the pain as Joe finished tightening the bandages on his arm.

"You're lucky that you made it here in time before that poison spread throughout your entire system" Joe breathed. "If you were even a second later than the damage would've been done. I would've had to have been forced to amputate that arm of yours."

"Thank you, doctor" Cody breathed.

He was just about to get up and leave but both Prince TK and Knight Noriko stopped him, sitting him back down. "Is there anything you want him to do?" TK asked Joe. "You know, to make sure he heals completely."

"I'm fine" Cody stated firmly. "I just want to catch that warlock so that he'll pay for killing Michael."

Noriko shook her head. "We don't have to talk about that right now. Right now, what's most important is making sure that you're fine."

Joe turned back in his seat and looked to the group of three with all seriousness. "You two are going to have to keep an eye on Cody for a while. I can't be sure that I took out all of the poison from his body so you're going to have to bring him here once a month so I can do a routine check-up. Also, be sure not to have him do any strenuous work because if there is any poison left, then it'll spread at an unimaginable rate. Also, regulate his diet, he tends to consume too much protein, it's not good for his health no matter how muscular he is."

"Thank you doctor" the prince sighed. "Come on you two, let's go back."

"Oh, that's right" Joe stated, suddenly remembering something. "Prince TK, can you tell your brother to watch his back? It's rather likely that Ken may be targeting him considering he wants to take vengeance on your parents and one of the best ways to do that, is take away something important to them."

"What about me?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure you understand the situation well enough from this warning."

"Yeah, thanks again."

"It's my job, what am I supposed to do?"

-X-

Mimi had tried to forget all about the incident that had happened and just got herself ready for the big night. But standing in front of the mirror in that party gown had never made her feel uglier. It felt like she didn't even care about Michael's death and was just going to a festive party to celebrate rather than mourning for him. But she already made a promise to the high royal family that she would be there and it wouldn't feel right to break such a promise.

Sora came up, wearing the red silk dress that Mimi had chosen for her to wear at the ball. "Milady, the carriage is waiting for us outside. Are you ready to go yet?"

The princess didn't answer so Sora was about to repeat her question but then Mimi spoke. "Yeah, I'll be there in just a minute or so." She looked back into the mirror and had her hollow eyes stare back at her miserably. "I just…need a minute."

Sora watched Mimi in silence for a few minutes. "I'll see you then."

The seamstress closed the door behind her and walked down the stairs and out the main entrance. She walked up to the carriage where the knights were waiting for them. "Tai, Davis, it seems the princess will need a little more time."

"That's fine we can wait" Tai stated. "I don't think the festivities are going to end until midnight anyway. We can take the time to get to know each other better since I'm still a fairly new knight in the princess's court."

Sora giggled a little. "I apologize if not that interesting though. There isn't much you can really learn about me."

"That's fine."

Davis fidgeted at the driver's seat while Tai was talking to the horses. They had been nervous ever since the events that had happened earlier down at the village. Although they didn't appear to be nearly as nervous as Davis was at the moment.

"Sir Davis, is there something wrong?" Sora asked.

"No, nothing" Davis replied. "But I was just wondering if you knew if Duchess Yolei was taking Kari with her to the ball."

"Tai's younger sister?"

"Yes."

Sora thought back to her conversations with the duchess. "Well, I think she told me that she wanted to but Kari didn't. She said something about Kari preferring to avoid social events although it's a real shame, a maiden as pretty as she is would surely be the light of the party."

"Well my sister was never a fan of such activities" Tai sighed. "I can't say I really blame her. I'd feel so out of place at a ball meant for members of the royal class."

"Oh, that's too bad…" Davis muttered.

"Davis" Sora started, being able to put two and two together. "Are you in love Kari?"

Davis blushed uncontrollably as he stuttered his way past it. "W-Whatever gave you that idea?"

"It's written all over your face" Tai stated emotionlessly. "You can't really hide it well although it doesn't really matter all that much. Unluckily for you, my sister isn't oblivious; she is well-aware of your little crush." When Davis looked a little stricken with fear, Tai quickly continued. "Don't worry, she doesn't mind. She's used to many guys falling for her. But you're one of the few I actually approve of."

"Well at least that last part made me feel a little better" Davis sighed. "But Tai, you don't have much room to talk. It's not like you're all too good at hiding your affections for a certain lady."

Now Sora was curious. "Oh? And who is this special lady of yours?"

It was Tai's turn to blush but he didn't stutter in the same way his subordinate did. "Erm, well, you don't have to worry about it." He then turned on Davis with a rather intense glare and the younger knight shrugged innocently and walked away.

"I'm just going to leave you two alone. Call me when the princess gets out."

"It's dangerous to be on your own!" Sora called after him.

They couldn't see him from where he was now but they could tell he had patted the sword in its sheath on his waist. "I'll be just fine! Don't worry about me! Besides, if I get into trouble, you guys will probably hear me. Just have fun getting to know each other!"

They didn't have much time to actually talk though when Mimi finally came back out about a minute after Davis had left. "What are you two talking about?" she asked cheerily. She didn't seem as depressed as she was when Sora had seen her in front of the mirror. "It's not about me is it? Because I hear a lot of stories about servants badmouthing their masters behind their backs."

"We would never, milady" Tai bowed.

"Well, I'm glad about that at least" Mimi smiled softly. "So what were you two talking about? Are they stuff about things like your possible shared future together?"

"Princess!" they both exclaimed.

"I'm just kidding of course" the princess giggled. "Come on, let's get Davis and go to the ball already! They're probably waiting for us at the door by now." She opened up the carriage before Tai could get the chance to, despite it being his job to do it for her. She just stepped inside and Sora followed soon after.

Tai stood by the horses as he stared at the carriage as if he could see right through it and at the two maidens inside. He then side and walked off to find and retrieve the younger knight. It was obvious to him that the princess was only putting up a front so that they wouldn't worry about her. "But who does she think she's fooling?" Tai scoffed. "The 'honest princess', huh?"

-X-

The duchess arrived to the grand castle with the beautiful maiden by her side as well as the knights that accompanied the two of them. They were led through grand hallways and soon reached the ballroom, where the party was taking place.

"Welcome, Duchess Yolei" the maids greeted when the doors opened for them.

"Now this is what I call a reception!" Yolei smiled.

"It's not really my thing" her companion muttered.

"Oh come on Kari! Why don't you let loose once in a while" the duchess laughed. "I can promise you that we're going to have a lot of fun especially since we're here together. Not to mention you'll have many gentlemen callers looking towards you."

"I don't really think I want that" Kari sighed.

"Don't be such a downer."

"I can try."

The two women had barely taken a step further when suddenly; they were stopped by a handsome young man. He looked a little like the younger of the high princes but the two of them knew that it wasn't him when he took their hands and kissed the backs of them. "My fair maidens, may the two of you join me on this most festive night? I would simply love for you to keep me company for I am quite a lonely man."

"Duke Wallace…" both women said.

Suddenly a pink laced fan hit the duke upon the head and then the owner of the fan yanked the man away from them. "You're not going to be indulging in anyone" the gorgeous woman said in exasperation. "Honestly, can't you even go one minute without having to flirt with someone?"

"I'm afraid not my dear" Wallace said. "For I am a man of a weak heart and it flutters every time I set my eyes upon beautiful women. Someone such as yourself, for example, I–."

"Don't even finish that statement" the woman said.

"Marchioness Catherine" Yolei greeted with a respectful curtsy. "I haven't seen you in quite some time."

Catherine smiled back. "I should be the one curtsying to you duchess, you do hold a higher social ranking than I do. But to answer your question, I am fine, although I have been forced to babysit this one royal right here."

"I'm not that bad" Wallace chuckled.

"That's what you think" Catherine muttered as she dragged him away. The two blondes were waving goodbye as they left. "Have fun! We'll probably see each other again later tonight though!"

Yolei and Kari decided to go their separate ways so that they could enjoy themselves in the company of others, although Kari was slightly uncomfortable around all of the strangers and the fact that the majority of them were royals. More than half of the commoners that were actually there was either catering for the royals or knights to guard the inside of the castle. Although it was definitely strange for Kari to see these royal actually get food for them rather than wait for their servants to give it to them from the kitchen. It at least proves they are more capable than they actually let on.

"I wonder where Prince TK is…" Kari wondered aloud. She noticed that the hosts were there at least, King Hiroaki and Queen Nancy, were already there and entertaining some of the guests. "They seem like such a happy couple. I sure hope they stay that way."

"Welcome, Princess Mimi!"

Kari looked over to the entrance and saw the princess as well as her seamstress, Sora, walked in. On one side, there stood her brother, Knight Tai and on their other side, stood Knight Davis. Both were at the ready in case of any possible incident despite the fact that the castle was heavily guarded.

Kari took note that her mistress, Duchess Yolei walked over to that group as soon as they had come in and pulled Sora to the side. The two women walked over to the balcony and they shut the doors behind them, it seems they were going to have a private conversation so Kari decided to just leave them to it.

Sora looked up at the stars, taking in the view and breathing in the fresh air. "So, what did you want to talk to me about milady?"

"I was wondering about the princess's condition" Yolei told her after some slight hesitation. "I had heard that she had locked herself in after Michael's death. How is she taking it now? Well, I presume that she's doing a little better considering she actually showed up here."

"Yes, she's doing considerably better although I know she took it really hard" Sora replied. "I feel like I should be capable of doing something for her but I just don't know what. But I'm sure that with time, her broken spirit will be mended. There is absolutely nothing to worry about."

"Yeah, I suppose so."

The two of them were silent now as Sora looked around at the castle from the outside. She had seen all the guards from the outside but she was still worried about a certain someone getting in somehow. "Um, Yolei, do you really think that the castle is protected enough?"

"Don't even worry about it" Yolei smiled. "I heard that they had guards at every entrance and even at the secret passageways. Not to mention that all the royal guests here have knights inside to protect things that way. And of course, our lovely hosts have their two best knights inside as well, although their main jobs are to protect the knights."

"Have you met them yet?"

"No, they haven't come out yet. Why? Are you that eager to meet them?" Yolei asked suggestively.

Sora blushed but covered it by laughing, not very well though. "I was just wondering, Yolei, there isn't any need to make quick assumptions."

"Although…" Yolei breathed after a while. "I've got to say that you're really lucky Sora. You can easily find your happily ever after, even if it's not with a prince, you have a knight who happens to have taken quite a liking to you."

"Who? Tai?"

"Who else?" Yolei smiled. "The two of you can fall in love and maybe move out of this town, in one of those lands where wizards aren't a problem. Us royals, we can't really go anywhere because we have a duty to fulfill here."

Sora shook her head and opened the doors to the balcony. She didn't step through though, she just stared at the people inside for a few seconds before looking over her shoulder and back at Yolei. "There is no land free of problems, Yolei. Besides, falling in love won't happen so easily for me, love just isn't my thing. Besides, I'd never move away, not with Mimi around, I owe her and her family so much. And happily ever after is more than difficult to achieve…at least for people like me."

The redhead walked off, leaving Yolei to her thoughts. "Well, you don't have to be so pessimistic about it" Yolei muttered. "What's wrong with commoners and their negativity?"

As Sora went back inside, she caught sight of Kari not too far away. The maiden was about to go over and have a little chat with the youth, but then she saw Knight Davis approach. Knowing that the knight would want some privacy while talking to the one who had captured his heart, she decided to leave them be for now.

"Good evening, Sir Davis" Kari greeted politely. "I hope you and my brother are enjoying the festivities tonight."

"There is no need for formalities" Davis chuckled. "I just came here to talk. Can't we just converse like friends rather than members of a royal's court?"

Being at a party thrown by the high royal family had made Kari naturally switch to polite, and proper lady, so she ended up speaking to everyone in that manner. The young brunette giggled lightheartedly as she tried to make herself more comfortable. "Yes, of course. I'm always forgetting that."

"Anyway, Kari, there was something I was hoping to ask you" Davis continued shyly.

Kari knew that he wasn't one to behave shy or nervous but this was one of those rare times he did. "Go ahead. I'm not going to bite you anything."

"Well, it's just, I was wondering if you wanted to d–."

He was cut off by the herald who entered at the top of the grand staircase. He called all of their attention to him with a big announcement all prepared although it wasn't exactly some extravagant speech or anything. "Ladies and gentlemen! It is my honor to present to you, the princes of this fair land and the sons of your hosts, King Hiroaki and Queen Nancy, Matt and TK!"

Matt, the elder of the two princes came out first with Knight Cody by his side and they were followed by the younger brother who was accompanied by Knight Noriko. They walked down the staircase with their heads held high and magnificent smiles on their faces. Kari was sure she had heard one of the maidens squeal in pure excitement.

"I'm sorry Davis" Kari quickly said. "Maybe we can talk later. I've got to go talk to one of the princes."

"Oh, uh, sure."

Davis didn't seem so sure about it but Kari decided to brush it off. She hoped that whatever he had wanted to ask her wasn't that important. She pushed her way through the crowd but not too quickly since she didn't want to make herself seem too excitement or nervous.

TK was speaking to Marchioness Catherine when he noticed the fair maiden coming towards them. He excused himself from Catherine who also caught sight of Kari. The marchioness smiled and waved him off as she gave a wink towards Kari.

"You came" TK said when he was right in front of Kari.

"At your request, your majesty" Kari curtsied.

TK heard the music slow down and he watched as the chandeliers overhead glistened beautifully, reflecting the many lights in the room. He bowed low and held his hand out to Kari. "Would you care to dance with me, milady? We can talk later."

Kari hesitated but then gave him her hand. "I would be honored. But I must warn you, I have no experience dancing."

"That's fine with me."